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This is the Conversation Forum for Halloween << Samhain-An alternate tale >> Subject: Samhain Posted Jun 17, 2000 by Huw B   Posting 1 I've often seen Samhain referred to as Celtic or Pagan but as far as I can see it was just an Irish term. Can anyone confirm this? In Welsh (there are celts other than the Irish!) the day is 'Calangaeaf' or 'Winter's Eve'. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Samhain Posted Jun 19, 2000 by Mina - Older on the outside, inside still 14 This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 2 As far as I know, Samhain (pronounced Saw-wain) was from the gaelic sam fuin meaning "end of summer". So in effect it is just an Irish word used for a pagan festival. In the same way that the word Easter is thought to come from Scandanavian Ostra, or Teutonic Ostern or Eastre and used for a Christian festival. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Samhain Posted Jun 25, 2000 by Huw B This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 3 End of Summer? In a good year Summer can last to the end of September - an 'Indian Summer/Haf Bach Mihangel'. But surely the end of October is much too late in the year? Things like this intrigue me. It may be that the translation 'summer' is not quite accurate, that the day has moved over time or even that the weather has changed over the millenia. Do you know anything about this? Subject: Samhain Posted Jun 25, 2000 by Mina - Older on the outside, inside still 14 This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 4 The Celts observed only two seasons of the year: summer and winter. Which would match your "Winter's Eve". But you are right that the Autumn Equinox is usually the 23rd (ish) September, and it is celebrated in it's own right. Samhain is Irish Gaelic for the month of November. Samhuin is Scottish Gaelic for All Hallows, November 1st. So really, I am now totally confused myself about it. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Samhain Posted Jul 2, 2000 by Huw B This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 5 Don't be confused! Winter's Eve and Summer's End are the same thing if you're not bothered about Autumn. Yearly divisons have varied greatly throughout history and so it's not odd that there is this difference. After all, Halloween occurs in October. For historical reasons it is now the Tenth month although 'Octo' means Eight - explain that to the ancient Celts!. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Samhain Posted Nov 1, 2000 by Silly Willy - Archangel, PS of Silly Names, Keeper of Green This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 6 In days gone by Hallowe'en marked the end of one year and the beginning of another. All Hallows day was when the farm land was divided up between the people. Conversation list Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click on the relevant button to alert our Moderation Team. Conversation list

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