Mabon

The Veil Is Thinning

Samhain was originally one of four major Celtic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh, which occurred around 2000 years ago in regions including modern-day Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, northern France, and the Isle of Man. 

Held from sundown on October 31 through November 1 (at least by today’s modern calendar), it took place between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. 

Fittingly, linguists translate the Gaelic word Samhain—which was likely pronounced SAH-wen—to mean “summer’s end.”

During Samhain, the Celts harvested their crops and probably slaughtered livestock for food. 

Then, they celebrated their abundance with sporting games and a giant—and raucous—feast. 

The people also prepared winter housing for itinerant warriors and shamans.

On a spiritual level, Samhain marks the time of the year in which the barrier between the earthly world and the spirit world dissolved, allowing spirits and faeries to walk among—and perhaps torment—mortals.

It’s also described in countless myths and folktales as a period of mystical intensity. 

Celtic priests built huge bonfires, practiced divination rituals, and conducted rites to keep ghouls at bay—but since they didn’t keep written records, many of these practices remain shrouded in mystery.

By the 7th century, many Western European nations had converted to Christianity. 

The Romans had celebrated Lemuria, a festival of the dead, each May—but now, the feast was dedicated to Catholic saints. During the 8th century, Pope Gregory III moved the annual festival (which was an early predecessor to All Saints' Day) for Romans to November 1—right around the time Samhain took place—and then Pope Gregory IV made the change for the Western Church. 

To this day, historians don’t quite know whether or not the switch was made to transform Samhain into a Christian holiday or whether it was simply more practical for the feast to be held during autumn, when harvest crops could be used to feed hungry pilgrims traveling to Rome.

Later, November 2 was designated as All Souls' Day, and the eve before All Saints' Day—once known as All Hallows' Day—was dubbed All Hallows' Eve. 

Over the centuries, this holiday evolved into what is known as Halloween.

New Moon Gardening

 

 Gardening by the moon is not a new practice; it’s based on scientific principles as well as folklore and superstition.

The Earth is influenced by both the sun and the moon. The tides are affected by the moon, just as it pulls the tides in the oceans. Similarly, the moon also pulls on the subtle bodies of water, causing moisture to rise in the earth, which encourages growth.

During this time, the soil has the highest amount of moisture. Tests have shown that seeds absorb the most water at the time of the full moon.

However, in a few days, we will have the new moon, when the lunar gravity pulls water up and assists the seeds in growing.

With the increasing moonlight, there’s a balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time to plant above-ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples include lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Even cucumbers, which are an exception, also benefit from this phase.

Being Pagan