Friday Flashback: Halloween

Halloween History

Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday to honor the dead. It was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.

Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of a new one.

The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. The Celts would also dress up in costumes to prevent the spirits from recognizing them as human. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.

Tricks instead of Treats?:

• Ring doorbell and say "canned goods or meat."

• Get dressed up, knock on door. When person answers, put candy into his bowl.

• Dress up in a hospital gown and walk around at night saying "They think I'm crazy, but I'm not. They deserved to die. They can't take me back, etc, etc."

• Toilet paper your own yard and accuse someone else of doing it.

Happy Halloween!!!!