Shamhain,Wiccan,Pagan,Druid,Halloween,All Souls Days,All Hallows Eve,Festival of the Dead,

Paradise West would like to thank Aimee K Owen, for writting this article and giving others
a true description of what the Wiccan & Pagan religion is really about .I guess after reading
her article and seeing her picture, you might come to the conclusion that the Wiccans and
Pagans are very much like you and me. and actually drive cars and not brooms. Because of
the terrible events of September Eleventh the world has become much closer.People who
have been enemies for thousands of years are now embracing each other in love and peace.
Christians, Jews, Muslems, Buddist,Hindu's and hundreds of other religions I have never even
heard of, are coming together with respect for all people and their beliefs.I hope that you
leave this page with new thoughts about the Pagans and Wiccans. Perhaps after you look
around other sites and pick up a little more information you'll agree that this beautiful,
peaceful, much understood religion, is truly all about Peace,Love and the wonderful world we
all live in.

October 31 is when Pagans/Wiccans celebrate Samhain,pronounced "sow-en".People refer to this
ancient Druid new year as Halloween, All Hallows Eve,and Festival of the dead.

The word Samhain means "summers end". As the third and final harvest many seasonal fruits and
flowers are used to commemorate the passing of the Sun God from the sky.

As the world heads for the dead cold of winter the vale seperating the realms of the living and the
dead grow thin. On this night it is believed that the spirits of the dead return to walk the
earth.Huge bonfires were once built on the hilltops at sunset to honor the God and Goddess and
guide the spirits home to their kin. Food was left on door steps as a "treat" for the passing ghost.

Since the spirits are so close to us on this night it is easier to call on the departed for wisdom and
fortune telling. Scrying in smoke , candle flame, or fire; reading tarrot cards; or casting runes is
customary. An orange candle lit at dusk burned throughout the night till dawn is said to bring
good luck. Bakeing bread or traveling after dark is sure to bring bad luck.

Colors for Samhain are red and black. Traditional foods are pomegranates,pumpkins, apples,
hazelnuts, corn, cider,and herbal teas. Plates of these foods are still left on the door steps to honor
the dead. Candles are left in the windows to call the dead to your door. Seasonal flowers such as
marigolds and chrysanthemums are used as decoration. The symbol of an eight spoked wheel is
also used to represent the wheel of the year,the cycle of seasons, the end of all creation.

On Samhain farewells are said to the God as he begins to grow old and lose his power. The
warmth is draining from the land and all are preparing for the death sleep the God will take in
winter. The last harvest is a celebration of all the Goddess fertility has given us. The dead are not
to be morned on this day but honored and communicated with. Have a Blessed Samhain and a
joyous Autumn