Souls of Samhain

The «Souls of Samhain» in Ireland refer to the Celtic belief that spirits of the dead could cross into the world of the living during the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the winter.  To protect themselves, the Celts lit large bonfires and wore costumes made of animal hides to ward off or disguise themselves from evil spirits, while offerings of food were left to appease benevolent spirits and ancestors.