witchcraft process held in Pendle, Lancashire, England, was one of the most notorious of the phenomenon of witch hunts in Europe. Involved, hangmen and the townspeople are marked by history, because of the insane chase the West suffered during the seventeenth century.
Well start by introducing the two families involved, who represent half of the defendants in the trial (12 people). On the one hand, the family had Southerns or Demdike, headed by the mother, Elizabeth Southerns, daughter Elizabeth Device, and grandchildren James and Alizon Device. Moreover the family was led by Anne Whittle or Chattox and her daughter Anne Redfern. Both heads of family were very old women, who may spend 60 years of age. Along with these two families have the following names: Jane Bulcock and her son John Bulcock, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, Alice Gray and Jennet Preston.
So misfortunes began to happen. In the village of Pendle, the two matriarchs were considered reputed witches, and apparently not denied it. In 1612, both families were charged with theft of one another, and to protect it accused each other of witchcraft. People around seconded the allegations saying they had caused illness. The first to be charged was Alizon Device.
Alizon was convinced of his powers and be admitted without much hesitation servant of the devil. His brother and mother, but were drawn to her. The brother was very reluctant to admit that his sister bewitched children and their mother accused Demdike old (his mother) to be a witch.
The old Demdike another family accused of practicing witchcraft, for old grudges and old charges that did not pass the walls of the town. But the family also spent Chattox justice. Mother and daughter were charged with modeling clay figures and hurt some people with his magic.
Before being sentenced, the two families met in April 1612, along with a woman named Jennet Preston, Yorkshire reputed witch to try to settle conflicts before dying all at the stake for witchcraft. That meeting was seen as a Sabbath with all rules, and did not take long to catch and convict those involved.
With so many accusations, it was difficult to bring all these people to trial and convicted of witchcraft doubtful. In this process, 12 people were charged, and of these, 10 were executed. One died in prison awaiting execution, and the last was found guilty years later.
Interestingly, it was written a lengthy document called The Wonderful Discoveries of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster, but the occasion was worth it, because the judgments Lanchashire represent 2% of the trials and executions for witchcraft in England three centuries. Rarely tried so many people at once. But the power of the properties and assets, the jealousies between clans and the confessions of some members ended what appeared to be a duel between families as a massive manhunt, involving more and more people.
Thanks to all the followers of this blog, which began as an urgent need to express myself, and it has slowly taking shape. I can hardly believe I have so many visits, and I thank each of them.
As you can imagine, I do not celebrate the winter solstice, but I give great importance to the full moon this month, which falls on day 31, and is, in fact, the thirteenth (Blue Moon) of the year. But part of my ancestors, they celebrated the Catalan party concerned. I like the feeling of belonging that is created with this event, which restores the clan, even hypocritical for a single night, but we sense that it is possible that the clan is there where we want it to be.
kindle, then, a candle in the longest night of the year, remember that the sun should shine, from this day a little more. Will decorate a tree, and honor him with gifts, at the most critical nature. That itch you had as a kid, Recover it, a magical night, and so are the days that follow. Look at the unconscious rituals continue to develop without knowing.
Seize the calm and enjoy it, because parties are only lets us know how they did before, without the stress sickening and senseless we suffer today.
century engraving XVIII with children and the uncle.
Tió popular tradition brings every December 25-even in the winter solstice celebration, thousands of families around a piece of log or "soca" they call Tio, preserved a tradition that probably has roots in a tree worship of antiquity.
Nadal's uncle there, so documented in Catalonia since the seventeenth century (although it was always said that before). This form of celebration is very similar to other winter religious celebrations like the Yul log in Germanic countries, albeit in a somewhat different. In fact, traditionally, the guy was of oak and oak woods great sacred power connector.
Today, the guy is painted face and wears a beret and a pipe, is given to eat during from December 8 (fresh fruit) and covered with a blanket. The fruit is disappearing every day. On December 24 evening, the parents put sweets and small gifts under the blanket, wet soca wine, give some canes to children children and hit the trunk singing a song, and then lifted the blanket to find gifts.
