Editing Samhain (section)

===Livestock===
Traditionally, Samhain was a time to take stock of the herds and food supplies. Cattle were brought down to the winter pastures after six months in the higher summer pastures (see [[transhumance]]).<ref name=monaghan407/> It was also the time to choose which animals would be slaughtered. This custom is still observed by many who farm and raise livestock.<ref name="O"/><ref name="McNeill">McNeill, F. Marian (1961, 1990) ''The Silver Bough'', Vol. 3. William MacLellan, Glasgow {{ISBN|0-948474-04-1}} pp. 11–46</ref> It is thought that some of the rituals associated with the slaughter have been transferred to other winter holidays. On [[St. Martin's Day]] (11 November) in Ireland, an animal—usually a [[rooster]], [[domestic goose|goose]], or sheep—would be slaughtered and some of its blood sprinkled on the [[threshold (architecture)|threshold]] of the house. It was offered to [[Martin of Tours|Saint Martin]], who may have taken the place of a god or gods,<ref name="macculloch">MacCulloch, John Arnott (1911). ''The Religion of the Ancient Celts''. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/rac/rac21.htm Chapter 18: Festivals].</ref> and it was then eaten as part of a feast. This custom was common in parts of Ireland until the 19th century,<ref>Hutton, ''The Stations of the Sun'', p. 386</ref> and was found in other parts of Europe. At New Year in the [[Hebrides]], a man dressed in a cowhide would circle the township [[sunwise]]. A bit of the hide would be burnt, and everyone would breathe in the smoke.<ref name=macculloch/> These customs were meant to keep away bad luck, and similar customs were found in other Celtic regions.<ref name=macculloch/>