Samhain
The Wickerman ceremonySamhain (pronounced SOW-in) is held on the weekend most convineint to October 31st (Halloween).
At Samhain, we make masks to hide ourselves from angry and mischievious spirits. We hold elections to designate the officers of the group, hold a tournement to establish our Clan Champion and burn a Wicker-man.
Samhain is our most popular event.
Samhain by Dalriada
This was originally found at dalriada.co.uk, but that site appears to no longer be online, so I have reposted it here from my personal archives.
No other festival in the old Celtic year fires the imagination like Samhain. On a material level, it was the time the clan took stock of supplies for the winter ahead, and brought people and cattle in from the hills and glens to their winter quarters, re-tying the social bonds of kinship in the process. On a spiritual level, it was the most magical time of the year. It was the day that did not exist when the barriers between the worlds of life and death faded and the forces of chaos could invade our realms of order.
To be alone and missing at this dangerous time was to expose your spirit to the perils of the chaotic Otherworld. In present times the importance of this part of the festival has diminished for most people living in this country, but you should try to see this from the stand-point of a tribal people for whom a bad season meant facing a long winter of famine in which many would not survive to see the spring.
At this time the Spirits of the Dead and those yet to be born of the Clan walk freely amongst the living. Food and entertainment are provided in their honour. In this way the Clan is at one with its past, present and future. This level of the festival was never totally subdued by Christianity and survives today as Hallowe'en. Sadly, it has been adopted by most as the sum and total of Samhain.
the above text is [© Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust, Isle of Arran, 1992]
Start of the year?
Traditionally, the Tuatha de Bhriain celebrate the new year at Samhain, however according to notes on the Coligny Calendar on Wikipedia:
...the calendar year began with Samonios, which is usually assumed to correspond to Old Irish Samhain, giving an autumn start to the year. However, as Samon is Gaulish for summer (Lambert p.112), this assumed start is disputed. Le Contel and Verdier (1997) argue for a summer solstice start of the year. Monard (1999) argues for an autumn equinox start. Bonsing (2007) argues for a May beginning consistent with Irish Beltaine, and Fennian literature, notably Joyce (2000).