Tió Song (Catalan)
Caga tió -thio- shit
Ametller i Torres -almendras and Turrones
- not shit arangades -no shit herring
that are too salty , which are Demasiado salados
shits nougat -shits Turrones
are better , which are more buenos
Shits piñata -shits piñata
almonds and nougat -almond nougat
if vols cagar -if you want shit
et enough to donate a cop of -stroke will give you a stick !
But the real rite was not as innocent as this. In antiquity, it is known that the trunk was burned on 25 December to 5 January, and her ashes and kept for home remedies and as a protective amulet. The first fire was lit year from the ashes of Tio, so the solstice flame is not extinguished and renewed forever. Food offerings and prayers were perpetuators of ancestor worship, and family preservation, and its called remember the ancestors. In fact, the ritual was condemned by the Bishop of Braga in the seventh century (!!!). In Provence is a variant of the ritual based on giving 3 turns to the house with the soca and hot wine sprinkled with reciting a prayer.
kind of guy with animal forms
celebrations around the trunk are not unique to Catalonia, as already mentioned, since they are reminiscent of the cult of trees as responsible for nurturing the community. When it is a form of ancestor worship, in which offerings to the "soca" serve to ensure protection family during the year. It has been speculated about the nature of this celebration as an antecedent of imports probably Germanic "Christmas tree", and is very likely to do so, because its presence enCataluña predates the tree, is socially and culturally seen as more " own ", and has internalized so much that it have a song itself.
Unfortunately, the guy can not only compete with the classical Germanic tradition fir, and in a few generations will be lost if nothing is done about it. And it's something to keep in mind that over time he has been given so human endeavor that continues to be a trunk, and both denatured source, which has become a mere anecdote of something that was probably true primordial origin of the "Christmas tree" in the territory.
Encyclopedia of Popular fantasy Catalan - Joan Soler i Amigó
is curious that we always have to throw the British Isles to find proceedings against witches in the pre-Renaissance. Therefore, in this case, I want to pay tribute to women unjustly accused (and others with some merit, though few) called "witches" local, more specifically, the witches of the Pyrenees.
Riu Joanna, a resident of Pobleta of Bellveí, Lleida, was one of those people who, without eating or drinking, was accused of witchcraft by neighbors more than 25 November 1539.
However, besides the typical accusations made against him, can poison livestock and food, make dolls with needles (which in this case turned out to be chicks wax), and the familiar intercourse with the Devil, was charged with Joanna for a fact that, whatever its nature, was something real.
A man of the people carried their sick child Joanna, and Joanna who apparently had the ability to heal the sick (curious fact to point in the field of anthropology). Unfortunately, it is explained that after doing an herbal preparation caught the night of San Juan, Joanna proceeded to heal him, but the boy died instantly. Maybe for revenge (most likely), but with a tinge of reality, Joanna had knowledge of "pseudo-medicine", and was known for it in town.
Other charges with less reason, that almost certainly came from the witch craze, included the fact of having seen Joanna a frog in the knees (in Catalonia closely related to witches) and the private prosecution of a neighbor, the cooked blamed for poisoned cheese.
All "evidence", however they were denied by Joanna, were sufficient to take Joanna to horrific torture sessions, and finally, in 1540, tied up on a bench Joanna barefoot to a bonfire that was burning his feet. Joanna confessed everything and more. His death was lost in history.
I recommend 32-bit version as the server is not installed by default GUI and new users may have some more difficulty.
A highlight new grub though somewhat slower in loading, a visual environment quite nice and very stable as long as I've tested.
The media quite correct, the flashplayer does not Firefox but comes standard with the package down. Deb is installed without problem from the official site, new messenger.
Have you ever wondered why some people should not be pagan or why some people should be and is not it? Sure do not sound anything strange when I say that there are people shouting out there that is pagan believing a fairy or an angel (¡!), and at the same time there are people who saw that scene, fleeing from paganism and the African thinking is an RPG for people who are bored at home and not go out on weekends.
Well, I've been wondering that, among other things that cause and arising from this situation, and I have reached the following conclusion: a pagan confused with wanting to reach spiritual excellence.
