Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the yearly harvest season and the beginning of Winter or the "darker half" of the year. Most commonly it is held on 31 October–1 November, or halfway between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. Along with Imbolc(02February), Beltane (01May) and Lughnasadh(02August) it makes up the four Gaelic seasonal festivals. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Kindred festivals were held at the same time of year in other Celtic lands; for example the Brythonic Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall) and Kalan Goañv (in Brittany).
It's the last of the Harvest Festivals of us Pagans. Our first is Lammas/Lughnasadh, then is Mabon(21September-ish)and the last is Samhain. Lammas is for harvesting the grain. Mabon is the fruits, like grapes and wine and Samhain is for the meat. It was more cost effective to slaughter most of the animals before the winter, especially your larger livestock, like cattle, sheep and swine.
Samhain (like Beltane) was seen as a time when the Veil Between the Worlds thinned enough for the souls of the dead, and other beings, to come into our world. Feasts were had, at which the souls of dead kin were beckoned to attend and a place set at the table for them. It has thus been likened to a festival of the dead, like El Dia de Los Muertos on 01/02November. People also took steps to protect themselves from harmful spirits, which is thought to have led to the custom of guising. It's known these days as trick or treating.If you dressed up scarier than the things that might cross over, they'd leave you alone.
I usually have an altar up for Samhain, but this past year my FIL has crossed as has a few of my on line friends, so I will set one up for El Dia instead. It honours your ancestors and family that have died. On the altars are marigolds, sugar skulls,cards, pictures, items that were from your family, and their favourite food or drinks.
Mine would have Meatball subs and Mac and Cheese, I think.
El Dia stems from an ancient Aztec Holiday honouring the Lady of the Underworld, Mictecacihuatl.
Welp, that's my last post for NaBloWriMo. Hope you've enjoyed reading what I've written as much as I've enjoyed reading you alls.
Tomorrow begins NaNoWriMo...so we'll see how THAT goes this year.
