Ancient Celtic Celebration Marking Harvest and New Year: Samhain Edition

Samhain: The Celtic Festival at the Crossroads of Times

Eager to learn more about Samhain? Brace yourself for a journey through time as we unveil the mystique and customs of this iconic festival.

A Harvest RetreatBonfires become the center of attention to celebrate the last harvest, symbolizing the burning of decay, purifying the land, and consigning malicious spirits to oblivion.

Welcome to the OtherworldOn Samhain eve, sídhe (fairy mounds) whisk open to pave the way for mischievous spirits and nature deities to venture into the human world, stirring up adventures. The Otherworld also goes by names like the Fae realm, spirit world, ghostly plain, and the realm of the dead.

Veil of ShadowsIn its ethereal charm, the barrier between the realm of the dead and the world of the living becomes thin as ghosts and deceased loved ones visit the living, occasionally reconnecting with their friends and family. Impersonating a departed loved one was a cherished gesture for paying respect to their memories and receiving gifts or offerings.

Laying Out the Welcome MatHoping the spirits would partake in delicacies, people placed offerings outside their homes, including food and drink for the fairies, to ensure they'd satisfy their cravings and move on. Should you find yourself venturing outside at night, don a disguise to protect yourself against the Fae.

Embracing the ChangeAt the precipice of winter, harness the dark season's power to process and let go of your heavy emotions such as grief, anger, sadness, and worries, allowing them to pass.

Hallowed GroundAs Catholic beliefs seeped into Irish and Scottish culture, Samhain merged with All Souls' Day/All Hallows' Eve (Halloween), honorably remembering loved ones who had passed on.

Rulers of the NightThe Mórrígan (Great Queen), a formidable figure, and The Dagda (Great God), an embodiment of earth's bounty, preside over Samhain, marking the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The Mórrígan, the Celtic goddess of war, fate, and death, reverberates with the power of prophecy; while The Dagda rules over agriculture, fertility, and life and death.

A Celtic LegacySamhain traditions, passed down through Irish and Scottish immigrants, persevered through the diaspora, carving indelible marks on our hearts and minds.

Apple Diving (dooking)Using this method, apples were once used for divination, revealing truths and foretelling destinies. Young people immersed themselves in baths of water containing apples, competed in competitions, and peeled the skin for a glimpse into their future.

Mumming and Trick-or-Treating (Guising)Dressed in disguises, families roamed from house to house, reciting rhymes and songs, trading stories, and gaining goodness in exchange. If the offering was meager, they brought ill fortune upon the neglectful household.

Jack-O'-LanternsAt night, when the supernatural world reigned supreme, illuminated lanterns adorned with grinning faces guided the mummers and guisers through the twilight, as well as protected the given home from malicious spirits.

Emblematic SymbolsCrows embody the essence of the spooky season, symbolizing intelligence, shrewdness, and death. Curious by nature, they mimic human speech and feast on carrion, making them the perfect omens of the enigma that unfolds during Samhain.

Mugwort, the mother of all herbs, is cherished for its protective properties and calming influence. Believed to instill prophetic dreams, involved individuals would sleep with mugwort to deepen insights into their destiny.

Samhain Herbal TeaCollected in honor of Samhain, a soothing blend of chamomile, mint, and mugwort infused in hot water nurtures tranquility and self-reflection before bedtime:

1 Tbsp of each - Chamomile, Mint, Mugwort
Honey, raw sugar, or agave
Lemon juice or wedge
Place tea bags or strainer with dried herbs in a mug and pour over with hot water.
Steep for 5 minutes, add preferred sweetener and lemon, and stir.
Enjoy and let the mystique of Samhain envelop you.

A Blessed SamhainEmbark on your personal voyage to honor the beauty of an ancient festival steeped in mystery, embracing its energies as we bid farewell to the old and welcome the promises of the new.

As a gesture of respect for spirits and fairies during Samhain, people placed not only food and drink but also fashionable and beautiful clothing items as offerings outside their homes to suit the whims of the ethereal beings.
In addition to food and drink, homes were often adorned with decorative elements inspired by the fashion-and-beauty of the time, aiming to attract favorable visits from the otherworldly beings.
The living, at this time, also wanted to establish positive relationships with their pets, as they believed that pets, being companions and extensions of their homes, could foster connections with the spirits during Samhain.
During Samhain's eve, many took advantage of the loose bonds between the realms to engage in travel, seeking out new experiences and insights that this transitional period was believed to provide.
Sports activities were often put on pause during Samhain, as the Celtic communities focused their energy on the spiritual aspects of the festival, embracing the quiet, introspective qualities that the season lent.