Samhain // Current

Halloween church bells ding-dong

Plans to revive a medieval bell-ringing tradition at Halloween have caused a ding-dong about Paganism in a Suffolk town.... more

EclecticBadger
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1 month ago

Countdown To Halloween: Jack-o-Lanterns & Celtic Carvings

by Marisa
Whether messily scooping out your pumpkin at home, admiring this years carvings around the neighborhood or, ok, using your computers mouse to scrawl a pumpkin mask on Facebook, Jack-o-lantern season is upon us. But have you ever wondered how this unusual tradition began?

Jack-o-lanterns were brought to the United States by Irish immigrants during the potato famines of the mid-1800s. In keeping with the ancient Celtic belief that the veil between life and death is thinnest on Samhain, the earliest Jack-o-lanterns were designed both to welcome deceased loved ones and frighten away less welcome spirits. The carving of faces, as opposed to other symbols, stemmed from the Celtic belief that the head housed a persons immortal soul, and was therefore sacred. Hence, if you must venture out on Samhain night, a Jack-o-lantern (or kail-runt torch in Scotland) was intended to fool any spirits that might cross your path. In Ireland, Jack-o-lanterns were carved from hollowed turnips, but as pumpkins were more plentiful in America, the tradition quickly adapted.

So whos Jack? While the specifics of his legend vary wildly, in essence Jack was a lazy, yet shrewd, Irish farmer who had the poor judgment to try to trick the devil and by extension, death. (This legend likely arose after Christianitys arrival in Ireland, as earlier Pagan traditions would have been unlikely to include a devil figure or to see a harbinger of death as evil.) Of course, the devil, being quite crafty himself, knew that, as all living beings must die, Jack was actually denying himself an after-life. And so the devil threw Jack an ember from the flames of hell, and Jack placed it inside a carved-out turnip to light the path of his purgatory, as he wandered the earth in search of a resting place. (In fairness, theres also the less creative, mid-eighteenth century definition of a Jack-o-Lantern as simply a night watchman but what fun is that?)

So this year, as you bring knife to pumpkin (or cyber-knife to Facebook screen), consider the rich history behind your carving and maybe think twice before forfeiting the traditional protective face for a more contemporary scene or symbol. After all, poor Jack is still roaming!

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa Whether messily scooping out your pumpkin at home, admiring this years carvings around the neighborhood or, ok, using... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown to Halloween: Campfires, Ghost Stories, And Hauntings

by Marisa
Haunted houses and horror films, zombies and ghouls, Halloween traditions are inseparable from images of the dead, even if the origins are sometimes a bit, well, masked.

To the ancient Celts, the fine Samhain veil between earthly and spiritual planes made for a long night of ghostly goings on from wandering spirits, to visitations from departed loved ones. In this context, our tradition of visiting haunted houses and telling ghost stories around the fire harks back both to the Pagan ritual reverence for the dead, and the ancient Celtic desire for protection from more menacing, soul-stealing ghouls.

Sprinkling salt into the hair of children, or burning dried sage (known as smudging) were just a couple of the protective measures favored across the British Isles. But how does this relate to fire? It may seem simply convenient, given the charm of a late October hearth, that campfires and ghost stories are so intertwined. Historically, however, Samhain balefires were an integral part of the nights celebration, lighting the dark sky, purifying the land, warding off evil, and containing the energy of the newly departed Sun God (whose passing symbolized both the end of the harvest and the slaughter of animals for winter).

The ancient Celts often burned several fires in close proximity, and would drive their cattle between the flames, or leap amongst the fires themselves, in a ritual purification. (The perception that fire could purge evil influences was later used to horrifying effect in the witch burnings of the mid-fifteenth through eighteenth centuries.) As cattle were a primary unit of currency to pre-Christian Celts, villagers would also cast the bones of slaughtered livestock upon the fire, along with other symbols of their hopes for the coming season. The term bonfire, from bone-fire, is said to have grown from this practice.

As the morning sun rose, portions of the dwindling fire were distributed to re-kindle individual hearths and protect the journey home. (The moan of the Bean Sidhe or banshee, foretelling a death in the family was, after all, a threat up until morning.) The Samhain ashes were then sprinkled over the fields for protection during the winter months.

So this year, as you light your fire or place a candle in your Jack-o-lantern, maybe take a moment to toss your own hopes for the coming season upon the flame. At a minimum, youll know your dreams are well-protected.

