The Tradition I come from celebrates on November 7th (the Astrological date of Samhain, when the sun is 15 Degrees Scorpio.)
But the group I celebrate with now, celebrates on Oct 31st. I Certainly don't mind doing private celebrations on which ever date gets "left out" but it raised the question in my mind, which is more common, Oct 31st celebrations, or November 7th.
2006-10-10 19:58:22 · 10 answers · asked by AmyB 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
David G. I know what the celebration is, as I mentioned I have a Traditional WitchCraft background, including my Third Degree, and 13 years exp. :)
2006-10-11 03:35:19 · update #1
Well, Samhain began as a Celtic ceremony celebrated on the sunset of Oct. 31 into the sunset of Nov. 1. One should bear in mind that the calendar they used is not the calendar we use. Also, Samhain was not a sun based holiday- but a pastoral culture based holiday. It was the day of last harvest, the time of sacrificing the cattle you couldn't feed over the winter, and a time of change when the mysterious could occur most easily. The folk traditions that lived on into the Christian era had celebrations occurring on these dates, as well. The astrology you mention wouldn't have made any sense to the Celts or the later people of that area, so I have to think your date is a modern idea. I've also never run into anyone who celebrated it at that time.
That said, if the astrology means a lot to you, and has a lot to do with the rituals you perform, then maybe you should go with what you're more comfortable with. Why not do both? Have a formal ritual on one date, and have a feast day on the other?
2006-10-15 07:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We see Samhain more as a time of year rather than a specific day so we usually celebrate in various ways for a week or two. If I had to pick a specific day this year it would be 5 November. That will be the first full moon after 31 October. We just feel more in tune with the moon than the Gregorian calendar.
2006-10-11 03:08:49 · answer #2 · answered by Witchy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oct 31st is the more common date to celebrate. Though I have known others to celebrate it anywhere between Oct 31st to the middle of November.
2006-10-11 01:05:50 · answer #3 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the more common of the two is October 31st, but I know of alot that follow along both lines, and why not have two celebrations!
2006-10-14 18:48:30 · answer #4 · answered by fuguee.rm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think October 31 is the culturally popular date. But your explanation for November 7th makes a lot of sense. I think one or both are really acceptable.
2006-10-10 20:02:41 · answer #5 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I will celebrate it on the 31st of Oct.
2006-10-12 12:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by p3mkm 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is my first year celebrating. (My boyfriens is a Pagan, I am a Christian) But we are celebrating on the 31st. That is when he has always celebrated Samhain.
Be Blessed and Blessed Be
2006-10-10 20:01:50 · answer #7 · answered by Celestian Vega 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My tradition doesn't celebrate it at all. My Wiccan friends (mostly Eclectic with a few Gardnerians and Dianic wiccans thrown in for giggles) all celebrate it on October 31.
~Morg~
2006-10-10 20:17:59 · answer #8 · answered by morgorond 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first weekend after Halloween, generally. Traditionally though it's the first of November.
2006-10-11 08:28:53 · answer #9 · answered by kaplah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oct 31 is the most common day. give or take a couple of days if you go by moon phase also.
As it is our New Year.it may vary a little by latitude also and country of origin.
2006-10-10 20:08:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