A Spooky Halloween / Samhain! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

Halloween will soon be here, a time for pumpkin carvings, dressing in costumes, trick or treating and parties  Halloween has been around for over 200 years - how did it evolve?  To answer those questions (and refresh my memory), I decided to share a short history of Halloween, dealing more with its ancient traditions.

 

Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts lived about 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France and celebrated their new year on November 1.  This day marked the end of summer and the harvest.  It also marked the beginning of the dark, cold winter, the time of year that was most associated with death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, Samhain was celebrated when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

 

 

 

Day of the Dead Halloween Tribal Chandelier Skull Earrings Handmade by Gloria of Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry 

 

 

In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the spirits of the otherworld made it easier for the Druids to make predictions about the future. For people entirely dependent on the vagaries of the natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

 

 

 

Halloween / Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Pups Dog Bandana Handmade by Donna of SewAmazin

 

 

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires.  The people gathered at the bonfires to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, costumes were worn, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and the Celts attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.  When the celebration was over,  each hearth fire were relit, which had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect the Celts during the coming winter.

 

 

 

Tiny Orange Agate Pebble Earrings with Copper Handmade by Pamela of Pebbles at My Feet

 

 

By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.  The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of “bobbing” for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

 

I hope you enjoyed this short history of Halloween.  And I hope you especially enjoy the handmade goodies from talented artists featured here, any of which is perfect for Halloween wear or gift giving.  If something catches your eye, please click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item listing for more information.

 

 

 

Old Crow Brand Jewelry Bags, Set of 15, Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage

 

 

Hallowen Black Onyx and Apricot Jade Beaded Bracelet Handmade by Nancy of Nancy's Knots, Lace and More

 

 

Blue Raven Pendant Necklace with Ceramic Beads and Recycled Glass Handmade by Linda of Linda Landig Jewelry

 

 

Halloween Black and Orange Beaded Bracelet Handmade by Cathy of Crafting Memories

 

 

Copper Scary Melting Faces for Halloween, 1 Pair, Handmade by Krisit of Kristi Bowman Design 

 

 

Flaming Orange and Black Round Dichroic Glass Post Earrings Handmade by Jo of Umeboshi

 

 

Halloween / Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Earrings with Swarovski Crystals Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed each and every one of these unique handmade creations, some specifically for Halloween and some that can be worn / used all year long!  If you would like to make my day and the day of the talented artists featured, please leave a comment.  And any promotion you can do will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

 

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