Samhain was the Celtic New Year! Samhain divided summer from winter... and we think our seasons change quickly in Ohio!   The Celtic Samhain was the precursor to today's Halloween according to most sources. Oidche Shamhna  means Night of Samhain.

Happy Halloween Columbus Ohio!  Most local children are trick or treating on Halloween for the first time in a looooooong time. 

The Celts were pagan. They were druids in pre-Christian time.   Pagan does not equal wicca but if you are opposed to Halloween you might as well not read this as I will be talking about magic, spirits and a curse.   Before you go here is an Irish Christian Blessing for Halloween.  

At all Hallow's Tide, God keep you safe
From goblin and pooka and black-hearted stranger,
From harm of the water and hurt of the fire,
From thorns of the bramble, from all other danger,
From Will O' The Wisp haunting the mire;
From stumbles and tumbles
and tricksters to vex you,
May God in His mercy, this week protect you.

 Visit My website for a new Irish  Blessing each month. 

Celtic Spirit has information about 'dooking for apples" and other Halloween and Samhain holiday Traditions.  "Dooking" means bobbing.  

Also from Celtic Spirit:  And  getting an answer to a question with an Apple and a Mirror.... "Before the stroke of midnight, sit in front of a mirror in a room lit only by one candle or the moon. Go into the silence, and ask a question. Cut the apple into nine pieces. With your back to the mirror, eat eight of the pieces, then throw the ninth over your left shoulder. Turn your head to look over the same shoulder, and you will see and in image or symbol in the mirror that will tell you your answer.  (When you look in the mirror, let your focus go "soft," and allow the patterns made by the moon or candlelight and shadows to suggest forms, symbols and other dreamlike images that speak to your intuition.) "

Celtic Halloween Traditions  has more info about the origins of the holiday.  Wikepedia's entry on Halloween..

An Irish Blessing for Halloween!

Is it any wonder with a name like Jack O' Lantern that it is the Irish who gave us the carved pumpkin?  O'Brien, O'Shaunessy, O'Doyle, O'Lantern.... O' means "of"  as in son of.  "Mc" also means of as in "son of."  Son of Cabe?   Caba is hood, cape  or cloak?  I believe they were soldiers, mercenaries. 

I have read in Ireland they carved gourds, squashes and turnips for Halloween. 

Click on the Jack O' Lantern and use your mouse to carve a face.  Then click on Done! 

Visit my website for Central Ohio Celtic links. 

Shamrock Club of Columbus

Daughters of Erin

Columbus Feis

Dublin Irish Festival

Gealic League of Central Ohio