© 2003, Frances Billinghurst (Published in the "Insight" April 2003)

To the ancient Celts, the year was originally divided into two sections, each marked by the rising of the Pleiades. From Bealtaine (the beginning of Summer), until Samhain (the beginning of Winter), this part of the year was known by the Irish as the "Greater Sun" (or "An Ghrian Mor"), for it is during this period that the Sun reaches its peak (mid Summer). The other part of the year, from Samhain to Bealtaine, was known as "the Lessor Sun" (or "An Ghrian Beag"), which included the darker months of Winter. It is the ancient fire festival of Samhain (usually pronounced "sow-in"), meaning "Summer's end", that will form the focus of this article.

As the Celtic people held their festive celebrations from dusk to dawn the following day, the celebrations performed for Samhain began at dusk on 31 October. These activities were generally of a sombre nature as, to the Celts, it was also their Festival of the Dead. On Samhain night it was believed that the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead was at its thinnest. Through this veil, it was believed that the ancestors walked upon Earth once more and therefore extra places around the table were set in honour of those who had passed out of this world. Samhain also brought fear to many for it was believed that at this time the riders of the sidh (the Celtic faery or spirit world) would also enter the land of the living, often causing much mischief, or even snatching the unaware and taking them back to the Otherworld.

In an attempt to stamp out these Pagan practices, in about the 7th century the Catholic Church declared that the first day in November would be known as "Feast of All Saints", or "All Hallow's Day". This day was to commemorate those saints who did not have a specific day of remembrance. And it is from the name of this Christian festival that today, Samhain is more commonly referred as "Hallowe'en" (literally meaning "the eve of Hallows").

Around 998 CE, the Abbot of Cluny was said to instigate "All Soul's Day" on the 2nd of November. On this day the churches were draped with mourning and the faithful prayed for the souls of the departed, with the hope of shortening their time in purgatory before gaining entry into Heaven. On the evening before, families stayed up waiting to be visited by the spirits of the dead, and ate small cakes known as "Soul Cakes". Even in today's modern world, the practice of lighting candles on the graves of the dead is still performed in some Roman Catholic countries on this day. It is believed that the candles would serve as beacons for the dead, just as on the similar holiday the Japanese hang lanterns in their gardens.

But why talk about Hallowe'en, or Samhain, in April, for surely, it is celebrated on 31st October? The simple answer to this is that there is a six month differenced between the seasons of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. As Samhain marks the beginning of the darker months of the year, for us living in the Southern Hemisphere, this actually falls around the end of April (while October marks the beginning of Summer). This small point tends to be overlooked by those unaware of the true origins of Hallowe'en, and who merely wish to capitalise on the success of the American celebrations.

While some people may think I am making a mountain out of a molehill, for those of us who follow the various Pagan spiritual traditions, our connection to the land and the natural cycles are paramount in our belief. And it is for this reason that I personally consider it important that we celebrate the Sabbats on the most appropriate date according to our own local environment. Around this time of the year evidence of the approaching colder months are more noticeable. The power and strength of the Sun is becoming steadily weaker, the leaves are falling from the trees, and death and decay in the natural world remind us of our own humble mortality.

There are two underlying themes of Samhain which have been carried through to today's modern age - that of death, or sacrifice, and divination.

As the ancient Celts were pastoral people, as opposed to agricultural people, Samhain marked the time when animals were brought down from the Summer pastures to be housed inside during the long Winter months. Any animal that was thought not to last the Winter, or which could not be maintained, was slaughtered. For this practice, the Welsh referred to this time of the year as the "Month of Slaughter" while to the Saxons, it was known as "Blotmonath", or "Blood Month". Other preparations for Winter included stockpiling peat and wood for heat, and the gathering in the last of the crops before they were destroyed by frosts (or the faeries). Last minute repairs were also carried out to ensure that the thatching on the houses were tightly secured against the bitter Winter storms.

The Samhain theme of sacrifice, as well as divination, can also be found in Greek mythology. In "The Odyssey", the hero Odysseus summons the spirits of the dead by sacrificing animals. As the blood drained into a pit, restless shades came up from the Underworld. It is said that Odysseus would hold these spirits at bay with his sword until the one he wanted came forward. This spirit would be allowed to lap the blood and then deliver prophesies what will happen in the future. This scene combines the themes of fear, slaughter, death, the Underworld, ghosts and divination, all of which are common to the images related to today's modern festival of Hallowe'en.

Despite the sombre meaning, there is also a fertility aspect to Samhain, which is reflected in some of the Irish legends. This is the time of the sacred mating between the Dagda (the "Good God of Life and Death") and the Morrighan (the "Queen of Death and Darkness") as she bestrode the River Unius. The Dagda is also said to have mated with Boann, the Goddess of the River Boyne at Samhain. Likewise, Celtic heroes, such as Angus mac Og and Cu Chulainn, were both said to have had affairs at this time of the year.

DIVINATION

Scrying is a traditional form of divination to perform at this time of the year which usually involves looking for images in a crystal, a mirror, a bowl of water, or, in fact, any reflective surface. While this may take a bit of practice to master, a simpler version involves a bowl of water (or a cauldron if you have one) and a candle.

Stir the water carefully in a clockwise direction ("widdershins" in the Southern Hemisphere as we are moving "against the Sun"). If you require some insight into a particular matter, think about the question while you are stirring the water. When you are ready, stop stirring, and pour some wax from a candle carefully into the water. Relax and watch the patterns as they unfold in front of you. When you interpret the meanings of these patterns, focus on what they could represent to you as opposed to some other source. You may wish to meditate on the pattern to further insight.

THE RITUAL OF RENEWAL

As Samhain was a fire festival, it is said the Druids would kindle bonfires in which the people would symbolically burn away any frustrations or anxieties they had had in the proceeding year. It is along this them that I present the following simple ritual that you may like to perform.

You will need a piece of paper and a pen to write down what you want to remove from your life, as well as some kind of fire. A small fire is keeping with the Celtic tradition (due to the horrific fires many have experienced this Summer, please check with fire ban restrictions in your local area), but a small white candle can also be used. A fireproof container will also be required if you are using a candle. Finally, you will need a "spirit" candle. This candle will represent yourself, your inner spirit. It may be of a particular colour (one corresponding with your zodiac sign, or a colour represented of something you wish to bring into your life - pink for love, red for romance, blue to healing, purple for spiritual attainment, and so on).

To begin, you may wish to cast a formal circle or visualise yourself simply being surrounded by a force of protection. When you are ready, light the fire, or fire candle, and address it with the following words, or words to the similar effect to which you feel comfortable with:

I thank you, thy sacred ones,
Goddess of the Land who has blessed my body.
God of the Sky who has blessed my mind
Universal Spirit who has blessed my soul.
I thank you for blessing my life.

Spend a few moments contemplating on what you wish to have removed from your life, write it on the piece of paper, and then carefully place it in the fire to burn. If you are using a candle, place the burning paper in a fireproof container. As the paper is burning, visualise the illness, frustration, negative habit, etc being removed from your life.

When something is removed, it is important that it is replaced with something else. From the fire, or the fire candle, light your spirit candle, and say the following, or words to the effect:

A new flame brings a new cycle.
I open myself to new hopes and aspirations.

As you hold your spirit candle, spend some time contemplating or meditation about the future and any new things you would like to try or accomplish.

When you have finished, extinguish the fire (or fire candle), but not the spirit candle. This candle should be placed in a safe place (such as in the kitchen sink) where it can burn out. If you have cast a circle, now is the time to close. A simple feast should flow to ensure that your have completely grounded yourself.