What does Samhain/Halloween mean to Pagans

[WiccaBasketUK]

Blessed Be! and Samhain Greetings to all. I am a believer and at our feast tonight we will leave a portion for the ancestors and those that have gone on before us. Tarot and other divinations (including bobbing for apples and throwing the peel over your left shoulder) are auspicious tonight.

Penni

[somersethedge]

Of course, you don't have to answer, but you did start it.

here you go Kimbo......

Although there are “religious” parts when it comes to Paganism, Paganism is more of a philosophy than a “religion”
At the top of the list of things we believe is AND IT HARMS NONE in other words we try not to harm any living creature, be it animals, plants or another human unless absolutely necessary.

Some Pagans do have Goddesses and Gods but it is not compulsory. Most Pagans DO believe in a Supreme Being but just as to who or what that Being is left to the individual. Yes some of the Gods have horns, but not many, but that is because “we” are a Nature loving belief system and the God can be based on the stag (hence my avatar).... WE DO NOT WORSHIP THE DEVIL mainly because the Devil is a Christian invention not a Pagan one

Some Pagans do join other Pagans and become a Coven but there are far more solitary Pagans out there (including me)... We may, sometimes, meet up with other solitary Pagans or even with Coven members, but that is a “gathering” (a sort of Church of England meeting up with Baptist etc)

Getting back to your question, Yes, there are people out there who call themselves pagans (note lower case “P”) but are not, they use the name to do “bad things” which goes against ALL things a true Pagan holds dear. However I think there are far more real Pagans pro rata than there are real Christians because as I said at the start, Paganism is more of a philosophy/belief system than a religion. A Pagan respects ALL “religions”, unlike some “religions” that even now in the 21st century still persecute us for our beliefs.

[somersethedge]

Although it makes light of Samhain, (no offence intended Nigel)

None taken Gothicina.... I could of made it much heavier but
a) it was late (and a last minuet thing before bed)
and b) I am sure "we" could write reams on the true meaning of Samhain, but here is not really the right place for it

[MagnetsAndHangers]

To me it is just another day - except days which rugrats put on a silly mask, knock on my door, and screech like a banshees, interupting my evening.


Time to get a bigger cauldron methinks.

So many rugrats - not enough recipes.

[mrsandman]

Hi, I can see no mention of paganism being a philosophy. Rather it states ' belief in one's region or non believer . I have always believed tha pagan simply meant a non belief in the Christian God . As for persecution, most regligions are persecuted one way or another.

[somersethedge]

Hi, I can see no mention of paganism being a philosophy. .

philosophy

A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory:
A system of values by which one lives

[mrsandman]

I apologise , I was looking on Wikipedia .

[somersethedge]

I apologise , I was looking on Wikipedia .

no problem mrsandman :-) as kimbo will tell you I like a good "argument/disagreement" sometimes ;-)

[suesjools]

just a quick post so those that don't know do now know :-)


The most holy and solemn of the sabbats, Samhain (pronounced SOW-een) is observed on the night of October 31. It is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed over to the other side, hence Halloween's association with the dead. Also known as the witches' New Year, Samhain begins the Wheel of the Year. Wearing costumes on Halloween stems from the early practice of making wishes on this date (similar to New Year's resolutions). The colourful custom of dressing up as the person you'd like to be in the coming year serves as a powerful magic spell and visual affirmation.
Magicians believe the veil that separates the seen and unseen worlds is thinnest on Samhain. Therefore, this is an ideal time to try to connect with nonphysical entities such as ancestors, angels, or spirit guides. Many people also do divination on Samhain, when insights and information flow easily.

Fascinating, reminds me of a History Channel program I watched the other day on the origins of Halloween. According to the program, many of the current Christian traditions/beliefs about Halloween stem from pagan observances and practices. Apparently the Irish added the vandalism bit to the American holiday, go figure.

Just my openminded agnostic 2 cents.

Happy Halloween to one and all,

[bykimbo]

here you go Kimbo......

Although there are “religious” parts when it comes to Paganism, Paganism is more of a philosophy than a “religion”
At the top of the list of things we believe is AND IT HARMS NONE in other words we try not to harm any living creature, be it animals, plants or another human unless absolutely necessary.

Some Pagans do have Goddesses and Gods but it is not compulsory. Most Pagans DO believe in a Supreme Being but just as to who or what that Being is left to the individual. Yes some of the Gods have horns, but not many, but that is because “we” are a Nature loving belief system and the God can be based on the stag (hence my avatar).... WE DO NOT WORSHIP THE DEVIL mainly because the Devil is a Christian invention not a Pagan one

Some Pagans do join other Pagans and become a Coven but there are far more solitary Pagans out there (including me)... We may, sometimes, meet up with other solitary Pagans or even with Coven members, but that is a “gathering” (a sort of Church of England meeting up with Baptist etc)

Getting back to your question, Yes, there are people out there who call themselves pagans (note lower case “P”) but are not, they use the name to do “bad things” which goes against ALL things a true Pagan holds dear. However I think there are far more real Pagans pro rata than there are real Christians because as I said at the start, Paganism is more of a philosophy/belief system than a religion. A Pagan respects ALL “religions”, unlike some “religions” that even now in the 21st century still persecute us for our beliefs.

Thank you very much, most interesting.