The Origin of Halloween Traditions
Halloween is the second largest holiday in the world. Although it is based on ancient Celtic beliefs, the effects of the Roman Empire and the spread of Catholicism have taken these traditions throughout the world. Those who participate in this holiday seldom know the origin, history, or religious overtones contained within those traditions.
Celtic Festival of Samhain
The Celtic Festival of Samhain is at the base of the Halloween observance. Samhain means 'the end of summer' and does not represent the name of a Celtic god as is often falsely reported. Samhain marks the end of the Celtic calendar year and a time when it is believed that the boundary between the physical and spiritual realms loosen and intermingle. The Celtic people would wear animal skins and heads so they would not be recognized by the souls of the dead that wandered around. Furthermore, the Druid priests, would burn sacrifices in bone fires, later known as bonfires, to appease the various deities that might play tricks on the people.
Roman Festivals of Faralia and Pomona
The Roman Empire conquered the Celtic region in the first century AD and ruled until 410 AD. The Roman Festival of Faralia, for the departing of the dead, and the Roman Festival of Pomona, for the goddess of the harvest, were observed in the autumn at a similar time to that of Samhain. Consequently, the traditions of the Roman festivals mixed with those of the Festival of Samhain. In particular, was the use of the apple, the symbol of Pomona, in the use of divination of future events like marriage.
The Catholic Church and All Hallows Eve
In 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV created a remembrance for all martyrs. Around 740 AD, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter in honor of all the saints and fixed the November 1 date. Following this, Pope Gregory IV ordered its observance by all in 837 AD. This became known as All Hollows Day. All Hollows Eve began the evening before and is the origin of the shortened form of Halloween. By the end of the Middle Ages, the Celtic and Roman festivals had blended with the Catholic All Hollows Eve that resulted in the traditions and symbols spreading together wherever Catholicism traveled.
Turnips, a Pumpkin, and the Jack-O-Lantern
One of the most familiar sights in the North American celebration of Halloween is the pumpkin carved with a scary face and a candle inside known as the Jack-O-Lantern. This Halloween item comes from an Irish folk legend about a man named Jack who was known as a trickster. Legend states he managed to trick the devil so that he could not take his soul. Later, when he died, he was also denied access to Heaven and was stuck wandering the Earth. He carved out a turnip and stuck a burning ember inside to ward off evil spirits. This became known as Jack's Lantern. When the Irish immigrants came to America in the mid-1800's, turnips were not commonly available and they turned, instead, to the use of the carved pumpkin.
Halloween Traditions for Children
The modern secular movement has maintained the mixture of traditions while removing the religious meanings. This set the stage for the eventual transition into Halloween becoming a day primarily for children. Many of the traditions associated with Halloween are descended from the Celtic, Roman, and Catholic rituals of worship. Most often, the children playing have no understanding of their significance physically and spiritually. Wearing masks, trick-or-treat, bobbing for apples, bonfires, and scary animals associated with the night are all reminiscent of these occult practices.
Occult Worship
Modern day practitioners of these religions, such as witches, do exist and continue to perform these rituals with their full occult knowledge and purposes. It is considered a festival of the dead and also the best time for contacting the dead. Occult rituals, spell casting, and even blood sacrifices are still practiced. Halloween often serves as an open door to exploring the occult and is the highest recruitment night of new people for those religions.
For more information regarding the origins, history, and traditions of Halloween, please visit Exploring Salvation at http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Traditions'.
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