Samhain: The Roots of Halloween

Samhain was the entry point into winter, a time of hardship, cold, and hunger, and a time of introspection and communing with the dead and the otherworld. The modern celebration of Halloween is derived from the ancient festival of the dead known in Ireland as Samhain, and it is from Ireland that we have inherited most of our Halloween traditions. This book explores the history of this festival in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany, including the forgotten goddess Tlachtga and the sacred temple of the Druids in Co. Meath, where the first Halloween fires were lit.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 144 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2021
\n Publisher: The History Press Ltd
\n

‘An outstanding and thorough examination of this intriguing subject. - Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries

Samhain marked the transition into winter, a season characterized by adversity, chilly temperatures, and scarcity. However, it was also a period of reflection, where individuals sought communion with the deceased and the otherworldly realms. These themes, albeit altered over time, have managed to persist in modern society.

The contemporary celebration of Halloween is rooted in the ancient festival of the dead known as Samhain in Ireland. It is from Ireland that we have inherited the majority of our Halloween customs, primarily through the diaspora. By delving into the distant past, this book unravels the history of this festival in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany, encompassing the forgotten goddess Tlachtga and the revered Druid temple in Co. Meath, where the inaugural Halloween fires were ignited.

\n Weight: 240g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780750998000\n \n