Beliefs

It is important to examine some of the Celtic beliefs in order to understand the activities and traditions of Samhain.

Unlike Western cultures, where darkness is a frightening symbol, Celtic tradition does not see darkness as complete evil. In fact, they believe that the darkness can be fertile, as well as chaotic. It is also seen that fertility and chaoticness are not too far apart. Life and death can emerge from the dark. In early times, Celts recorded time by nights, not days (Trevarthen 2010).

The time of Samhain was looked at as the marking of the Celtic New Year. Since the darkness was associated with both rebirth and death, it makes sense that the end and the start of the new year would happen at the end of the agricultural year and the start of the time for feasting (Trevarthen 2010).

The boar was seen to be a strong animal that symbolized strength, determination and the plentifulness of the wilderness. Boars preferred the acorn, which came from the oak tree, which was also sacred to the Celts. Boars are connected to the symbolic rituals of the Samhain season and were believed to lead people towards an Otherworld encounter (MacLeod 2011).

Apples and hazelnuts were fruits from trees that were associated with the Otherworld (MacLeod 2011).