The name Halloween originates from that old English term All Hallows E’en. It comes in the eve of the All Saint’s Day that falls on November One in the Church calendar. However, you may be wondering how a nights witches, skeletons and ghosts got involved in a day for that “saints”. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, October 31 seemed to be the eve of the new year both in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon times and one from the ancient fire festivals. The autumn festival acquired sinister significance with witches, fairies, ghosts and demons roaming abroad. This festival was in honor of Samhain, the Celtic lord of the dead, who it was said, allowed the souls of those that had died the preceding year to come back home. Over these festivities, huge bonfires were lit to chase away demons and witches the ones wore costumes made from skins and animal heads.

It was thought that on the festival of the Samhain, the veil that divided a persons world and also the supernatural world was lifted and spirits, both good and evil, could roam our planet. It was also thought that the souls of the dead returned to their homes and families thus would released food and drink to appease these ghostly visitors and in the about preventing misfortune. Thus, when children dress up in witches and ghost costumes they unwittingly carry on the ancient rituals from the Samhain. It was also thought that during this period, humans could likewise go over in to the spirit realm which is especially seen as an time to unlock the secrets of the near future. The Halloween bet on bobbing for apples is one example of the divination practices which have survived right down to our time.

Samhain seemed to be a period when people put aside their inhibitions and indulged in drunken revelry and other mischief. According to the book ‘Halloween, histoire et traditions’- Halloween – background and traditions – “traditional values, if no flouted, were reversed. That which was forbidden was allowed and what was allowed was forbidden.” It was the fundamental quality of the Celtic festival – escape from normal realities. It is no surprise that this has always been into the Twentieth century Halloween celebrations. Halloween eventually found its way into the United States following a potato famine in the 1800s when Irish immigrants brought its customs to America. Eventually, Halloween spread around the world.

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