Samhain

Celtic · ancient · harvest · winter

End of harvest. Samhain was celebrated on November 1st to mark the end of the autumn harvest season and the start of the darker, colder half of the year.

Evening celebrations. The Celtic people believed each day began and ended at sunset, so Samhain celebrations actually started on the evening of October 31st rather than in the morning.

Across Celtic lands. This festival was widely celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man by Celtic peoples who lived in those regions.

Halfway point. Samhain falls almost exactly between the autumnal equinox (when day and night are equal length) and the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year).

One of four festivals. Samhain was one of four major seasonal celebrations in the Gaelic calendar, along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa.