This weekend offers many opportunities for celebration!

Samhain (pronounced sow-en or sow-ain) is a pagan religious festival with origins dating back to the ancient Celts. It occurs mid-way between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice, and it welcomes in the harvest. Many families allowed their hearth fires to burn out during the harvest, so Samhain festivals included a communal bonfire used as the source of flame to relight the hearth for the darkest time of the year.

There were various attempts in the 5th and 9th centuries to put an end to Samhain, with name and even date changes, but the old ways persevered. Irish immigrants then brought their traditions to the new world, and in the 19th century America adopted the slightly revised celebration of Halloween. We kept many of the old aspects such as pranks (which used to be blamed on the fairies) and going door-to-door to collect treats. The tradition of embedding burning coal embers into carved turnips was modified to our current practice of using candles and pumpkins to create Jack-o’-lanterns. The story about Stingy Jack and Jack-o’-lanterns can be accessed here.

Mexico brings us El Día de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - which begins on All Saints Day (November 1st) and ends on All Soul’s Day (November 2nd). Contrary to what you might first think upon hearing the name, this is actually a joyous festival. Many believe that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is at its thinnest this time of year. The thinning veil allows the souls of the dead to return to visit with their living relatives to eat, drink and be merry - just as they did when living. Families create an altar for the occasion to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members. Altars contain photos of those who have died, along with flowers, food and drink, and other memorabilia. The celebration lasts all night, and then ends at dawn when the dead depart to return once again to the place where they dwell the rest of the year.

The phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ refers to something that happens only rarely. October 31st brings us just such an occasion, when we experience the second full moon of the month. This one is particularly rare, as it is the first time in 76 years that a full moon will shine in all U.S. time zones on Halloween. It is a Full, Halloween, Blue, Hunter’s Moon. I have previously mentioned that the new moon is about new beginnings, but the full moon is about completion. This is the perfect day to finalize projects and tie up loose ends. Offer gratitude to the full moon for all that you have accomplished, and ask to release that which you no longer wish to carry forward in your life. If possible, step outside near trees while reciting this Druid full moon ceremony poem: “Deep within the still center of my being may I find peace. Silently within the quiet of the grove may I share peace. Gently within the greater circle of humankind may I radiate peace.” Create your own ceremony with dancing, chanting and drumming. Howl at the moon if it suits you. After all, it’s Halloween.

Finally, celebrate the opportunity for an extra hour of fun — or sleep — since we turn the clocks back one hour tonight. The official time for this is 2:00 am Sunday, November 1st. I tend to make the necessary changes before going to sleep in order to avoid seeing conflicting times around the house in the morning.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope that you find enjoyment this weekend. Go celebrate!