November is a special month in European cultures, filled with lively cultural celebrations and customs. It acts as a transition period, moving away from the warmth of autumn and preparing for the chill of winter.

• In rural areas, where communities have a stronger bond with their ancestral practices, many traditions based on pre-Christian beliefs continue to be practiced.
• Urban centers may have modern versions of these celebrations, but aspects of the older pre-Christian cosmovision is often better preserved in the countryside.

Let’s explore the diverse traditions that make November such a significant month in Europe.

November Traditions in Ireland

November in Ireland is a time when ancient customs and folklore come together in a special way.

The date of the 11th of November, is known as Old Halloween, which is believed to be a time when the boundary between our world and the spirit world is particularly thin. T

his lively cultural event is filled with traditions that showcase Ireland’s rich history.

The 11th of November, however, also marks a time of autumnal feasts and celebrations, a time when meat is butchered and prepared for the community. 

In Irish, Halloween is known as Oíche Shamhna, or November Night.

1. The Sacrifice of Waterfowl

One of the most interesting customs involves the sacrifice of waterfowl, such as ducks or geese, during festivities.

Although this practice may seem strange today, it goes back to ancient rituals connected to the pagan Celtic Samhain and was meant to appease spirits and ensure a good harvest for the upcoming year.

Families would come together to participate in this communal act, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose while honoring their ancestors. Another aspect of Samhain is to celebrate and to give thanks for a fruitful harvest (Maire MacNeill, 1964).

As written in an in-depth study regarding St. Martin feast in Ireland by Billy Mac Fhloinn (2016), a goose or fowl was traditionally butchered on St. Martin’s feast.

It doesn’t end here, however. Sometimes, cattle or pigs blood would be also used. The feast had to be carried out in highly specific ways in order to protect against bad luck. 

The blood of the animal was said to have magical-protective powers, to protect against disease, death and famine. 

2. Tales from Irish Folklore

Accompanying these rituals are fascinating stories rooted in Irish folklore. On Old Halloween, it is said that fruits left unprotected can be spoiled by mischievous fairy-folk.

This belief serves as a reminder of the supernatural presence that ancient people felt in their everyday lives.

It was common for individuals to take precautions with their crops around this time, not to waste water or to go fishing, making sure that offerings were made to keep the fairies away.

3. Celebration and Superstition

The combination of celebration and superstition creates an atmosphere full of meaning.

As you explore Old Halloween traditions in Ireland, you’ll discover how these practices not only connect you to the past but also show the lasting strength of community bonds.

Engaging with these customs brings a deeper understanding of how ancient beliefs continue to shape modern life in rural areas where traditions are lovingly kept alive.

With lively celebrations echoing throughout the countryside, you can feel the heartbeat of Ireland’s culture resonating through its November traditions.

November Traditions in Scotland

In Scotland, the arrival of November brings with it a celebration steeped in folklore and community spirit, known as the “night of tricks or guising (‘galoshin’). This festive occasion, known as guising, is often compared to Halloween but carries its unique customs and significance.

The Night of Tricks

1. Children’s Festivities

On this night, children dress up in costumes, engaging in pranks, tricks and jokes. The costumes range from traditional outfits to more modern interpretations, showcasing creativity and flair.

2. Visiting Neighbors

Dressed in their finest spooky attire, kids roam through neighborhoods, knocking on doors and calling out “trick or treat.” This act fosters a strong sense of community, as neighbors come together to share treats and laughter.

3. Playful Mischief

The essence of the night extends beyond candy. Children often engage in playful tricks, such as leaving small surprises or harmless pranks for unsuspecting neighbors.

This playful spirit reflects ancient traditions where mischief-making was encouraged during seasonal celebrations.

Cultural Significance

Scottish folklore plays a vital role in shaping these traditions. Stories of supernatural beings and spirits fill the air, intertwining with the festive atmosphere.

In rural areas, you might hear tales of fairies and the mischievous actions they take on this special night.

The night of tricks serves not only as a time for enjoyment but also as a reminder of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.

It illustrates how ancient beliefs continue to influence modern-day practices, allowing communities to connect with their past while celebrating together.

As you can see, November in Scotland is vibrant and filled with life. It highlights how traditions evolve yet remain rooted in cultural significance, ensuring that each generation understands its heritage while creating joyful memories.

Waterfowl and Goose Symbolism Across Europe

The symbolism of waterfowl, particularly geese, resonates deeply throughout various European cultures.

