Samhain: Why We Should Have It Off

Take It Back

By Ghia Vitale
QuailBellMagazine.com

Blessed Samhain! Happy Halloween! Pick whichever you like, but I'd just like you to know that Samhain (pronounced s-ow-en) is basically the most important religious celebration to me. You see, I'm a Witch. Most of the traditions I've pursued have had Celtic roots. Samhain is an ancient Celtic holiday or "sabbat" as (Neo-)Pagan traditions have adopted. For us, it's the new year and a time when we are closest to our dead loved ones as well as everything else that lies beyond the veil of the physical world. My ancestors also celebrated the riches that they reaped from that year's harvest on this day. It is a sacred and special day to us. England later adopted it as Hallow's Eve, for it was the precursor to All Souls Day, a day when the dead walk the earth. But the Celts weren't the only people to celebrate Halloween. Halloween has appeared in different incarnations all over the world, including as the ever-popular Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico. 

Since the dead are so plentiful, Earth is jam-packed and we're in good company today. Smile like its the risus-sardonicus you've always wanted! 

Samhain is rich in culture and lore. You've probably already heard all about how Halloween is old school and about how the archetypal "witch" hag came from. Nonetheless, many pagans celebrate that iconography today. A lot of us do set out food as offerings human and non-human spirits, light fires, do divination, and party like rock stars in the name of the dead. That's what I do, anyway. It's a religious obligation, don't ya know. And that's why I'll never go to work on that day. 

Back in the day, everyone agreed that Samhain was important. It's an old and legitimate holiday unlike Columbus Day or Valentine's Day which both have their own gruesome roots and unnecessary place staked out on our calendars. Why can't we just get our priorities straight and honor the days that deserve it the most? Honestly, I don't know anyone with an excessive love for Columbus Day culture. Hell, I wouldn't care if it vanished off of the face of my calendar. But life would be much cooler if we had Halloween off. (Not that I'm opposed to making other usages of that day and still have it off.)

Think about it: how cool would life be if we had Halloween off and we treated it like the valid holiday that it actually is?

Fortunately, I've never had any serious problems getting off from work on Halloween. I have more than enough documentation to confirm my religion. In my letters to professors and phone calls to bosses, I always offered "proof" if that's what they needed. I've been writing some variation of "pagan" on all of my forms since I was thirteen of fourteen so that there would never be any question about my religious affiliation if it ever became relevant, such as if I died or needed Samhain off.

Wouldn't you like Samhain off too? Just thought I'd put that out there since I think about it all year round. Halloween is a lifestyle.

#Real #Samhain #HappyHalloween #Celtic #FightThePower #GetHalloweenOff #Pagan #Festival #Spirits #Dead #Religion
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