The true origin if Halloween: Samhain

 Samhain

The true origin of Halloween 

Samhain (pronounced SOW-in or SAH-win) is one of the most important and sacred festivals in pagan and witchcraft traditions, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrated on the night of October 31 st, it is both a time of reflection and reverence for the dead and a celebration of the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. For pagans, witches, and practitioners of modern Wicca, Samhain represents the turning of the “Wheel of the Year,” when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is said to be at its thinnest.

Ancient Origins and Traditional Celebrations

Samhain has its roots in ancient Celtic culture, dating back over 2,000 years. It marked the end of the agricultural year—a time when crops were harvested, livestock were brought in from the fields, and preparations were made for the harsh winter months ahead. For the Celts, Samhain was not just a seasonal event but a deeply spiritual one. They believed that during this liminal time, the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead dissolved, allowing spirits and ancestors to cross over.

Communities would light large bonfires on hilltops to ward off evil spirits and honor the gods. Offerings of food and drink were left outside homes or near sacred sites to appease wandering spirits and ensure protection and good fortune for the coming year. People also wore animal skins and masks to disguise themselves from malevolent entities—a custom that would later evolve into the Halloween practice of dressing in costumes.

Samhain in Modern Pagan and Witchcraft Traditions

In modern paganism, particularly Wicca and contemporary witchcraft, Samhain remains a central sabbat—a sacred festival marking the end of the Wheel of the Year. It is viewed as a time of introspection, honoring ancestors, and celebrating the eternal cycle of life and death. Many pagans create altars adorned with photographs, heirlooms, or symbols of departed loved ones. Candles are lit to guide spirits home, and rituals are performed to express gratitude for the harvest and to seek wisdom from the spirit world.

Modern celebrations often blend ancient customs with personal spiritual practices. Witches might perform divination rituals, such as scrying or tarot reading, as Samhain is believed to be a particularly potent time for psychic work. Some hold “dumb suppers”—silent meals shared with the spirits of the dead—where places are set at the table for ancestors as a gesture of remembrance and love.

Herbs, Candles, and Offerings Associated with Samhain

Samhain carries rich symbolism expressed through its traditional herbs, colours, and offerings. Common herbs used in Samhain rituals include sage, for purification; rosemary, for remembrance; mugwort, for divination and dreams; and apple blossoms, associated with love and the afterlife. Pumpkins, apples, pomegranates, nuts, and grains are typical offerings, representing the final fruits of the harvest and the cycle of renewal.

The colours of Samhain—black, orange, red, and gold—reflect both death and the fire of life. Black candles are used to honor ancestors and the crone aspect of the goddess, while orange or gold candles symbolise the harvest’s warmth and the promise of rebirth. Offerings of food, wine, or cider are often placed outside under the moonlight as gifts to spirits or the fae.

From Samhain to All Hallows’ Eve and All Hallows’ Day

When Christianity spread through Celtic lands, the Church sought to replace pagan observances with Christian holy days. In the 8 th century, Pope Gregory III established All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day) on November 1 st, followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2 nd. The evening before, October 31 st, became known as All Hallows’ Eve—the night before the feast of all saints. Though rebranded under Christian tradition, many Samhain customs persisted, blending pagan and Christian elements into one continuum of remembrance for the dead.

Samhain’s Transformation into Halloween

As European immigrants, especially the Irish and Scots, brought their Samhain and All Hallows’ Eve customs to North America, these traditions evolved into what we now know as Halloween. Practices such as carving jack-o-lanterns (originally made from turnips in Ireland) and dressing in costumes to ward off spirits were adapted and secularised. Over time, the spiritual and agricultural aspects of Samhain gave way to a more community-based, festive holiday centered on costumes, trick-or-treating, and storytelling.

Despite its modern commercial transformation, Halloween still carries traces of its ancient origins. The themes of death, spirits, and the supernatural remain central, reflecting humanity’s enduring fascination with the mystery of life and the afterlife.

The origin of trick or treat 

The tradition of “trick or treat” on Halloween has deep roots that stretch back centuries, blending ancient Celtic customs, medieval Christian practices, and modern American culture into one festive ritual.

The Medieval Influence: “Souling” and “Guising”

In the Middle Ages, as Christianity spread through Europe, the Celtic festival blended with All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’) and All Souls’ Day (November 1st and 2nd). During this time, the poor and children practiced “souling,” visiting homes and offering prayers for the dead in exchange for small cakes known as soul cakes. This practice evolved into “guising” in Scotland and Ireland, where children would dress up in costumes and perform songs, poems, or jokes in return for food or coins. Unlike souling, guising introduced the idea of performance—and sometimes playful mischief.