At first, we all do, light new beliefs that embrace us blind, and we want to know more and more, until you reach a point where we want to "master" these beliefs, and we want it to be authorities. That to me seems normal in the heater of the moment. What I do not seem normal, everyone seems to stay in that phase. For people whose personality is very mystical and able to reach that level of rapport with the gods or spirits of tradition, fine. But there are people who are not spiritual, and are forced to because they think it will be more in touch with the gods, or the Other World, or to anyone in whom believe. At such times, people who should be exploiting more constructive aspects of their being is put aside and try to over-exploit or have skills. But no, people are forced to find and discover all the secrets ... Let's think for a moment, the pagan religions are not based on the secret after secret. There is only one religion (pagan "perhaps?) Whose aim is hysterical tradition and watertight, and that is the Wicca. The secrets are reserved for the priestly class in LA most religions, or do not the rituals of the Greek Vestal, Druids and other rituals were open to the public? What the public would take it? Nothing, in fact they were banned entry, and it seems few will care. Of course, if you're not the best, you're not nothing, right?
Logically, this creates a dilemma for religious practitioners on the one hand everyone wants to know God, practice, worship in which you believe, but if everyone was high priest, who would govern? Imagine a country full of Hindu Brahmins what's the point? And is it necessary? "Only cool if you're up at all? Why not? What do you need craftsmen, warriors or slaves? For nothing. You maintain (without whom they would not last two days) is secondary and dispensable.
From my point of view, I think I'll be a bit anti-establishment, I was not born to be a priestess, nor to be a Brahmin, nor to be druid, not the gods that I hear less.
I guess what I am about to say will hurt a lot, but I hope that what I read that correctly: sometimes we should look at the Christians. Do all claim to be cardinals and popes? No, only people with mystical attitudes and prepared for that kind of spiritual life carried out a path like that. The others include their faith in their daily lives, in a more or less obvious, and no one judged to be more or less Christian (except for rare occasions).
Then I will say, "I can not do rituals, called gods or anything like that? For nothing. Also to remind you that this is a personal opinion, I remind you that we should use some common sense. If you had some skills, aptitudes, and interests before a pagan, "now will be discarded and will try to make you an ascetic who lives in the Underworld? Well let me warn you that it will explode sooner or later, and you could adjust your beliefs to your personality, not vice versa, because then you're lying all your life, and end up running away from it because you can not meet the expectations placed on the higher ranks (although in reality, we are all valid at all).
With all this I only pretend to think about the path choose, and if we need to force both to discover secrets that you may not need. Eye, that does not discredit whole tradition based on it, or organizations engaged in all that, but I hope and I guess all the people who invested many years in something like that is because they are made for that.
do I have time meditating on an article, and I have concluded that those who are offended, it is because it is reflected and that to me does not concern me. Sorry if someone gets angry, but the record, I criticize both individuals and streams of all kinds I do not in any particular center.
Take this situation. Any place in Europe, 1600. A sorceress / witch / doctor / midwife / pimp / pagan woman enters a shop called esoteric imaginary. "See, I: two pink candles, a bag of incense (the Arab East the cost of a pulp and it is impossible to find in Europe in the seventeenth century), a silver chalice, yes, that with the pentacle, (for I caught very quickly when the Inquisition comes to my house), a wand calibrated by a Reiki master, and, um ... if you have, put me also four strings of red silk ... today I have too much money and silk is cheap, China has already fallen Price since Columbus discovered America ... -Oh, wait, just got a shipment of Fluorite from Taiwan. Would you put two stones? "Yes, I will pay with VISA of the Middle Ages.
Another situation: Gaul, the year 90 BC. A family / tribe gala is going to do a ritual "Hey, Artius, why do we celebrate this thing called Yule? I do not know, put it in a treaty that says we celebrate this event, although a bit strange, because the name seems to Nordic or Germanic, and who knows what happens to livestock that this Yule. "Well, if you put in this treatise, is that true. -let us begin ... Oh, Dagda ...! -Dagda, who is this? -A god we worship ... well, not us, our neighbors. - Is it not strange? Why do you call if you do not know? "I put in the treaty. "Oh sorry, go on. -O Dagda, Brigantia, Cernunnos, Lugh, Cerridwen, Morrighan you give these potatoes ... "First, what are all these people? And second, what are the potatoes? "These people are a list of gods that we theoretically. - What do they do? "They're gods of death, the Sun, one of Death, one of the Light ... " With just two gods we believe, this time does not make much sense to call such people, right? "Yes, I think it will be more practical if these four trash. And the potato it is apparently a vegetable far away. - What sense does this give such Dagda potatoes? "I really do not know. It says here that to reach that state of transit extrapersonal with the deity is to offer a symbol of fertility in order to recognize its power and carry out a cycle do not know why, but after discussing himself and talk about anthropology of a "Celtic." "Oh, and I wanted to thank you for the harvest ...