This tradition is not limited to Ireland or Scotland; as documented by the scholar Sir James Frazer in the Golden Bough, it extends to countries such as:

• Sweden
• The Netherlands
• Denmark
• Parts of Eastern Europe

In these regions, similar customs celebrating the arrival of winter often involve waterfowl sacrifices or feasting on goose, reflecting the agricultural rhythm that marks this time of year.

Connecting these traditions to mythological figures adds a layer of intrigue.

For instance, Baba Yaga, a well-known Slavic witch, is frequently associated with both geese and magical transformations. Her legends often intertwine with themes of nature, fertility, and the supernatural.

Another fascinating figure is the Austrobavarian Perchta, known for her dual nature as a goddess and a witch in the areas of Bavaria and Austria.

She is depicted with a goose-foot, symbolizing her connection to the wild and untamed aspects of nature. Such characters are emblematic of the cultural significance attributed to geese across Europe.

The roots of these traditions can be traced even deeper into history. In Western Siberia, forest witches like Parne (Nenets) and Porne (Mansi, Khanty) are associated with waterfowl symbolism in their native mythologies.

These figures embody the ancient pagan Eurasian hunting belief systems that recognized animals as sacred entities capable of bridging the human and spiritual worlds.

As November unfolds, you may find that these symbols serve not only as markers of seasonal change but also as reflections of ancestral wisdom.

The blending of agriculture, mythology, and spirituality creates a rich tapestry that underscores the importance of waterfowl in pagan European cultural heritage.

German November Traditions

November in Germany is a month filled with rich traditions that reflect both Christian influences and ancient pagan customs.

These cultural practices offer a glimpse into the diverse ways communities celebrate this month.

The most well known tradition would be the St. Martin’s feast day that is now celebrated on the 11th of November. St. Martin died on November 8, 397, and was buried on November 11th.

St. Martin feasts and parades are well known throughout western Europe. Martin, the third bishop of Tours, was born in 316.

He was stationed in Gaul, modern day northwestern France, in the Roman army as a soldier when he experienced a vision. He met a beggar in the cold and dark days.

Martin cut his military cloak and shared it with the man in need. Saint Martin feasts and parades take place on this date because in the context of Christian theology, it was on that night that Jesus Christ appeared to Martin.

Sankt Martinsumzug

One highlight of November is Sankt Martinsumzug, or St. Martin’s Procession. This Christian tradition honors Saint Martin, known for his acts of kindness and charity.

The event typically takes place on November 11th, featuring children parading through towns with lanterns they’ve crafted themselves.

• The processions often involve songs and stories about St. Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar.
• In rural areas, the celebration incorporates older customs, emphasizing community spirit and shared heritage.

The November Goose

The tradition of feasting on goose during November is another noteworthy aspect of German culture. Known as “Martinsgans,” this culinary delight stems from historical practices linked to St. Martin’s Day.

• Families gather to enjoy roasted goose, often accompanied by dumplings and red cabbage.
• This meal symbolizes abundance and gratitude as winter approaches.

Turnip Lanterns (Rübengeister)

A charming custom associated with this time of year is the carving of turnips into lanterns, known as Rübengeister.

This custom is particularly found in southern Germany in the Swabian regions of western Bavaria and the state of Baden-Württemberg.

• Children engage in this activity, crafting spooky faces to light up their homes and to engage in nightly parades and walks with turnip lanterns. Special children songs are sung for the turnip-ghosts.
• These turnip lanterns serve a dual purpose: illuminating the dark evenings and creating an atmosphere of festivity.

As children carry their lanterns around neighborhoods, they ask for treats such as butter, bread, and cheese.

This practice not only reflects communal sharing but also underscores the importance of food offerings during this time.

Carnival in Germany

Different cultural regions in Germany have different variants of Carnival with the Swabian/Allemannic ‘Fasnet’ / ‘Fasnacht’ Carnival having the strongest evidence for pagan pre-Christian origins.

Another significant event that marks November is the Fasnet Carnival, which begins on November 11th at 11 o’clock sharp. This lively festival features colorful masks and folkloric characters that embody local myths and legends.

• Local communities showcase elaborate costumes and performances that harken back to pre-Christian festivities.
• The carnival serves as a playful reminder of ancient customs celebrating the transition from autumn to winter.

These traditions highlight the richness of German culture in November, blending past beliefs with present-day celebrations.

