31 October/1 November or the November new moon
Samhain was originally celebrated on the day before or the evening before 1 November. In ancient times, it was a lunar festival, and traditionally it falls on the new moon at the beginning of November. Nowadays, this festival is usually celebrated on the night of 31 October to 1 November. According to tradition, on this night the boundary between the earthly world and the afterlife is less distinct.
Origin of the name Samhain
In fact, “Samhain” (almost universally pronounced “saw-win”) derives from the two Gaelic words sam and fuin, meaning “end of summer”[1]. In The Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets (Castle Books, 1996), Barbara G. Walker states that Samhain is named “after the Aryan lord of death, Samana, ‘the Equaliser’ or the Grim Reaper, the leader of the ancestral spirits”.
Samhain: The beginning of the dark season
Samhain marks the beginning of the dark season and, in the annual cycle, lies directly opposite Beltane, the triumph of light. Nature withdraws and the light continues to diminish until the winter solstice.
This time of year calls on us to come to terms with the transience of life and to look back with gratitude on our past, our ancestors and those who have passed away. We are called upon to reflect on what we can and should let go of, so that we may enjoy the rebirth of spring with vigour and a sense of liberation.
Samhain is dedicated to the grateful remembrance of the deceased, and our focus is on death. During this time, we can consciously connect with our ancestors, feel their strength and ask for their guidance. We are called upon to turn inwards and embark on a fruitful journey towards greater honesty, so that the spaces of our soul may shine with the light of our gratitude and humility.
Samhain, festivals of the dead and the ancestors
Samhain, the festival of the dead, which takes place between 31 October and 1 November, is an important festival in the Celtic calendar, said to symbolise the end of summer and the beginning of darkness. It is a festival that marks the start of the new year, just like our New Year celebrations.
Samhain is a particularly important time in agriculture and spiritual care, as it is the time when the land prepares for winter and a period of rest. It is therefore not surprising that at this time of year we are called upon to retreat into our homes and explore the depths of our souls, away from the outside world and its many guises and masks.
This period of self-reflection is an important part of the Samhain celebrations. It is a time when we can reflect on the past year and prepare for the year ahead. Samhain is a time of celebration and reflection. It is a time when we can reflect on all that we have achieved over the past year and look forward to the opportunities that the future will bring.
Samhain: The beginning of the healing dark season
It is darkness with which everything begins. It is a time of tranquillity and reflection, a transition between life and death. It is the time when the realm of the living and that of the dead converge, and therefore it is a time of divination, prayer and communication with the ancestors. The Celtic festival of Samhain was a special time for drinking, eating, prophecies, incantations, magic and protective rituals, and was celebrated for three days, or at most six weeks.
Many researchers believe that Christian festivals commemorating the dead, such as All Saints’ Day, are derived from the traditional Celtic festival of Samhain. However, the Church has imbued this ancient pagan festival with new religious meanings, whilst not forgetting its pagan roots.
The Celts and their Samhain celebrations: An insight into their culture and their conception of time
The Celts were a pastoral people and their rhythm of life was shaped by the cycles of livestock farming. At the end of the summer season, the herdsmen brought their herds back down into the valley to prepare for the onset of winter and the start of the new year. For the Celts, the new year did not begin on 1 January, as it does for us today, but on 1 November, when the warm season officially ended and the time of darkness and cold began.
Samhain: The Festival of Change and Union The transition from summer to winter and from the old year to the new was celebrated with a long festival known as Samhain. The festival, whose name is derived from the Gaelic “Samhuinn” and means “end of summer”, was an opportunity for the community to give thanks for the generosity of the gods and to ward off the arrival of winter and its dangers. Yet it was also a time of unity, during which the community was strengthened through rituals and the goodwill of the gods was invoked.
The Samhain festival was an important part of the Celtic harvest festival, and it is believed that the customs of Samhain were passed down through the generations and have changed and evolved over time. For example, the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the dead would return to the land of the living at this time, and so they set out food and drink for them.
Furthermore, the Celts used the festival to prepare for the coming winter. In some cases, the Celts even offered human sacrifices to appease the gods and ensure a successful harvest.
