Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival observed in Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Scotland, celebrated every October 31 through the night of November 1. This festival marks the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of the darker period of the year. Historically, it involved bringing cattle from summer pastures to winter pastures and selecting animals for slaughter, with big bonfires playing a significant role in the rituals. Although today bonfires are lit only in some regions, people still take flames from these fires back to their homes as a symbol of the sun. Samhain has pre-Christian roots and is often confused with Halloween, which emerged from the merging of Samhain and All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2. Despite its historical significance, Samhain has never been associated with mysticism or the supernatural.