A gateway between two worlds
The most fascinating aspect of Samhain lies in the belief that the veil separating the world of the living and the dead becomes particularly thin during this period. This permeability between the two realms offered, according to beliefs, a unique opportunity to communicate with ancestors and spirits. It is thus a time when one is most likely to see signs that a spirit is trying to contact us.
The druids, priests, and keepers of wisdom in Celtic society, played a central role in Samhain celebrations. They orchestrated complex rituals aimed at honoring the dead, obtaining their protection for the coming winter, and predicting the future.
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Samhain traditions: A living heritage
Samhain celebrations were rich in traditions, some of which still persist today in various forms:
- Sacred fires: Large fires were lit on hills, symbolizing light in the growing darkness and offering protection against malevolent spirits.
- Offerings: Food and drinks were left for ancestors and benevolent spirits.
- Divination: Considered a favorable time to foresee the future, Samhain was an occasion to practice various forms of divination.
- Costumes: To protect themselves from evil spirits, people dressed up, a tradition that has evolved into the Halloween costumes we know today.
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From Samhain to Halloween: The evolution of a tradition
If Samhain reminds you of Halloween, it's no coincidence! Halloween is indeed the direct heir of this ancient Celtic festival. When Christianity spread across Europe, the Church sought to replace pagan festivals with Christian celebrations. Thus, November 1 became All Saints' Day.
However, the old traditions persisted, blending with new Christian practices. With Irish emigration to North America in the 19th century, these customs crossed the Atlantic, gradually evolving into what we know today as Halloween.
Although carved pumpkins and trick-or-treating seem far removed from the original Celtic rituals, the essence of Samhain - mystery, death, the supernatural, and the transition between worlds - remains at the heart of our modern celebrations.
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