Samhain

Samhain - pronounced “Sow-win” is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition.

It is pagan holiday 

In the past, people wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits so to avoid harm themselves 

"Sow-win" is celebrated at sun-set

over the night of October 31st

as children are out "trick or treating"

dressed up in costumes

collecting sweets from willing participants.

"Sow-win" celebrates the Celtic new year

welcoming in the harvest 

ushering in the "dark half" of the year

and the long cold winter nights ahead.

It is traditional to set up an altar for the dead, 

often featuring offerings, 

photographs 

memories of relatives who have gone before

the perfect time to honor nature, 

life and rebirth.

Bonfires, feasting and drinking play a large part in the festivities

The bones of slaughtered livestock were once cast into a communal fire

household fires were then extinguished and started again from that communal bonfire depicting a re-birth.

Those who believe

believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during "Sow-win" 

allowing more interaction between us and humans of "The other world"

I like to take time with the family photos I have 

and reflect on those in my family who have gone before me.