What is Samhain?
Samhain (pronounced Sow-inn) marks the beginning of the Celtic New Year, and is one of the eight pagan festivals on the Wheel of the Year. Meaning “Summer’s End” it is the time of the third and final harvest, and the beginning of the descent into winter. Samhain acknowledges the death aspect of the life cycle and is a time to reflect on endings, and celebrate the lives of friends and loved ones who have passed on before us. It is believed that at Samhain, the veil between this world and the under world is lifted allowing for the spirits of the departed to cross between the two realms. This made it easy to communicate with the dead, who were regarded as beacons of guidance, divination and inspiration.
Samhain is also regarded and respected as a time that allows mischievous and restless spirits to make a temporary return to our world. It is a magical interval where the mundane laws of time and space are suspended.
Despite the emphasis on death, however, Samhain need not be a sad occasion. Just as Spring follows Winter, many believe that death is merely a transformation; a rest on the path to rebirth. The ancient Celts considered Samhain to be a festive time and, in Irish mythology, many adventures would begin at a Samhain feast. For at the end of one cycle lies the beginning of another.
What’s a Pagan?
Pagan (or ”Ne0-Pagan”) is a term applied to followers of religious practices inspired by, or based upon pre-Christian traditions. Various forms of Paganism practiced in the Ottawa region include Wicca (Witchcraft), Druidry, Asatru (specific to Germanic/Norse), and Shamanism.
Check out our collection of Pagan-friendly resources.