Samhain
The modern celebration of Halloween is derived the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, which marked the end of Summer harvests and honoured the ancestors. It is believed that the veil between ThisWorld and the OtherWorld is the thinnest on Samhain.
Witches, broomsticks, cauldrons, black cats, ghosts, pumpkins, full moons and dressing up in costumes are associated with modern Halloween lore.
MagickMermaid 
Another ancient tradition turned into a “Hallmark holiday”…
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Right you are! It’s amazing how so many holidays have become shopping daze!
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I really enjoy your artwork!! ♡
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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But was there sweets?.. 🙂
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Of course! 🙂
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Reblogged this on hocuspocus13.
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I did not know this.
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Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I’ve heard of Sam Hill (used in exclamations as a euphemism for “hell” as in,
“what in Sam Hill is that smell?”) but not Samhain. It appears there are some similarities.
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It’s pronounced SOW-in. There’s no Sam in it. Unless of course, one meets the ghost of Sam Hill on that night 😉
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Thanks for the explanation. I would have never gotten SOW-in from that spelling. I’ve also heard Halloween called “All Saints Day” in reference to our ancestors who have gone on before us.
As long as I get a piece of candy, I’ll be happy.
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It’s one of those old Celtic words that doesn’t sound the way it looks. How about some ‘milseáin’ ? (Irish Gaelic for sweets or candy and it’s pronounced mil-shoyne) 😀
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That’s what I like about your site. I always learn something new.
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That’s me; a veritable fount of information 🙂
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Love the post, love the comments, love the artwork. First came the Celtic Samhain with bonfires and warding off ghosts, then Pope Gregory riffed off that celebration and made Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day. So, according to the Christian calendar, today is All Saints’ Day, Hallomas (Hallow Mass), the Feast of All Saints, or All Hallows’ Day, a celebration of the saints of the church and a day for remembering those who have gone before us. Yesterday was All Hallows’ Eve, now known by its contraction Hallowe’en. Yes, I agree, it is now just a day for eating too much sugar and drinking a little too much alcohol, as well. I’m sure everyone already knows this, but I’m a teacher, so…
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Thanks, Gebby! The more knowledge, the better! Teach on! 🙂
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