Honoring What Was

There are many paths of rituals and traditions in human history that converge to cross the bridge to our modern day Halloween traditions. One of those paths began thousands of years ago in Ireland, England, Scotland and Northern Europe, where a Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced saw-win) began. 

Samhain, meaning “end of summer,” was a celebration marking the end of harvest and the time to prepare for winter. The veil between the physical and mystical realms was believed to be thin on this night, so bonfires were built to ward off evil spirits and vigils were held to invite the ghosts of loved ones to visit. The festival focused primarily on the arrival of the darkness.

There was no escaping what would come whether they were prepared or not. The Celts believed they became empowered by embracing the earth’s turn to the cold and defending themselves from the spirits that would seek to do them harm. 

In the 6th century, Pope Gregory I did not attempt to hide his intention of creating a Christian holiday that would replace Samhain. In a letter he suggested that a holiday be named on November 1 that would correspond with a “non-Christian” event. The Christian holiday would be called “All Saints’ Day” to honor the saints of the Catholic Church. The day after All Saints’ Day would be All Souls’ Day, recognizing loved ones who had died.  

All Saints’ Day encouraged celebration the previous night, similar to Samhain, with bonfires, costumes and parades. The Christian holiday became known as All-Hallows Eve that eventually blended into one word—Halloween. As is common with other religious holidays, such as Easter and Christmas, All Saints’ Day and Samhain became secularized as people migrated to other countries, bringing with them their traditions and beliefs that blended into a beautiful melting pot of Halloween traditions.