Halloween originated with an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween or Sow-in). The Celtic New Year began on November 1. On the last day of the Celtic year, October 31, the Celts believed that ghosts roamed the world that night, causing harm to crops and creating mischief. So on October 31, the Celts dressed in scary costumes, parading around the village in the hopes of scaring away the mischievous spirits.
When Christianity arrived in Ireland, the church named November 1 as All Saints Day to honor saints and martyrs in an attempt replace or over shadow Samhain. Trick-or-treating originated from an All Souls Day tradition. People walked from village to village begging for “soul cakes.” In exchange for the “soul cakes,” a prayer would be said for the giver of the bread. The more bread they gave away the more people they had praying for their souls. In the 1500s, All Saint’s Day becomes All Hallows’ Day, and Samhain had become known as All Hallows’ Evening. Then eventually Hallow Evening became Halloween.
Origins of the jack-o-lantern …
The tradition of carving a jack-o-lantern began in Scotland during the 15th and 17th centuries. Magical glowing jack-o-lanterns were carved originally from turnips, pears or gourds. Light lumps of coal were placed inside the carved jack-o-lanterns that were sat on pouches or on windows sills. They welcomed and guided the spirits of deceased loved ones on their way. The glowing carved jack-o-lanterns were also believed to protect people from malevolent spirits on Samhain.
Where witches got started …
Celtic witchcraft has as its basis a strong sense of spirituality and a love of the earth. With the Celts or Druids, magic was a common part of everyday life, completely accepted and never questioned. Celtic magic is rooted strongly in the four natural elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Therefore any practitioner of Celtic magic would be well versed in plants and herbal medicine. The difference between Celtic witchcraft and other forms of the craft is that with Celts, magic is everywhere. Magic is woven into their jewelry, tattoos, artwork, and everyday items. These Celtic beliefs and rituals blended with those of other Indo-European beliefs over centuries spawned such practices as concocting potions, ointments, casting spells, and performing works of magic. These practices, along with other nature-based beliefs held by the Celts, became collectively known as witchcraft. The term witch means to “twist or bend,” has its origin in the ancient, Anglo-Saxon word “wicca,” which is derived from the word “wicce,” which means “wise.”
Try the Samhain Soy Candle for Halloween. It comes in a great country jelly jar with a zinc lid and has a warm and spicy seasoned aroma of baked pumpkin bread with traditional harvest spices. Nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and ginger top with sweet vanilla icing. It is an aromatic mixture of fall spices that says “Welcome Home.”
- Our Samhain soy jelly jar candle for Halloween is 8 ounces of pure soy and measures approximately 4 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide and comes with a lid
- Each Samhain soy candle’s burn time is approximately eighty hours
Eco Friendly …
Our organic soy candles are made from 100 percent pure soybean oil and lead free wicks. They are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Pure Soybean oil is a water soluble, renewable resource that supports US farmers and our economic growth. Each Celtic Candle Company soy candle is hand poured in the USA and 100 percent dye free. They are clean burning, virtually soot free, pesticide free, petroleum free and not animal tested. Every creamy natural soy candle is drenched in the highest quality, all natural fragrance oils. A real soybean is placed on top of each candle to remind our customers that they are a high quality soy candle product.
Every gift from The Irish Jewelry Company comes gift boxed in our signature style, a simple white glossy gift box sealed with a satin emerald green ribbon and our gold label. Included at no additional charge is an Irish Blessing, toast or story card. If this is a gift included at no additional charge is a card for the recipient, hand written for that extra personal touch.
