Thread: Celtic Halloween

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So I'm reading all of these posts asking about what theme you will have this year in your haunt, or what type of haunter you are, and it caused me to wonder if anyone goes back to square one and attempts to do an old world Halloween. I think we all agree that Halloween originated with the folk over in Ireland, Scotland, etc...but I don't think that I ever see a tip of the hat in that direction with Halloween. Sure, it got all American-ized when those people immigrated over here, etc, etc, etc...but does anyone here attempt to get back to the roots of good ol' Samhain? I think that's what I'll be doing this year, I'm not sure how, but I'll attempt to incorporate some creepy Celtic flavor, wish me luck. If anyone has any ideas, or if you have done this please post away! As a side note, I was glad to see that Pumpkinrot had some carved turnips on his website...not near as impressive as pumpkins to look at, but still pretty freakin' cool if you ask me!

Depends on what you believe traditional Samhain to be.

I've always considered my own display to be a throw back to a traditional Samhain one. For years, my costume amounted to me dressing in animal skins, as was tradition. But, there was only so long I could do that and not begin to lose interest, so we moved on to our current theme of "The Harvest".

As Samhain is the celebration of the Third Harvest (this being our second year, and no one around understanding the reference, I'll use that name next year), a blood Harvest, it was, in itself, again a nod towards the origins. Yes, gone are the animal skins to provide me a fresh template, and Americanized are some of the concepts to engage the more conventional public, but it is with an eye to the tradition.

Specifically, fire has always been a part of my haunt, and will likely always be. Due entirely to the tradition of Samhain.

We have a firepit and torches, but for safety's sake, don't do a huge bonfire. During what has become our lighting ceremony, we gather, play music, dance, and tell stories over this fire pit.

With hunting season in early October these days, the blood portion of the Harvest has taken place, but it is often this party when the first fruits of that harvest are shared with smoked meats and jerky along with more traditional "harvest" things thought of today. (candied apples, pies, etc) And, I'll be dead and buried long before I let them throw the bones on the fire as was tradition...I can USE those.

That leaves the turnips as the tradition I do not carry on. If the pumpkin was good enough for the immigrants that carried the tradition with them, it's good enough for me.

I even composted the remains of last year's decor, an offering to the nature spirits, as is tradition.

Thanks for your response (I'm honored to have a Moderator chime in), you have obviously put a lot of thought into this, and you sound quite knowledgeable on the subject (much more so than myself). You've given me a lot to ponder as I plan this out. I've looked into some of your haunt pictures and I do like your particular approach with respect to incorporating the harvest season and fire elements, it gives the Holiday a very tribal, very "basic" feel I think. Well done and thanks again!

Originally Posted by UnOrthodOx

Depends on what you believe traditional Samhain to be.

I've always considered my own display to be a throw back to a traditional Samhain one. For years, my costume amounted to me dressing in animal skins, as was tradition. But, there was only so long I could do that and not begin to lose interest, so we moved on to our current theme of "The Harvest".

As Samhain is the celebration of the Third Harvest (this being our second year, and no one around understanding the reference, I'll use that name next year), a blood Harvest, it was, in itself, again a nod towards the origins. Yes, gone are the animal skins to provide me a fresh template, and Americanized are some of the concepts to engage the more conventional public, but it is with an eye to the tradition.

Specifically, fire has always been a part of my haunt, and will likely always be. Due entirely to the tradition of Samhain.

We have a firepit and torches, but for safety's sake, don't do a huge bonfire. During what has become our lighting ceremony, we gather, play music, dance, and tell stories over this fire pit.

With hunting season in early October these days, the blood portion of the Harvest has taken place, but it is often this party when the first fruits of that harvest are shared with smoked meats and jerky along with more traditional "harvest" things thought of today. (candied apples, pies, etc) And, I'll be dead and buried long before I let them throw the bones on the fire as was tradition...I can USE those.

That leaves the turnips as the tradition I do not carry on. If the pumpkin was good enough for the immigrants that carried the tradition with them, it's good enough for me.

I even composted the remains of last year's decor, an offering to the nature spirits, as is tradition.

My haunt and my Samhain traditions are entirely separate events. Our haunt is a display for the "American-ized" masses.

One year I made the samhain soul cakes and let me tell ya! I am not a good baker. I could have dented a car with those things!

Interesting thread. I know two witches who incorporate the new with the old. Neither of them have public haunts, but enjoy the traditions from both "sides" of Halloween and see no reason to favour one over the other.

Let's face it, Joe Public probably doesn't know what Samhain is. And that's not a criticism by any means. But if you want to run a successful public haunt, you need to take into account who your audience is. You could certainly include elements of the old Festival in the modern Halloween. It would be a perfect venue to educate your participants, in a fun way, to the tradition of Samhain.

After reading all your responses it occurs to me that I really have no clear idea of what direction to go, since I have no clear concept in my mind of Samhain or early Halloween celebrations. Maybe I'll just do a bit of reading on the subject and see what sounds good to me.

I think it would be cool to incorporate a bit of Samhain tradition. It wouldn't take much. Fire was a good suggestion, even if fake.