In an ancient land, an area that is now Ireland, northern France, and the United Kingdom, the Celtic peoples, who lived 2,000 years ago, celebrated the new year on November 1st,, representing the end of the summer harvest and the beginning of the cold winter ahead. Winters were harsh and it was understood that many people would not make it through the long and often brutal season. The Celts believed the eve of the new year was a time when the veils opened between worlds and the ghosts of the dead returned to the Earth. They celebrated with a Gaelic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) that later became known as All Hallow’s Eve. The Celts sought comfort in the prophecies of Celtic and Druid priests believing the presence of spirits made it easier to predict the future. They celebrated with huge bonfires, the foretelling of fortunes, donning costumes and dancing around the sacred fires making animal sacrifices to the Celtic deities. They carved jack o’ lanterns out of large potatoes, beets or turnips and placed them by their window to scare off bad spirits. After the fires burned out and before they would retire for the night, they reignited the sacred fires to welcome in the new year and to represent protection from the coming of the long arduous winter.
These celebrations got popular in America in the mid-1800s when there was a flood of new immigrants, namely Irish fleeing the Irish Potato Famine. On All Hallows Eve, when it was believed that ghosts visited the earthly world, many immigrants believed they might encounter ghosts if they left their homes after dark so they wore masks if outside at night with the hope the ghosts might mistake them for fellow spirits. Pumpkins replaced potatoes, beets and turnips and modern-day jack o’ lanterns were born. They left treats outside their doors in an attempt to appease the ghosts to deter them from entering their homes. Candles were lit along sidewalks to help the ghosts find their way back to the Spirit world.
By the early 1900’s, the lore of the holiday had caught on in America, especially with children, who love costumes, to play games and hear their fortunes told or listen to a good ghost story. Hayrides and trick or treating replaced fortune telling and bonfire dancing. Halloween festivities eventually spread across the new land of America and by the mid-1950’s, it was a nationwide celebration. Still popular nearly a century later, while trick or treating may have lost some allure, holiday costume parties are still common among adults and children alike, both at home and at school, with many treats and fun to be shared. On line costume contests are now popular and even drive through trick or treating is an option in many places.
May your Halloween be filled with happy spirits and happy times.
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