FSC611 Samhain

The Hill of Tlachtga (Hill of Ward )in County Meath, the ringfort built on the hill was associated not only with the kings of Mide, but also with Munster as well. The major festival on Tlachtga was the Druids lighting of the winter fires at Samhain (November 1) and probably lasted for least several days, centring on the god Lugh. Tlachtga is clearly visible from Tara and the fire lit on the eve of Samhain was a prelude to the Samhain Festival at Tara. The site takes it name from Tlachtga (Her name means “Earth Spear”) the daughter of the Druid Mug Ruith a blind man, taught his daughter Tlachtga all his skills, and became a powerful druidess in Irish mythology.Tlachtga can be seen as a goddess of death and rebirth as well as the sun and lightning.

The ancient Celts wore masks and costumes to disguise themselves from spirits or fairies, a practice that evolved into "guising".In terms of the symbolic meaning of orange and black for Halloween, Bannatyne points to the former being representative of darkness (Halloween was always thought of as a night-time holiday) while orange is the color of fire and the fall season since the hue is reminiscent of harvest.