The American Transformation

When Irish and Scottish immigrants came to the United States in the 19th century, they brought these customs with them. By the early 20th century, Halloween had become a community-centered holiday. Children would dress in costumes and go door-to-door asking for treats, a practice that became known as “trick or treat” by the 1920s and 1930s. The phrase reflected a playful bargain: give a treat, or risk a harmless prank (“trick”). Some historians however believe that the concept of trick or treat was the other way around with children being treated or tricked.

Modern Trick-or-Treating

After World War II, with sugar no longer rationed and suburban neighborhoods growing, trick-or-treating became a widespread American tradition. By the 1950s, it was promoted through television, movies, and advertisements, cementing its place in popular culture. Today, the tradition has spread beyond North America to other countries, combining ancient superstition with modern fun.

In essence, “trick or treat” evolved from ancient rituals of honoring the dead and protecting the living into a joyful, community-based celebration that reflects centuries of cultural blending. What began as offerings for spirits and prayers for souls has become a night of costumes, candy, and laughter

Deities associated with Samhain 

While specific beliefs varied among Celtic regions (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Gaul), several deities are closely associated with Samhain and its themes:

1. The Morrígan – Goddess of Fate, Death, and Prophecy

Perhaps the most prominent deity linked to Samhain, the Morrígan (or “Great Queen”) is a powerful triple goddess associated with war, death, and sovereignty.

• She is said to appear as a crow or raven on the battlefield, foretelling death and guiding souls to the Otherworld.

• During Samhain, when the veil between worlds was thin, the Morrígan’s prophetic and transformative powers were at their peak.

• She is also connected to renewal — death as a precursor to rebirth — reflecting Samhain’s theme of endings and new beginnings.

2. Donn –Lord of the Dead

Donn (“The Dark One”) is often considered the Celtic god of the dead.

• In Irish mythology, Donn dwells on Tech Duinn (“The House of Donn”), a mythical island where souls of the dead gather before moving on to the Otherworld.

• During Samhain, people believed the spirits of ancestors returned to visit, and Donn’s realm was thought to open more easily, allowing communication between the living and the dead.

3. Dagda – The Good God

The Dagda, one of the chief gods of the Tuatha Dé Danann, is associated with fertility, abundance, and the changing seasons.

• According to myth, the Dagda met with the Morrígan at Samhain to unite and ensure the land’s fertility for the coming year.

• He is also known for his magical cauldron that never runs empty — symbolising plenty at harvest’s end, just before the winter scarcity.

4. Arawn – Welsh God of the Otherworld

In Welsh mythology, Arawn is the ruler of Annwn, the Otherworld realm of the dead and the divine.

• While not Irish, Arawn shares many thematic ties to Samhain: he governs the land of spirits and presides over the hunt that crosses between worlds.

• The Wild Hunt, sometimes led by Arawn or similar figures, was believed to ride during Samhain nights.

5. Cailleach – The Divine Hag or Winter Goddess

The Cailleach (meaning “old woman” or “crone”) is a powerful goddess of winter, storms, and transformation.

• Samhain marked her rise to power as she brought the cold and darkness of winter.

• She embodies the life–death–rebirth cycle central to Celtic cosmology and seasonal change.

6. Manannán mac Lir – God of the Sea and the Otherworld

A guardian of the boundary between worlds, Manannán mac Lir ferries souls to the afterlife and protects travelers.

• During Samhain, he was honored as a guide through the mists separating the mortal world from the Otherworld

Samhain is far more than the precursor to Halloween—it is a profound spiritual observance rooted in honouring the dead, celebrating the harvest, and embracing the cycle of life and death. For pagans and witches today, it continues to serve as a sacred time to remember ancestors, connect with the spirit world, and prepare for the introspective months of winter. While modern Halloween may have shed much of Samhain’s deeper meaning, its origins remind us of the timeless human desire to find light, warmth, and continuity amid the darkness of the year’s turning

Life after death?

When we die the energetic fields that made us breaks down and is re absorbed into the universal consciousness. The latent energies that can remain are experienced by the living as spirits. When we reincarnate some of the original energies and consciousness will be reborn into another body or “soul” which is why some people especially children know or can do things without prior learning. Young children particularly can display latent memory and are sometimes called “old souls “.

So, if you have lost someone be comforted that a part of them is still around and their energy and spirit live on in new life be it human, plant or animal. 

We came from stardust; it is to this we must return.

Samhain

 

Occultists and witches more often refer to Halloween as Samhain as this is the original name for the time of year. Halloween is essentially a modern interpretation of the judochristian tradition of All Hallows Eve. It is the third and final thanksgiving for the harvest.To celebrate Samhain remember and honour your ancestors and those who have died. Give offerings to your deities such as pumpkin, mushrooms, pomegranate, apples and wine or ale. Light a black candle and burn incense like cinnamon or similar. Feast with a dumb supper which is when you eat with the dead and your ancestors without talking . The veil at this time is thinnest and it’s the best chance to see and Hear loved ones that have passed.  

