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Celtic Radio Community > The Grove > A Brief History Of Halloween |
Posted by: barddas 06-Oct-2003, 09:44 AM |
History of Halloween Samhain- pronounced SAW- ain, or ane The history of Halloween begins with the ancient Celtic religious celebration of Samhain (summer's end). One of the two greatest Druidic festivals (Beltane is the other), Samhain marked the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half. Samhain is the Celtic new year celebration. Beginning on the evening of October 31 (the Celts counted their days from sunset to sunset, just as the bible does), the festival would last three days (perhaps longer). As with other holidays of the Celtic year, October 31 marked a mystical time when the usual barriers between our world and the Otherworld thinned and stretched allowing contact between human beings and the fairy folk and/or the spirits of the dead. Many of the celebratory elements, such as playing pranks, originated in the notion that at this time the world was turned inside out prompting people to act with abandon against the usual social strictures. Fire is a central element in all the Druidic celebrations. All hearthfires were put out and new fires lit from the great bonfires. In Scotland, men lit torches in the bonfires and circled their homes and lands with them to obtain protection for the coming year. Later, Christian elements came into play, as All Hallows' Day (all Saints' Day) and All Souls' Day contributed their own unique traditions to the core, such as trick or treating (collecting "soul cakes" on All Souls' Day) and dressing up in frightening costumes as protection against evil spirits. At no time, either in the druid religion nor in the Christian, was Halloween history connected with the devil or devil worship. Modern satanists have appropriated a holiday that is not their own. Once Halloween (name corrupted from All Hallows' Eve) came to America from Ireland and Scotland, other cultures have added their own elements to the modern American celebration - vampire lore, werewolves, etc. I found this on heartoscotland.com Web site © 2003 GBallast Design. All rights reserved. |
Posted by: RavenWing 06-Oct-2003, 09:48 AM |
You are a step ahead of me. I was about to start a Samhain discussion thread. Thanks! |
Posted by: barddas 06-Oct-2003, 09:53 AM |
That's what I'm here for m'dear.... So who wants to start the discussion... which does run thru the death topic as well....Mary? |
Posted by: RavenWing 06-Oct-2003, 09:55 AM |
Go right ahead. I am getting some of my references together for general reading on the subject. |
Posted by: Elspeth 06-Oct-2003, 10:08 AM |
Did other peoples or nationalities have a similiar type of celebration, or are the roots of Halloween completely Celtic? |
Posted by: barddas 06-Oct-2003, 11:21 AM |
Everything I have ever read give credit to the Celts, for the begining of what is now halloween. I have read that other cultures had celebrations as well. ( like the Norse and other northen tribes) But, crdit is given to the Celts. It has been documented that the Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween. From some sources I have read the custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates. Which was normally done the night before Halloween, what has become known as devils night, hell night, cabbage night...and so on.... |
Posted by: maryellen 06-Oct-2003, 07:21 PM |
Samhain was the name of the Druid god of the dead. The Druids were a religious order amongst the Celts. On this day (October 31), they would try to appease their lord of death. On October 31, black-cloaked Druids bearing torches would go door to door to select humans for their New Year's sacrifice to the Lord of the Dead. In return for the child or infant, they would leave a hollowed turnip with candle light shining through the carved face The belief was that on the eve of the Celtic New Year (which for them was October 31), the souls of the dead people roamed the land of the living. The Devil, spirits and witches were also believed to be moving about and at the height of their power. If you look at the list of satanic holidays, you will find Halloween is one of their biggest holidays. Not necessarily the Christian satan- just dark powers. Which are glorified on Halloween night. |
Posted by: RavenWing 07-Oct-2003, 07:53 AM | ||
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Posted by: RavenWing 07-Oct-2003, 07:58 AM | ||||
PLEASE READ THIS:
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Posted by: barddas 07-Oct-2003, 08:53 AM |
Samhain- Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Welsh) festival (pronounced SAH-wun, or possibly SAH-vun), a medieval Gaelic word meaning "summer's end." |
Posted by: barddas 07-Oct-2003, 09:01 AM | ||
Where did you get this information ???? |
Posted by: RavenWing 07-Oct-2003, 09:04 AM |
This is how Wiccans and pagans in general are seen as evil. We are not devil worshippers. Most of us don't even believe in the Christian Devil. |
Posted by: maryellen 07-Oct-2003, 03:44 PM |
A Twist of Fate by Berit Kjos I didn't say anything about devil worshipping. I was discussing Halloween. |
