Origins of Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the autumnal holidays during this magical time of year? Or maybe have interest in celebrating in a new or more embodied way? Let’s dive in!

Let’s take a deeper look into the holidays of the autumn season, known for its colorful leaves, crisp morning air, and haunting qualities. 

Samhain

Samhain is known as the Celtic new year and it is celebrated from October 31st-November 1st. This is a special period of celebration and harvest, as well as, an honoring of the days shift to becoming shorter and nights longer. In a way, it is a time of saying goodbye to the vibrancy of the year and welcoming in rest, recovery, rootedness, and dormancy. To the Celts is was believed the veil between the human and spirit world was lifted during this period and access to spirits, positive or negative, could become more present in the human world. For this reason offerings, masks, and fires were created in order to please the spirits and protect the community from negative energies. 

Día de los Muertos

Día de los muertos

Día de los Muertos is a traditional practice from Mexico that is celebrated from October 31st - November 2nd, during this time period family members leave out ofrendas or offerings for their loved ones and ancestors that have passed. It is believed the spirits of the deceased can cross over during this period of time when the veil is thin and visit their family members. Its a time of honoring, respecting, and remembering those that have passed on. Ofrendas traditionally have food and drink - like sweet bread, fruit, chocolate, and corn, photos of loved ones, candles, and marigold flowers. Additionally they can have tokens or items that belonged to loved ones, painted skulls, notes and letters, and more. This is a special and sacred time to honor loved ones who have moved on to the spirit world.

Halloween 

Halloween 

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st and has its roots in the Celtic traditions of Samhain. However since American culture and government was developed with Protestant traditions it became it’s own type of celebration instead of following exactly in the Celtic traditions. Some might say it became a shortened, watered down version of the ancient rituals and celebrations of this time of year. Halloween shifted into a time to celebrate Autumn with neighbors and community with trick or treating, sweets, and jack o lanterns. Trick or treating has some roots in Samhain as this was the time of year offerings were left out for beings of the spiritual world to avoid having tricks played on them. The tradition of wearing costume and masks on Halloween was seen as a form of protection from malevolent spirits. This is also related to putting jack o lanterns outside the home and front door. It was a way of scaring off any entities that may try to enter the home. As we know this holiday has become highly commercialized, however, it still has its roots in ancient practices during a very special time of year. Celebrating halloween is a good time to connect with community, honor those that have passed, tune into your spiritual nature or practice, celebrate harvest, and simply have fun!

However you celebrate this time of year, whether its one of these traditions or all three, remember it is a special spiritual time or year. It is good practice to be intentional about how you spend your time, connect with loved ones, honor your ancestors and loved ones that have moved on, and enjoy the magic and mystery of this autumnal time of year.