Samhain (Northern Hemisphere)

Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. It is traditionally celebrated from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. Samhain is considered a time when the boundary between the physical world and the spirit world is thin, allowing spirits to pass through. It is a time for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and preparing for the winter ahead. The festival has influenced modern Halloween traditions with activities like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, and trick-or-treating.