Pagan Holly

Samhain is the highlight of one of my favorite times of year, and I’m hardly the first Pagan to feel that way. The air is colder, the changing leaves are a riot of color, and there’s a smell of woodsmoke in the air that makes my heart beat a little faster. The wind blowing ragged clouds past the moon on crisp, sparkling nights evokes feelings of freedom and exhilaration and of reveling in the possibility of mysterious and transformative communion with Gods and spirits. It’s a magical time of year. Historically, Samhain was a Gaelic seasonal festival, the first of four (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughasadh). It was when cattle were brought back from their summer pastures and livestock was slaughtered for winter. What we know of its historical celebration comes from Irish literature (including the Tochmarc Emire ) and mythology, but a similar festival might have been held in Celtic lands. We know that bonfires were lit and rituals were probably enacted, but we don’t know what tho