UNITED KINGDOM — It’s once more coming up to Samhain, and there are a series of seasonal celebrations happening across the UK as Pagans anticipate the period of Samhain itself and others remain content with the pumpkins and trick or treating of Hallowe’en.
[Photo Credit: Cindy / Flickr]
Turnip lanterns were carried rather than pumpkins, but if you’ve ever tried to hollow out a turnip, you’ll know why pumpkins have replaced them. However, some Pagans do still prefer the humble turnip.
Samhain is often seen as the time when our Celtic ancestors celebrated their dead. However, there is some debate among historians as to whether this was really the case. It does appear to have been a time when cattle were slaughtered and the tribes prepared for the winter.
Whether or not this season reflects the actualy practices of our ancestors, modern Pagans in the UK will be celebrating Samhain in some form. This time of year invites a range of events. Here is a few:
- In the West country, the Old Hags Bristol Samhain Party will be hosted October 31 from 7.30 – midnight at the Kings Street Brew House in Bristol. This event has a fancy dress theme: “Dress as a famous Occultist or Witch from Fiction or from Life.” According to the advertisements, there will be music, a quiz, and an ancestors’ offerings table.
- In the capital, the Pagan Federation will be holding its annual Samhain ritual November 1 from 7:30-10:00 at the Conway Hall. This will be facilitated by London Woodland Witches. The entry fee is £6 for PF members and concessions and £7 for all others. Tickets are sold on the door. The ritual itself begins at 8 pm and usually concludes by 9 pm. Feasting and socializing will follow the ritual until 10 pm.
- The Chalice Well in Glastonbury will be hosting an Earth Day October 31 with free admission from 10 am until midday. Visitors are invited to gather at the well head at midday for meditation until 12.30. Then at 12:30, the Trust invites visitors to joi n them around the fire on the lower lawn for an informal Conversation Café. Normal admission fees apply from midday and, as usual, you can use your ticket to come and go throughout the day.The gardens will remain open until 9:30 pm. There will be more medication at 7 pm and, during the evening, the gardens will be lit by torch and candlelight, and filled with gentle sound of harps and singing bowls being played in various locations around the garden, making for a reflective and contemplative evening.
- In Reading, the Children of Artemis will be hosting a fundraising Witches’ Market at the Rivermead Leisure Complex . It will be hosted November 3. The doors open at 10am. Admission to the market is free and trading continues until 5:30pm. The event will also host talks but prominent speakers, including: Kate West, Professor Ronald Hutton, Damh the Bard, Barbara Meiklejohn Free & Flavia Kate Peters, and Gemma Gary. Entry to individual talks on the day will cost just £3 per talk.
- The Children of Artemis will also be hosting a Halloween Ball on the evening of the Witches’ Market. This will include live music from The Dolmen, Damh the Bard, and Perkelt. Organizers also added that the “infamous Witchfest Mead Bar will be back with all the trimmings, with some new offerings to tempt the mead connoisseur.”
- On November 3, the National Trust will be running a ‘Spirit of Samhain’ guided walk at Avebury. As advertised: “You will learn all about the history and spirituality of the Samhain festival and its relationship with the historic landscape of Avebury. This circular walk gives you the chance to explore the landscape in a different way and talk with an expert who can explain all about this and other ancient festivals and their connections with Avebury.”
- On November 4, the Wandering Witches Fair takes place at the Portchester Community Centre in Westlands Grove. It will feature 40+ stalls of unique art and crafts with live music. A cafe is available.
If you’re in London over the next week, you might also want to check out some of the Hallowe’en events, rather than specifically Samhain-oriented, events. On the October 26, there will be the Horse Meat Disco Halloween at Hangar. The website reads: “Horse Meat Disco are the people when it comes to spinning tunes from the genre, covering everything from the long-forgotten classics to the freshest cuts. Support comes from Austin Ato, Michelle Manetti and Jaye Ward.”
Also on Friday is the Cirque Du Soul Halloween Special with Derrick Carter at Electric Brixton. It is advertised: “Chicago legend Derrick Carter is making his way to Brixton. The DJ is known the world over as a pioneering force of the house music scene, but he’ll be focusing more on funky disco tracks for this Halloween blowout. Blackhill, Luke Wolfman, Mylo Harvey and the Cirque Du Soul DJs are supporting.”
On October 27 is Hallokween! at Omeara. The site reads: “Little Gay Brother, whose raucous queer raves are some of the best in London, are regulars at Omeara and will host the venue’s party on Halloween (or ‘Hallokween’, as they call it). Luke Solomon and Maze & Masters are the main attractions behind the decks here, but it’s about more than just the music — expect dance performances and some pretty unbeatable Halloween costumes.”
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