Samhain, Ancestors & Divination
Much of the Western world tends to fear death, along with all things to do with aging. This fear of mortality has been projected onto Halloween and how it is celebrated in capitalist society. Horror films often take place during Halloween and focus on the demonic spirits, ghouls, and evil forces that cross over to this plane as the veil is thin. Uncanny and unexplained events occur, people are possessed, and black voids open up out of nowhere. In the movies, Halloween is a very precarious time of year. But where do all these ideas come from? Halloween, as many know the festival today, is an American version of Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival from Ireland. Traditions associated with Samhain were brought over to America by Irish and Scottish immigrants
Samhain is the ancient Celtic festival beginning at sunset on 31st October and ending at sunset on 1 November. During this sabbat, we say goodbye to the year gone by and welcome the new year, which just like human life, begins in darkness. The Wheel of the Year turns again and marks the beginning of winter. This is my favourite Sabbat and one of the great fire festivals, the others being Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasdha. Winter is coming, bringing with it cold dark nights. We say goodbye to the light of the sun that we welcomed at Beltane and welcome the dark. We welcome the winter hag, Calilleac Bhéara, who died at Beltane and is restored once again at Samhain. In the northern hemisphere, nature tells us that the seasons are changing, transforming, and dying. Trees are losing their leaves, many plants die, and traditionally this was when livestock was slaughtered. Samhain and its association with death also coincides with the astrological sign of Scorpio, which rules death, sex, and secrets. Scorpio is also the ruler of the Death card in the tarot, which I’ll go into in more detail in next week's article.
Fires and Tlachtga, the sacred site associated with Samhain
Tlachtga or Hill of Ward is a prehistoric site in the town of Athboy, County Meath, Ireland. It is situated near other important archaeological sites such as the ‘passage of tombs’ at Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth and Hill of Tara. Archaeologists are studying Tlachtga and suggest it is where the ancient Celts would have celebrated Samhain. Similar to the fires at Beltane, which is the sabbat that stands opposite Samhain, Druids would kindle a great fire, and all the other fires in the land would be extinguished and rekindled by the new fire. Soil samples from Tlachtga suggest a large fire would have been burnt on the site, although they are not certain whether the earth samples confirm a bonfire or other activity such as pottery, metalworking, or glass making.
In Celtic mythology, legend has it Tlachtga, druidess and daughter of Mug Ruith, the Sun God, was raped by three sons of Simon Magus, a wizard. She then gave birth to three sons, one belonging to each father on the Hill of Ward, where she later died during childbirth. Hence the hill bears her name. Here we see also the importance of the number three, the triple aspect that is a recurring theme in Irish Mythology.
When the veil is thin
Another belief was that Samhain marked the time when all the souls that had died since the last Samhain, could finally cross into the spirit world as this was when the veil was at its thinnest. Likewise, ancestors and other spirits could make use of the veil being thin and cross back over to our plane. Traditionally on Samhain, garlic was hung in west-facing windows, which were opened to allow friendly ancestors to enter the house. Today, pumpkins are carved to scare away bad spirits and protect the home. As all kinds of spirits, fairies, and other entities were said to roam around on our side of the plane during this time, one had to be careful if going out at night.
Burial mounds and passages such as those found at sacred sites of Tlachtga and Newgrange are thought to be places where the fairies or Tuatha de Danann, a supernatural race reside. These are places of power and are considered to be entrances to these other realms. Many ancient Irish myths tell stories of the Fae coming to visit people at Samhain. One such myth is that of the King from Munster and the faerie woman Rothniab, who would visit the King and take him on a tour of the fairy mounds in his kingdom. She would then foretell the events for the coming year, up until the next Samhain.
Food, games, and divination
As the veil is thin at Samhain, divination was thought to work best at this time of year as it was easier to commune with the spirit world. There are many old Irish methods of divination. For example, if one wishes to see their future mate, they should stand in front of a mirror at Samhain, and the face of their future partner is said to look over the seeker's shoulder.
In Clay, a short story by the Irish author James Joyce, he writes about a game the characters play on Samhain, where three saucers are laid on the table, one with water, one with a prayer book, and one with a ring. Players are blindfolded and led to the table where they must seek out one of the saucers. Depending on the saucer chosen a prediction for the year is cast - water, suggested travel overseas, the prayerbook - joining a monastery and the ring signified getting married. An extra saucer of clay is laid on the table later in the story when the main character, Maria is asked to play. To everyone’s dismay, Maria picks the saucer of clay. This is the most unfortunate prediction, suggesting that she will die within the year. I find the sensory aspect of this, one putting their hand in cold, wet soil, very chilling. It is a brilliant story, I thoroughly recommend reading it.
Barmbrack or Bairín Breac is a type of fruitloaf or raisin bread traditionally associated with Samhain. A ring would be hidden in the loaf and good luck or marriage was said to be on the cards for whoever got the slice with the ring inside.
Another belief was that fruits and berries needed to be picked before 1 November or else a Púca, a mischievous spirit/shapeshifter would spit on them come 1st November and make them inedible.
Conclusion
While I love dressing up, carving pumpkins with my family, and playing games, I feel the commercialisation of the holiday in the form of Halloween distracts much of society from one of this Sabbats core messages, which is to remember our ancestors. Remember where and who we came from and who we are. Remember the ancestors who once walked this mortal plane and who paved the way before us. They loved, cared, fought, made mistakes, and survived. They are the ones we should be celebrating during this sabbat. What wisdom can we take from them? Which of your ancestors was good at business or a good teacher? Which one could cook up a storm in the kitchen?
We treasure old items that belonged to them, clothing, photos, objects, and traces of the time when they walked our earth plane. We can remember them by telling stories of their adventures here, lighting candles in their honour, and feasting on family favourites. Some believe, as I do, that they can come and visit us, guide us and give us messages through dreams or other forms.
Samhain is a time to reflect on the year gone by, find the wisdom to let go of things no longer serving us, thank nature for continuing to support life on this planet and trust the sun will rise again.
Happy Samhain everyone!
Bibliography
Erin Mullally, SAMHAIN REVIVAL, Archaeology, Vol. 69, No. 6 (November/December 2016), pp. 34-37 (4 pages)
Helen Sewell Johnson, November Eve Beliefs and Customs in Irish Life and Literature, The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 81, No. 320 (Apr. - Jun., 1968), pp. 133-142
The Hill of Ward: A Samhain site in County Meath, Archaeology Ireland, Heritage Guide No. 63: The Hill of Ward: A Samhain site in County Meath (December 2013) (6 pages)
Cassandra Eason, A Practical Guide to Witchcraft and Magick Spells, 2001
