All Hallows’ Eve, or as you might call it, Halloween falls on the 31st of October, every year, and is right around the corner. To most of you, it’s a fun night to go trick or treating with your friends and dress up in scary costumes, but this holiday has a lesser known rich historical (and religious) origin. 

 

Celtic Origin

All Hallows’ Eve derived from a Celtic pagan* ancient ritual from 2000 years ago called Samhain—translating to “summers end” in Gaelic—, which celebrated the changeover from summer to winter. On this occasion, it was custom to light a fire, indulge in sweets, and wear scary costumes to ward off evil spirits. The warding off of spirits was key to this tradition, as it was widely believed in Celtic culture that on this day, the respective realms of the living and the dead were at their closest of intersecting. 

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The Celts did not see this day as a day to fear, and to protect themselves against, but it was a celebrated day where Celts could communicate with their ancestors. Many people used this day as an opportunity to seek guidance, and protection throughout the winter months. This was paramount, as they needed spiritual protection with tending to their crops and livestock through the harsh winters.

 

Integration to Western Culture

All Hallows’ Eve  originated in Northern Ireland, but eventually made its way over to the Americas where it was coined as Halloween by the settlers. Carving pumpkins (originally, turnips were carved instead!), trick o’ treating, wearing scary costumes, and bobbing for apples, were all started by the early American settlers. 

 

Halloween in a Christian Context

When Christianity migrated to Celtic regions, Christians tried to stop the celebration of a pagan holiday. In an effort to Christianize this tradition, Pope Gregory III deemed November 1st as All Saints Day, or All Hallows Day (hence “All Hallows’ Eve). These days are intended to honour the Christian saints and martyrs.

 

How Commercialisation Changed the Essence of Halloween

Halloween as we know it is a holiday that is heavily influenced by commercialist themes. Buy a new costume every year, buy candy for kids, buy halloween decorations. These unspoken rules of Halloween declare to you that the holiday cannot be celebrated without spending money on single use items, items you'll use and repurchase next year. How has a holiday with such significant spiritual history become a no-play-no-pay tradition? This year, I advise you to remember the Celts that pioneered this beautiful tradition many years ago, and celebrate Halloween for what it once was.

 

*a person who belongs to a modern religion that includes beliefs and values that are not from any of the main religions of the world