Ideas for Samhain Celebration

[Valkereon]

This is the first year that my roommate and I can openly celebrate Samhain and I was wondering if anybody could give me some ideas of what to do for our celebration.  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

The "Gatherings" subforum will have some ideas for you closer to the time. See also this thread if you are a Wicca-flavoured ENP.  

[Morgandria]

Bear in mind that Samhain is not a celebration. It is a solemn remembrance of the Beloved Dead, our friends and family who have passed before us. We are honouring their memory during a time where a liminal state is more easily achieved - where the boundaries between the land of the dead and the land of the living are thinner.

As San noted, there's a thread here in the guild that might help you.  

[TheStarlessSkye]

Morgandria

Bear in mind that Samhain is not a celebration. It is a solemn remembrance of the Beloved Dead, our friends and family who have passed before us. We are honouring their memory during a time where a liminal state is more easily achieved - where the boundaries between the land of the dead and the land of the living are thinner.

As San noted, there's a thread here in the guild that might help you.

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?  

[X-Yami-no-Ko-X]

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

That's what the thread says.  

[too2sweet]

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

While some do consider it to be the "new year", I typically don't see it that way. With secular holidays - like "New Year's Eve" and "New Year's Day" - it's more about a specific moment - that transition from 11:59pm of the old year, to 00:00 of the new one. While there are specific events that are honored as well, I think there are also more "seasonal"/cyclical aspects to the Sabbats as well. So while I do see Samhain as an ending of the old year, for me that transitional moment is a bit longer, and I don't really see the "new year" staring until the rebirth at Yule.

That's just my personal view though, don't know if it's something that is shared by any one else.  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

too2sweet

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

While some do consider it to be the "new year", I typically don't see it that way. With secular holidays - like "New Year's Eve" and "New Year's Day" - it's more about a specific moment - that transition from 11:59pm of the old year, to 00:00 of the new one. While there are specific events that are honored as well, I think there are also more "seasonal"/cyclical aspects to the Sabbats as well. So while I do see Samhain as an ending of the old year, for me that transitional moment is a bit longer, and I don't really see the "new year" staring until the rebirth at Yule.

That's just my personal view though, don't know if it's something that is shared by any one else.

I have similar thoughts regarding the new year 3nodding  

[TheStarlessSkye]

too2sweet

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

While some do consider it to be the "new year", I typically don't see it that way. With secular holidays - like "New Year's Eve" and "New Year's Day" - it's more about a specific moment - that transition from 11:59pm of the old year, to 00:00 of the new one. While there are specific events that are honored as well, I think there are also more "seasonal"/cyclical aspects to the Sabbats as well. So while I do see Samhain as an ending of the old year, for me that transitional moment is a bit longer, and I don't really see the "new year" staring until the rebirth at Yule.

That's just my personal view though, don't know if it's something that is shared by any one else.

Ah, I see. I just see it the start of the wheel turning all over again, and the year starting afresh.  

[too2sweet]

Azareas Aquarinus

too2sweet

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

While some do consider it to be the "new year", I typically don't see it that way. With secular holidays - like "New Year's Eve" and "New Year's Day" - it's more about a specific moment - that transition from 11:59pm of the old year, to 00:00 of the new one. While there are specific events that are honored as well, I think there are also more "seasonal"/cyclical aspects to the Sabbats as well. So while I do see Samhain as an ending of the old year, for me that transitional moment is a bit longer, and I don't really see the "new year" staring until the rebirth at Yule.

That's just my personal view though, don't know if it's something that is shared by any one else.

Ah, I see. I just see it the start of the wheel turning all over again, and the year starting afresh.

I have a hard time seeing the year starting "fresh" when everything around me is either going into hibernation and/or dying off for the winter.  

[TheStarlessSkye]

too2sweet

Azareas Aquarinus

too2sweet

Azareas Aquarinus

Wasn't it also the Pagan new year for some?

While some do consider it to be the "new year", I typically don't see it that way. With secular holidays - like "New Year's Eve" and "New Year's Day" - it's more about a specific moment - that transition from 11:59pm of the old year, to 00:00 of the new one. While there are specific events that are honored as well, I think there are also more "seasonal"/cyclical aspects to the Sabbats as well. So while I do see Samhain as an ending of the old year, for me that transitional moment is a bit longer, and I don't really see the "new year" staring until the rebirth at Yule.

That's just my personal view though, don't know if it's something that is shared by any one else.

Ah, I see. I just see it the start of the wheel turning all over again, and the year starting afresh.

I have a hard time seeing the year starting "fresh" when everything around me is either going into hibernation and/or dying off for the winter.

I kind of understand, since I kept thinking: Yule seems like the new year, because it's the celebration of light returning. The earth can't go without the sun.