Tag Archives: Samhain

Happy Halloween from AntiquityNOW!

sweet-314234_640Maybe you’re adding the finishing touches to a costume you’ve been hand-sewing for weeks or maybe you’re scrambling to find last-minute costume ideas on the internet. Perhaps you’re preparing to observe an ancient Samhain or perhaps you’re headed to a modern Halloween bash. No matter how you plan to celebrate tonight’s festivities, it’s almost certainly going to involve delicious treats. Feasting on this night is nothing new. Check out our post The Colorful Past of Halloween Treats to learn more about the ancient origins of this holiday and more importantly, the food!

Also, don’t miss this fascinating slideshow of Halloween being celebrated all over the world.

And here’s a recipe for adorable mini ghost cupcakes.

Bon Appetit Wednesday! Apples for the Autumnal Equinox

apple-tree-429213_640Today is the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere. The days are getting shorter, the temperature is beginning to drop and we’re all preparing for snuggling up in sweaters and long nights by the fire. Many ancient cultures around the world celebrated the autumnal equinox and several of these traditions have been passed down through the ages. Continue reading

Happy New Year!…Trick or Treat?

Imagine celebrating the New Year on Halloween. Ghosts, costumes, candy, parties, fortune tellers, bonfires- and champagne toasts at midnight!  Our modern Halloween was not always about trick or treating and carving pumpkins. It was influenced by numerous other traditions, including the celebration of the Celtic New Year.

CELTIC INFLUENCE

Modern day offerings for the Samhain festival. Image courtesy of Avia Venefica on Flickr.

The largest influence on our modern Halloween is Samhain: the Celtic New Year celebration that fell roughly on October 31st – November 1st.  Celts believed that on the evening of the New Year souls of the dead could return to Earth.   Continue reading