Posted by: barddas 07-Oct-2003, 05:55 PM | ||
I think Mary was just clarifing... that's all.. |
Posted by: Shadows 07-Oct-2003, 06:09 PM |
Don't you that question the celebration of this pagan holiday think that we don't know what we are celebrating and "who" is involved in the celebration? God of the Dead? Never heard of one in what I believe. DO you also question the Jewish New Year or the Chinese New Year? The celebration of harvest and the begining of a new season has it's roots in all religions. How soon you seem to forget that most religious holidays have their roots in Celtic and Pagan traditions. Chritmas trees - Germanic festival of light and Druid concideration of trees. Easter - the rights of Celtic spring. The yule log is of Celtic tradition. Miseltoe is of Nordic origins. I could go on but I think my point is made. |
Posted by: maryellen 07-Oct-2003, 08:10 PM |
the Jewish New Year or the Chinese New Year do not celebrate through dressing up as evil things and think "it's cool." These quoted websites are mostly Wiccan sources. They are not at all biased? Each side is going to have its own spin- interpreting history the way that that culture thinks it should be seen. |
Posted by: Elspeth 07-Oct-2003, 09:42 PM |
Interesting how a holiday is what you make it. End of the year celebration.... a time of a thin veil.... satanic holiday......harvest festival...... depends upon who is doing the defining. My kids just want to dress up, carve pumpkins and get candy. I, for one, have alway loved the slightly creepy feeling that just maybe the veil is thin on Halloween, making it a night not quite like any other.... |
Posted by: RavenWing 08-Oct-2003, 07:58 AM | ||
Please visit http://www.religioustolerance.org it is by no means a wiccan source. Educate yourself. |
Posted by: maryellen 08-Oct-2003, 03:01 PM |
I went to the website- which is where you copied and pasted your post before. These are the sources listed here - not a general website which just conveys other people's information. The data (and quotations) that backs up your claims were: "Wiccan web site "Brightest Blessings" mentions..." "Rowan Moonstone, a Wiccan, comments" and more dictionaries, which are secondary sources not primary and subject to further interpretation. And it goes on to question the opposing sides' sources, which are just as numerous and agree. |
Posted by: Welsh Guy 08-Oct-2003, 03:20 PM |
If I may just quote from the post I made this time last year in the Wales forum. "Nos Galan Gaeaf" which means "the Night of the Kalends (or beginning) of Winter", is the Welsh for Halloween, as opposed to "samhain" (The end of Summer) which is used in other parts of the Celtic world. Nos Galan Gaeaf/samhain was the end of the summer and beginning of winter. At the change of seasons, the Celts believed that the spiritworld came closer. At Halloween in particular, the spirits of the dead and all sorts of other spirits were believed to be able to roam the world. "Nos Galan Gaeaf"/"samhain" was hijacked by the christian church in the 7th century. and many of the old customs have died out, having been replaced by customs introduced by television and globalisation from America, however some of these American customs were originally taken to the New World by people of Celtic origin so you could say it has merely come full circle." |
Posted by: barddas 08-Oct-2003, 03:28 PM |
THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!! This is not an argument, or a discussion, it has turned into a well, I can prove this, and I can prove that. They are individual beliefs. Some have an acurate documented history, some don't. This s topic was to discuss the beliefs and history of Halloween/Samhain. Now it has become- Well prove it! Cut it out! Now I am on defensive- Yes, some of the things that Ravenwing posted had been quoted by wiccans etc. But I have seen NO reference to *anything* you have stated! Everthing I personally have posted came from a un biased source. BBC, or Acheology web sites. I don't mind discussion. I enjoy it! But, why are so many recently being harrassed? This is a forum on paganism, and its practices. Why is christianity even being brought up, in this contridictory way? If there were a christian forum a certainly would not enter and be like" well My religion says BLAH, so yours is wrong, and blah, blah, blah. Yes I said that a book you claimed 'Proves, what happend" is impossible. Yes, it is. It is only specultion. But know one has asked you to prove what you believe from a non christian source. This is all I hope to say on this matter. We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you--to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think." Margot Adler- NPR RADIO "If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind and the rain." Herbalist Carol McGrath as told to her by a Native-American woman. |
Posted by: Keltic 08-Oct-2003, 03:33 PM | ||
I have to say MaryEllen... I think that you should find a source that is more qualified in Celtic studies than Berit Kjos. After searching out his website and quickly reading some of his writings on symbolism, I have to say that it is obvious that his writings are self-serving and not researched. |
