The astrological Samhain

November 1, 2012 By

 

Until the rise of the neo-Pagan phenomenon of the mid to late twentieth century, I think it’s safe to say that most Americans had never heard of Samhain (pronounced Sow’-en), the ancient Celtic autumn festival.  It is likely that our modern celebration of Hallowe’en developed to take the place of the ancient festival.  The Christian All Hallows festival to honor the souls of the saints that had passed on was originally celebrated in May but was moved to November 1st in 835 by Pope Gregory IV.

In any case, the Samhain festival celebrates the dead and it is said that the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest at this time, making it easier to communicate with those on the other side.  Feasts were held in which the dead were invited to participate, and in later times costumes were worn to protect against malicious spirits.

Samhain is one of the “cross-quarter” holidays that fall between the Solstices and Equinoxes.  Astrologically, the Solstices and Equinoxes mark the entry of the Sun into the cardinal signs of initiation: Aries at Spring, Cancer at Summer, Libra at Autumn and Capricorn at Winter.  The cross-quarter periods occur at 15 degrees of the fixed signs, with Samhain in the sign of Scorpio, the sign that corresponds to death and rebirth.

Technically, Samhain this year occurs on November 6th when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio. In the northern hemisphere there is a sense that darkness is descending and we begin retreating to the shelter of our homes where the pathwork of the inner life can take place.

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Punkie night!

October 28, 2010 By

Punkie NightBeth Owl’s Daughter reminds us that tonight is “Punkie Night,” an ancient celebration from Somerset England which is celebrated by the carving of pumpkin-like mangolds.   Beth writes, “Throughout Somerset, locals use the term “spunky” to refer to Will-o-the-Wisps — a ball of light seen at night rising up from a marsh or bog.”  In Christianized England these “spunkies” were thought to be the souls of unbaptized children who wandered eternally through the night, but the pagans saw spunkies as being trickster sprites; the carved and lit pumpkins were meant to turn the tables and trick the spunkies.

I don’t know what it is about Somerset and adjacent Wiltshire: these magical places are the sites not only of Avebury and Stonehenge, but also of most of the world’s crop circles. In any case, modern day “spunkies,” called “orbs,” are frequently found in new crop circles and there is much speculation about the nature of these balls of light.  Are they UFOs?  Are they conscious beings?

I’ll be writing more about Samhain which is celebrated by contemporary pagans in lieu of Hallowe’en on October 31st; the actual astrological date of Samhain is when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio which this year will be on November 7th.

Watch the video below to see orbs at work.

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Happy Samhain/Halloween/Day of the Dead!

October 31, 2009 By
Those who decry Hallowe’en as a pagan holiday are, of course, correct!  In medieval Europe the pagan (country) people celebrated the the midpoint of the fixed signs as periods of power.  These times correspond to the fixed signs of Aquarius (Brigid in February), Taurus (Beltane in May), Leo (Lugh in July) and Samhain (pronounced Sow’en) in October for Scorpio.  These times exactly between the solstices and equinoxes, and are called the “cross-quarter” days.
At Samhain it is said that the veils between the worlds grow thin, and it becomes easier to communicate with the souls of loved ones who have passed on.  They are also more easily able to offer advice, and divination is a key part of Samhain festivals even today.  Samhain marks the beginning of the dark half of the year, after the balance of light and dark at the equinox.
The actual festival of Samhain is November 1, and now corresponds to All Saints Day in the Catholic church which celebrates the dead, but only those who have been beatified.  The rest of the dead are celebrated on All Souls Day on November 2.
In Latin America there is a similar festival called the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos which corresponds to the Catholic festivals.  Similar festivals are held in Spain and in Brazil, and presumably derived from the adaptation by the Catholic Church of the Samhain festival.
Astrologically, the entry of the Sun into Scorpio in the northern hemispheres marks the return of the dark time, where we are drawn into the darkness of our own psyche to discover the treasures that lie there, ready to be harvested.  In the southern hemisphere of course the nature of the experience is different because the days are getting longer rather than shorter.  (Amazingly, chart readings for my clients in the southern latitudes are still quite accurate, despite the difference in weather correspondences!).
So delve deep and mine the treasures that lie within your own soul. This fearless trip into the Underworld is the lesson of Scorpio!
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Happy Hallowe’en!!

October 31, 2008 By

pumpkinMost people know by now that the holiday we now celebrate as Hallowe’en comes from the old Celtic holiday called Samhain (pronounced Sow’-en).  There are many “Days of the Dead” celebrated around the world at this time, when the veils between the worlds are said to be thinner and the living can communicate across those veils to the dead.

The fact that this holiday takes place in Scorpio is no accident.  The actual Samhain holiday is astrologically based and occurs at 15 degrees Scorpio which will put Samhain on November 7, smack in the middle of the Sun’s travels through Scorpio.

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld, and under the influence of Scorpio we gain an intimate familiarity with Death and Rebirth.  When we are faced with Death our experience of Life becomes more profound.  When we understand that life has an end, we have a much greater appreciation for its mysteries.

As you delve into the mysteries this Hallowe’en, don’t forget to vote!!

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