Each practice invites you to explore deeper connections between history and community life while enjoying the warmth of shared experiences during this chilly month.

The Historical Significance of November

There are many other traditions, for instance, the Bavarian Wolfauslassen tradition that takes place on the 11th of November and corresponds to the Almabtrieb which means that cattle and livestock is taken from the higher pastures and led back into barns and stables for the winter.

This has been also documented in the Baltic such as in Latvia.

The question is why all these traditions fall on the same time of the year and even on the same date of the year.

November holds a unique place in the cultural tapestry of pre-Christian Celts and Germanic tribes. This month signified not merely a transition in seasons but also marked profound shifts in lifestyle and spiritual practices.

The reason why may have to do with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar as directed by Pope Gregory XIII in the papal bull Inter gravissimas.

The calendar we use today and how we calculate the year into 4 seasons, 12 months, is not the same way that pagan Europe calculated the year!

In fact, it was introduced by the Catholic Church.

In Ireland, for instance, this took place in 1752. In Continental Europe, many areas adopted the Gregorian calendar as early as 1582.

Seasonal Calendar

• The ancient calendar was typically divided into two main seasons: Summer and Winter.
• November, often seen as the threshold to Winter, was celebrated as the start of the new year. This timing reflects a deep connection to nature’s cycles, where the end of the harvest season transitions into a period of rest and reflection.

Hunting Season

• This month heralded the beginning of hunting activities.
• Communities relied heavily on hunting as a means of sustenance during the harsh winter months. The timing was not arbitrary; it aligned with animal behaviors, ensuring that hunters would find their prey more accessible.

The significance of November extended beyond practical concerns. It served as a reminder of life’s cyclical nature and the importance of preparation for the future.

In many ways, these ancient customs resonate with modern celebrations that still take place across Europe today.

Many traditions may have evolved or adapted over time, but they often maintain threads connecting back to these earlier practices.

You might notice that contemporary festivities are infused with echoes of ancient rituals, keeping alive a sense of connection to our ancestors and the earth’s rhythms.

Conclusion

Preserving cultural traditions is extremely important in our modern world. These customs not only make our lives better but also connect us to our ancestors and their beliefs.

• Rural areas are vital in keeping these ancient practices alive, protecting the essence of heritage that urban environments often ignore.
• By discovering and valuing these distinct celebrations, you play a part in ensuring the survival of history and culture.

Get involved with local traditions, understand their stories, and fully accept the lively European heritage that flourishes in November. Keep in mind that every celebration is a thread linking the past and present together.

There are pagan traditions, customs and beliefs that have survived in rural areas that do not exist in the classical mythologies.

They are not to be found in the Eddas, the Roman writings, or Icelandic sagas.

However, they belonged to the rural agricultural people, in areas where there was less pressure by the Church, and where pagan beliefs could survive more easily due to the fact that livestock herding, agriculture or hunting continued to be practiced.

Despite the lack of written evidence in traditional texts, the significance of these harvest festivals cannot be undermined.

They were deeply rooted in the lives of rural communities, serving as important markers in their agricultural calendars.

The survival of these celebrations despite religious influence reflects the resilience and determination of these communities to preserve their ancestral customs.

MacNeill’s study sheds light on the rich cultural heritage associated with harvest festivities, revealing a complex tapestry of beliefs and traditions that endure to this day.

Further reading, References and other literature:

MacNeill, Máire. The Festival of Lughnasa: A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest. Oxford University Press, 1962. P.426

Mag Fhloinn, Billy. (2016). Blood rite: The feast of ST. Martin In Ireland. 156. 1-345.Edited by Satu Apo, Hermann Bausinger, Thomas A. Dubois & Pekka Hakamies Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia Folklore Fellows’ Communications 310.

Frazer, James George, 1854-1941. The Golden Bough; a Study in Magic and Religion. [New York] :[The Macmillan Company], 1935.

Glassie, H. (1985). Irish folktales. New York: Pantheon Book

Henry Glassie (1982) Irish Folk History: Tales from the North. University of Pennsylvania Press; Revised ed. Edition

Mallory, J. P. (1991). In search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, archaeology and myth. London: Thames and Hudson.

Rogers, N. (2002). Halloween: From pagan ritual to party night. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Mullally, E. (2016). SAMHAIN REVIVAL. Archaeology, 69(6), 34-37. Retrieved July 6, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/26348788