In the Beginning~ the Ancestor of Halloween

Have we all forgotten? That once upon a time, long before mean old witches, evil demons, goblins and ghosties, the ancestor of Halloween was a time for remembering. No one looked at a calendar to see just when to gather for this week long celebrations, they looked to the Moon and the Stars to know exactly the proper time for ceremony and story telling. Nature herself told us when the season of Harvest was over and when winter was on it's way. Originally called Samhain, this Feast (a fancy way of saying sharing of food) was celebrated at midnight of the Full Moon after the Fall Equinox. (This year's proper date would have been October 14th).

As long as any one can remember, at this time of the year, a sacred Fire Ceremony was enacted in the villages of Northern Europe (the same ones who brought us the Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) and blown glass Christmas balls) and Celtic settlements of the British Isles. All fires were put out. The Old Fire of the dying sun and dying year were extinguished, representing the ending of the year, the season, and the Old Tide of Life. Then the New Fire was kindled, representing the new year, the new season, and the New Tide of Life just beginning. From this New Fire, all other fires of the village were then rekindled.

The Sacred Fire of Samhain is seen to be a fire of endings and death; yet also of beginnings and renewal, and the transformation that precedes rebirth. Renewal can only occur if endings are complete and beginnings are set into place. One Tide of life must end so that the next may begin.

Originally Samhain was also a week of remembering the ancestors and those who had recently passed. Night of the Seers: Remembering ancestors and other historical figures who have dealt with the supernatural, or who have foreseen the future. Night of the Heroes & Martyrs: Remembering ancestors who have done much in war and peace, including those who have died for their faith, their convictions, or for freedom. Night of the Artists Remembering ancestors who have been artists, writers, dancers or musicians. Night of the Nurturers: Remembering ancestors who have nurtured; those who have kept the home fires burning; and those who persevered in fulfilling the difficult job of taking care of those in need of care. Night of Remembrance for the Animals: Remembering and cherishing the gifts and memories given us by animal members of our family, who have passed naturally or given there lives so we might be nourished. Night of Remembrance of Forgotten Ancestors: Remembering those distant ancestors, the source of our DNA, our blood lines so far back in time that we have forgotten their names, and speculating about what their lives may have been like. Night of the Recent Dead: Remembering the recent dead by, if possible, visiting their graves; sharing memories of them while looking at their pictures and handling their personal belongings.

Finally on the exact point of midnight, the Family Fire Festival (All Souls Day) On this night we honor all the departed souls, inviting our beloved ancestors, and all those who have passed before us, to share our fire, laughter and love this night. For those of us who are Catholic, there is one more day of celebration, All Saint's Day! This festival honors all those who have been deemed worthy of being declared a Saint and also for all those who have died for their beliefs that slipped between the cracks and were never noticed or acknowledged.

It was not until much later that ghoulies and beasties came out to snatch the Souls of the living or monsters came out at dark to keep us all safely inside and forgetting how to read the words written in the night skies so very long ago.