samhain

Discover the full story of Halloween from its ancient Irish roots in Samhain to modern-day celebrations. Explore traditions, trivia, costumes, and more with The Irish Jewelry Company.

November's All Souls' Day, observed on November 2nd in the Christian calendar, is deeply connected to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This day of remembrance for the departed has its roots in the Celtic belief that spirits could walk among the living at this time. A poignant tradition from this intertwining of cultures is the placement of an empty chair near the fireplace. This "chair for the departed" symbolizes a warm welcome for ancestral spirits, a remembrance of lost family members, and a protective gesture to ward off malevolent entities. The custom beautifully encapsulates the blend of Christian

November 1st, known as All Saints' Day in Christian traditions, is a day dedicated to honoring all saints and martyrs. Its origins are deeply connected to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of harvest and a time when the boundary between the living and the spirit world was believed to be thin. As Christianity spread in Europe, the Church strategically aligned All Saints' Day with Samhain to facilitate a smoother transition for pagan communities. Traditionally, the day was marked by church services, visiting graves, communal feasting, bell ringing, and the custom of 'souling' where

Explore the ancient tales of the Púca, the enigmatic Celtic creature. From its shapeshifting powers to its role in Samhain, uncover the mysteries of this legendary being that has haunted Celtic folklore for centuries.

Dive into the mystical world of Samhain, the Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the onset of winter. Explore age-old divination practices, from apple bobbing to dream interpretations, and uncover the secrets of ancient prophecies.

Dive deep into the mystic origins of Samhain, the age-old Celtic celebration marking the end of harvest and the thinning veil between worlds. Discover its rich traditions, rituals, and its evolution into the modern Halloween we celebrate today.

The idea of night and day was central to everyday existence in Celtic culture. Bealtaine and Samhain were two of their most important holidays. Their year was split between a dark half and a light half, and the transition from one to the other was celebrated with festivities. Samhain is a term that is often translated to mean “summer’s end,” and it was certainly a festival that took place during the darker half of the year.

As children and adults around the world take part in the spooky festivities of Halloween on the night of October 31st, All Hallows Eve, few know of its ancient Irish Celtic roots in the Samhain (Samain) festival.

Read more about Celtic Halloween Origins,

On Halloween night children would dress up in scary Halloween costumes and go house to house. Phrases like "Help the Halloween Party" and "Trick or Treat" were the cries to be heard at each door. Halloween beliefs, customs, and costumes migrated with the first wave of Irish and Scottish immigrants that arrived in the United States in the 18th century. These immigrants came from Ireland and Scotland.

Believe it or not, Ireland is the country that gave birth to Halloween, and many of the modern-day practices associated with the holiday are derived from the more than two thousand years of history, culture, and tradition that the Irish has cultivated. Every year on October 31st, people celebrate All Hallows Eve, which has its roots in the Celtic festival Samhain (pronounced "Sow-when" like the word "sound" without the d and you should have it!). Samhain was a celebration honoring the dead.