The Cross Quarter of Samhain Examined
October 30, 2016
G.D.O'Bradovich III
the essay
As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, we are mindful that Halloween is a cross quarter day that falls almost equidistant between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Historians relate the belief that the Roman catholic church converted the ancient pagan holiday of Samhain into the day dedicated to All Saints. (There are two varieties of saints, those known to the church and have a dedicated feast day; and those saints unknown to the church acknowledged on All Saints Day.)
Historians assure us that the pre-Christian world determined the duration of the solar year and the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. However, upon reflection, we find these readily available facts and explanations insufficient. If the pagans could determine the duration of the solar year, then we are puzzled that they were unable to count the number of days from the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice and divide this number in half to arrive at a more accurate date for the cross quarter, approximately November 5. ( 90 days divided by 2= 45 days. September 21 +9 days+ 31 days of October+ 5 days equals November 5)
Based on this inconsistency between the supposed high degree of astronomical precision and the inability to determine a more accurate date for the autumnal cross quarter, we suggest the Roman church chose November 1 as All Saints Day independent of and without any pagan influence Only later, would various commentators suggest both the pagan origin of November 1 and cross quarter days. We note that all of the cross quarter days are fixed days ( May 1, August 1, November 1 and February 2).
With the incredible scientific achievements in the pagan world, we wonder why the cross quarter days are fixed days. The dates of the solstices and equinoxes are not fixed and it follows that the accurate midpoints cannot be fixed dates.
We doubt the supposed coexistence of a high state of astronomical precision that determined the duration of the solar year and the inability to determine appropriate cross quarter days. Therefore, we suggest November 1 has been the celebration of All Saints in the western church since time immemorial, and the previous day, October 31, is the eve of All Saints Day, as December 24 is Christmas eve. The suggestions regarding the pagan origin of Halloween and the ancient existence of cross quarter days cannot be verified.
While we do not promote or advocate the Papal Religious Order, we find the accusation that the Roman catholic church is founded upon pre-Christian concepts, such as Halloween, to be an unjust supposition. In various essays, we have discussed Roman catholic innovations and Papal dogmas since the year 1500- the immortal soul, the Biblical canon, the immaculate conception, Papal infallibility and the assumption of Mary. If one accepts any of these revelations of the Roman church, then one must acknowledge the authority of the Roman church regarding these revelations; to do otherwise indicates a flaw in one's reasoning. Interestingly, the Orthodox Church has offered neither further revelations of Christian truth nor created new dogmas since the year 1500.
Although the suggestion of the pagan origins of the Roman Catholic holiday of All Saints Day seems reasonable, upon reflection, there are glaring inconsistencies. It is clear that the ancients determined one duration of the solar year (the Julian calendar of 365.25 days exactly). The pagan holiday of Samhain must have appeared after the creation of All Saints Day, otherwise, Samhain would either be a moveable feast or be closer to November 5 and not be the same day as All Saints Day. If the creation of Samhain was to celebrate the cross quarter day, then Samhain would have been fixed to a later, and more accurate, date. Since Samhain is not celebrated on November 5, we must conclude that the cross quarter explanation is an attempt, firstly, to create the seemingly reasonable explanation of the pagan origins of Halloween and, secondly, to reinforce the suggestion that the Roman church is only an updated or modern version paganism.
We note that the Orthodox church observes All Saints Day on the Sunday following Easter. In the Orthodox tradition, All Saints Day is a moveable holy day that is explicitly related to the past Resurrection of Christ and implicitly to the future resurrection of the Orthodox faithful.
We conclude with following general observations. In the Orthodox tradition, All Saints Day is observed when daylight hours are increasing and vegetation is "bursting into life". We find these facts to be consistent with the Orthodox view of the general resurrection- hope and life everlasting with the Master.
