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"We'll have Halloween on Christmas" π π A History of the Celtic Tradition of Samhain
Manage episode 391487686 series 3530666
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Today it's ALL THINGS SAMHAIN! And Why not have Halloween on Christmas?! Blink-182 said it was ok.
Celtic traditions, originating from the ancient Celts of Iron Age and Medieval Europe, encompass a rich array of practices, beliefs, and cultural elements. These include the Celtic languages, part of the Indo-European family, still spoken in areas like Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. The Celts traditionally didn't write down their myths and history; these were orally transmitted, with surviving literature often recorded by Christian monks, featuring epic tales of heroes, gods, and an enchanting Otherworld.
Celtic festivals, closely tied to the agricultural cycle, marked significant times of the year. Among these, Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, was particularly important. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was believed that during Samhain, the veil between the living world and the Otherworld was thinnest, allowing spirits to cross over. This time was used to honor the dead, with families remembering ancestors and loved ones. It was also a potent time for divination and prophecy. Communities gathered for feasts, sharing the harvest's bounty and preparing for winter. Central to the Samhain celebrations were large communal bonfires, believed to have protective and cleansing powers.
As Christianity spread, many of these traditions were incorporated into Christian practices, and Samhain evolved into what is now known as Halloween.
Merry Christmas! π
Katie & Kelly
Beliefs, practices, and institutions. (n.d). Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Celtic-religion/Beliefs-practices-and-institutions
Lang, Cady. (2018). What is Samhain? What to Know About the Ancient Pagan Festival That Came Before Halloween. Time. https://time.com/5434659/halloween-pagan-origins-in-samhain/
Ross, Dave. (2023). 8 Facts About the Celts. History. https://www.history.com/news/celts-facts-ancient-europe
Samhain. (2018). History. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/samhain#ancient-samhain
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