Samhain

Samhain

CBS Early Show on Witches, Pagans & Samhain - 10/31/00

Don't forget to watch the video feed to see the actual story!

In ancient Ireland, Samhain (pronounced Sow-win or Sahm-hayn) meant "Summer's End." It rightfully marked the transition from the light half of the year to the dark. Autumn Equinox has passed, the sun is lower in the sky and the days are getting shorter, darker and colder. This Sabbat incorporates many different aspects, but most have to do with death or dying.

In his book, THE PAGAN FAMILY: HANDING THE OLD WAYS DOWN, Ceisiwr Serith writes: "Unlike most Pagan occasions the

re are almost too many (Samhain) customs to integrate them all easily." That is why he suggests three different rituals to celebrate three different aspects of this most Pagan of nights. "First there is the seasonal aspect," he writes. "This is the time of the year when things are dying. Next there is the placating of the spirits of the animals eaten during the year. Third there is the honoring of the ancestors." Serith (who is a dad himself) also points out that a fourth aspect, that of personal mortality, is something younger children probably don't need to dwell on right now.

Following his lead our family celebrates "The Feast of the Last Harvest" on October 29th, "The Feast of the Animal Spirits" on October 30th and "The Feast of the Ancestors" on November 1st.

A note about that.

Samhain itself takes place from sundown October 31st to sundown November 1st.

To that end I'm going to say something that probably won't be very popular with a lot of people -- but we leave October 31st to trick or treating and celebrate the Feast of the Ancestors on November 1st. Before everyone starts screaming at me for abandoning tradition and depriving my children of their heritage, let me explain. When we first began celebrating ritual as a family we tried celebrating the Feast of the Ancestors on Hallowe'en Night because that was what all the books said you should do. It was a disaster. The kids had only one thing on their mind and it wasn't ritual. I wanted our Feast of the Ancestors to be a very solemn memorial for those who had passed over. I wanted it to be slow and calm, giving us the time to reflect on the ancestors and honor them. It was impossible to invoke that kind of solemnity when the kids were fidgeting at the table anxious to get on with trick or treating. I got all stressed out because I felt like I was being rushed and no one was showing the ritual the respect it deserved. My little ones were unhappy because they were afraid they were going to miss trick or treating. My husband got unnerved that everyone else was upset. All in all it was not a good time -- and yet we did it the same way for several years because that's what the books said to do.

But books can only give you ideas and suggestions for celebrating ritual. Every family is different. Everyone's needs are different. You need to take the suggestions you find in books and turn them into rituals that will work for your family. I know a lot of Pagans and Wiccans will take exception to this. I've heard of Pagan parents who insist their kids forfeit trick or treating so it won't even be an issue on Hallowe'en night. To these people I would say remember what it was that drove you from conventional religion in the first place.

Grandma Got Ran Over By A Broomstick

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick

Walking home from our house Halloween.

Now you can say there's no such thing as witches.

But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

She'd consumed too many spirits.

And we begged and begged her not to go.

But she'd forgot her Belladonna,

So she sashayed right out the door, we didn't know.

When they found her the next morning

At the scene of the attack.

She had bristles on her forehead,

And incriminating brush marks on her back.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick.

Walking home from our house Halloween.

You can say there's no such thing as witches,

But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

Now we're all so proud of grandpa.

He's been taking it so well.

See him in there watching wrestling,

Drinking wine and dancing skyclad with cousin Nell.

It's not Samhain without grandma.

She's the one with the big hat.

And we just can't help but wonder,

Should we divvy up her candy, or send it back.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick,

Walking home from our house Halloween.

You can say there's no such thing as witches.

But as for me and grandpa, we believe.

Now the punch is on the table,

And the pumpkin, it's so big.

And the black and silver candles

That would just have matched the hair in grandma's wig.

I've warned all my friends and neighbors,

Better watch out for yourselves.

They should never give a license

To a gal who flies a broomstick deosil.

Grandma got ran over by a broomstick,

Walking home from our house Halloween.

You can say there's no such thing as witches,

But as for me and grandpa, we believe

Hallowe'en is one Pagan ritual whose customs have come to us practically intact. That's why we have no problem with letting our kids celebrate the night for what it is, explaining why we wear masks and put jack-o-lanterns in the window and hand out treats. The kids have Hallowe'en night, then we use the calm and peace of November 1st to give the ancestors their due. And it's still Samhain until sundown, so it works for me.

If it doesn't work for you, celebrating on Hallowe'en is still the more popular way.

One last note, if you find three different rituals is just too much for your schedule to manage, don't worry. You can combine parts of each into one ritual, or just choose to celebrate the "Feast of the Ancestors" and you'll be fine.