Wholesale Samhain Sabbat Pagan Greeting Card

The correct pronunciation is "SOW-in" in Irish Gaelic, not "SAM-hayn" as it is commonly said in contemporary pagan practice. The word comes from Old Irish and means "summer's end." For the ancient Celts, the year had two seasons: the light half, from Beltane to Samhain, and the dark half, from Samhain to Beltane. Samhain was the new year. On the eve of Samhain, all fires in Ireland were extinguished. A sacred fire was kindled on the Hill of Tlachtga by the druids and used to relight every hearth in the land, literally connecting every household to the same source of warmth and protection through the winter ahead. The belief that the veil between the living and the dead thins at Samhain runs consistent across Celtic traditions. Food and offerings were left at the threshold. Turnips were carved and hollowed to hold embers and ward off unwelcome presences. In North America, the turnip became the pumpkin. The practice survived the translation. Samhain is not Halloween dressed up. Halloween is Samhain dressed down. Holiday information on back of card. Available as an art print in 5x7 and 11x17. .: Size: 4x6 inches .: Locally printed .: Blank inside .: Includes kraft envelope .: Packaged in a protective cellophane sleeve 6 card minimum.