 | Djahuti (54)
10/26/2006 | Samhain (pronounced sow-en) was the ancient Celtic New Year.It was believed that the souls of the deceased hung around the living until this time,when the veil between the worlds was thin and they could pass on to the other side.It was considered a time to honor the ancestors as well as the newly deceased,as they could also pass through for a visit.Some cultures held what is known as a "dumb supper" where they set a place or places at their table for the deceased and ate in silence with them.It was also thought to be a prime time for divination,to gain insight and wisdom from those who had entered the spirit realm.After the Celts were taken over by the Roman Christians,they did not completely relinquish their beliefs and this holy day morphed gradually (all saints day,etc.) into what we now know as Halloween (which is a contraction of Hallow E'en (hallowed evening).
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