)O(Samhain

-Samhain-

Probably one of my favourite Sabbats of the year. It is the end of one year and the start of another. Samhain or more frequently called Hallowe'en, stands for the Eve of all Hallows, the next day being All Hallows or as the Christian church calls it, All Saints Day. Samhain gets rather bad press - the day when spooks and ghouls are supposed to roam the Earth scaring people. Well, they do, but not in the scary sense! It is actually the time of year when the veil between this World and the World of our passed over ancestors, is at it's thinnest. Where the dead souls are is known as the OtherWorld. It is a time of communication, wisdom and remembering those who have gone before us.

31st October is also the day that the God has departed from this World and left the Goddess alone and grieving.

I personally find Samhain an extremely exciting day. I bake cakes and biscuits, give libations of sweet cider to the trees around my home, (last year they got honey cider and they are looking very healthy), prepare spells and candle rituals, and generally get ready for the Pagan New Year. Because of the preparation and thought involved with what I do for Samhain, and preparing ones self for the New Year; I personally consider Samhain the first Sabbat of the year. Others may consider it to be Yule - it is a personal choice!

Samhain is a fixed Sabbat and always occurs at sunset on 31st October til sunset 2nd November. The Christian church tries to portray Samhain as evil and actually 'took' All Hallow Day for their All Saints Day celebrations. There are many Sabbat days that have been hijacked into the Christian church. The stories have slightly changed and certainly the names, but not that they existed.

Samhain is a special day, leading you to the New and fruitful Year ahead. Traditions include:

Leaving angelica and apples near a window for the spirits to feast upon.

Setting a spare place at your feast table for any spirits whom may pass through.

The carving out of Pumpkins and illuminating with tea-lights to scare away the bad spirits.

Garlic laid in the West facing area of your home to keep away evil spirits.

Pumpkins are also known as Jack-o-Lanterns. The name derives from a story which told of Jack who, after being banished to Hell, attempted and made good his escape. However he was forced to carry a burning hot coal forever to remind him of where he had originaly gone. Children especially enjoy carving wonderful faces on pumpkins and and to them there is still the mystery and magik that comes with this Sabbat - even if they are unaware of it's significance.

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