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Origins of Halloween
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Enjoy Your Halloween!
The origin of Halloween is linked to several ancient festivals. The Pagan Romans held a feast on the first of November in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruit trees. In the British Isles, Hallowe’en was originally known as Samhain.
Samhain marked the change of the season from summer to winter. It was the rite of the passage of power from the High Priestess, who ruled fertility and the harvest, to the High Priest, who was empowered during the time of the hunt. It was believed that the agricultural year divided at Samhain and Beltane (May Day).
According to ancient tradition, Samhain was the night when the veil of the astral world was at its thinnest, making it possible for humans to embrace the primal nature of life. Through that thin veil between the worlds, people believed that loved ones could come and visit them. Huge bonfires were lit to welcome old friends and ancestors while scaring off evil spirits. The Jack O'Lantern has become the modern version of this welcoming fire, and some people light a candle for folks who've passed over to send their greetings, letting it burn all the way out.
The Jack O’Lantern originated in Ireland, where, according to legend, a drunkard named Jack ran into the Devil on a country road. The Devil wanted his soul, but Jack had other plans. He asked the Devil to climb a nearby apple tree and fetch him an apple. When the Devil obliged, Jack carved a cross into the trunk and trapped him in the branches. Jack then made him promise never to ask for his soul again.
When he died, desperate for a resting place, Jack approached the Devil. He turned Jack away because of their bargain. The road back was dark and windy, so the Devil tossed Jack a coal from hell’s fire to light the way. To stop the wind from putting out the coal, Jack placed it inside a turnip. Since that night, Jack of the Lantern, or Jack O’Lantern has been traveling in search of a place to rest.
Irish children traditionally carved turnips and potatoes to light the night on Hallowe’en. The custom came to the United States in the 19th century with Irish immigrants when turnips were substituted with pumpkins.
The witches on broomstick come from the Wiccan sabbats, during which practicing witches would apply a specially formulated "flying cream" to aid in trances and psychic visions.
Samhain was also known as All Fool's Night. The tradition of wearing masks stems from the Druids who advocated the donning of a mask to characterize different aspects of an individual's personality, thus setting one free from the expectations of social conditioning.
When Christian Romans conquered the British Isles they made November 1st a day of feasting called All Saints Day. All Hallow's Eve (hallow-holy) replaced Samhain and has evolved into a party of the fantastic for children of all ages.
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