The Pre-Christian Celts had a different concept of death than that of Christians or other modern peoples. Death was considered a continuation of life. (Much as modern Pagans view the Wheel of Life) Friends and family who had died were viewed not with fear, but were thought to continue much as they had during life. They were believed to enjoy the same things they had loved in life and to continue to have an interest in those who had been left behind.
Samhain was seen as an opportunity to spend time with those who had gone before. It was also believed that those who had gone through the veil could give information concerning the future to those who continued in the fleshy world. It was considered an auspicious time to consult oracles and predict the future.
This was also the time of the Wild Hunt. (As was Midsummer's Eve--another time when the veil between the worlds was thin.) Humans who were abroad with the Wild Hunt could be caught up in the mad rush and taken to Faeryland.
Though the Celts did not fear their own dead, they did fear the Faeries.
Our ancestors did not see the Faeries as tiny winged creatures fluttering around in gardens. This was an image which the Victorians gave them. The Faeries were originally forces of nature which were both frightening and potentially dangerous.
Much of the fear that has been attributed to the Dead on Samhain, had originally been generated by the Wild Hunt and other spirits which were still believed to be abroad on this night.
Though there were many different kinds of faeries and some of them were thought to be benevelent, most were considered frightening or dangerous to humans. At the very least, the Fae were defintely "inhumane" to those unlucky enough to encounter them. Any human who was taken by the Wild Hunt would be gone for at least seven years, if not forever. It was believed that those who saw the Fae riding past would go mad.
The Irish believed that the denizens of Faery, whom they called the Sidhe, were survivors of a great war, which had taken place between the Tuatha de Danu (Children of the Goddess Danu) and Humans called "Gaels" or "Milaseans" (translated to mean "soldiers of Spain").
When the terms of peace were set, the Humans were given the lands above ground and the Sidhe were given the lands below ground.This could partially explain the animosity between Humans and Faeries. As protagonists in this great war, there continued to be distrust and retaliation between the two races even after the war ended.
The Irish believed that both lands existed simultaniously in the Irish countryside and that it was possible to enter the land of the Sidhe at certain times such as the full moon, Midsummer's Eve and Samhain Eve.
Though early Irish tales include many accounts of meetings and even marriages between humans and the Sidhe, most tales show the two races as adversaries.
Something Grandma would like you to think about...
History is written by the victors.
Modern peoples tend to think of Fairytales as children's stories dealing with cute, tiny, nature spirits with limited magic powers. As with most things that have come down to us from antiquity, the legends of the Fae have been adapted to modern tastes and sensiblities. The modern versions have often been "cleaned up" to suit Victorian and Post-WWII tastes.
It is interesting to read these tales in their original forms. Many of them deal not only with magic, but with cannibalism, greed, murder, racial conflict, infidelity and child abuse in many forms. The original tales were intended as cautionary tales or entertainment for Adults, not children!
When you read these stories as an adult, try to read between the lines.The Fae have been as maligned as witches were during the middle ages. Become familiar with fairytales and they can help you understand more about human beings. That is why they have survived through industrialization, war, and famine! The stories have meaning for all of us, but they will mean something far different to you as an adult than they will to your children.
Visit Lavalaise for information about the Fae.