The significance of Samhain
The Celts viewed time as a circle divided into cycles, and the end of each cycle was regarded as highly significant and imbued with magic. Samhain marked the end of the annual cycle and was the most important festival in their calendar. Alongside Samhain, they celebrated seven further annual festivals linked to the seasons and nature.
Samhain and death
In harmony with the cycles of nature, death was the central theme of the festival. During the winter months, life appears to lie dormant, whilst in reality it is renewing itself beneath the earth, where, among others, the dead traditionally rest. Hence, the association of Samhain with the cult of the dead is understandable.
The Celts believed that on the eve of every New Year, Samhain summons all the spirits of the dead, who live in a realm of eternal youth and happiness called Tir nan Oge. The spirits’ powers can unite with the world of the living, causing the laws of time and space to temporarily dissolve and the afterlife to merge with the world of the living. The wandering spirits can roam the earth undisturbed.
The emergence of Christianity and its impact on Samhain
The rise of Christianity did not completely eradicate these festivals, but in many cases overlapped with them, giving them different content and meanings from their original ones. Samhain later became the eve of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day and is celebrated today as Halloween.
A deep connection with nature and the cycle of life Overall, the Celtic conception of time and the significance of Samhain demonstrate their deep connection with nature and the cycle of life. It was a festival that marked the transition from summer to winter and from the old year to the new.
The Celts lived in harmony with the seasons and the rhythm of nature, which they viewed as a circle divided into cycles. The end of each cycle, such as Samhain, was regarded as very important and full of magic. Alongside Samhain, they celebrated other festivals, such as Lughnasadh, Beltane, Imbolc, Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon. For the Celts, Samhain was a festival of gratitude and the goodwill of the gods, which united and strengthened the community.
All Saints’ Day and Samhain
The Christian festival of All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Eve as it is sometimes called, has adopted many of these traditions, albeit with a religious focus. For example, bonfires are lit to represent the light of Christ, whilst costumes are worn to commemorate and honour the saints. The Celts believed that the souls of the dead would visit the living during Samhain, and this idea was incorporated into the Christian festival in the form of prayers for the dead.
The celebration of Samhain and All Saints’ Day has been part of European life for centuries, and the traditions and meanings associated with these festivals have changed and evolved over time. However, the ancient pagan and Christian roots of Samhain and All Saints’ Day have been preserved, and the festivals continue to be celebrated in many parts of the world.
Ritual for the Samhain festival: Sensing the power of the ancestors
Objective
This ritual supports the conscious awareness of your ancestors. It enables you to connect with the power of your ancestors and to reconcile yourself with your roots in gratitude.
Duration
approx. 30 minutes
Incense blend
1/3 dammar, 1/3 juniper tips and 1/3 angelica root
This combination promotes relaxation and concentration and creates a powerful protective field.
Preparation
During this special time of year, consciously take time for a walk in nature. Let yourself be enchanted by the autumn colours and reflect on the past year – on what you did during winter, spring and summer. Notice how, in autumn, you can symbolically reap the fruits of your labour.
Enjoy the last warm rays of sunshine and, whilst out for a walk, think back to your childhood, your grandparents and their parents. Think of all the people who came before you and who represent your roots. Then return home, enjoy the warmth and comfort of your home, and continue the exercise.
If you’d like to be accompanied by the scent of incense during the following meditation, prepare everything you need for burning incense and let the incense blend smoulder gently. Breathe slowly, deeply and in a relaxed way, and close your eyes.
Procedure
Note: You can commit the scenes described to memory and then visualise them, or record the text and use the recording as a guide whilst undertaking the journey.
Visualise a radiant source of light in the centre of the room and enjoy your deep relaxation.
Feel strength and a sense of security within yourself.
Focus inwardly on the feeling of warmth and take in the gentle scent of the incense blend.
Now visualise yourself in a beautiful meadow surrounded by nature.
You are standing near a tree and can feel its power and vitality.
Consider the tree’s deep roots, its powerful life force.
They represent your ancestors, who, just as roots do for a tree, strengthen and nourish you.
Now feel the power of the trunk, which symbolises your life force and love.
Consciously contemplate the beauty of the tree canopy, which symbolises your inner strength and vitality.
