Changes

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.

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>

The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name is influenced by Latin ''Kalends'' and refers to the first day of winter. The Britons, ancestors of the Welsh, converted to the Julian calendar several centuries before the Irish did, which was around AD 450. So the dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect British practice.

The Welsh observe ''Calan Gaeaf'' on November 1. This name is influenced by Latin ''Kalends'' and refers to the first day of winter. The Britons, ancestors of the Welsh, converted to the Julian calendar several centuries before the Irish did, which was around AD 450. So the dates for Celtic winter and summer may reflect British practice.