Samhain

Halloween Jack-o'-lantern Also called All Hallows’ Eve All Saints’ Eve Observed by Numerous Western countries (see article) Type Secular, with roots in Christian and Celtic tradition Begins Sunset Ends Midnight Date October 31 Celebrations Costume parties, trick-or-treating in costumes, bonfires, divination Related to Samhain, All Saints’ Day Halloween (also spelled Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones.[1][2][3] Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America during Ireland's ... Read Full Story

A Brief History of Halloween Oualie Beach Resort Hotel Nevis, West Indies October 31, 2009 Halloween (also written Hallowe’en, literally “holy evening”), also known as All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve, is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and gets its name from being the evening (e’en) before the Western Christian holy day of All Saints (the Eastern Orthodox celebrate All Saints’ Day in June). It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones. The colours black and orange have become associated with the celebrations, perhaps ... Read Full Story

Halloween has origins in the ancient festival known as Samhain, which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly "summer's end". This was a Gaelic festival celebrated mainly in Ireland and Scotland. However, similar festivals were held by other Celts – for example the festival of Calan Gaeaf which was held by the ancient Britons. Snap-Apple Night by Daniel Maclise showing a Halloween party in Blarney, Ireland, in 1832. The young children on the right bob for apples. A couple in the center play a variant, which involves retrieving an apple hanging from a string. The couples at left play divination games. The festival ... Read Full Story

Origin of Halloween The origin of Halloween is firmly rooted in the pagan beliefs of long ago. Halloween started out as Samhain, or the New Year, of the Celts in 5th century BC. Originally celebrated on October 31st, it was the third and last harvest for the year. It was also the time of death for the pagan god, although this god was re-born at Yule. This was the day that summer officially ended. The sun, measured by ancient standing stones in Ireland and Britain, is at its lowest point on October 31st. It is believed that this is why the Celts chose this ... Read Full Story

October is an excellent month for divination. One of the more difficult forms of seeing the future is known as scrying. In scyring it is possible to perceive events and obtain answers by way of the subconscious. This can be tough to master because it demands a deep understanding of the subconscious symbolism and an ability to understand these symbols. Unlike many other forms of divination which require you to look outside of yourself for answers, you have to look within while scyring. The most famous method of scrying is probably crystal gazing, where one seeks answers in a crystal ball. However, fire, mirrors, ... Read Full Story