It is unwise to use ouija boards or such at this time as spirits may come through that you do not know. Samhain is also the witches New Year and is sacred to the dark gods and goddesses like Hecate.

Trick or trick has its origins in an ancient tradition but it was actually the reverse of what is done today. Children would ask for sweets and the adults could then either treat them or play a trick on them.

The pumpkin carving is also from ancient traditions along with skulls and scary things which were believed to scare away evil and dark spirits during this time. 

In essence Samhain , Halloween and Hallow’een is a time of remembrance and a recognition of our ancestors as well as the time to give thanks for the year’s harvest. 

Magical trees:,Yew

The Yew Tree:

Nature’s Tree of Life and Death

The Yew tree (Taxus baccata) is one of the most ancient and mysterious trees in the world. It has fascinated people for thousands of years with its dark beauty, extreme longevity, and associations with both life and death. Found in churchyards, graveyards, and ancient forests, the Yew has deep roots in mythology, religion, and healing traditions.

Characteristics of the Yew Tree

The common Yew is an evergreen conifer, though it doesn’t produce cones like most conifers. Instead, its seeds grow inside bright red, berry-like structures called arils. The tree has dark green, needle-shaped leaves and a reddish-brown bark that often peels off in thin layers.

Yews are known for their incredible longevity — some trees in Britain are believed to be over 2,000 years old. They grow slowly and can regenerate from their own trunks and branches, even after being cut back severely. Because of this, they are often seen as symbols of eternity and renewal.

Different Variations of the Yew

There are several species and cultivated varieties of Yew trees found across the world:

• European Yew (Taxus baccata) – The most well-known species, native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia.
• Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata) – Found in Japan, Korea, and China; often used in ornamental gardens.
• Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) – Native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, famous for its medicinal use in cancer treatment.
• Irish Yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’) – A naturally upright variety discovered in Ireland in the 18th century, often planted in cemeteries and gardens.

Where Yews Are Found

Yews are native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and they thrive in temperate climates. In the UK, ancient Yews often grow in old churchyards, a tradition that dates back to pre-Christian times when they were planted on sacred sites. Their presence in cemeteries may symbolize eternal life, as the tree remains green throughout the year and can seemingly live forever.

Magical and Mysterious Qualities

Throughout history, the Yew has been surrounded by mystical and magical associations. Its ability to live for millennia, its evergreen nature, and its connection to death have made it both feared and revered.

In Celtic mythology, the Yew was linked to rebirth and immortality. The Druids considered it a sacred tree, often connected to the cycle of death and renewal. The tree’s roots and branches were believed to connect the worlds of the living and the dead.

In Norse mythology, the Yew is associated with Yggdrasil, the great world tree that connects all realms of existence. Some scholars believe that Yggdrasil may have been inspired by the Yew, not the Ash, as is more commonly believed.

In Greek and Roman myth, the Yew was sacred to Hecate, the goddess of magic and the underworld, and Pluto (Hades), the god of death. It was often planted near temples or graveyards as a guardian of the dead. 

Uses of the Yew Tree

Despite its toxicity, parts of the Yew have been used in medicine and craft for centuries.

• Wood: Yew wood is extremely strong and elastic, once prized for making longbows in medieval England — especially the famous English longbow used at Agincourt.
• Medicine: The bark of the Pacific Yew contains a compound called taxol, which is used in modern medicine to treat breast and ovarian cancers.
• Spiritual Uses: In ancient times, small pieces of Yew were sometimes carried as protective charms or used in divination rituals.

Because of its poisonous nature, only trained herbalists or scientists should ever work with the tree’s materials. The tree’s arils (red berries) are the only part that is not toxic — but the seed inside the berry is deadly if crushed or chewed.

Dangers of the Yew Tree

Every part of the Yew tree — except for the fleshy red aril — contains toxic alkaloids called taxines. These compounds can cause severe heart and respiratory failure if ingested. The needles, bark, and seeds are all poisonous to humans and most animals, including horses, cattle, and dogs.

The bright red berries may attract children or birds, but only the outer flesh is safe to touch or swallow. Swallowing even a few seeds can be fatal. Because of this, the Yew symbolises both life and death — its evergreen nature representing eternal life, and its poison representing mortality.

The Yew tree is a living paradox: beautiful yet deadly, ancient yet ever-renewing, sacred yet feared. Its presence in graveyards and myths reminds us of nature’s cycles — of death feeding new life, and of the mystery that binds all living things. Whether seen as a symbol of eternity, transformation, or the passage between worlds, the Yew stands as one of the most powerful and enduring trees in human imagination.