
The
American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin
to the Druidic fire festival called "Samhain", celebrated
by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
The
Romans had traditions that took place in October, day when they
honored Pomona,
the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is
the apple. The word itself, "Halloween," has its origins
in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption
of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day".
The
custom of trick-or-treating is originated from a ninth-century
European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day,
early Christians would walk from village to village begging for
"soul cakes".
For
centuries this night has celebrated mystery and chaos, a time
between summer and winter, a time between life and death.
The Jack-o-Lantern, the symbol of halloween is based on an old
Irish legend about the Jack. He was an unsavoury figure so God
would not allow him into heaven. The Devil, upset by the tricks
Jack had played on him would not allow Jack into hell. He sent
Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light
his way. Jack has been roaming the Earth with ever since. He carried
the ember in a hollowed out turnip but immigrants discovered that
is much easier to carve the pumpkins.
Witches
have a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering
twice a year when the seasons changed, on the eve of May Day and
the other was on the eve of All Hallow's Eve.
The
black cat has long been associated with witches. Some people believed
that cats were the spirits of the dead.