Changes

== Origins ==

== Origins ==

Garrett Olmsted of Cornell University argues that Samhain was originally observed on the winter solstice (December 21) and gradually shifted to November 1 after centuries of calendar drift.<ref name="Olmsted"/> It is sometimes suggested, especially by neo-pagans, that the Celts intended to select a date halfway between the equinox and the solstice. By this logic, November 7 is the "real" date of Samhain.

Garrett Olmsted of Cornell University argues that Samhain was once observed on the winter solstice (December 21) and gradually shifted to November 1 after centuries of calendar drift.<ref name="Olmsted"/> It is sometimes suggested, especially by neo-pagans, that the Celts intended to select a date halfway between the equinox and the solstice. By this logic, November 7 is the "real" date of Samhain.

Samhain may have existed for a some time as a marker for the first day of winter before there was a festival. ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban'', written in AD 540‐615, is the oldest source to describe November 1 as the first day of winter. The earliest mention of Samhain is found in the ninth century text ''Felire Oengusso.'' It spells the word as "Samain." November 1 was Christianized as All Saints Day in the eighth century.<ref>“Rule 7: … up to the beginning of winter, that is, the first of November.” ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban''.<br/>“Lonán, Colmán, Cronán with their bright sunny following the hosts of Hilarius sure multitudinous ennoble stormy All‐Saints’ day [Samain].” ''Felire Oengusso.''</ref><ref name="Morgan">Morgan, Bernard, "[https://www.academia.edu/30803038/The_semantic_shift_of_Samain_from_Summer_to_Winter The semantic shift of Samain from Summer to Winter]".</ref>

Samhain may have existed for a some time as a marker for the first day of winter before there was a festival. ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban'', written in AD 540‐615, is the oldest source to describe November 1 as the first day of winter. The earliest mention of Samhain is found in the ninth century text ''Felire Oengusso.'' It spells the word as "Samain." November 1 was Christianized as All Saints Day in the eighth century.<ref>“Rule 7: … up to the beginning of winter, that is, the first of November.” ''Regula Coenobialis of St Columban''.<br/>“Lonán, Colmán, Cronán with their bright sunny following the hosts of Hilarius sure multitudinous ennoble stormy All‐Saints’ day [Samain].” ''Felire Oengusso.''</ref><ref name="Morgan">Morgan, Bernard, "[https://www.academia.edu/30803038/The_semantic_shift_of_Samain_from_Summer_to_Winter The semantic shift of Samain from Summer to Winter]".</ref>