SAMHAIN (All Hallow's Eve) October 31st

It is said to be the time when the veil between the worlds is very thin, when souls that are leaving this physical plane can pass out and souls that are reincarnating can pass in.

As a feast of the dead, many Pagans believed the dead could, if they wished, return to the land of the living for this one night, to celebrate with their family, tribe, or clan. On Samhain the veil between all worlds is the thinnest. Many folks leave milk and cakes ("Bannock Samhain" ) outside their door on Samhain Eve. Samhain is a time when we honor our ancestors and the memory they left behind. Opposite Betane on the Wheel of the Year, Halloween begins the dark half of the year. This is the time of the year when the ancient tribes harvested for the last time during the year, and prepared for the long months of winter. Food was stored, animals brought in from the fields. Animals needed for food supply were slaughter and prepared for long storage. Activity was moved from outdoors to indoors, by the warmth of the hearth fire.

The Samhain festival begins at sundown on October 31st. The nightide was always a time to be wary of walking alone in the countryside. So much more on this Night when the veils between the worlds of humans and spirits was at its thinnest. Traditional lore speaks of the dead returning to visit their kin and the doors to the Lands of the Sidhe (pronounced "shee") or Faery Realm being opened.

Ritual fires of Samhain were lit at the fall of dusk on the sacred hilltops, of ancient times, for the protection of people and land and to guide the souls of the dead home to their kin. It was customary to light a fire on the household hearth which would burn continuously until the first day of the following Spring.

Go to: SAMHAIN for a full explanation of this festival.
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