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Anyone who knows me well can tell you that Halloween is my favorite holiday! From the carved pumpkins to the Halloween decorations, having a horror movie countdown to Halloween (each night from Oct 1st to Oct 31st), making costume pieces, and attending Halloween parties. And it takes place in the Fall Season: my favorite time of year.
The History of Halloween
Halloween has its’ roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced like “sow-wen” or “sah-win”…. not “sam-hain”). This festival marked the end of the Old Year, as well as the end of the Harvest Season. It was a time of feasting and bonfires, and honoring those who had recently passed away, as well as honoring one’s ancestors. In fact, some of the Neolithic tombs in Ireland and Great Britian are aligned with the sunrise during Samhain-tide. This was a time when the spirits of one’s ancestors would be visiting this side of the veil, and the living family would make food and offerings to appease their spirits. There was also a belief that those spirits might take you back to the land of the dead if they were to recognize you, so there was a tradition of wearing masks and disguises in order for the living to feast with their departed relatives.
In the 800s, the Christian church began to celebrate the feast days of All Saint’s Day on Nov 1st and All Soul’s Day on Nov 2nd. All Saint’s Day was done to honor the martyrs and saints of the Christian church, and All Soul’s Day was done to honor all of those dearly departed. Some of the traditions connected to these holy days included cleaning the gravesites, offering flowers and candles, sharing a meal and drinks at the gravesite of their family members, and giving soul cakes to the poor and to children. In some villages, the children would go door to door, asking for soul cakes in exchange for songs and prayers. This time of year began to be known as All Hallow’s Tide, and the night before the Feast of All Saints became known as Halloween.
Jack O’Lanterns
The first Jack O’ Lanterns were carved out of turnips, in the Celtic regions of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. These would be set out on the doorways and lit with candles to ward off the evil spirits that walked at night. There are quite a few folktales about a character named Stingy Jack. According to Irish folklore, Stingy Jack bested the Devil, trapping him into the form of a coin. The Devil bargained with the very shrewd Jack in order to get his freedom. And every 10 years or so, the Devil would meet up with Jack, and Jack would best him once again. Eventually Stingy Jack died, but because of his sinful lifestyle “Heaven wouldn’t take him and the Devil didn’t want him”. So he was doomed for all eternity to wander the Earth, with a carved turnip lit by the coals of Hell to guide his way.
When the Irish came to the New World, they brought the story of Stingy Jack and the tradition of carving turnips with them. In time, they began to use pumpkins instead of turnips. FYI: pumpkins are much easier to carve.
Witches and Black Cats
Witches and Black Cats are one of the most iconic symbols of Halloween. The belief in witches and witchcraft goes back to ancient times. Stories of witches and their animal familiars have existed almost as long as humanity has. Often times those who were labelled as “witches” were practitioners of older traditions that had fallen out of favor, or those who were midwives, healers, and herbalists, relied upon by society but living on the outer edges of it. They were treated with suspicion, and in some time periods suffered at the hands of their fellow human beings. The European Witch trials and the Salem Witch trials led to the execution of many innocent people.
The iconic Halloween Witch is probably based upon Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz”.
Black Cats are often considered the most popular animal associated with witches and with Halloween. In some cultures, they are considered bad luck. But in the Celtic countries, a black cat crossing your path is actually considered good luck. Unfortunately, during this time of year, black cats are often injured and harmed by those who are ignorant. Please don’t harm the Kitties!
Trick or Treats
This tradition has its’ roots in Ireland and Scotland where people would go door to door, offering verses and songs in exchange for food or treats. This is also connected to the above mentioned tradition of “soul cakes”. The Halloween Season was also known as a time of mischief and pranks. Eventually some of this mischief led to vandalism and property damage. Because of this, many communities in the Eastern and Midwestern United States in the 1940s, offered Halloween costume parades, community parties, and trick or treating door to door.
And this leads us to our modern holiday of Halloween: a time for all that is spooky and mysterious, a time for costumes and candy….although there are those of us that still take this time of year as a time to honor our dearly departed family members, friends, and our ancestors.
Oiche Shamhna shona duit! (Happy Halloween to you! in Gaelic)
Halloween History Book Recommendations