In contrast, All Saints Day in the western church is marked by the withering and dying of vegetation and increasing darkness. Historically, the Roman catholic view of the Final Judgment is one of trepidation, it is "that day of wrath...of trouble and distress...a day of darkness and gloominess." Assuredly, Halloween must have been darker and gloomier before the Roman church removed ten days from the calendar in the year 1582.
Historians assure us that the pre-Christian world determined the duration of the solar year and the dates of the solstices and equinoxes. However, upon reflection, we find these readily available facts and explanations insufficient. If the pagans could determine the duration of the solar year, then we are puzzled that they were unable to count the number of days from the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice and divide this number in half to arrive at a more accurate date for the cross quarter, approximately November 5. ( 90 days divided by 2= 45 days. September 21 +9 days+ 31 days of October+ 5 days equals November 5)
Based on this inconsistency between the supposed high degree of astronomical precision and the inability to determine a more accurate date for the autumnal cross quarter, we suggest the Roman church chose November 1 as All Saints Day independent of and without any pagan influence Only later, would various commentators suggest both the pagan origin of November 1 and cross quarter days. We note that all of the cross quarter days are fixed days ( May 1, August 1, November 1 and February 2).
With the incredible scientific achievements in the pagan world, we wonder why the cross quarter days are fixed days. The dates of the solstices and equinoxes are not fixed and it follows that the accurate midpoints cannot be fixed dates.
We doubt the supposed coexistence of a high state of astronomical precision that determined the duration of the solar year and the inability to determine appropriate cross quarter days. Therefore, we suggest November 1 has been the celebration of All Saints in the western church since time immemorial, and the previous day, October 31, is the eve of All Saints Day, as December 24 is Christmas eve. The suggestions regarding the pagan origin of Halloween and the ancient existence of cross quarter days cannot be verified.
While we do not promote or advocate the Papal Religious Order, we find the accusation that the Roman catholic church is founded upon pre-Christian concepts, such as Halloween, to be an unjust supposition. In various essays, we have discussed Roman catholic innovations and Papal dogmas since the year 1500- the immortal soul, the Biblical canon, the immaculate conception, Papal infallibility and the assumption of Mary. If one accepts any of these revelations of the Roman church, then one must acknowledge the authority of the Roman church regarding these revelations; to do otherwise indicates a flaw in one's reasoning. Interestingly, the Orthodox Church has offered neither further revelations of Christian truth nor created new dogmas since the year 1500.
Although the suggestion of the pagan origins of the Roman Catholic holiday of All Saints Day seems reasonable, upon reflection, there are glaring inconsistencies. It is clear that the ancients determined one duration of the solar year (the Julian calendar of 365.25 days exactly). The pagan holiday of Samhain must have appeared after the creation of All Saints Day, otherwise, Samhain would either be a moveable feast or be closer to November 5 and not be the same day as All Saints Day. If the creation of Samhain was to celebrate the cross quarter day, then Samhain would have been fixed to a later, and more accurate, date. Since Samhain is not celebrated on November 5, we must conclude that the cross quarter explanation is an attempt, firstly, to create the seemingly reasonable explanation of the pagan origins of Halloween and, secondly, to reinforce the suggestion that the Roman church is only an updated or modern version paganism.
We note that the Orthodox church observes All Saints Day on the Sunday following Easter. In the Orthodox tradition, All Saints Day is a moveable holy day that is explicitly related to the past Resurrection of Christ and implicitly to the future resurrection of the Orthodox faithful.
We conclude with following general observations. In the Orthodox tradition, All Saints Day is observed when daylight hours are increasing and vegetation is "bursting into life". We find these facts to be consistent with the Orthodox view of the general resurrection- hope and life everlasting with the Master.
In contrast, All Saints Day in the western church is marked by the withering and dying of vegetation and increasing darkness. Historically, the Roman catholic view of the Final Judgment is one of trepidation, it is "that day of wrath...of trouble and distress...a day of darkness and gloominess." Assuredly, Halloween must have been darker and gloomier before the Roman church removed ten days from the calendar in the year 1582.