Samhain is the pagan precursor to Halloween. According to Wikipedia, Samhain is an ancient Celtic, Druidic holiday or Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. It is celebrated from sunset on 31 October. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures and when livestock were slaughtered for the winter. Special bonfires were lit. These were deemed to have protective and cleansing powers and there were rituals involving them. Samhain was seen as a time when the spirits or fairies (the Aos Sí) could more easily come into our world. Most scholars see the Aos Sí as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. Offerings of food and drink were left for them. The souls of the dead were also thought to revisit their homes. Feasts were had, at which the souls of dead kin were beckoned to attend and a place set at the table for them. At Samhain, it was believed that the aos sí needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the harsh winter. Divination rituals were also a big part of the festival and often involved nuts and apples. Some say that when you cut an Apple correctly, the core forms a perfect pentagram. In the 9th century, the Roman Catholic Church shifted the date of All Saints' Day to 1 November, that day after All Hallow's Eve to celebrate as a holy day. Samhain in ancient Ireland was associated with the god Crom Cruach. The texts claim that King Tigernmas (Tighearnmhas) made offerings to Crom Cruach each Samhain, sacrificing a first-born child by smashing their head against a stone idol of the god.

This poem is writtem in quintains of aabba rhyme scheme (5 line stanzas) with a Gealic refrain meaning "It's Samhain Night".
Apple Core - refers to the Pagan ritual of offering an apple to feed the visitors.
Crom Crauch - an ancient celtic god
Aos Si - the spirits or fairies
Propitiate - appease, or reduce anger
Ringing bells - represents the Church holy day
Knell - open area in a woods
Pyre - large bonfire
Festival of the Dead - Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, All Souls Day, Samhain
'Tis - it is
Yon - over there
Enjoin - join up, become part of
Midst - among
Art - are
Whence - there
dost - do or does
thy - their
'Twas - it was
Whilest - while

This picture was provided courtesy of Yahoo Images

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.