Samhain vs halloween

[Yvonne Belisle]

I am noticing that many people mistakenly believe that all pagans consider this to be New Years. I find it a bit annoying when people make assumptions or tell me I can't be something because such and such site says it is so. I went to some of the sites and found it claimed it as new years for celtic traditions or traditions that had heavy celtic leanings. Has anyone else noticed this? Also how many others see it differently than those who see it as new years?

[Ariancraidd]

I have noticed it, too, Yvonne. The closed-mindedness of some people never ceases to amaze me. Their way or the highway. They're right, everyone else is wrong. blah blah blah I'm a Yule-is-the-New-Year type, myself.

::many people mistakenly believe that all pagans consider this to be New Years.::

Many people also mistakenly believe that all Pagans are Wiccan. And that all Pagans follow the Rede and the 3-fold Law. All of this - thank the gods - just isn't true. Wicca is a subset of Paganism. We're not all Wiccan, nor do we want or even need to be. Paganism is full of all sorts of different flavors.

[Yvonne Belisle]

I think all the variety gives it more flavor.

[Ariancraidd]

Life would be boring if indeed we were all the same and did the same things. What would be the point?

[Mythrel]

guess, I'm boring...I think Jan 1st is new years...but then again, I don't have a problem with the calendar...

:lol:

[shnen]

I'll take as many new years as I can get ;) chinese, wiccan, pagan, christian, whatever... its all about diversity and accepting other cultures, you dont have to believe them, but you can still learn from them... :)

[Faery-Wings]

I agree, some people, not all thankfully, lump all Pagans in together. I persoanlly love the fact that I can belive what I want and no one can tell me it is right or wrong.

I tend to think of Samhain as an ending of a year. The new year doesn't really start for me until the Sun God is born at Yule. The period between the two is sort of a waiting period. A time of reflection on the passing seasons, as well as anticipation to the new ones. Makes no sense to anyone but me but it works. :)

[Ariancraidd]

Originally posted by shnen
I'll take as many new years as I can get ;) chinese, wiccan, pagan, christian, whatever... its all about diversity and accepting other cultures, you dont have to believe them, but you can still learn from them... :)

I agree - but saying that *all* Pagans celebrate the New Year at Samhain is just totally incorrect information. And that's the issue.

[MammaStar]

Originally posted by chryssi1
....I tend to think of Samhain as an ending of a year. The new year doesn't really start for me until the Sun God is born at Yule. The period between the two is sort of a waiting period. A time of reflection on the passing seasons, as well as anticipation to the new ones. Makes no sense to anyone but me but it works. :)

Ditto that. My Mom is one of those people that thinks Samhain is the new year for me. Even though I've explained it to her. She also tells everyone I'm Wiccan. I don't consider myself Wiccan however, it annoys me because I don't go around saying she's a Catholic. I don't think she should be "outing" me to total strangers (her co-workers, school mates, etc.) when I haven't even stepped out of the Closet in my own life. Ya know what I mean?

[Yvonne Belisle]

Isn't life fun sometimes

[shnen]

Originally posted by Ariancraidd
I agree - but saying that *all* Pagans celebrate the New Year at Samhain is just totally incorrect information. And that's the issue.

yes i agree, but that is their close mindedness, or lack of knowledge... you will always have that...

jsut like how I was raissed thinking all catholics paryed to Mary and thought to Pope was the only one who could talk to "god".
I wasn't raised catholic, have no clue about the religion, but after saying that to a friend raised catholic she almost peed her pants laughing at my mistake.

[Yvonne Belisle]

I just got really ticked when one pagan had the nerve to say to myself and a high priestess of another pagan faith that we couldn't possibly know what we were talking about because other sites said it was a pagan holiday period and in an increadably rude manner too. :( That is like saying someone can't be human because the site that they went to said all humans had 2 tails. It is wrong but they were not willing to hear that. Instead they attacked questioning what we were and I got royally ticked off :(

[shnen]

OK, now that I can't believe... they need a good Ole slap across the face...

[Skye]

For myself, I start my new year at Samhain, but I like to celebrate on Dec. 31 with the rest of you:D

Its all a matter of tradition, and everyone has a right to that!

[Pan]

I celebrate the New Year on Dec 31/Jan 1. But I also think that Samhain - then is a waiting period, too. Just like Chrissy! Makes total sense, dear. ;)

I don't know.. but I've seen a lot of Celtic sites saying that the new year is on Samhain, too.. over and over and over...

[HallsOfAvalon]

People should never tell you how they think you should live your life.

I don't really see it as a "New Years" but it was considered to be for some. I do see it as the entering of the Dark part of the year. (Which, I guess, is Celtic)

[Faery-Wings]

Wow! People understand my thinking! :D

very cool!

[Yvonne Belisle]

:D

[Emerald Oak]

Originally posted by Yvonne Thomas
That is like saying someone can't be human because the site that they went to said all humans had 2 tails.

Not to mention we're all Satanists because their parents say so ;)