Articles related to "Celtic New Year"

The Eve of Samhain, the 31st October, was an important fire festival for Celtic Peoples and the origin of many modern day Halloween customs.

Jack-o'-Lanterns originated in ancient Celtic tradition, but carving these Halloween symbols continues to fascinate us.

Not many people realize that Halloween, celebrated on October 31 or All Hallows Eve, is just one of an annual cycle of rituals that form the backbone of the Wiccan year.

The roots of Halloween run deep, all the way to the ancients Celts, and have been nurtured and altered by the Roman and Christian cultures.

Whether Halloween is a pagan celebration is debatable as the early Christian Church perpetuated the Druid celebration by moving the Feast of All Saints Day to 1 November

Autumn brings many festivals, including Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Thanksgiving. But where did they originate, and what other celebrations take place at this time?

From turnips and potatoes in Ireland to pumpkins in the US, jack-o'-lanterns continue to celebrate Ireland's Catholic and Celtic history every Halloween.

Millions of people still celebrate the Halloween festival that takes place on October 31st, and this article describes its history and traditions.

The origin of Halloween dates back 2,000 years. The holiday can trace its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced "sow-in" and means "summer's end."

The Celts are a ethnic group of people spread throughout the British Isles and part of mainland Europe with a unique culture, history, religion, and language.

Long ago, before electric light, men feared the shadows of the night. In those days people developed some strange customs to deal with the hidden danger.

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the New Year celebrations of the Celts 2,000 years ago. November 1st was the beginning of the long, harsh winter.

Despite claims that it is a Christian celebration, Halloween stays close to it's Pagan roots.

Hallowe'en is celebrated by giving thanks and honoring the dead. Some Celts had a three day celebration, believing Samhain was the 'tween time between summer and winter.

Sabbats are a time to celebrate. To sing, dance, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. The major Sabbats are Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas.

Halloween lore and religious persecution have cast a long shadow over feline history, and superstitions surrounding black cats persist to this day.