Samhain

Happy Halloween for those of you that celebrate, All Hallow's Eve for October 31st, and All Saints Day for the 1st of November. (Boondock Saints anyone? Eh? Eh?)

In the land of Alysha Hayden, October 31st is the marking of Samhain. Now before you get all judgemental and give me the whole 'technically Samhain is in May in the southern hemisphere', yes, I know. However, since Dead Man's Dance series is set in the US of A, we're going to acknowledge the American traditions as well. Which translates into more Samhain celebrations for us. Woo hoo! Let the skyclad times roll. Oh yeah, you know you wanna.

Note: This video is NSFW

Samhain comes from the Gaelic word samain 'sam' meaning summer, and 'fuin' or end. Put them together and we have summer's end. Hence why those of us down under like to celebrate it at a different time of year.

November 1st still marks the beginning of the New Year to Pagans, and Wiccans in the northern hemisphere. (Generally May 1st for those of us under the southern cross) Samhain is celebrated as a festival of the dead, to give thanks for the year's harvest and begin preparations for the winter months to follow.

It dates back to the Celtic traditions. Where from sundown on the 31st of October through the 1st of November, people would dress up, and dance around a communal fire in celebration. The dances would honour the dead that had risen from the 'other'world, and the Celtic gods and goddess of the harvest. The costumes worn allowed participants to trick any spirits that arrived with ill intentions in mind.

It is believed that the veil between the worlds (physical and the 'other'world) was also at its thinnest during this festival. Which enabled easier communication between the living, those who'd passed over, and with any spirits, some invited others not, that attended the celebrations.

In a modern, more mainstream setting this has translated into scary decorations, trick or treating, and dress up parties.

However you celebrate this time of year have a happy, and safe time.