SAMHAIN
The Celtic New Year
Samhain is what the
ancient Celts called the end of summer and the end of the agricultural year.
This is the start of the Celtic new year and the dark winter half of the winter
starts. It is the time when the walls are thin between the worlds are thin, and
we are able to communicate easily with the wandering dead those who have passed
over.
Samhain is the time we honour and bring hospitality to dead ancestors.
Prayers and food are left as offerings on doorsteps and alters, even if found
untouched by morning the essence of the food is said to have been
transferred to the spirits.
Samhain is when all final preparations for winter are made, cattle are
slaughtered and all harvest products are in any produce left in the fields are
taboo, as it now belongs to the nature spirits. With all the work of the year
done and everything ready for the coming cycle, there would time to tidy up
their past lives, time to remember, settle differences, and pay debts.
Samhain is one of two spirits-nights of the year (Beltaine being the
other) this is a time when the fairies are at their most active, a time of
chaos. This is the night when witches are about, omens can be seen, divinations
are made and household fires are rekindled.