Samhain (samhuinn) -- pronounced Sow-an -- is a ancient Gaelic ceremony that originated in the British isles. Samhain is the Gaelic word for the month of November -- it meant "gloom", as in a gloomy weather -- It was also the name of a festival held on 1 November. Much like May Day and Beltane both of which marked the start of summer, it marked the start of winter (Gales recognized only two seasons, summer & winter). Usually involving the lighting of bonfires to purify the community and to signal the change in seasons, cattle and humans both were walked between the fires to purify them. In Scotland, junipers were thrown upon the bonfires to for further purification. The result of the ceremony was hopefully survival through the winter. It provided the basis for the Christian holiday(s) of All Souls Day & All Hallows Day, which evolved into our modern Halloween.
Both Samhain and Beltane were revived in 1988 in Edinburgh and are now held each 30 April (Beltane Eve) on Calton Hill and 31 October on the Royal Mile in front of St. Giles Cathedral by the Beltane Fire Society. Each attract more than 15,000 people a year. Although some Neo-Pagans and Wiccans celebrate it too, the modern Edinburgh ceremony is more performance art than religious revival. It also has little resemblance to the original ceremonies. Here is the Beltane Fire Society celebrating their interpretation of Samhain in Edinburgh in 2007.
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