passed over and to welcome them back in through the ‘open door’ to share the feast.
A verse may have been chanted at the beginning of the feast and would have been similar to this known one:
“And so it is, we gather again, The feast of our dead to begin. Our Ancients, our Ancestors we invite, Come! And follow the setting of the sun. Whom do we call? We call them by name (Name your ancestors that you wish to welcome.) The Ancients have come! Here with us stand Where ever the country, where ever the land They leave us not, to travel alone; Flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone! Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Great be their Power! Past ones and present-at this very hour! Welcome within are the dead who are kin, Feast here with us and rest here within Our hearth is your hearth and welcome to thee; Old tales to tell and new visions to see!”
Not only this, but as the door was open to ‘other realms’, this would include the Lands of the Sidhe – pronounced ‘shee’ – or the Faery Realm! Gifts of food for these unseen ones was an intention to gain favour and avoid any ill fortune or mischief by these powerful beings – early Trick or Treat!!)
Samhain was said to be a very potent time for magic and divination. Druids would perform rituals for communicating with the dead and of divining the future.
Roasted nuts and cakes would contain tokens of luck to predict favor to those who found them.
It was custom to light a candle to signify the ‘New Year’ and a great bonfire was set by the chief Druid. On this, members of the communities would sacrifice animals and crops to the Celtic deities and the fire would become sacred.
Hearth fires would be