Happy Samhain!

My favorite holiday has finally arrived!

Mexico Day of the Dead

Halloween... AKA Samhain... is the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. It is the beginning of the Celtic calendar, and the only pre-Christian holiday that has stood the test of time. It is celebrated between October 31 and November 2nd in countries all over the world.

Originally it was the Celts who celebrated All Hallows Eve (31st) and the Day of the Dead (Nov 1st) - believing that the veil between our world and the spirit world was the thinnest, and souls would mingle with the living for 24-48 hours. Others believed that souls that had died the year before were walking the earth... on a journey to the other side. Masks were worn so the souls would not see the peoples faces, especially of their loved ones, and want to stay on the earth for another year.

Bonfires were often lit at this time to honor the dead, and today many people offer apples, bread or root vegetables to the spirits to honor them on their journey. Lit pumpkins, gourds, and squash would line the streets, creating a path for the spirits to follow.

So how does my family celebrate Samhain?

We throw a party!

Let's see... we have a ghost pinata for the kids, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and we even have a gingerbread haunted house.

Plus a big dinner with all the fixins'.

If the weather was nicer (and not so soggy, cold, and crappy out) we'd have a big bonfire and play some music around the fire.

Typical fall party stuff.


We also honor the dead. If we know of someone who has passed within the year, they are remembered.

And we also honor the upcoming year... just like one does on New Year's Eve.

It is definitely a great night and tonight my parents and my kids will be here to break bread (literally), watch the kids play games, listen to Celtic music and remember those that passed... while looking ahead to the future.

It's a wonderful night indeed.

I hope yours will be as well.

Take care,

TJ