Samhain
Samhain was originally celebrated by the ancient Celtic tribes of Britain and Ireland over two thousand years ago.1
Fast Facts
- Celebrated on October 31st
- Evolved into Halloween over the centuries
- Samhain is pronounced SOW-in or SOW-een2
- Celebrated the end of the summer and harvest3
- Ancient Druids built bonfires for crop and animal sacrifice to the gods3
- Ghosts returned on this night and aided in fortune telling1
- Preceded by Mabon on the Wheel of the Year4
- Followed by Yule on the Wheel of the Year4
Today's Pagans and Samhain
For many Pagan and Wiccan practitioners Samhain marks the beginning of a new seasonal cycle. When the harvest ends, death grips the land in preparation for the long winter months ahead. Samhain is a time for self-reflection and life changes.5 It is also common practice to honor the dead on this night with a feast.2
Halloween Information and Fun
Learn about the history of Halloween—the origins of the holiday date back to 1000 B.C.!
Spooky sayings abound on our Halloween quotes page
Take a lip-smacking look at some great Halloween candy, cupcake and cake ideas
Enjoy some hilarious Halloween pictures
Make plans to wait for the Great Pumpkin with Charlie Brown
Related Pages on Mahalo
Paganism | Pagan Symbols | Halloween | Ghost Photos | Beltane | Midsummer | Wicca | Ostara | The Wheel of the Year | Yule
Categories
(October 29, 2006)