Ghost and ghouls. Witches and brooms. A holiday marked on the calendar, where children chant “Trick or Treat.” Halloween a billion pounds industry taking over shop aisles and adverts plaguing our screens. With connotations with demons and everything evil. Have you ever questioned where this fundamental holiday is in your calendar?
The word ‘Halloween’ is derived from the words ‘Hallow’ meaning 'Holy person'' and ‘Een’ which originates as a condensed version of ‘Eve’ (the day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion). Halloween can be linked as far back as the Iron Age, with the Celtic Pagans from a holiday called ‘Samhain’ where the Celtics believed that the ‘veil’ between the normal world and the other world was most weak. And spirits walked among the humans, so people gave them offerings to keep them at bay. For the Celtics ‘Samhain’ not only signified the end of harvest but a transition from light to darkness. As the day became shorter, and the nights became longer. So, during this transition the Celtics believed that when the veil weakened it was any ordinary ghost that was walking around but ancestors, guardians or even evil spirits looking for revenge. So, the Celtics had large bonfires to ward of the evil spirits and impress their ancestors, but they also wore costumes usually made out of animal skins to confuse any spirit that wanted to harm them. They also left offering on their doorsteps for these spirits.
However, due to the growth in Roman, Christian, and medieval superstation's influence the holiday subsequently evolved due to all these changes. As when the Roman came a took over England ‘Samhain’ was also intertwined with Roman customs. One was their Goddess ‘Pomona’ who was the goddess of fruit of tree and orchard's, in honor of her they celebrated harvest. But with the ripe fruit they also decay reminding the Romans of life a death, a symbol of ‘Pomona’ an apple became a big part of ‘Samhain’ even making different superstition. Such as if you catch an apple with your teeth, you would be able to see your future. So, the Roman festival of ‘Feralia’ which is a part of the nine-day festival of ‘Parentalia’ where they celebrated the dead and spirits even offering prayers to them like the Celtics.
Another change was the Christianization of ‘Samhain,’ Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day, a day to honor the saint's and martyrs. Originally celebrated on May 13th, Pope Boniface moved it to the 1st of November mirroring the Romans who changed the celebration of ‘Feralia’ which was originally celebrated on 21st of February. This move took away the focus and devotion of the people from spirits and ghosts to saints and martyrs. The church also added All Souls' Day where the souls stuck in purgatory were prayed for on the 2nd of November. So, during ‘Hallow Eve’ children would go door to door getting a treat to offer prayer for those who were in purgatory.
Before the commercialisation on Halloween, there was a deep history rooted in many religions and changes to influences from many cultures. So, this Halloween ‘trick or treat’ remembering all the souls that made this holiday.
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