Posted by: maryellen 08-Oct-2003, 03:42 PM |
point taken. if sources of information do not wish to be questioned for truthfulness there is nothing to discuss. I never said anything about Christianity either. |
Posted by: barddas 09-Oct-2003, 08:56 AM | ||
Good Point WG! I don't know how I missed this post earlier... OOpps |
Posted by: joy 09-Oct-2003, 01:53 PM |
[QUOTE=barddas,Oct 8 2003, 05:28 PM] I don't mind discussion. I enjoy it! But, why are so many recently being harrassed? This is a forum on paganism, and its practices. Why is christianity even being brought up, in this contridictory way? [QUOTE] This is the question... May I just give my two cents to this discussion: I would like to post so much, there is so much one could add to the topic "Samhain" - but to read again and again in which manner "discussion" is practised by some posters here just makes me feel sick. Where is your tolerance? Where is your respect? Why do you need questioning other beliefs? Why isn't it possible to lead an unbiased discussion? Aren't we all really old enough to keep some basic rules? The same problem can be found in the discussion of other topics on this forum, too. Same intolerance, same arrogance of very, very few or sometimes even single persons. This is not meant as any sort of offense - I'm just awfully sad about all this and I would be glad to rediscover the friendly, tolerant and open-minded way of communication which you had always been able to find here before! |
Posted by: Elspeth 09-Oct-2003, 02:55 PM |
Getting back to the topic..... What do people do to celebrate samhain today? Is it still observed as an end of summer celebration? If this was already answered forgive the repetetive question, it got lost somewhere..... |
Posted by: Celeste of the Stars1 05-Nov-2003, 01:43 AM | ||
As others we're trying to get across to you...its not a matter of truthfulness....its a matter of "this is what my religion says so you have to believe it" Everyone has they're own opinion and they are intitled to it, but when you start forcing someone into believing yours as the "truth" thats when we have a problem. Also when you quote someone that states a holiday mainly celebrated (for its original meaning) by pagans is evil, in a pagan forum no less, you should be prepared for tempers to rise. |
Posted by: Celeste of the Stars1 05-Nov-2003, 01:46 AM | ||
For myself yes it is. We have a huge feast and invite all our friends (pagan and non-pagan) to join us. After the feast and a few glasses of wine those that are pagan either stay for the circle or go to do their own. |
Posted by: maryellen 08-Nov-2003, 08:50 PM |
I would incline that religion is the search for truthfulness and are basically one in the same. If you have discovered I went to someone's house, put a gun to their head and said "believe this or I kill you," then I will be the first to report it. |
Posted by: Celeste of the Stars1 11-Nov-2003, 12:45 AM | ||
You don't have to hold a gun to some ones head in order to try and force them to believe in your religion. All you have to do is beat them about the head and shoulders with your bible. (no offense to my Christian friends) And no offense to you either Maryellen, but you sound like my grandmother. Its cool that you join in on pagan topics and voice your opinions, but please remember some things you are or might be saying is not something we as pagans believe. And more than likely just because you say its so doesn't always mean its right. Again I'm not trying to offend anyone with my posts I'm just tired of having to defend my religion to people that aren't really listening anyways. |
Posted by: Angel Whitefang (Rider) 11-Nov-2003, 03:03 AM |
I think it is a very simple thing... Maryellen you practice Your way and let us Practice ours. If you choose to have an open mind... then this statement will make sense to you..."God/The Gods gave us 2 ears and one mouth for a reason, They want us to do Twice as much Listening rather then talking. Are you doing as they wanted us to do?" I will find who said that and post it. Does it matter how I celebrat a day of thankfulness? NO! I do what in my heart feel right to me. if the veil is thinest then , I am sure it is so that our thanks will get through easiest. I am tired of seeing Pagan Holdidays turned upside down and always for the bad. WE ALL CELEBRATE IT! GROW UP AND ACT AS YOU SHOULD! I also, like Celeste, have friends come over of all religious beliefs, cook a Huge Italian Buffet and enjoy each others company. when the time is nigh at hand, those wishing to join us stay around those who don't Leave with full bellies and a good night of passing out candy to lil'kids ahead of them. People always Fear what they can not or do not understand, they are so bound by these fears that they can not open their minds or hearts to the way another thing/person/entity is or lives, when this occurs they label it Satanic. I have met many wonderful people here Both Christian and Pagan, You all have good hearts. That is all that should matter. If I have upset or Offended in anyway, I give you my sincerest apologies. These are my feelings on what is going on in this forum. Blessed Be to you all during this THANKFUL SEASON! Angel Whitefang |