Halloween
Trick or Treeet?

When growing up, as a kid, Halloween was one of my favorite times. It meant I could become someone else, a ghost perhaps, or an angel with wings and a halo. (hee hee) Then there was the monster phase, the witch phase and the cowgirl with the boots, hat and guns. And of course, the best part was the candy…lots and lots of it.

Halloween was filled with black cats, witches, creepy spiders, ghosts and jack-o-lanterns. It was fun dressing up, getting treats and being scared when the giver of those treats would jump out with “their costumes” — all in the hopes of getting a scream from their “night visitors.”

During those times life was grand. As kids, we would run from house to house hoping for that special treat. Of course, in October, the weather usually was cool and after a while it was time to come in. Yes, Halloween was a much anticipated event at the Bell residence. It was filled with fun, laughter and a time when we were allowed to be someone else, wear make-up and indulge in our innocent fantasies.

Halloween today is still a wonderful tradition of dress-up, going from place to place for goodies or to the parties now peppered throughout towns and cities in the attempt to make this traditional event safe for the kids.

But what is Halloween? Is there a deeper meaning beyond treats and dressing up? Let’s take a peek at the true meaning — perhaps a surprise awaits?

Some Fun Facts

• Did you know the word “Halloween” is derived from “All Hallows Eve” and actually occurs November 1st? It is also known as “All Saints Day” in the Catholic religion as they honor the dead.

• Halloween is the time during the year where the veil between the worlds (the underworld and spirit world) is at its’ thinnest. During All Hallow’s Day, people believed souls of the dead came back to Earth to visit friends and family.

• It was not until the 1840’s that Halloween was brought to North America by Irish immigrants. 

• In the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. This was called Samhain (pronounced sow-en) the Celtic New Year.

Down through the ages, it was thought disembodied spirits of those who had died throughout the year would return—seeking living bodies to possess. It was their afterlife or Panati.

To discourage such possessions the villagers would dress in ghoulish costumes and participate in loud parades to frighten away the evil spirits. Hearth fires were extinguished in the hopes they and their homes would be unwelcoming to the spirits that roamed the night.

• In celebration of the recently completed harvest, Celts would give offerings of food to the Gods. They often went from door to door to collect food to donate to their deities. Also, young Celts would ask the townspeople for kindling and wood, and take it to top of the hill for the Samhain bonfire, a fire festival. These are two of the possible origins of present day “trick or treating.”

Sacred bonfires were lit on the tops of hills in honor of the Gods. The townspeople would take an ember from the bonfire to their home and re-light the fire in their family hearth. The ember would usually be carried in a holder — often a turnip or gourd. They felt nervous about walking home in the dark; so they dressed in costumes and carved scary faces in their ember holders. They hoped the spirits would be frightened and not bother them. Children continue to dress up today in various costumes. Pumpkins are now the objects of choice to carve faces into.

• Halloween, like most traditional holidays, began as a grass-root celebration from people who had strong connections to the Earth. It was not until later that early Christianity embraced the rituals, altering their names and meanings.

For instance, the early Christians created a celebration called “All Souls Day” where they would travel from village to village begging for “soul cakes”. The more cakes collected the more prayers they promised to say on behalf of the souls who passed on. Through the prayers it was believed that those who had died would have an easier time entering heaven.

As time marched onward, the superstitions of the era gave way to a more ceremonial, ritualized practice. People world-over celebrated by dressing up as witches, ghosts, vampires, angels, heroes of the day and so much more. 

• Jack-o’-lantern: came from an Irish folk tale of the 18th century. Jack, an Irishman, is said to have tricked the Devil into climbing an apple tree. He then cut a cross symbol in the tree trunk, thus trapping the Devil in the branches. At his death, he was unable to gain access to Heaven because of his meanness. The Devil, having a long memory, would not allow him into Hell. So he was forced to walk the earth endlessly. The devil took pity on him and gave him a piece of coal to light his path. Jack put it inside a hollowed-out turnip that he had been eating.

• Apples have long been associated with female deities, immortality, resurrection, and knowledge. One reason is that if an apple is cut through its equator, it will reveal a five-pointed star outlined at the center of each hemisphere. This was a pentagram — a Goddess symbol among the Roma (Gypsies), Celts, Egyptians, etc.

• Unmarried people would attempt to take a bite out of an apple bobbing in a pail of water, or suspended on a string. The first person to do so was believed to be the next to marry.

• Peeling an apple in front of a candle-lit mirror was believed to produce the image of one’s future spouse

• Attempting to produce a long unbroken apple peel was said to estimate the number of years you had to live. The longer the peel, the longer your life expectancy.

There is so much more to Halloween and our traditions. Each seasonal event is steeped with ritual, ceremony and great spiritual insights. Enjoy the season.

These are just some of the traditions that are associated with Halloween.