The Stag at Samhain

The Celtic Stag

THE STAG AT SAMHAIN

For several years Kim Fulton-Bennett and the late August O'Connor performed Irish music as a duo called "Dobhran" (Gaelic for "Otter") which later doubled in size to form "Blarney". Most of their tunes are traditional but a few are original compositions including one by August that she called "Samhain Damh" (Gaelic for ""The Stag at Samhain"). She intended this tune to evoke the mood of the Celtic season of Samhain (pronounced "sow-win") which we in America celebrate as Hallowe'en.

August and Kim performing as "Dobhran"

On Samhain the veils between worlds are supposed to become thinner and the Samhain Stag can be seen as either a guide or a ride between these world. When she was young, August imaged a stag with golden antlers and silver hooves that would appear at her bedroom window some nights and carry her wherever she wished to go.

The "worlds" this Samhain stag might take you to include not only the world of departed saints and sinners but also perhaps the mythical Celtic Otherworld called "Annwyn", a kind of Earthly paradise mentioned in the Welsh Mabinogion and in the Arthurian legends.

In these legends, the stag is often seen as leading brave men and women on quests of great importance, so if you are looking for adventure, this Samhain season might be a good time to request that Quest you've always wanted to be called upon to carry out.

This recording of "Samhain Damh" is taken from Dobhran's CD "Otter's Holt" and features August O'Connor on guitar and Kim Fulton-Bennett on Irish wooden flute and penny whistle.