The treetop is a symbol of your readiness to embark on a new path in your life and to look to the future with a carefree and calm outlook.
Recognise your readiness, your future and your vision.
Once you are familiar with the tree, imagine how its roots absorb light from the earth.
You can feel the tree becoming ever more radiant and powerful.
Enjoy this special quality.
Breathe in and out slowly, deeply and mindfully.
Then begin to visualise your ancestors standing by the tree.
Feel your mother and father there, and behind them, their parents.
Imagine your paternal and maternal great-grandparents behind them.
Visualise the endless line of your ancestors and consciously feel that you exist only because your ancestors came before you.
If it feels right to you, imagine that you are standing face to face with your parents.
You contemplate the infinite power of this line of ancestors.
If it feels right to you, give thanks to your ancestors and feel your vital energy.
Feel a sense of natural gratitude towards your ancestral line.
On this special festive day, devote your attention and gratitude to it.
Then feel how the tree’s power is transferred to your ancestral line and visualise how this light permeates and purifies the entire ancestral line.
Then turn round in your visualisation and feel how the presence of your ancestors strengthens your back.
Feel a deep sense of gratitude for this unique moment and consciously savour this special opportunity to connect with your ancestors.
Now imagine your ancestors resting in a beautiful cocoon of light.
Feel the power of this light and assess the extent to which you are at peace with your ancestors.
Try to accept the past as it is, and choose to look forward to a successful future.
You can symbolically write a letter to your ancestors and then burn it. Scatter half of the ashes into a river and the other half at the roots of a tree.
Samhain rituals
Samhain is the sacred festival in the Celtic annual cycle marking transition and connection with the ancestors and the spiritual world. Here are some exercises you can do during Samhain:
Ancestor ritual
Create a sacred space and light some candles. Call upon the ancestors who inspire and guide you. You can also ask them to give you messages or answers.
Observing nature: Go for a walk and observe nature. Notice how the leaves change colour and fall, how the light changes and how the earth’s energy shifts. Use this time to adjust to the changes and say goodbye to old things.
Reflection
Take some time to reflect and think about what you have learnt over the past year and what you would like to achieve in the future. Write down your thoughts and goals, and set your intentions for the coming year.
Cleansing
Use this time to rid yourself of old habits, negative energies and blockages. You can carry out an energetic cleansing or cleanse your home and workspace.
Gratitude
Celebrate life and be grateful for everything you have. Write a list of things you’re grateful for – the things, people and experiences that bring you joy.
Celebrations
Celebrate the festival with your loved ones and honour your ancestors with a celebration or a feast. Share stories and memories, and honour those who have gone before us.
These ideas can help you connect with the spiritual significance of Samhain and prepare for the transition into the next season.
In summary, Samhain was an important festival in the Celtic annual cycle, marking the transition from summer to winter and from the old year to the new. It was celebrated to unite and strengthen the community and to thank the gods for their generosity.
Death played a central role, as it was in harmony with the cycles of nature. The Celtic conception of time and life was strongly linked to nature, and Samhain was an expression of this deep connection. Today, the festival is celebrated as Halloween, which shows just how deeply rooted Samhain is in our culture.
I’d be delighted if you could share this article about Samhain and also share your thoughts on it in the comments.
Let us celebrate together the Celts’ deep connection with nature and the cycle of life, and draw inspiration from the magic of this festival.
1. The source for this etymology is Jean Markale’s The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween: Celebrating the Dark Half of the Year (Innere Traditionen International, 2001)
Bibliography
de las Heras, Brigitta. (2020). 1st ed. Die Reise durch den Jahreskreis: Rituale, Fantasiereisen und Tänze zu den acht keltischen Jahreskreisfesten. Darmstadt: Schirner Verlag.
Hutton, Ronald. (1996). The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kaiser, Martina. Der Jahreskreis: Den Rhythmus der Natur als unsere Kraftquelle nutzen. Bielefeld: Aurum.
Kondratiev, Alexei. (1998). The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual. San Francisco: Collins.
McColman, Carl. (2014). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Paganism. New York: Alpha Books.
Walker, Barbara. (1996) The Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. New York City: Castle Books. ↑
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