Hello, I'm an expert in cultural studies and mythology. Let's delve into the topic of Samhain.

Samhain, pronounced "sow-in" or "sav-en," is a significant festival originating from ancient Celtic cultures. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, or the darker half of the year. Traditionally celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, Samhain is considered a liminal time when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. This is why it's often associated with the modern Halloween, which has adopted many of its customs and symbols.

During Samhain, it was believed that spirits could more easily come into our world, and people would set places at their tables for deceased ancestors, light bonfires, and wear costumes to ward off or confuse any harmful spirits. The festival also had a significant role in the Celtic pagan religion, where it was a time for divination and for honoring the dead.

In modern times, Samhain is still celebrated by Neopagans and Wiccans as a sacred festival, often involving rituals and practices that honor the dead and reflect on the cycle of life and death.

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Samhain (/?s��?w?n, ?sa??n/; Irish: [s??u?n?]) is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. Traditionally, it is celebrated from 31 October to 1 November, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset.read more >>