Samhain is a tradition that goes back centuries. It is known as a Celtic holiday where people celebrate the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker months of the year.
Samhain is normally celebrated on October 31 or November 1, depending on where the holiday fell on a particular day of the year.
Our present holiday of Halloween comes from Samhain in the sense that Pope Gregory declared November 1 to be All Saints Day, and the day before it was known as All Hallows’ Eve, which was later changed to Halloween.
Halloween is already a popular holiday; however, most people do not see Samhain and Halloween as the same holiday because it is not the same.
As established, they often fall on different days of the year. Halloween is always on October 31, yet Samhain can change dates depending on the year.
Moreover, Halloween is associated more with being a children’s holiday or as a celebration of the autumn season. Samhain is different as it has been more associated with a darker past and a remaining dark present.
Samhain and Wicca
Ever since the 1980s, Samhain has been growing in popularity because of Wiccans. The main reason behind more people celebrating Samhain is because there has been an influx of practicing Wiccans.
Wiccans view Samhain as another passing of the season, and they celebrate the day by participating in many Wiccan traditions. These traditions range from fire ceremonies to the Witches’ Ball.
Samhain is now considered mainly a Wiccan holiday as compared to a day of celebrating the harvest. It is one of the eight major holidays of the Wiccans.
It is believed that the “veil” between this world and the world of the dead is the thinnest on this day, and it is easier to communicate with the dead.
This alone could cause many people to become interested in celebrating Samhain. There are many people who are desperate to talk with passed loved ones, and this particular part of the holiday can prey on those who do not know God.
It could be due to the combined interests of those wanting to contact their dead loved ones, and the influx of Wiccans could attest to why more people are celebrating Samhain.
Many people might also celebrate this holiday because they are self-declared pagans, or they might just be curious about the holiday in general. All of these things can give us multiple reasons as to why more people are celebrating Samhain and incorporating its practices into their lives.
What Does the Bible Say about Samhain?
The Bible strictly forbids witchcraft as God tells us, “Do not allow a sorceress to live” (Exodus 22:18). Wiccans today practice witchcraft, and since witchcraft seems to play a big part in Samhain, it is best for Christians not to practice this holiday.
The Bible also tells us not to consult with mediums, which are those who talk with the dead (Leviticus 19:31). Samhain is a holiday that is built upon pagan beliefs, consulting the dead, and witchcraft. With this being said, we can be assured that it is not a biblical holiday.
Many people have merged and mixed Samhain into being the same holiday as Halloween, but it depends on how you celebrate it. Halloween, as most individuals celebrate it, is not the same as Samhain.
People are not offering sacrifices or participating in witchcraft when they celebrate Halloween. Halloween, for the most part, is a children’s holiday and a day full of pumpkins, crafts, and treats. Samhain is different from this and something that a believer should take part in.
Even though Samhain started as a harvest celebration, many evil practices and scary stories were tied to it. Ancient Celtic stories said there were monsters who would roam the earth during the time of Samhain.
The Pukah was a shape-shifting creature who would collect offerings from the field. Food had to be left out in the field in order for the Pukah not to be upset or angry with the people. There was the Sluagh who would walk the earth on Samhain and kidnap people.
As we can see, these monsters would have felt very real to the Celts. It would have caused great fear to rise in their hearts.
Satan and his demons would take advantage of a holiday where people believe monsters and dead loved ones cross over from another world. If the people at this time saw these monsters or only heard about them, they were only demons.
The Bible tells us that Satan and his demons can masquerade (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). In other words, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 that Satan and his demons masquerade as angels of light; however, they can also take on other forms.
Since Satan and his demons are spirits, they do not have a set bodily form. They can shapeshift and take on many forms.
It is not surprising that they would take advantage of Samhain as a day to trick more people, scare people, and cause more people to become interested in the occult.
Many people become interested in the occult after having an encounter with a “ghost” or another otherworldly figure. This is exactly what the devil and his demons want because then they can lead more people away from God and into the occult.
Wiccans themselves are part of the occult because of their practices and beliefs. Those who practice Wicca alone are at risk for demonic experiences and exposure. The same is true for anyone who becomes interested in the occult.
The occult is a way for the devil and his demons to get their foot into the door of your life. As Christians, we need to reject all of these teachings and to reject the occult. We also need to help others get out of the occult and turn to God.
The occult will cause many problems for a person if they join it, and true freedom will not be able to be achieved unless you turn to Jesus.
Everything associated with Wiccans and Samhain is rooted in the devil. There is no biblical way to be part of the Wiccans, nor is there a biblical way to celebrate Samhain.
Halloween is different; therefore, there is nothing wrong with celebrating this holiday. However, Samhain is altogether different.
If you have been celebrating Samhain in past years, it is time to turn away from this practice and repent before the Lord. If you have noticed you are beginning to be interested in Samhain, Wicca, or the occult, you also need to turn away from this practice, repent, and turn to the Lord.
These things are not good as they will only cause you problems and encounters with demons. Rather than celebrating Samhain or becoming more interested in the occult, focus your time and attention on learning more about God.
If you love the fall season, choose to do fall activities that are not associated with the occult, such as going to pumpkin patches, watching fall-themed movies, or going to the park to see the changing leaves.
This will be a more fulfilling and happier experience than following Samhain, Wicca, and the occult.
Why Does This Mean Today?
Therefore, more people are celebrating Samhain because of the rising popularity of Wicca, a rising interest in the occult, and the desire to talk to dead loved ones. As believers, we do not need to practice this holiday, nor do we need to become interested in it.
Wicca is part of the occult and something not to be messed with. In the same way, we do not need to become obsessed with the occult, and we do not need to try to seek out talking with our dead loved ones.
Our dead loved ones are either in heaven or hell, depending on whether they placed faith in Jesus or not. There is no way to communicate with our dead loved ones while we are living on the earth.
For further reading:
What Should Christians Know about the Religion of Wicca?
What Is the History of Halloween?
Is the Origin of Halloween Rooted in a Pagan Holiday?
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