Happy Halloween!

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Or, Happy New Year as Halloween marks the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The holiday in Celtic is called Samhain which means “summer’s end” and marks the transition from the light part of the year to the dark part of the year. Halloween is considered one of the oldest holidays and has traces of both pagan and christian meshed into it. The Wiccan and pagan celebration of Halloween reflected the belief that during the time from October 31 through November 1 the veil between this mortal world and the spirit world is the thinnest, enabling departed spirits to mingle with the living. When the Christians became involved and attempted to convert the holiday, Halloween became known as All Hallow’s Eve, the night before the Christian celebration of All Saints Day on November 1st.

The tradition of giving out candy is believed to be derived from the Celtic traditions which marked the giving of food and drink to costumed celebrants of Samhain, on the chance that they were departed spirits returned to mingle among the living. The Celtics keep hearths burning all night long to light the way for the spirits to return to the world of the mortals.

However you celebrate Halloween, may the spirits be with you. Happy Halloween!

Related articles

• What’s Samhain? (livescience.com)
• “Samhain, Summer’s End, Halloween” and related posts (willoaksstudio.blogspot.com)
• Why Do We Dress Up on Halloween? (livescience.com)
• “Origins of Halloween: Celtic New Year, Dia de los Muertos. Fun family activities!” and related posts (elephantjournal.com)