not trying to be very offensive, but common sense makes its own limits. Paganism (and also believe that Neopaganism) is a religion, or even more, a way of life. As in all life, practicality is more logical and easy. So just what do we get all these obstacles?
Both the example of the witch as in that of the Gauls I see several flaws:
"No question what we say, the witch buy and buy things that are demanded from above without question, as the Gauls, trusting the authority has been given to a writer who no longer an individual with his objective view of things. That means that we are following a review, it may be true or not. and that happens every fall: if you put in a book is true. Well, most times, is a lie, I'm sorry. In two who claim to follow old traditions, how are you glaring faults often spend long, and it's a shame, because what we theoretically try, is to reach the same point that was reached in antiquity. This is not to say we do not have to adapt what they know and have found what they believe, but do it with some logic.
-not be practical. Most pagans (including me) have a defect that hce often fall into the most profound stupidity: we forget that religion (and culture) is carried inside, and that we should not force it engraved with a shoehorn Triskeles, but has to naturalize ourselves. Forced to hold things that you do not make sense, or to worship things that do not know, as in the case of the Gauls, it makes us more pagan, but causes us to see religion as something distant and artificial, as "end week. " When pragmatism doubt about something, I ask you seriously think that this was done X? If that is possible, there is a plus. If the answer is ridiculous, that would only spend time, money and imagination.
-not be consistent: all of the above has an answer: I do because I get the bow. Well, I'm glad you know what you do, and that you are aware of your acts. If that's the case, then you are consistent. If you say, "hey, I already know that the witches of the Middle Ages did not use candles or roses Mirra call love, but it works for me, then okay, but one must be able to justify what they do and be consistent with it. If you use candles, roses, that's fine, but at least admits that Egyptian priests used them because no fool will make you happier. Give constantly -metaphysical explanations of what we do: there really is someone who believes that the Gauls of the first century BC had wondered why what they thought and metaphysical and anthropological concessions of their beliefs? It's funny that I complain about this because I have a forum on reconstruction in the debate that everything related to the Celts, in metaphysical and anthropological areas, but I think that's my role in this case. And not everyone needs the same role to practice a religion. Do I have to remind you to believe in something just need to believe and know why you think so? Sometimes we take too many turns to things that are natural, such as yourself.
Well, this is my critique of the entire paganism (as Reconstructionist, recreation, Neo-Pagan, happy, unhappy ...), and all the heathen, I hope ye laughed a lot, and I await your criticisms and spells satin tie with string black for the occasion.
Samhain: Do Not Disturb: honoring the dead! Isobel
Party Source: Celtic.
Other names: Samonios (Gaul) Trinouxtion Samonii (Gallo according to the calendar of Coligny), Oíche Shamhna (Modern Irish), Calan Geaf (Welsh), Samhain (Old Irish), Samhuinn (Scottish Gaelic), Kala-Goanv (Breton), Samhain (Galician).
Approximate date: approx. October 31 (corresponding to the first frost in the British Isles, juniper flowering, ripening pumpkins or turnips ...), in Scotland, often celebrated on November 11.
Much has been spoken of Samhain, or Oíche Samonios Shamhna, and little new can be said on this holiday, possibly one of the most important of the Celtic cultures. At that time, as you may have read a million times, the barrier between the living world and the Other World is very vulnerable. By that we mean that contact with the Exchange and Death is very intense, and so, as the feast of the natural cycle, it acquires a magical or esoteric nuance. The night of Samhain is, in many cases, the "eternity": the time is abolished and the world of Sídhe opens the world of the living. But not all is darkness in the Gran Fiesta, as it renews the fertility of the earth, will rest during the dark half of the year (Samhain to Beltane, as stipulated in the schedule de Coligny), and on that night he thanked all the fruits that has given us.
