"The festival of Nos Cyn Calan Gauaf, or Samhain, began the winter half of the year...The word "Samhain" is from the Gaelic 'sam fuin' for 'end of summer'...It was believed that the Cailleach, the aspect of the Goddess who appeared as an old woman, hit the ground with her hammer, making it iron hard until Imbolc. On Samhain night, the gates of the otherworld were open, allowing communion with the ancestors." --"The Celtic Book of Days" by Caitlin Matthews, p13

Fire rituals are celebrations born in antiquity of human spiritual expression, integrating one of Nature's most powerful forces. Fire offers a connection to our ancestors and to our religious past. Ritual fires are a physical manifestation of the awesome power of an important element and directional symbol. Samhain is a night for bonfires partially based on ancient festivals of the old Celtic calendar. Samhain's "guest of honor" is the Wicker Man, an effigy constructed from twigs, corn husks, dried plant matter or anything flammable, and burned in an elaborate night ceremony.

You've seen various online pictures of the Wicker Man in Ireland, Scotland and the UK. You've probably seen the film, "The Wicker Man". And although indigenous to Europe, in honor of YTT's earth religion tradition, Samhain 2005's "guest extraordinaire" was a wicker man constructed by Gwion for our high holiday. Our ritual began by walking the pathway of light in remembrance of our ancestors, grandparents, teachers and mentors who were instrumental in our lives. We then entered the celebratory circle where the Wicker Man was waiting for us. At the designated time, each of us filled the Wicker Man with offerings of vegetables, fruits, flowers and remembrance notes. Then in the course of our celebration, the fire of the south was given as the last offering and the Wicker Man glowed into the darkness sending sparks of our celebration into the night sky.

We share our photographic rendition of Samhain with you and pray that you New Year is filled with every blessing possible.

ADDITIONAL PICS ON NEXT PAGE