Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in” or “SAH-win”) is one of the most significant festivals in the Celtic calendar, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain is not just a sabbat but a powerful moment of transition—between light and dark, life and death, and one year into the next. Traditionally celebrated from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st, Samhain offers insight into how ancient Irish people viewed time, community, and the unseen world.

The Celtic New Year: Time Starts in Darkness

For the ancient Irish and some of the other Celtic cultures, the day began not at sunrise, but at sunset. This cyclical pattern extended to the sabbats and seasonal festivals. The descent of the sun symbolized a journey into gestation—into the unseen realms that nourished and created the conditions for life to emerge anew. So, Samhain was not only the beginning of the darker half of the year but also the new year, marking the end of the agricultural cycle and the start of something fresh. It was a liminal time, a threshold between what was known and what was yet to be discovered.

This idea of beginnings rooted in darkness is an essential part of Celtic cosmology. Just as night precedes day, the darkness of Samhain paved the way for new life, new experiences, and a new cycle to emerge from winter's dormancy.

The Seasonal Shift and the Ancestor’s Night

Samhain’s historical significance as the end of the harvest is reflected in the clearing of fields, storing of grain, and preparation for the long, cold months ahead. As the landscape grew barren, attention turned inward—to hearth, family, and spirit. Cattle were brought down from the summer pastures, and only animals that could be fed through the winter were kept; the rest were slaughtered, and their meat preserved for the months to come. This transition into winter marked a time of deep reflection, rest, and readiness for the unseen trials of the cold season.

In Irish folklore, Samhain was also known as the time when the veil between worlds thinned, allowing spirits and ancestors to visit the living. Offerings of food and drink were left at the doorstep to honor and appease these wandering souls. This concept of ancestral connection is central to the meaning of Samhain, reinforcing the idea that time is not linear but cyclical—where the past lives on within us and the spirits of those who came before guide us through the dark.

Samhain Fires: Rituals of Protection and Community

One of the most striking symbols of Samhain in ancient Ireland was the communal bonfire. These fires were not only a source of warmth and light but were believed to offer protection from malevolent spirits. Large fires were lit on hilltops, with the most prominent being at the Hill of Tlachtga and Uisneach. These were central gathering places where communities came together to mark the year’s end, perform rituals, and share in the communal feast.

Families would extinguish their hearth fires at home and rekindle them from the sacred communal flames, symbolizing unity and continuity across households. As the fire blazed, stories were told, and music filled the air—keeping alive the oral traditions and communal spirit even as the land outside grew cold and quiet.

Folklore of the Aos Sí: Spirits, Fairies, and Portals Between Worlds

Samhain is deeply connected to the presence of the Aos Sí—supernatural beings such as fairies, spirits, and deities that inhabit the Irish otherworld. The Aos Sí were thought to roam freely during Samhain, with portals to their realm more easily accessible. In many tales, mortals could stumble into the otherworld during this time, often with mixed consequences.

To avoid offending or attracting the attention of these beings, people took protective measures. Costumes were worn to disguise themselves from spirits, and carved turnips (later pumpkins) with frightening faces were placed at doorways to ward off harmful forces. These customs highlight the belief in both the magic and danger of this transitional time, emphasizing the importance of respect and caution when engaging with the unseen world.

Divination, Feasting, and Samhain Games

Samhain was also a time of divination and prophecy. The dark half of the year was seen as a time to look inward and seek guidance. Practices such as scrying, casting lots, or interpreting dreams were common. Apples, hazelnuts, and other autumnal foods played a role in fortune-telling games, often predicting future marriages or other fateful events. Feasting was central to the festival, with foods gathered and prepared in advance. These meals honored the gods, spirits, and ancestors, creating a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds through shared offerings.

Samhain and the Christian Influence: Halloween’s Roots

With the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, many Samhain traditions were reinterpreted or merged with Christian observances. The festival’s themes of death, ancestors, and the spirit world were carried into All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd, respectively. Over time, these traditions evolved into what we now recognize as Halloween, though the core themes of honoring the dead and embracing the mystery of darkness remain.

Honoring Samhain Today: Connecting with Tradition

In modern Ireland and among many neopagan and witchcraft communities worldwide, Samhain continues to be celebrated as a spiritual and cultural festival. People honor the traditions of their ancestors by lighting candles, setting out offerings, practicing divination, and reflecting on the year’s lessons. Many celebrate Samhain as a time to pause, connect with their roots, and embrace the magic of endings that birth new beginnings.

Samhain is a time for renewal, connection, and transformation—a chance to honor the past, gather wisdom from our ancestors, and step forward into the mystery of the new year with courage and hope.

Sources:

MacKillop, James. A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Freeman, Philip. Ireland: A History. Oxford University Press, 2012.
Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Monaghan, Patricia. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Myth and Folklore. Facts on File, 2004.
Ó Cróinín, Dáibhí. Early Medieval Ireland, 400–1200. Longman, 1995.

These sources provide a deeper understanding of the history, folklore, and cultural practices surrounding Samhain, offering valuable insight into its evolution and enduring significance.

Samhain: Darkness, Ancestors, and the Unseen