The first time you mention Samhain with that name is in the Coligny calendar, a bronze tablet written in Gaul, which called the lunation Samonios far this month October to November, therefore, the logic is that the party is called as the last day of that month. However, this event lasted three nights, "Trinouxtion Samonii", something that continues to show its crucial importance. The fact is the considered the first day of the year is based on the fact that the Celts began to run from the darkness and therefore, if the month is counted by the lunar months and the day after night, I would expect the year to have from the winter, and the first day of winter was, as we are told, Samonios.
Still, Samonios etymology is unclear. Supported the hypothesis states that Samhain refers to the end of the summer Sam ('summer', from Proto-Indo-European * Semo) + Fuin 'final'. Another hypothesis is that Samonios comes from Proto-Celtic * Samani 'assembly' and possibly * Samani turn came 'end of summer. " In both cases, the etymology leaves no doubt that this is an event closely linked to the seasons, the agrarian calendar and the tribal community.
In Samonios generally, we celebrate the life and death, the last harvest, the ancestors are remembered and revered natural cycle for the most dark of the year, culminating in the Bealtaine. In ancient Celtic traditions have been preserved as the bringing into the fold between two bonfires to purify and protect it during winter. The animals were slaughtered left over, keeping a portion to store and another as an offering to the gods.
Calendar and Concessions for adaptation:
But there are certain aspects before they would have to be taken into account since the calendar has suffered more than a change from the time of the Celts, and the reasons and ways in which the pagan festival was adapted to Christianity also give us clues to the nature of Samhain.
The original Christian feast of All Saints Day was celebrated on May 13, but the precedents on which the party based dating from the early seventeenth century, when Pope Boniface IV devoted a Roman temple dedicated to all the Gods of All Saints Day. It would be a century later when Pope Gregory III changed the date to the holiday, moving it to November 1, along with a corresponding vigil, which in English is called "All Hallow's Eve", from which derived the present name of Halloween ' at. The party changed its date, eliminating any possible connection with pagan remnants that could preserve.
Another issue to be addressed would be the date of the original Celtic festival, which has been extensively .
(From Tairis.co.uk):
"As the calendar we know today was established in Britain in 1751. Before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, Britain used the Julian calendar classic. Pope Gregory XIII changed the Julian calendar originally in 1582 by adding days to prevent the stations back, putting the calendar in line with orbit around the Sun in about 365 days.
Britain initially resisted change and therefore continued using the Julian calendar for 200 years. This gave as a difference of 11 days between the Julian calendar and Gregorian at the time when Britain passed the Gregorian calendar. When the Gregorian calendar was adopted on January 1 in the Julian calendar became the 12th in the Gregorian calendar. This was not very popular among the people, and some areas have resisted change. Even in the second half of S. XIX, some people in Scotland (especially in rural areas) still held their celebrations in accordance with the Julian calendar, and during that time schedules had a difference of 12 days.
The dates given to us the celebration of Samhain is should take, therefore, both calendar. Gregorson John Campbell, for its part in the islands and the Highlands always followed the Julian calendar. In the majority of Scottish rural communities was celebrated Samhain probably 12 or November 13 throughout the nineteenth century. Ronald Black suggests that the Gregorian calendar began to be used only in the year 1872 to from a reworking of the system education. From that point, holidays like New Year and Samhain were made earlier this month officially, and use the Julian calendar was lost with the older generations.
