Samhain

A Primer for Nonpractitioners

Overview Samhain (pronounced sow'-in, rhymes with wow) is a Cross-Quarter sabbat in the Pagan traditions. It is considered the most liminal time of the year, when the veil between worlds is the thinnest, and the spirits can return to walk among the living. Druid Susa Morgan Black explains: "To the ancient Celts, the year had two 'hinges.' These were Beltaine (the first of May) and Samhain (the first of November), which is also the traditional Celtic New Year. And these two days were the most magical, and often frightening times of the whole year. The Celtic people were in superstitious awe of the times and places “in between." Holy sites were any border places – the shore between land and water (seas, lakes, and rivers), bridges, boundaries between territories (especially when marked by bodies of water), crossroads, thresholds, etc. Holy times were also border times – twilight and dawn marking the transitions of night and day; Beltaine and Samhain marking the transitions of summer and winter. Read your myths and fairytales – many of the stories occur in such places, and at such times. At Samhain (which corresponds to modern Halloween), time lost all meaning and the past, present, and future were one. The dead, and the denizens of the Other World, walked among the living. It was a time of fairies, ghosts, demons, and witches. Winter itself was the Season of Ghosts, and Samhain is the night of their release from the Underworld. Many people lit bonfires to keep the evil spirits at bay. Often a torch was lit and carried around the boundaries of the home and farm, to protect the property and residents against the spirits throughout the winter." [Source:Susa Morgan Black (Druid, FSA Scot), druidry.org]

Dates Every October 31-November 2​ Focus Remember and respect ancestors Protect family, animals, and land from evil spirits Final harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year Common Customs​​ Guide family spirits home with candles in windows, fortune telling, family altar, and prayers The lighting of bonfires or torches to keep evil away. Joining together and near the fire/light and/or wearing costumes to avoid kidnapping by evil spirits “Dumb dinner:” Place an empty chair/ setting at dinner for deceased family or friends, and eat in silence once the meal is started. Drive cattle down to lower pastures or other winter preparation Learn More​​ https://druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/samhain-festival

· Pagan Beliefs and Symbols: Death of the God to stag to protect. 

· Druid Beliefs and Symbols: Festival of the dead, remembering and honoring departed relations and friends. Leaves stripped from trees. (Animal sacrifices in ancient times), feasts.

Respectful engagement through a UU lens

Resonant UU Tenets

• Principle 3 | Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth

• Shared Values | Pluralism

• Shared Values | Interdependence

UU Connections​

• Learn about Unitarian Universalist Pagans

Related Songs​

• STLT #46 Now The Day Is Over

• STLT #50 When Darkness Nears

• STLT #54 Now Light Is Less

• STLT #96 I Cannot Think of Them as Dead

• STLT #306 Sing of Living, Sing of Dying

• STLT #412 Let Hope and Sorrow Now Unite

• Damh the Bard, The Hills They Are Hollow

Readings

STLT #538 Harbingers of Frost

Autumn, we know, Is life en route to death.

The asters are but harbingers of frost.

The trees, flaunting their colors at the sky,

In other times will follow where the leaves have fallen,

And so shall we. Yet other lives will come.

So may we know, accept, embrace

The mystery of life we hold awhile

Nor mourn that it outgrows each separate self,

but still rejoice that we may have our day.

Lift high our colors to the sky! and give,

In our time, fresh glory to the earth.

       ~ Robert T. Weston

Activities

These suggestions are intended for nonpractitioner UUs to learn from and appreciate this day. It is not meant to suggest what active practitioners would do, as they obviously have their own spiritual and cultural knowledge. It is also not meant to suggest that one is celebrating the holiday or its traditions by trying these activities. We should approach any exploration with respect and humility, looking for teaching moments shared by our friends and neighbors that show us wisdom and enrich our lives.