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa Haunted houses and horror films, zombies and ghouls, Halloween traditions are inseparable from images of the dead, even... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown to Halloween: Trick-Or-Treating Through Time

by Marisa Costumes, masks, and trick-or-treating. Fun stuff, associated with costume parties and the collection of candy, right?... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown to Halloween: Bobbing Apples And The Dumb Supper

by Marisa
Halloween may not come to mind as readily as, say, Thanksgiving, for culinary enticements, but theres a great deal more to this ancient Celtic tradition than soul-cakes and bags of candy.

To begin, hospitality was historically a substantial Samhain component. In addition to the treats bestowed on visiting guisers in exchange for songs or prayers, dinners were prepared for the deceased, both to honor passed loved ones, and to appease less friendly spirits. In areas of Ireland and Scotland they still set a place for dead loved ones at the Samhain table, and pass the evening with nostalgic stories. The more menacing spirits, however, proved more of a trick. Not wishing to invite any threatening presence into the home, ancient Celts would place a dumb supper of traditional Samhain foods outside their door, or bury apples roadside for those spirits who were lost or without descendants.

Why the emphasis on apples? In keeping with the ongoing apple-bobbing tradition, ancient Celts believed that eating a slice of three different apples ensured a year of good luck, and that an apple before sleep on Samhain night would prevent illness for a year. The apple was also credited with magical abilities, due in part to the pentagram revealed at an apples core, when sliced width-wise.

One Pagan divination ritual instructs that you sit in front of a mirror, lit only by candlelight or the moon, and descend into a meditative silence, focusing on a particular question. Next, cut an apple into nine pieces, eating the first eight with your back to the mirror before throwing the ninth slice over your left shoulder, and following it with your gaze. If you allow your focus to soften, an image is said to form from the reflected moon or candlelight in the mirror, providing your answer.

In addition to apples, other Dumb Supper foods include traditional Irish colcannon and barmbrack - just chew carefully, as Samhain dishes often include buried objects, such as coins, rings, or cloth, from which the diner might glean divination. Hazelnuts are another customary Samhain treat, regarded by the Celts as a symbol of occult wisdom, as is chocolate, associated in Mexico with wishing the dead a sweet return in their next incarnation.

So this year, dont limit yourself to the candies of contemporary custom, but indulge instead in a full Samhain feast! After all, youre just protecting your home.

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa Halloween may not come to mind as readily as, say, Thanksgiving, for culinary enticements, but theres a great deal... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown to Halloween: Introducing Samhain

by Marisa
For most of us autumn is rife with Halloween images and traditions: Jack-o-lanterns, spider webs, haunted houses, and apple bobbing. The symbols are familiar, but many of their stories have been buried with time and commercialization. (I mean, its not quite Mothers Day or Valentines Day, but Im thinking Hallmark and company are pretty fond of this time of year.) Beneath all the eerie seasonal fun, however, lies an equally intriguing Celtic and pagan history.

In simplest terms, pagan holidays honor the seasons, encouraging us to look within ourselves and our world at the parallel cycles of birth and death, and planting and harvest. Each ancient sabbat coincides with a more familiar holiday, such as Yule at the Winter Solstice near Christmas, Mabon aligning roughly with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Ostara at Passover / Easter, and even Imbolc at Groundhogs Day. So whats the big deal with October 31st?

Halloween, known to the ancient Celts as Samhain (pronounced SOW-an) from the Irish-Gaelic word for summers end, was brought to the United States by Irish, Scottish and English immigrants in the 19th century. By the ancient Celtic calendar, Samhain marks the last of three harvest festivals, as well as the end of the Celtic year. All plantings, both figurative and literal, have been reaped, so as the leaves fall and the earth slumbers, we are encouraged to look within ourselves at our own recent closures in preparation for the new years rebirth.

In this sense, Halloweens emphasis on death is largely figurative, but Samhain is not without its literal hauntings. During the rickety "tween" hours of Samhain night, the ancient Celts believed the veil between the living and dead was at its finest, allowing for free communication between the earthly and spiritual planes. For some, Samhain was therefore an opportunity for communication or séance with a departed loved one - and for others it was a long evening of hauntings and supernatural pranksters.

Where do you fall on this spectrum? Count down with Daily Mantra to find out, as we explore the traditions, tricks, and treats of Samhain 2007 via seven daily installments. Happy Halloween!

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa For most of us autumn is rife with Halloween images and traditions: Jack-o-lanterns, spider webs, haunted houses, and... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown to Halloween: Samhain by The Star

by Marisa
Guising and witches, campfires and pumpkins these past seven days have been a whirlwind of Samhain images and traditions. But now that youve explored the whys behind contemporary Halloween trends, whats next?

Well, Samhain was initially a New Year celebration, developed by the ancient Celts out of reverence for the earths calendar, the end of the harvest, and the changing of the seasons. As with all Pagan holidays, great attention was paid to the earths cycle and the elements of earth, wind, air, and fire. So, for a last exploration of Samhain 2007, and in keeping with this holidays Pagan roots, lets see what the stars have to say.

