While many would argue that today’s version of Halloween has become commercialized, there is a rich history to the holiday of Halloween, with traditions that have continued over centuries and lessons that can be applied to how we approach our every day lives.
Halloween is a time of both celebration and superstition, celebrating the end of fall and the beginning of winter and what that stands for: light vs. dark, life vs. death. The holiday is thought to have originated from the Celtic holiday Samhain, which celebrated the end of the harvest season and the start of winter, or the “darker” portion of the year. Celtics would wear costumes to honor the dead and ward off ghosts. It may have been believed that the beginning of winter was the most fitting time to honor the dead since the plants were ‘dying’ at this time. Today, Wiccans, a religious movement that stems from old Paganism, believe that Samhain marks when the veil between this world and the afterlife is at its thinnest, allowing communication with the dead.
Whether you call the holiday Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween, remember the rich history of Halloween throughout the month of October as ghouls and goblins are hung in yards, costumes are worn, and trick-or-treating commences.
[…] you know about Halloween’s history, you know it’s full of rich, spooky origins, dating back to the Celtics. Even all the way […]
[…] To make the days of waiting for October 31st a little easier, check back on this page whenever you need a little hope to see how many days until Halloween are left. It’s only a matter of time until the Witching Hour is here again, so hold onto your witch hats and broomsticks! If you need some light reading to hold you over, make sure to read up on the history of Halloween. […]