Anyway, the idea of \u200b\u200ba fixed date for Samhain is not so clear. Speaking on Beltane, Alexander Carmichael notes that although the party date was usually the first of May, the celebrations marking the beginning of summer began when it was considered appropriate - when it was warm enough to get the animals, when the grass was green . This could be either before or after May 1, depending on the time (...) Knowing that normally Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the onset of winter, it is possible that in some areas the date of Samhain was flexible, and making the November 1 deadline after which it was considered taboo pick fruit or harvest. "
Deities:
Dagda and wife Uinnius, Jim Fitzpatrick
Surely the gods of fertility, of the tribe of Death and the guardians of the Underworld should be the most revered gods during this time. The Dagda, the Morrighan, the Matronae, Taranis, Esus, Sucellos, Cernunnos or Cathubodua are some of the gods mentioned. I quote some parts of an article that talks about Alexei Kondratiev deities Samhain:
(Alexei Kondratiev article in GBSI):
"Often, the common denominator of the deities which they are honored during this festival are the horns, known as Cernunnos, which turn is related to the Fianna, whose attributes symbolize the seasonal change and the interaction between nature and culture. The horns are a seasonal phenomenon: they fall in winter and begin growing in late summer, reaching its peak in spring. (...) The seasonal importance of the horns is represntado in the traditions of southwestern Brittany, where they cook the Kornigou, horn-shaped rolls. Since several versions of the myth we can deduce that the Horned God is separated from a spouse goddess (which is reflected in the Irish mythological episode from Dagda and Morrighan) during the light half of the year, but returns with the dark half its within the Other World - leaving the horns that define it. (...) We see echoes of this myth in other Indo-European world, as in the ritual calendar of India, explains Divali, the Festival of Lights, in which Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and welfare , leaves her consort Vishnu (who falls asleep during that time) to return temporarily to her first husband, Kubera, god of the property.
The goddess of the earth also changes its appearance at the time, the fertile part is removed to another world where he joins his consort, but in our world there is only spectral appearance, leaving the hostile land inhospitable for life. In the Scottish Highlands is the time of Bheura Cailleach, the crone who wanders through the hills bringing storms and bad weather, while in Wales we hear of Hwch Gwta Ddu ("black pig with no tail") that monitors in the dark . But at the end of the day are all aspects of the same being, we depend Provider, you have to nurture itself back to alternating periods of action and rest, and must pass through death and darkness to find the true renewal .
On the nature of religion has been discussed a lot too, but personally I'll take an extract from the book of TGE Powell, The Celts :
"In Samain were made, no doubt, ritual sacrifices, but has not survived in any physical description. (...) These concerned the renovation of the fruitfulness of the earth and its inhabitants, and had to do with the tribal union of the god with the goddess of nature that powered the tribal territory and, at times, be embodied in a river or another element of nature. Exemplary in this regard are the stories of the union of a god, the Dagda, with a goddess, the Morrighan: or, alternatively, with Boann, the deity of the River Boyne. (...) [On that day] the magical forces out of the caves and tombs, and even every man could be received in these realms, while the monsters trying to attack with fire and poison the strengths of the royalty. "
Ireland: mythology and celebration:
We know that far into the Middle Ages, Samhain was the most important holiday in Ireland thing that involved a large gathering at Tara that lasted about three days. In all hills fires were lit, indicating where people should meet. In the traditional sense and folklore of the party, just know better. But fortunately we have a mythological basis which gives us the basis for the celebration connected with the mythical race of Tuatha de Danann in their ongoing battle against the race of Fomoré, who came to this world of Samhain to be held accountable.
Tuired In the Cath Maige we explain a puzzling passage relating to the night of Samhain, in which the god of fertility and abundance, the Dagda, joins the Goddess of Death and the battle Morrighan, while she, who appears with the nickname "Uinnius Women" in the river washes the clothes of those who die in the battle against Fomoré-sexual union between these gods ensured the welfare and fertility of crops the tribe and its members. After having sex, Morrighan account to God's plans Fomoré race, and with knowledge of its strategy, the Dagda is able to beat them.
addition to this myth, we have the Echtra Nerai, 'the adventure of Nera', which is also in the Ulster Cycle.
Nera Connaught was a warrior who had to prove their strength to King Ailill, to win gold and the sword of the sovereign. The test Nera had to overcome was the night of Samhain in a gallows where two prisoners had been hung the day before, and tie a string or a piece of straw at one of the ankles of the dead. Many had tried but the spirits they had been frightened and had become embarrassed to Ailill. In contrast, Nera get complete its task but is caught in the Underworld until next Samhain. When he returns, neither King nor his wife Medb Ailill believe him, but the warrior demonstrated by bringing flowers that grow only in summer.
