Samhain Instead of Halloween

Lighting Candles for Dead Ancestors	Halloween probably got its start in Ireland as Samhain. November 1st is the time that the season starts to turn to darkness. Since pagans ruled Ireland it was a time to remember the dead. All over Ireland and over quite a bit of Europe people will be lighting candles and remembering the dead.
When the earth turns toward darkness the early Celts thought that the veil between the living and the dead was thin and the living could communicate with spirits. There was opportunity, but also danger. Dressing up as animals, and later as saints was a way to ensure that the ghosts of the dead couldn’t recognize the living and minimize the harm they could cause.	The Stanwick Horse Mask, La Tene style mount, British, 1st century AD, 10 cm
1987 Joe and Charlie hiking	Over the years the traditions morphed into modern day Halloween. I like the day of the dead a little better. I’ll be participating in Halloween, but I’ll also be lighting candles and remembering my dead. My grandparents, my father-in-law, and of course my son Joe.
1986 Lisa and Joe	1987 Joe and Katie

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