The Celts celebrated the ending and the beginning of the year at Samhain (Sah-win) on the evening before the 1st November each year. On the even of Samhain the veil between this world and the Otherworld thins to a most fragile weave; a powerful time for journeying into the unknown. It marks a movement inwards; a time to welcome the coming darkness of winter and the spiritual journey of withdrawing; to the self. The winter months are under the rulership of Cailleach, the old woman of winter. In various Celtic traditions she is believed to live near to lochs and mountains. In Scotland she is known as Vera the spiky one.