Samhain

Happy Samhain - Autumn is here and the ancient Samhain festival celebrating the end of summer is now replaced with the over hyped, over priced, over partied Halloween.... deck the streets with giant spiders and witches galore - good fun I suppose but I wonder how many people know about  the history, significance and tradition of lighting fires and dressing up in costume and trick or treating.

However you choose or not choose to acknowledge this time of year it can't be denied that it is an occasion steeped in fascinating history.

In days of old it was about the end of the warm months, laying down tools, the end of growth, the beginning of winter, a time to give thanks for the years harvest   - and allegedly a window in the year when it as easier to commune with the Otherworld!   

Not all the Otherworld were 'goodies' so often costumes and masks were worn to confuse the spirits and jack o'lanterns and bonfires were lit to guide and also potentially scare spirits.  Offerings of spice, fruit and sweets were left outside for passing spirits and great feasts were held with places laid for the dead - Trick or treating evolved from young men dressing up as spirits and going from house to house demanding treats or threatening mischief if they didn't get what the wanted - nothing changes!!!
Black and orange are traditional colours as they represent the darkness and the sun and these colours hold true today.

Really its just common sense to enjoy a party at the end of a long season and as the nights are drawing in bring all livestock and people to a safe place, clean tools and tidy up so to speak...

Different places and cultures have various rituals and traditions all linked in some way. There are loads of lovely myths and legends associated with Samhain some of which have translated into Halloween rituals and some less obvious are still practiced by Pagan and Wicca followers.  Its worth a quick google for fairy tales and interesting stories.  Perhaps you will be tempted to peel your apple in one long strip, toss the peel over your shoulder to reveal the initial of your true love - could spell trouble!!!

Me -  I'm going to light my lantern and watch my personal classic Halloween film the original ''The Wicker Man'' starring Edward Woodward, always a timeless winner. (actually more a Beltane film as it celebrates spring but hey ho).