India, Oct. 30 -- As Halloween approaches this Saturday, October 31, 2026, many people will celebrate with costumes, candy and spooky decorations. But the date also holds spiritual meaning for people who observe Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival linked to the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

Samhain carries a long history of beliefs about the dead, ancestral connections and the spirit world. Today, some modern Pagan and Wiccan communities use this time to remember loved ones and reflect on the cycle of life. Here is why Samhain remains meaningful and how its traditions connect with Halloween.

Samhain, pronounced "SOW-in," marks the seasonal shift from autumn toward winter. According to HISTORY, the festival tradi...