Traditionally, Samhain (All Hallows Eve, Halloween, Hallowmas, Samhuin, etc.) actually occurs on or around November 5th of each year in the northern hemisphere; this is due to the precession of the equinoxes or the slow westward motion of the equinoxes along the Sun’s plane (ecliptic); depending on one’s geographic location, this harvest festival may be celebrated between October 31st and 5th. Samhain begins the winter quarter which ends with Imbolc; is the third and final harvest festival representing the end of the cycle with rebirth coming during Yule; and is a point in time for divination and honoring the dead.
Traditionally, Samhain begins at sundown on October 31st and ends at sundown on November 1st (All Hallows Day). Samhain, to the Celts, was called the Feast of the Dead and the Night of the Wild Hunt. Samhain aptly follows the Hunter’s Moon. Samhain marked the end and the start of the Celtic New Year. The Celtic word, Samhain, literally means “Summer’s end”. This is a time to gather all of the harvests of corn, apples, barley, oats, pumpkins, pomegranates, wheat, turnips, nuts, berries, etc.
Samhain is one of the most magickal times during the harvest cycle because the Gods and Goddesses drew themselves very close to the Earth with their blessings for a prosperous New Year. Bonfire rituals abound during Samhain and magick is most powerful because there is a very close association with the physical world and the spirit world.
Traditionally, Samhain begins at sundown on October 31st and ends at sundown on November 1st (All Hallows Day). Samhain, to the Celts, was called the Feast of the Dead and the Night of the Wild Hunt. Samhain aptly follows the Hunter’s Moon. Samhain marked the end and the start of the Celtic New Year. The Celtic word, Samhain, literally means “Summer’s end”. This is a time to gather all of the harvests of corn, apples, barley, oats, pumpkins, pomegranates, wheat, turnips, nuts, berries, etc.
Samhain is one of the most magickal times during the harvest cycle because the Gods and Goddesses drew themselves very close to the Earth with their blessings for a prosperous New Year. Bonfire rituals abound during Samhain and magick is most powerful because there is a very close association with the physical world and the spirit world.
~ Merry Samhain ~
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© 2005 The Temple of Kheti