October 31, 2007 falls within several astrological cycles. Perhaps most prevalently (and familiarly to anyone traveling or working with electronics these past couple weeks), from October 13th to November 1, Mercury is in retrograde. In simplest terms, this means we can all expect miscommunication, travel glitches, and electronic difficulty (back up those computers!). As the first and last few days of Mercury's retrograde cycle tend to be the most difficult, you may wish to allow extra travel time for any Halloween commutes, or to be particularly attentive to your communication.

The news isnt all bad, however, as while Mercury is in retrograde it's an excellent time to reflect back and return to old projects and intentions a perfect match for Samhains traditional reflection on the years harvest. Just keep in mind that Neptune will be direct this Halloween, so we may not be seeing everything clearly. (Unsurprising, given the extensive masks and costuming on this day - perhaps Samhains wandering spirits will be equally stumped!)

By Pagan tradition, certain qualities are also attributed to each day of the week. As Halloween falls this year on a Wednesday, we are in particularly strong alignment for creative work and money/business matters. More relevantly for Samhain traditions, Wednesday is believed to be the best day for lifting hexes and conducting psychic readings. So, if youre interested in gazing through this nights thin supernatural veil, it looks as though stars and tradition are in your favor.

Whatever Halloween enjoyment you choose this Samhain, be it distributing modern-day soul-cakes among guising children, lighting a candle for poor Jacks lantern, or reflecting quietly on your personal harvest and hopes for the year ahead, we hope you enjoy the evening and its rich history. Happy Halloween!

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa Guising and witches, campfires and pumpkins these past seven days have been a whirlwind of Samhain images and... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Countdown To Halloween: Wise Old Crone Or Wizened Hag, Which Witch Are You?

by Marisa
The association of Halloween with witches is as old as the holiday itself and yet witchy interpretations have varied wildly with time. To contemporary American children, the cackling gorgon on her broomstick is textbook nightmare and horror film fodder. To Wiccans and ancient Celts, however, this wart-nosed hag represented the Goddess as woman in the final state of life. Wise with experience, she stirred at her cauldron (womb), wherein the dead awaited their rebirth with the Sun God at Yule. Pagan perspectives often utilize both Goddess and God figures in a yin/yang-like dynamic: the God being born of the Goddess each year and maturing to his death and rebirth, as the Goddess holds constant and immortal.

So, why the huge interpretational chasm? When Pope Gregory IV standardized All Hollows Day (or All Saints Day) from its previous May date to November 1, the Pagan Samhain festival was imbued with Christian meaning. Some of these pieces fit easily - Samhains honoring of the dead became All Hollows Days honoring of the saints - but others, like the powerful crone, were perhaps a bit more threatening, as demonstrated by the European witch hunts spanning 1450-1700. And so what was once a symbol of reverence for death and the life cycle transitioned into a figure of mystical peril.

So, ok, that takes care of the witch and the cauldron, but whats with the broomsticks and flying in the air? The Wiccan broom (or besom) is used to cleanse ritual spaces by literally and figuratively sweeping away negativity, and then stored near a hearth or door to prevent evil from entering. During the Burning Times, witches were accused of flying broom-less, thanks to a grease-based flying ointment. Given that many of the ointments ingredients were hallucinogenic (hemp, belladonna, and poppy), another interpretation is that flying may have referred to astral projection.

And then theres that favorite witchy companion: the bat. While nocturnal flight and vampiric associations have long contributed to make the bat a symbol of Halloween hauntings, many Pagans view the bat as a protective presence, harbinger of good fortune, or guide to past lives. Fortunately such dichotomies are in many ways exactly what Halloween is about: the veil between life and death, love and fear, yin and yang. So whether you think shes a magical crone or a terrifying hag, on Samhain, all witches are welcome.

http://www.dailymantra.com
www.myspace.com/thedailymantraby Marisa The association of Halloween with witches is as old as the holiday itself and yet witchy interpretations have varied... more

AndreaKnoll
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1 year ago

Samhain

Halloween church bells ding-dong

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Countdown To Halloween: Jack-o-Lanterns & Celtic Carvings

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Countdown to Halloween: Campfires, Ghost Stories, And Hauntings

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Countdown to Halloween: Trick-Or-Treating Through Time

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Countdown to Halloween: Bobbing Apples And The Dumb Supper

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Countdown to Halloween: Introducing Samhain

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Countdown to Halloween: Samhain by The Star

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Countdown To Halloween: Wise Old Crone Or Wizened Hag, Which Witch Are You?

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