Halloween and Its Celtic Roots:
Halloween, as we know it today, was rooted in the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, or darker half of the year. This festival, Samhain (Gaelic – pronounced “sow-in”) was traditionally celebrated was held at the same time of year, every year, about halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It was one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals. Samhein is Gaelic for November. The Celts believed this was the time of year where the boundary between the living and the dead was unusually thin, and souls of the dead could roam freely between the two worlds. So, we’ll explore the real and true history of Halloween, and how it has become one of the most lucrative Holidays today.
Pagan Rituals:
This Samhain festival had pagan origins, and there is evidence that animals and other items were often offered up in blood sacrifices or rituals to the dead to appease the darker spirits. They wanted to return something back in return for a good bounty and to ask that those living, along with their livestock, would not be haunted and would survive the coming winter. They coaxed the evil spirits away from their homes with offerings of food and drink, disguised themselves in costume, and left these items outside for the souls of the dead. The Celts also told stories on this night of who would die and who would prosper in the coming year.
Celebrating The Harvest:
Over time, and, as the Roman Empire came into existence, the Romans also celebrated a festival right around November 1st of each year. It was the festival to celebrate Pomona – The Goddess of Gardens and Fruits, and they celebrated to thank her for their bountiful harvest. By 50 B.C., the Romans conquered much of Europe and this is where the two traditions of honoring the dead and celebrating the harvest began to merge.
The Rise of Christianity:
But, there was another trend also making its way across Europe, Christianity, and by the early fourth century, the pagan Emperor of Rome, Constantine, had a vision of Christ which caused him to convert thus paving the way for the rise of Christianity everywhere.
Constantine realized that instead of forcing the pagans to see the error, and darkness, of their ways, he chose to merge the Pagan Holiday with the Christian Holiday, and they now called November 1st, “All Saint’s Day” also known as “All Hallows Day.” It was the eve of All Hallows that became known as All Hallows Evening or “hallow eve” which is now known as Halloween.
The New Meaning of Halloween:
The pagans continued their beliefs, but were now content under the name of Halloween instead of Samhain. By the 10th Century, the church took another step to consolidate the two meanings. It declared Nov 2nd to be “All Souls Day.” But, despite this, the church remained concerned about witchcraft. Witches were a long time symbol of paganism and they often tapped into the darkest aspects of Halloween. Consequently, church zealots hunted them down, and punishment was cruel. And, by 1486, the Pope outlawed the Celtic Pagan religion altogether.
The History Channel has a very good video that provides the overview from the Celts in Ireland and explains the evolution of “All Hallows Eve” to what we know and celebrate today: Halloween.
YouTube Video:
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain
Source: https://youtu.be/amPLNo7SOwg
Here is a collection of both Classic Horror Films and Classic Halloween Music – Enjoy them at your next Halloween Party!