Halloween - The Night of Mysteries

   Halloween dates back to an Old Celtic Ancient Fire Festival called Samhain (meaning summer�s end) the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The biggest and most significant celebration marking the end of the harvest and beginning of a new winter season. Herds were led downhill from the pastures and secure safely in shelter before the winter season arrived. Hay and the crops were harvested and stored.
     On the eve of Samhain, Fleadh nan Mairbh (Feast of the Dead) a great feast in celebration with food and entertainment in honor of the dead that past during that year. Rituals of lighting bonfires were to guide the spirits from this world leading them into next world as well as keeping them away from the living. People also gathered with offerings of sacrifice animals, fruits and vegetables. A celebration of the dead, fertility and renewal.
     With Christianity on the rise, Samhain became known as Hallowmas, or All Saints Day with attempts from the missionaries to change the Celts beliefs. The Celts practiced their elaborate religion through the Druids, who were priests, poets and scholars all in one. Christians brand this practice of the Celts as evil and devil worshippers. Druids were considered evil worshippers of devilish or demonic gods and spirits. The Celtic underworld inevitably became identified with the Christian Hell. Which over time All Hallows eve became known as Halloween.

The Apple and the Mirror

Before the stroke of midnight, sit in front of a mirror in a room lit only by one candle or the moon. Go into the silence, and ask a question. Cut the apple into nine pieces. With your back to the mirror, eat eight of the pieces, and then throw the ninth over your left shoulder. Turn your head to look over the same shoulder, and you will see an image or symbol in the mirror that will tell you your answer.

Dreaming Stones

Go to a boundary stream and with closed eyes, take from the water three stones between middle finger and thumb, saying these words as each is gathered:
I will lift the stone
As Mary lifted it for her Son,
For substance, virtue, and strength;
May this stone be in my hand
Till I reach my journey�s end.
Carry them home carefully and place them under your pillow. That night, ask for a dream that will give you guidance or a solution to a problem, and the stones will bring it for you.

For Your Amusement
for fun only

A chant below for calling upon the spirit of the dead.

And so it is, we gather again,
The feast of our dead to begin.
Our Ancients, our Ancestors we invite, Come!
And follow the setting of the sun.
Whom do we call? We call them by name
(Name your ancestor)
The Ancients have come! Here with us stand
Where ever the country, where ever the land
They leave us not, to travel alone;
Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone!
Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Great be their Power!
Past ones and present-at this very hour!
Welcome within are the dead who are kin,
Feast here with us and rest here within
Our hearth is your hearth and welcome to thee;
Old tales to tell and new visions to see!