Scotland bans (extracted from Tairis.co.uk):
"There is a particular source does not say Samhainn nothing about, and yet a lot of information on other festivals. This is the Carmina GADEL of Alexander Carmichael, who just mentioned that day. Clearly the explicit supernatural elements of this celebration is much more evident than in the other four High Holidays, and for that reason, Samhainn was not compatible with Christian sensibilities Carmichael - who believed that it was too pagan Samhainn to draw the attention of decent people.
In some parts of Scotland, the perception of the celebration as too pagan (especially in the Protestant church) was sufficient in local churches to ban the celebration of the day, including lighting fires, something that was closely associated with pagan celebrations. This tense relationship with the elements 'infidels' of Samhainn which coincides with the celebration of All Saints Day, can be seen from early 1589, when fires were lit Hallow'mas to celebrate the festival in Stirling and were banned by the Presbytery (the local body of the Presbyterian church in the area). Similar rules were put in 1648 in the Fife and Slains, and Elglin in 1641 people were prohibited from selling nuts (which were used to guess) in the evening on Halloween. Given the persistence of the celebrations - although more and more isolated parts of Scotland and Ireland - until well into the twentieth century, such orders had little effect locally. "
Celebrate Samhain in Celtic Reconstructionism (ideas for all paths and traditions):
traditional lantern made from a turnip
celebrate the feast of Samhain , is always left a place at the table for the dead, as well as on the altars of those still held as part of their beliefs. Everything for the dead can never be eaten by the living, because it is a personal gift. It is further believed that during and after Samhain, all the plants and berries are the property of the spirits, and are no longer suitable for human consumption to Bealtaine. Everything that had not been harvested was also left for the Sidhe.
divinatory tasks are very common on this holiday, even so, if they decide to take, protect yourself far from the influences that these imply. There are in fact divination techniques that over time have been transformed into children's games. Citing Paganachd: "One of them is the Gaelic tradition guessed by the skin of the apple, which is peeling an apple in one go without breaking the skin, the skin is pulled back from someone, and supposed the skin will draw the first initial of the name of someone's future husband, or the first letter of the answer to someone. Another guessing game involves appointing two nuts with the names of two people, and put into the fire. Prophecies are held by the manner in which the nuts are toasted or Petan, and if they move closer or away from one another. "
Telling stories and anecdotes from the past family, as a reminder of the dead is very common in Celtic lands during Samhain. But surely one of the most celebrated in the Celtic festivals are the fires (in Scottish samhnag) as in any seasonal holiday, symbolizing fire, the sun's heat, which in this case will decrease. The fire favors the union of the community, which also takes a social sense. Since there were large meetings and community meetings, was considered a good time to carry out economic treatment of land and political.
Celebrating Samhain the traditional Scottish style (Tairis):
If possible, avoid attracting unwanted attention, especially after midnight when "Good people" (AOS Sídhe) is more active. A small cross of Rowan (Rowan) tied with a red ribbon in his pocket, can safeguard the traveler for damages if necessary.
Turn on Samhnag (Bonfire of Samhainn) or call if it is not possible to fire in the darkness of holding Samhainn. Torches can be placed heather, to protect from evil influences. You can scatter the ashes of the fire around us for the same purposes and to ensure fertility in the coming year.
Make one or more lanterns made from turnips.
Make a feast to celebrate Samhainn, preferably with lots of friends to celebrate joyfully, gingerbread, curd, Colcannon, mashed potatoes, cookies, apples, hazelnuts, cabbage and any another product of the season.
Experiment with some guesses Samhainn during and after the celebration.
Make an offering and celebration libation for the gods and ancestors.
Make Bonnach Samthain for breakfast on the morning of Samhainn.
To the eve of November 1, leaving some food and drink for the dead in a place specially prepared for them before retiring to bed, it is said to roam freely on this night and wish to visit their friends and family. Be sure to provide proper hospitality.
Lighting candles in the sanctuary or altar to honor those who have recently died, and to the ancestors.
