Samhain (October 31st) also known as: Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas Samhain is the Witches' New Year's Eve, November 1st is the first day of the new year, it marks the end of one summer and the beginning of winter. It is the final harvest of the year. This is the time of the year when the ancient tribes harvested for the last time during the year, and prepared for the long months of winter. Food was stored, animals brought in from the fields, animals needed for food supply were slaughter and prepared for long storage, activity was moved from outdoors to indoors, by the warmth of the hearth fire. The ancient tribes celebrated the Celtic Feast of the Dead, a practice which is carried on today. Samhain is a time when we honor our ancestors and the memory they left behind. On Samhain the veil between all worlds is the thinnest. It is a powerful time for divination and contacting those who have walk these lands before us. This is the time of the season which the Crone rules. She is one aspect of the Goddess, Crone, Maiden, and Mother. It is She who opens the Western gate for those departed to travel into Summerland. She rules areas of death and regination, occult sciences, healing, and the wisdom of the ages. She comes in the form of Cerridwen, Hecate, Arianrhod, Persephone, among many others. We use the Crone to assist us in transition from one life to the next, of leaving one level of our existence and entering the next. To bring us into the Womb of the Mother only to assist us in being reborn once again. For it is through Her Wisdom and guidance we learn lessons from experience past and begin life anew from the wisdom gained. Ritual fires of Samhain were lit at the fall of dusk on the sacred hilltops, of ancient times, for the protection of people and land. Today we use fire in our Magic Circle to build a shield of protection and to light the Path for the future. Witches perform rituals, using the Crone's assistance, to leave behind that which they do not want to carry on into the future; outdated habits, completion of past relationships; insecurities and those thing which do not service to carry on. Magic is done to better our lives, the lives of those around us, and all connected to the web of life It is customary for Witches to dress on Samhain eve, the costume reflect the Witches projection for the upcoming year. It is a festive, joyful time, where we visit friends and share treats stories and memories. Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. It is from this point that the days begin slowly to become longer and longer. The sun is at its most southeastern point over the Tropic of Capricorn in the northern hemisphere and has no apparent northward or southward motion. In the time of the ancient tribes this was a time of celebration, for it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return of spring. Yule is the time when we honor the Goddess for giving birth to the sun once more. It is the time when the Oak King is victorious over the Holly King. The Holly King, represents death and darkness since Samhain, and the Oak King represents rebirth and life. The waning (diminishing) sun is overtaken by the waxing (increasing) sun, thus the days become longer after the victory of the Oak King. |