Celtic Holiday Of Samhain: Origins Of Halloween

Samhain (pronounced "sow-in" or "sah-win") is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Traditions: Bonfires, feasting, divination games, and costumes were all part of Samhain celebrations. People would leave food and drink offerings for their ancestors and honor the spirits of the dead. Samhain marks the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half.

It's a time when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. Samhain has had a lasting impact on modern Western culture, with many Halloween traditions, such as dressing up in costumes and carving jack-o'-lanterns, originating from this ancient Celtic festival.