Druids would not know this night

And Witches would in wonder gaze

To see the festive costumed souls

That dash about the night in play

Where ancient magick ruled the land

Children's laughter fills the soul

Yet in this way the night is honored

Much like the ancients long ago

Written by David O. Norris, 1999.

Witches' hats and harvest moon

Ghosts that dance to haunted tune.

Apples, goodies, food galore

Halloween has this and more.

Fairies, gnomes and funny clowns

Mom and I go 'round the town.

Cats and pumpkins, friends to meet

Everyone says "trick or treat!"

Just a little witch

on high

She'll tell you that

your love is nigh

Your fortune on Hallowe'en

when told

My secret will the witch unfold

From an Early Nineteenth Century Halloween postcard

In the glowing of the candle,

From the shadow on the wall

I watch for you in every movement

And hear your footsteps in the hall.

Can you sit and spend the evening

As the portal opens wide?

Ancestral dead, I bid you welcome,

Most recent dead, I pray abide

When you come I sense your presence

I put my hand out in the air

A moment, then, we stand united

Palm to palm while waiting there.

I miss you most upon each Samhain

When the boundary turns to sheer

We share these hours until the dawning

Then bid farewell until next year.

Written by David O. Norris, 1988, "Upon Each Samhain"

SAMHAIN Samhain meant end of the summer to the Celts. They observed only two seasons of the year, Summer and Winter. Samhain was celebrated at the transition of these seasons. There was no Celtic God named Samhain. Samhain is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st but some traditions  prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year. The other being the beginning of Beltane. Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated  in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the wandering dead." To Witches, Samhain is one of  the four High Holidays or Greater Sabbats. Because Samhain is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called The Great Sabbat.  Pagans consider Samhain the most magical night of the year. It occurs exactly opposite of Beltane on the Wheel of the Year.