For example, "Samhain" (pronounced "sow-ain") or "Hallowmass", the major Celtic autumn festival, is also the beginning of their new year! Sunset on October 31st marks the last day of the year, and the following dawn on November 1st begins the new. It is believed that this unusual timing is due primarily to the pastoral nature of the Celts, their recognition of the oncoming winter and the necessary preparations required such as bringing the cattle and sheep in from the fields and pastures. Also, the longer hours of darkness further dissolve the boundaries between the material and spiritual worlds, which, for the Celts were always very closely interwoven. "Samhain" is a time to recall ancient heroic deeds and to pay homage to the souls of ancestors. It is also a time of purification, for shedding outmoded ways and looking to the future.
It
doesn't
take
much
imagination
to
see
the ancient
roots
of
the
similar
Christian
holidays
of
All
Hallows
Eve
on
October
31st,
All
Saints
Day
on
November
1st
and
All Souls
Day
or All
Hallows
Day
on
November
2nd
originated.
Though
not
the
new year
in the
Christian
calendar,
the
basic
character
of
remembrance
of
the
dead and
of the
spirit
world
in
general
remains
with
us
today.
The
second
Celtic
feast
of
the
year is
Imbolc,
or
Oimelc,
which
literally
means "ewe's
milk".
It
takes
place
in
early
February,
and
marks
the
time when
lambs
are
born and
of
spring
sowing.
It
has
been Christianized
by
the
feast
of Saint
Bridget,
who,
it
is believed,
went
around
the
countryside
with
her
beloved
white
cow
blessing
homes
and
livestock.
Offerings
of
food
were put
outside
to
welcome
her
presence.
Realistically,
it
was
expected
and
understood
that
the
poor and
homeless
would
benefit
by
the
offerings.
"Lughnasad",
is
essentially
a celebration
of
the
grain
harvest
in
the
summer
month
of
August.
It
celebrates
the
season
of
fruitfulness
and
the
end
of summer.
The
Celtic
god
Lugh,
who
possesses
armor
of
gold
and a magical
shield,
is
the
sun
king as well
as
the corn king.
This
Celtic
festival
was
replaced
by
the
church
by
Lammas
or
Loafmas,
celebrating
the
harvest.
In
Scotland,
the
entire
family
would
dress
up,
and
tromp out
to
the harvest
field,
where
the
head
of the family
would
ceremoniously
cut
the
first
corn
stalk, and,
facing
the
sun,
begin
to
sing a hymn,
whereupon
everyone
would
join
him
in singing
their
praise
to
the
harvest.
The spring festival of "Beltane" (Bel- a solar deity, and tane, meaning fire), which is celebrated with fire and light, is held on May 1st, and celebrates the beginning of the light half of the year. Fire was thought to purify the air, thereby protecting all from unwanted spiritual influences. It was also thought to insure the fertility of livestock and community. Although no specific Christian holiday has overlaid this pagan spring celebration, "May Day" is still practiced on May 1st in many lands, with great celebration and dancing.
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Part
Five of
a Series
by Elder
Bob Bassler