Samhain

The Celtic year was broken up into eight parts; Quarter days were determined by astrology and were celebrated during the winter and summer solstice, and the spring and autumn equinox. Cross quarter days were celebrated at the mid-point between these dates and had significance with agriculture but particularly with the raising of livestock.

Cross Quarter Days

The four cross quarter days are known as Samhain (Oct 31- 01 Nov) Imbrolic (Jan 31 – 01 Feb), Beltane (April 30 – 01 May), and Lughnadh (Jul 31 – 01 Aug); each has two dates as the Celts believed the new day started at sunset.

Beltane, when cattle are put to pasture in the spring; and Samhain when they are brought in for the winter were/are liminal dates and it was believed that at this time the boundary between the living and the dead was fluid. Certain observances had to be made…