ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
                            By Don Wildgrube ñ 1990



For centuries before recorded history, ancient people gathered at special holy 
paces, eight times a year to celebrate the changes in the seasons. These people 
were the common folk ñ hunter, farmers, craftsmen, artists, tradesmen and their 
families. The celebration at the height of fall, the beginning of winter, was 
called SAMHAIN, pronounced Sow-en, by the Kelts. We know it as Halloween.
 
At the Samhain gathering, several things were celebrated and certain activities 
were done. One thing celebrated was the final harvest. Legumes, peas and beans 
were picked and dried. The last fruits, berries and vegetables were harvested 
before the killing frost would make them inedible. The herdsmen decided which of 
their cattle, sheep, pigs and goats that they could keep throughout the winter 
and which had to be culled out. Both protected space and fodder were limited. 
The animals that were culled out were butchered and salted, dried or smoked to 
be used during the long winter months. Some of the meat was used for the 
feasting as well as the stores from the last, to make room for the fresh, new 
produce.

These people lived directly with nature and were aware that most animals 
hibernated now, and the hunt may be poor. They saw the vegetation dying and all 
of their world making ready to sleep and rest under the blanket of winter's 
snows, to await the return of spring. This season has so much to do with death, 
that it evolved into a time for reverence for all that had died. At the 
feasting, places were set for loved ones that passed over. Sometimes images or 
other representative items were used. These meals were called "dumb suppers", a 
memorial dinner to quietly remember these loved ones. Sometimes people wore 
costumes representing these people or their totem animals. Religious ceremonies 
asked the "Keeper of the Gates" to the Underworld or to the "Summerland" (where 
the dead rested), to open the gates for a while so the spirits of the departed 
could be reunited with the living. The Lord of the Underworld had many names, 
one was Samhain, hence the name of the celebration.

The Lord Samhain, or the Priest that represented him, wore a robe make of animal 
skin, with the hooves draped over his shoulders and the animals horns on his 
head. Late the Christian missionaries called him Satan or the Devil, 
corresponding to a negative force in their mythology.

When the invading Christian missionary forces invaded the Northern European 
lands, the followers of the Old Ways had to hide and worship in secret. Now 
instead of openly going to these memorial feasts, they had to hide in dark 
hooded cloaks and carry hollowed out gourds or turnips, candle inside, with 
openings for the light to shine out. These primitive flashlights were called 
"Jack-O-Lanterns", the lanterns of "Jack", another name for the Lord of Death.
 
Rumors were spread by the conquerors. Rumors that spirits or "Hob Goblins" (Hob 
is another such name) would play tricks on them unless they were given a treat.

Today the followers of the Old Religion still meet on "Halloween" to celebrate 
the change in the season, to prepare for winter, not by butchering unless they 
live on a farm, but many still can vegetables or make symbolic offerings of 
grain in a burning cauldron, praying for a peaceful rest for the Earth and the 
fruitful resurrection of all nature in spring.

Although the conquering religion dominated the Northern European world, they 
adopted the idea of the memorial for the dead in "All Saints Day/All Souls Day" 
and although the meaning of some of the customs were lost for a while, we still 
light pumpkin "Jack-O-Lanterns", still dress up in costume, still play the part 
of "Hob" when we "trick or treat". Our old ways are still alive, celebrated in 
fun and reverence. So enjoy our collective holiday, but please remember the 
sacredness of it too.