The History of Hallowe'en

Think of Hallowe'en and images of small (and older) children trick or treating spring to mind. Carved out pumpkins, sweets, ghost stories are all commonplace...but where does it all come from?

Hallowe'en originated from the Celtic festival Samhain. Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced ‘sow-inn') is an ancient festival with roots as far back as Ancient Egypt. It means ‘the end of summer' and marks the Celtic New Year on November 1st.

By AD 43, the Romans had conquered most of the Celtic countries and over the next 400 years, two Roman festivals became linked with Samhain: Feralia, celebrating the passing of the dead, and Pomona, honouring the Roman goddess of fruit and trees.

In the 7th century, with the rise of Christianity, All Saints (or All Hallows) Day on 1st November was introduced in a bid to discourage pagan customs. This followed the trend of replacing a pagan tradition with a Christian Festival. Thus 31st October became All Hallows Eve (consequently shortened to Hallowe'en).

Traditions

Since Celtic times, Samhain has been a feast of the dead, marking the end of the harvest. Animals were brought inside for the winter and some were slaughtered to provide winter meat. It was also a spiritual time, as October 31st is mid-way between the autumn equinox (September 20th) and the winter solstice (December 21st), and it was thought the veil that separates life and death is at its thinnest on this night so it was the best time for the spirits of loved ones to be seen. Those that had departed during the year had places laid at the dining table for them and were welcomed into the home.

So where do the modern-day customs come from?

Pumpkins - for Pagans Samhain is a very important date and marks the end of the old year and start of the new. Just as the fires of Beltane (May 1st) celebrate the start of summer, so the fires of Samhain mark the start of winter. A fire was thought to bring good luck to the house and hollowed out pumpkins with candles in were used to help the spirits find their way.

Apples (linked to the Goddess Pomona) - often used in New Year fortune telling. One example is apple bobbing when the first person to pick up an apple with their teeth would be the first to get married that year. Cut though an apple to reveal the five-pointed star, or pentacle, in the centre, eat it looking into a mirror and your future partner will appear over your shoulder.

Trick or treating - a more recent addition, coming from the US. It is similar to New Year customs in Ireland and Scotland when those who gave generously were lucky for the year, those who didn't were cursed.

So however you choose to celebrate...here's to a Happy Samhain, Happy New Year or Happy Hallowe'en.

By Jo

 Pentacle photo (c) Tamlyn 2008

Pumpkin photo (c) Compostwoman 2008