The Gaels, or Goidels are a branch of
Celctic culture and language that established numerous traditions and practices
that are still observed today by the Irish, Scottish, Manx, Wiccans, and Celtic
Neopagans. Among these religious
holidays is Samhain, a seasonal festival marking the end of the harvest season
and the beginning of the winter, or 'darker half' of the year. Samhain comes from the Gaelic word 'samain'
or summer and 'ruin,' the end. This
translates literally to Summer's End.
Early Celtic culottes believed the year was divided in half. Thus, Samhain also marked the end of the
light half, and the beginning of the dark half.
At
sunset on Samhain Eve, clans or local villages begin ceremonies by igniting a
large bonfire. Everyone would gather
around the fire and present sacrifices to the Celtic Gods and Goddesses. These sacrifices primarily consisted of
animals and crops, in order to give back to the deities who made their success
possible. This fire also represented a
rebirth, in which it is custom to clean out the old year and welcome in the
new. During this celebration, Celts wore
beautiful costumes and danced to to stories that commemorate the cycles of life
in death in their natural cycles.
The
costumes were constructed with three principles in mind. The first was to honor those who have died
and were allowed to rise. They believed
that each year on Samhain, souls were set free from the land of the dead. Those who were punished, were released and
sent to their new incarnations. However,
not all souls were respected and welcome.
Some spirits were feared, and people believed they would destroy cops
and reek havoc on livestock. Which leads
to the second reason, which was to hide from this evil spirits and escape their
harm. Lastly, it was to honor the Gods and Goddeses of the
harvest, flocks, and fields.
This
time was a spiritual high for followers, and opened the doors for many
varieties of divination. From
fortune-telling to communications with the dead, Celts looked for direction and
solice during the 'darker half' of the year.
By leaving food and beverage outside their doors, they appeased the
roaming spirits that may harm the family.
Numerous other events have been said to occur, such as the reading of
tea leaves and painting images on wood.
Many believe this to be the first precursor to Tarot Cards.
At the end of the festival when the
sun came to the horizon once more, Celts would each take a torch or ember from
the bonfire when they returned home.
This flame, would become the beginning of a hearth that would burn for
several months. The fire was said to
protect the family from tragedy and trouble and if the flame were to go out,
the family would be plunged into darkness.
Along with Samhain, come three other celebrations that celebrate
seasonal changes. Imbolc, Beltane, and
Lughnasadh are all seasonal festivals that serve much of the same purpose. To give thanks and give back.
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