The division of the year into two halves—light and dark—is a profound concept rooted in the cycles of nature and reflected in the myths of Éire and Prydain. This binary understanding of time is not merely a practical agricultural tool but a spiritual framework that mirrors the cosmological and social order of ancient Celtic societies. The transitions between these halves, marked by festivals like Samhain and Beltane, hold deep significance, resonating with themes of life, death, and rebirth.
The year is traditionally divided into two parts:
The Dark Half: Spanning from Samhain (October 31st or November 1st) to Beltane (May 1st), this is the time of dormancy and introspection. It is associated with death, the Otherworld, and the ancestors.
The Light Half: From Beltane to Samhain, this is the season of growth, vitality, and outward action. It corresponds to life, community, and prosperity.
This binary division reflects the agricultural and pastoral cycles. The dark half begins with the descent into winter, when livestock were brought in and life turned inward. The light half marks the time of growth and labour, when communities prepared for the harvest and the return of the cold season.
Samhain marks the beginning of the dark half. It is a liminal period, where the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. In Irish mythology, Samhain is often portrayed as a time of chaos and transformation. For instance:
In the Ulster Cycle, the epic tale of Táin Bó Cúailnge begins and ends at Samhain, emphasizing its role as a threshold for significant events.
The Dagda is said to meet the Morrígan during Samhain, symbolizing the union of sovereignty and the land.
The dark half encourages reflection, honouring ancestors, and preparing for challenges ahead. It is a time to confront the unknown, much like the hero journeys into the Otherworld in myths.
Beltane, by contrast, celebrates the renewal of life and the arrival of the light half. Associated with fertility, protection, and community bonding, Beltane rituals often centred around fire. In Irish sources, the Druids would light sacred bonfires, and cattle were driven between them to ensure health and fertility. The Welsh mythological cycle also reflects the significance of this transition. In the Mabinogion, the tale of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed involves a year-and-a-day period that echoes seasonal cycles. Rhiannon, a sovereignty goddess, embodies the interplay between abundance and decline, mirroring the shift from dark to light.
This division of the year is more than just practical—it is deeply symbolic. Celtic cosmology often revolves around dualities, such as:
The cycles of light and dark parallel the themes of mortality and immortality found in myths. For example, the Irish concept of imbas (inspiration) often emerges from the darkness of the Otherworld, much like wisdom drawn from winter’s introspection.
The transitions between light and dark are liminal times, marked by rituals to ward off chaos and ensure harmony. These thresholds embody our respect for boundaries and their crossing.
The ancestors understood time as cyclical, not linear. The alternation between light and dark is a reminder of balance: both halves are necessary for the continuity of life. Just as Beltane's fires bring vitality, Samhain’s dark stillness offers a moment to honour the past and prepare for renewal.
By reconnecting with this ancient worldview, modern practitioners can deepen their understanding of natural rhythms and their own spiritual journeys. The light half may bring growth, but it is the lessons of the dark half that nurture resilience and wisdom.
This harmonious dance of opposites, preserved in myth and ritual, remains at the heart of Insular spirituality—a timeless reflection of life’s ever-turning wheel.
