Samhaim: Celebrating the Third Harvest Festival and the Beginning of Winter

The beginning of November marks the festival known as Samhain. Also called All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en and the Day of the Dead, Samhain (pronounced saw-WHEN, or SOW-in) marks the third harvest festival, the end of fall and the beginning of winter, and the New Year of Neo-Pagans. The word Samhain probably comes from the Irish Gaelic samhraidhreadh, meaning "summer's end".

Samhain is traditionally observed by Neo-Pagans on October 31st or November 1st, however, Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans tend to celebrate at the first frost, or when the last of the harvest is in and the ground is dry enough for a bonfire.

In the Wheel of the Year, the Neo-Pagan cyclic year mythos, Samhain is the time when the God dies. The Goddess is pregnant and will give birth at Winter Solstice. According to Neo-Pagan tradition, the God represents the Sun, and waxes and wanes over the year, dying in the winter and growing strong in the summer. Likewise, the Goddess represents the Moon, and is waxing, full, waning and dark at all times.

In consequence, Samhain is a time to commune with and celebrate our loved ones who have passed on, especially recently. In Celtic belief, the veil between the worlds is thin this time of year, and spirits are free to wander. Jack-o-lanterns arose from the belief that these spirits needed their way lit for them, or they would be lost on this side of the world.

Also on this night, the Lord of Misrule reigned, and everything was turned upside-down for a night. All boundaries were suspended, or changed. Costuming is related to this. On Hallowe'en, one is allowed to "dress up" and act differently from usual, escaping normal social roles. On a subtler level, dressing "up" to go to a bar or nightclub and dressing "down" both give one a break from socioeconomic classes. Also, dressing "across" to another gender allows one to escape from culturally assigned gender roles.

But costuming, and also masking, serves a deeper purpose: to take on another persona, to take on the powers and abilities of a being more powerful than oneself. Hallowe'en, and Samhain before it, allowed one to choose to be another person or being for a night.

The most common ways of celebrating Samhain today involve celebrating the passage of loved ones, and dressing up. One way to celebrate loved ones is the Dumb Feast, which is a feast with friends or family (or chosen family), with an extra plate set for wandering spirits, taken in complete silence. Another way to celebrate might be a feast, with an extra plate, and conversation about the lost loved ones.

Some set out ancestor altars with candles burning, and objects placed for remembrance. It is a form of ancestor worship, a way of honoring those who have gone before.

Ancestors do not necessarily have to be blood-related. Included in your ancestors may be anyone who has had a significant influence on you. Celebrate these people, too.

Samhain is also a time to confront our own mortality, and winter is a time for introspection, for deep, soul-decisions. Write up a will, especially if you don't have one. Consider drawing up a spiritual will.

Begin making preparations for your death. Decide how you want your body to be disposed of, whether burial, cremation, donating it for medical research, or something else.

Make preparations for winter. If you have a garden, get it ready for the cold. Pull out the winter bedding and clothing and the heavy coats.

As a time of introspection, it is appropriate to set aside some time to meditate every day, or write in a journal, begin keeping a dream journal, or engage in another activity that will nourish your spirit over the long months. Also, don't forget to nourish your mind; pick a winter project or hobby, or find something to study or learn over the winter.

Create a mask or costume to imbue yourself with the abilities or powers of a being or person you admire. Or simply make a mask that embodies to you a characteristic you feel you could use, such as courage, patience, or spontaneity. Whenever you put the mask on, concentrate on the characteristic you want to bring into yourself. Be mindful.

This Hallowe'en, spend some time in introspection, honoring your ancestors and your own mortality, and mindfully prepare for the beginning of winter.