Halloween as it's called today. Samhain as observed by the ancients.
October 31st marked the end of summer and the beginning of a New Year.
For the early Europeans, this time of year was the start of cold, lean winter months. The flocks were brought in from the fields to live in sheds until spring.
Samhain is a celebration of the final harvest; a time for assessing how much food would be needed to last the winter. Bonfires were made with sacrifical animals, herbs and wood, to appease the gods.
Samhain also represents the apple harvest. Apples were considered gifts from the gods - a wonderful tasting, healthy, wholesome natural food, full of vitamin C, antioxidants, and natural sugar, for energy.
Samhain is the time of year when the Veil or boundary between our mortal world and the spirit realm is at its thinnest.
On this night Ancestors (those who have passed on) were invited to return to feast with their loved ones. Grinning jack-o-lanterns were put in windows to light the way.
What are you doing tonight?
21 comments:
I am so loving these halloween posts........I am home alone......not quite true Nella is here and possibly the odd ghost or two..........the house is quiet, everything is still.....not a sound....I am going to stop now as I am beginning to scare myself......
Samhain is a bit more familiar to me then Halloween! LOL LOL
I am at home and have already lit the candles in my windows for my ancestors or anyones else ancestors who likes to visit. I am a rather good cook so I expect at least a few ones! LOL
I will certainly lay out a plate for your brother, who knows he might decide to make a short stop-over at my place?
Lots of hugs
Carin
If you made Candy apples from those gifts of the gods, then I would be truly happy.
Not the new caramel coating but the way my old neighbour made every Halloween with that hard bright red coating that could break teeth (and sometimes did.)
Happy Halloween
Bear((( )))
Dear Wendy,
Lovely post. Nice to remember the whys. I will light the candles that line my front walk and turn on the flickering candle lights in the outdoor lanterns and answer the door when a Trick-or-treater comes to call. I will have a simple supper for my husband and I and we will listen to our music and drink cider. I always make wishes so I will make my wish on the first star I see tonight and hopefully see the moon rise.
It is lovely at my house 74 degrees this afternoon. Perfect Halloween day.
Love and light,
Sherry
Trick-or-Treat! I have my bowl of candy on the table in the entry-way...um, minus 2 or 3...ready for all the little trick-or-treaters to come out. Our pumpkins are carved and ready to light. Happy Samhain to you!
Happy Samhain and very "boo" to you!
I so enjoyed your story Wendy, Thanks
I went to a friends church of Nazarene tonight and volunteer to watch the kids on the air slide. It was a blast. I did great with 20 +/- kids up and down at the same time. Helping the little ones climb. Then all of a sudden it was like 50 +/- kids. I had a little duck girl under 1 arm trying to get up slide. And a bunch in the top and it was coming down at me. to many kids. But a couple people came to my rescue and we got it under control again. Some of my grandkids will be moved here soon. So I will have my own kid fun again soon. This town don't have tricker treat like we did in St. Louis. So I can not dress up like a witch or go tricker treat with the kids. We had so much fun with our kids, But it always rained. Tomorrow is Amy's 29th b-day
Have a great weekend,
Grammy
Hope your 31st was good.
A belated Happy Halloween and Samhain to you, too, Wendy! I knew some of these facts about the ancient beliefs, but certainly not all of them--thanks for adding to my understanding of this holiday's tradition.
I must be blessed this year, as I have an over-abundance of the "gifts from the gods."
We spent a quiet evening--living in the country we don't get trick or treaters anymore. But the grandchildren do come over for treats, and for an hour or two the house is full of noise and love:)
Wendy, you always have such interesting facts about holidays. this blogging business is a learning experience for me. I hope ypu had a great Samhain day!
I saw a play. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Very appropriate for me right now. It was a nice evening with the hubs.
Hello Cheryl, ahhh with Nella around you will be quite safe. Happy halloween.
Hi Carin, oh dear - if you leave a plate for my brother, he'll eat it all! He loved his food and ate quite a lot!
I am glad to hear you are celebrating the old ways.
Hi BearNaked - I remember those hard red candy apples. I never liked them because the coating was so sweet and the apple would then taste sour. Happy Halloween.
Hi Sherry, Love and Light to you too. Lucky you to have a 74 degree day for Halloween. Ours was warm too - but warm for us was in the 50's!
Hi Jen, hope you got lots of little trick or treaters. It is fun, isn't it?
Hi Pepperlady - boo right back at ya. Where's the coffee?
Hi Grammy - wow - sounds like you had a busy time! Happy birthday to Amy!! Time flies, doesn't it??
Hi JeanMac - oh it was! Thanks.
Hi Rose, that's the best way to spend holidays - with grandkids, noise and love!
Hi Beckie - I learn so much from blogging too! Happy samhain.
Hi Mimi - I saw that movie a couple of times - and enjoyed it.
Dear Wendy....just had to pop over and say happy birthday.....may your day be bright and sunny.....sending you beautiful thoughts......
Dear Wendy,
Happy Birthday! I hope that you find some "me time" today, and treat yourself. You deserve it!
Hugs filled with love,
Jenny
So.Much.Candy.
The hazards of 2 children and a temperate climate on Halloween--they just never get cold enough to stop trick-or-treating.
Hope you had a great holiday, Wendy!
Hi Cheryl, Jenny and Amy - thanks for your good wishes.
Hi Wendy, Just stopped by to say Hi. Weather is great here like 70 degree. Gives me spring fever. So I will work out in the yard tomorrow. I have 1 bloom left for blooming tue post :) but its ok.
Amy is completely moved now. She has allot of unpacking to do. I am trying not to be so happy. haha
Grammy
Thanks for the history of Samhain and I hope you had a delightful Halloween! (snowless)
I liked this post. Thanks for the reminders of Samhain.
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