Jack-O-Lanterns

Carved pumpkins are a Halloween tradition; along with Trick-or-Treating, Jack-o-Lanterns are an enduring image for this time of year. Yet like nearly all the symbols and rituals of “modern” holidays and festivals, the meaning of the Jack-o-Lantern extends far back into history, to the time of the Celts and Druids. Jack-o-Lanterns, in Irish myth, … Continue reading Jack-O-Lanterns

Pumpkin Decorating and Carving

Pumpkin Decorating and Carving a Samhain Activity Pumpkins in the form of jack-o-lanterns play a huge part in our Samhain Activity. Pumpkin carving goes back to the Druids and Celts. Throughout Ireland, England and Scotland, people began making lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or beets, placed in windows or near doors to frighten … Continue reading Pumpkin Decorating and Carving

Samhain~Halloween Customs and Practices

This major festival has several aspects. It is considered the third (meat) harvest, New Year’s Eve, the Day of the Dead (the dead are honored as they were by the ancient Celts & Egyptians and even now in Mexico) and a night that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinnest. It is … Continue reading Samhain~Halloween Customs and Practices

Samhain Grave Minding Ritual

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY KRISTOFFER HUGHES POSTED UNDER PAGAN Grave minding and grave decorating traditions run hand in hand with the season of Samhain, and perhaps nowhere is this as apparent as in Central and South America during Dias de los Muertos. However, elements of this practice are easily incorporated into modern Pagan traditions … Continue reading Samhain Grave Minding Ritual

Apple Ducking or Duck-Apple

Apple Ducking, Duck-Apple, Apple Bobbing Samhain/Halloween Activity that we are all familiar with is bobbing for apples. However in Scotland, this may be called "dooking" (i.e., ducking)"Dooking for Apples". In northern England, the game is often called apple ducking or duck-apple. This game involved attempting to grab an apple from a wooden tub filled with water and … Continue reading Apple Ducking or Duck-Apple