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of loved ones at the Samhain meal. At the stroke of midnight believed to be the hour of the dead all remained silent as a mark of respect.

Soul Cakes' were often given to participants of Samhain festivities. Each cake had a small lucky or unlucky token' encased within. A coin for fortune, a button for remaining unwed, a ring for marriage, a wishbone for your heart's desire, or a pea for poverty.

To see the face of your true love, eat an apple at midnight whilst combing your hair in front of a mirror by the light of a black and red candle.

Think of a question you would like the answer to then light a white candle. Pour the melted wax from this candle into a silver bowl full of water. The shape it suggests is the answer. All kind of future events can be divined in this way.

If you catch a falling leaf before it touches the ground on Samhain night, it will bring you luck for the coming winter

It was said that Elves road on the backs of the village cats throughout England on Samhain night. The cats had fun making lots of noise and mischief, but the villagers did not and would lock their cats in the house so that the Elves could not catch them.

At midnight go to a quiet place out doors, like a forest or a meadow, and listen carefully. You should be able to hear the voices of the faeries can be heard whispering truths in the wind.

Children were warned not to sit in circles of yellow and white flowers where faeries have danced for fear that they would be stolen away. It was also thought bad luck to sit under the hawthorn tree as faeries loved to dance on them and if they saw you they would become angry.

All those born on Samhain were thought to have the power of second sight

On the morning of November 1st a silver coin was thrown though the front door of the house for financial good luck.

As It Is Now

Despite the fact that Samhain has been tainted by Christian views and commercialism, most of the old traditions still remain.

Although most people probably do not realise the meaning behind these surviving customs, they can still enjoy them, and in doing so keep them alive for future generations.

Samhain will never die out completely despite orthodox religion and the media's best efforts to demean the significance of this time of year.

As long as there are still people who believe in the ancient ways, the true spirit of this festival will never be forgotten.

Learn more about this author, Nicola Windmill.
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