Samhainn Celebrating traditional Irish style (Tairis):
If possible, avoid attracting unwanted attention, especially after midnight , when "good people" is more active. A small cross of Rowan (Rowan) tied with a red ribbon in his pocket, can safeguard the traveler for damages if necessary.
Turn on Samhnag (Bonfire of Samhainn) or call if it is not possible to fire in the darkness of holding Samhainn. Torches can be placed heather, to protect from evil influences. You can scatter the ashes of the fire around us for the same purposes and to ensure fertility in the coming year.
Make one or more lanterns made from turnips.
Make a feast to celebrate Samhainn, preferably with lots of friends to celebrate joyfully, gingerbread curd, colcannon, mashed potatoes, cookies, apples, hazelnuts, cabbage and any other product on the season.
Experiment with some guesses Samhainn during and after the celebration.
Make a Parshell Samhainn cross on the door and secure it for the protection of the coming year. The Parshell, do this: take two straight sticks and tie them together, filled with straw in between, until only about an inch of wood for each arm. The Parshell should be replaced every year, putting the old Parshell elsewhere in the house, outside the home (or in this modern age) maybe even the car. Or the old Parshell burning at the stake.
Make an offering and a drink in celebration to the gods and ancestors.
To the eve of November 1, leave some food and drink for the dead in a place specially prepared for them before retiring to bed, it is said to roam freely on this night and wish to visit their friends and family. Estate appropriate insurance offering hospitality.
Lighting candles in the sanctuary or altar to honor those who have recently died, as well as our ancestors.
Samonios Celebrating Gallic style, Breton and Manx:
Samhain, in all cases coincides with the time of killing the majority of herds (that is why the feast nights of Samhain were based mainly on cuts of beef and pork), and only kept the herd that was suitable for breeding the following year. This resulted in lavish feasts and sacrifices. Also used to keep all crops harvested, preserving and preparing to survive the winter.
not attend Samhain was seen as a bad omen among the Gauls, and considered not to hold a party with the tribe led him to madness (see History of ULAT) .
Celebrate places high, such as hills, terraces, and lighting a fire during the celebration and feast, but have turned off all the other fires, symbolizing the death of the year. Other fires are lit have to leave the fire, tying all the families of the tribe. Walking between fires was also a widespread tradition in both the islands and the mainland.
In some communities it is customary to spend the whole day without food for storage and for the ritual to be at night.
In Brittany French there, according to Wikipedia and Alexei Kondratiev, kornigou baking tradition, a kind of cakes that mimic the horns of horned gods.
in the Isle of Man, Samhain is celebrated under the name of Hop-Tu-Naa, which translates as 'This is the Night'. On the eve of Children dress up as scarecrows and emptied carry turnips (not pumpkins, as in America) and leave them in the homes of people who do not give them money. The traditional song called Hop-Tu-Naa or Anglophone version "Jinn the Witch."
traditional Welsh Customs for Calan Gaeaf:
In Wales, the festival has two names: We Calan Gaeaf 'Winter Night' or Ysbrydnos 'Night of the Spirits. "
Families mounted a small fire and put stones or Coelcerth with your name written on them. If morning missing stone, that person will die this year.
legend is the Hwch Yr Gwta Ddu, a black spirit accompanied by a headless woman wandering the streets and villages.
People tend to avoid cemeteries, crossroads and the like, they know that there are spirits waiting.
is believed that the ground ivy gives you the ability to see witches that night.
For prophetic dreams, kids have to cut three sheets of ivy, pull over and put the remaining nine under the pillow.
traditional Cornish Customs for Calan Gwaf:
There is a widespread custom of giving large blocks either all members of the family as an amulet to attract good luck. The girls put them under your pillow to dream of the person they will marry.
There is a popular game in which two pieces of wood nailed by a cross. Above each end is placed a candle on, and below fall apples. Participants must pick apples before burning mouth with wax.
end was considered ominous night Gwaf Calan without a very big apple, and kids looking for houses to be given away.
Sources:
-The Ancient Celts, Barry Cunliffe
"The Celts, TGE Powell
-Druids: Jean Markale
-The Celts: Jean Markale
Tuiredh
-Cath Mag - Sacred Texts
- Article by Alexei Kondratiev: http://www.imbas.org/articles / samhain.html
