A Brief History of Samhain with Fjorn the SkaldâŠ
O! How great is the darkness of this night and its horror, and how the demons always appear on this night! Each man that dares to stride out to try this night will no sooner find himself quickly coming back into the house! Despite these horrors, there was once a man named Nera who took such a challenge upon himself - whether he was brave or mad, I cannot tell. Nonetheless, he wandered into this dreadful night without the fear often held by other men.
You see, he was challenged by Ailill and Medb, who lured him (and others) into traveling that night with the promises of reward. Seeking his fortune, he went out into the night. He was the most successful, but, upon his return to Cruachan (or so he thought) he witnessed the sheer power of the men of SĂd (faeries). There he saw a vision, one that would come true next Samhain if he could do nothing about it. He saw the fortress of Ailill, king of Connacht and Neraâs lord, burning! There he also beheld a heap of heads, that of his fellow people, cut off by the warriors of SĂd!Â
He followed in pursuit, but then travelled into SĂd (the Otherworld). One does not generally know when they have passed from our world and into SĂd, especially on the night of Samhain, when the borders between these worlds are the weakest! Nera was lucky. He overcame such challenges so that we today may be told of his ventures on that Samhain night. He warned the king and prevented this terrible vision from becoming reality. Let his journey be a warning of caution to the rest of us, for when Samhain night is upon us, the borders between our world and SĂd are at their weakest!
Samhain (pronounced: Sah-win) marks the end of Summer and the beginning of a new year in the Celtic calendar - the night between October 31st and November 1st. It was (and still is, to some) the most important of Celtic holidays. Many people used this time to make their final preparations for winter, including the culling of herds and the completion of harvest. Yet, more troubling was that the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld, SĂd, are at their weakest during this time.
SĂd is essentially equated to fairy mounds. It is an âOtherâ world apart from our own. Long ago, according to Irish mythology, the Sons of MĂl (us humans) invaded the land now called Ireland, chasing away the Old Gods, the TĂșatha dĂ© Danann, into SĂd. Thus, this âOtherâ world is a realm of their power, which can be either benevolent or malevolent. It is a land of both youth and beauty, but it is also a dangerous place.
Those who live in SĂd came to be known as faeries, but these faeries are not the pixy, happy-type faeries we now know of today. In order words, do not expect a Tinkerbell. These faeries are pretty dangerous, and should not be so easily trusted. In fact, these faeries have a particular liking for young boys, and so they would steal these young boys away on Samhain (which could result in death). In order to counter this treachery, people would disguise their young boys as little girls during Samhain to protect them from faerie captors.
If one did not complete their harvest before Samhain, PĂșca would surly come to ruin everything (being able to roam free during Samhain due to the weakened boundaries between the two worlds). PĂșca is typically depicted as a black, wild, unkempt horse that can talk and has glowing eyes - yes, quite the image. PĂșca would then pee or spit on these crops, effectively spoiling them entirely. PĂșca also harried travelers. Yet, even PĂșca could be benevolent at times, especially when offering prophecies.
There are a few traditions that stem from the Medieval period, such as wearing costumes and visiting homes to beg, or to put on community plays (in costume). Of course, these activities eventually became associated with mischievous youth, although they began as forms for community cohesion before the coming of winter. Old folklore traditions include divination, social gatherings, and ancestor veneration (spirits of the dead - usually family members). Many of these traditions probably still sound vaguely familiar to that of todayâs Halloween.
Your warning has been given, so be wary of the weakened boundaries between our word and that of SĂd this night. Keep young boys disguised as little girls and make sure that all of your crops have been properly harvested, lest you want PĂșca to soil them with urine! Samhain is a dangerous night, keep off the roads, lest you desire to wander aimlessly into the realm of SĂd!
SOURCES AND FURTHER READINGS:
[Gen.] Jennifer Dukes-Knight, âSamhain,â Lecture, Celtic History, University of South Florida, 2015. Dr. Knight is a professor in Medieval Irish Literature, having obtained her Ph.D. in Celtic Studies from Harvard University.
If you are curious about the real story of Nera, and perhaps about other Celtic legends involving Samhain, I advise you check out a few of these short tales, available for free on the Celtic Literature Collective. Here are a few:
1. Echtra Nerai (The Adventures of Nera)
2. Tochmarc Ălaine (The Wooing of Etain)
3. Serglige Con Culainn (The Wasting Sickness of CĂș Chulainn)
4. Aislinge Ăenguso (The Dream of Oengus)
5. Mesca Ulad (The Intoxication of the Ulstermen)
Our source in relation to Irish mythology has complications. First and foremost is the clear propaganda and religious alteration that took place within the text. In other words, it is not a pure source, but it is among the best that we have. You may check it out here:
6. Lebor Gabala Erenn (The Book of Invasions)
