History of Halloween-Druid or Christian Feast?
Celtic and Pagan Celebration Adapted by Christians to All Saints Day
Oct 14, 2009
The history of Halloween lies within the pagan celebration of the New Year or Samhuinn however it is debatable whether the tradition of celebrating Halloween would have been perpetuated without the influence of the Christian Church. Certainly, the Christian Church replaced the celebration of the Celtic New Year on 1 November with the Christian Feast of All Saints Day on 1 November and All Souls Day on 2 November, terming it Hallow Tide, or Holy Time.
Christian Church Policy of Supplanting Pagan Festivals
The policy of grafting Christian celebrations onto pagan festivals, assisted the development of Christianity by retaining traditional feast days and celebrations. On the other hand, however, it is easy to see that links to a more pagan past remain in Halloween, particularly in the development of such activities as guising, or trick or treating and the Halloween traditions of ghost hunting and witchcraft.
Other examples of pagan feasts adapted for Christian usage are the Winter Solstice and the celebration of Beltane.
Druid or Pagan Festival of Samhuinn (Pronounced Sah'win)
To the Celts, Samhuinn was the festival marking the end of summer and the harvest, and celebrating the start of the Celtic New Year on 1 November. Druids lit bonfires on hilltops at dusk to mark Samhuinn and to combat the powers of darkness. To the Celts Samhuinn was the Festival of the Dead and human sacrifices were often made to request the return of the sun and warmth in the Spring.
Christian Church Establish Festival of Hallow Tide or All Hallows
As it was the policy of the early Christian Church to graft a Christian festival onto a pagan celebration in an attempt to discourage a return to pagan ways, the Festival of Hallow Tide, or All Hallows, replaced the pagan festival of Samhuinn.
The Christian Feasts of All Saints Day and All Souls Day honour the memories of the Christian saints and all dead Christians worldwide.
Halloween - Witches and Spells
Halloween is taken from the old English term Hallowe'een or Evening of All Hallows. Harking back to the Celtic past, the eve of All Hallows, or Halloween, is still referred to as a night when the dead will walk. Witches are at their most active during Halloween which is a traditional time for spell casting and fortune telling and when the power for evil is said to be most strong.
Trick or Treat Tradition - Is it American?
Although assumed to be an American tradition, the history of the trick or treat Halloween activity probably originated in Europe with the tradition of guising. American immigrants from Ireland and Scotland took with them their traditional activity of 'guising' on Halloween and it is felt that this gradually evolved into the American kids activity of trick or treat.
Guisers would wear grotesque masks or blackened faces and costumes and go from door to door performing songs, dances or small dramatic pieces for which they would receive treats, such as money, sweets, nuts or alcohol. Halloween was also a traditional night for mischief and tricks to be played in Britain.
In Britain, turnip masks were worn and lanterns and lights were also a strong Halloween tradition, with householders burning candles and lamps all night in an attempt to ward off evil spirits.
See Also: Halloween, Witches, Fairies, Bonfires & Celts and How to Organise an Impromptu Kids Halloween Trick or Treat Party also Halloween Magic & Spells for Witches
For a Fun Halloween Recipe, Why not try: Cinammon Apple Pancakes?
Sources: F Marian McNeill, Hallowe'en The Origins, Rites & Sources in the Scottish Tradition
Hilary Lee Corbin, Hallowe'en
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