Happy New Year!
The Celtic year begins with the coming of the dark. The day begins in the evening, not the morning. . Leaves are fallen. Days are getting shorter. We ready ourselves for winter. Samhain (pronounced SOW-when) was for the Celts the thinnest part of the year, when the veil between time and eternity is most easily traversed. The dead are closest to us.
In the Western church calandar we celebrate All Saints on November 1 and All Souls on November 2. Halloween is the eve of All Hallows. Those who have gone before us are with us now. Halloween, All Saints, All Souls and Samhain give us a wonderful merging of many traditions. All speak truth to us. All give us a glimpse of mystery.
That which is called the Christian religion existed among the Ancients, and never did not exist, from the beginning of the Human race until Christ came in the flesh, at which time true religion, which already existeed began to be called Christainity.
St. Augustine[1]
I recommend Shirley Toulson’s book on the Celtic Year. It is a handy companion to use alongside the Daily Office. Much food for thought. IT may not still be in print, but used copies are easy to find.
For the ancients, Samhain was a season to feast before the austerities of winter. To my Christian and Pagan friends: Enjoy the feast!
+Ab. Andy
[1] Shirley Toulson. (1993) The Celtic Year: A Celebration of Celtic Christian Saints, Sites and Festivals. Rockport, MA: Element Books, p. 1.