SAMHAIN
by Sandi Liss
of Soul Journey

Samhain (sow-in) or Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, is the Witches' New Year. because the veil between the psychic world (world of the dead) and the physical world (world of the living) is the thinnest at this time, this Sabbat is a celebration of the dead and the eternal cycle of reincarnation.

There are many references to the history and foundation of the word Samhain, but the most accepted is that it means "Summer's End," or Hallowtide, Feast of all Souls.

Traditionally, the Celts left food at the table by way of honoring their dead. This is the birth of "treat" part of trick-or-treating. It was a gesture of welcome to the departed.

This led to the belief that the dead had information on the past and future that could benefit the living. This led to the practice of divination at this time. If the dead did a good deed for you (providing information), then they were assisted to the next process in the afterlife. In other words, earning brownie points on the other side.

By the Fourth and Fifth Centuries C.E., Christian clergy were attempting to force Pagan peoples to follow the new religion. To that end, the Church taught the peasants that fairies were really devils and demons and the dead were ghouls and ghosts. Here's where the evil part of the Sabbat came about.

Early Christians also told the peasants that Satan ruled the holiday and the Land of the Dead. Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth since Pagans didn't (and still don't) believe in Satan or a Satan like-figure. The Christians probably misunderstood what the word "Samhain" actually meant, attributing it to a mispronunciation of a Pagan deity from the Bible, namely Samuel, or God of the Underworld.

Witches became associated with Hallows when the Church proclaimed that women were evil, and so was anything or anyone that went against the Church decree. Since women were now evil, and most women were Witches ("wise ones"), and Samhain (the New Year, an important festival) had already been declared evil, the association was an easy one to make.

Trick-or-treating and dressing in costume are the two most popular activities for this holiday. Begging from house to house was actually not limited to Samhain. It was quite common in both Pagan and early Christian merrymaking. And not only children participated but adults did too. This is all related to the concept of prosperity. Whether it's the Christian perception of giving unto others or the Pagan concept that every action has an equal reaction, this is still the concept of giving to others so that you get back.

History of Modern Samhain Symbols Black Cats - Cats have long been associated with Goddess energy. Ancient Romans claimed that cats were demons. Medieval Christians tortured and burned cats along with the Witches. Early Christians somehow concluded that Witches were capable of transforming themselves into cats, and since women/Witches were already evil, therefore cats were too.

Pitchfork - Also known as a trident, various cultures saw the trident as a male fertility symbol. The early Christian Church associated the pitchfork with the Devil because he was purported to control sexuality and all manner of fun.

Skeletons - This is probably an association with the Mexican Day of the Dead. This important holiday is celebrated on October 31st and usually lasts for several days. This is the day that Mexicans honor their dead, dressing up as skeletons, mummies and ghosts and parading through the streets. The celebration culminates with a graveside feast with all sorts of sweets.

Ghosts - This is an obvious connection. Because Samhain honors the dead, and ghosts are a viewable manifestation of the dead, this association only stands to reason.

Because the departed know more than we the living do, and do not have the constraints of time to bind them, divination is a very popular activity on Samhain. Casting of lots, Yes/No stones, Apple peeling, Water/Nut/Pumpkin Seed divinations, Scrying Mirror viewing, Psychometry (holding an object that belongs to someone else and divining from the information gleaned from it), and Tarot/Rune/Oujia Board readings are just some of the tools you can use.

Food is always an important part of a Pagan celebration. Try making All Souls' Day Bread, Pumpkin Bread or Pie, Doughnuts, Green Man Cake, Candied Apples, or Corn on the Cob.

A Dumb Supper is a popular tradition on Hallows Night. The point of this is to serve and eat a complete meal in silence. This allows you to commune with the departed spirits and quiets your mind so they may communicate with you.