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Ghostly Trick or Pious Treat? The Origins of Halloween

By 30 October 2024No Comments
Allhallowtide

As soon as the leaves start to change colour, and the blanket of them begins to crunch under foot, our minds usually turn to Halloween.

This is the night where, supposedly, the barrier between the living and the dead becomes incredibly thin, and it becomes socially acceptable to knock on your neighbours’ doors and demand candy. But where did this all come from? This is the question we are answering here at Weald & Downland Living Museum, as we relive the autumn traditions of the original inhabitants of our buildings.

The first thing we need to understand when answering this question, is that the very air you would breathe in the medieval period was religious. This isn’t just a turn of phrase either. The medieval people believed that foul smelling air (or miasma) was toxic and a sign of God’s judgement. This was no different when it came to dividing up the yearly calendar. This is what became known as ‘The Ritual Year’. And one of the key parts of it was a celebration known as ‘Allhallowtide’.

 

The Three-in-one Festival: AllhallowtideWonderful weeks 2022 98

Allhallowtide was, and is, a three-day Christian observance running from 31st October (All Hallows’ Eve) to 2nd November (All Souls’ Day). It is a time when Christians, particularly Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans, honour saints and remember departed souls. The word “hallow” comes from Old English, meaning “saint,” while “tide” refers to a season or festival. This period focuses on reflecting on the lives of saints and the souls who have passed on in faith.

Interestingly, the word “Halloween” itself originates from All Saints’ Day, also known as “All Hallows’ Day,” evolving from the Old English “All Hallows’ Eve.” As such, while today’s Halloween has morphed into something largely secular, it’s rooted in the spiritual traditions of Allhallowtide.

 

The Origins of Halloween

Before Christianity spread across Britain, Ireland, and France, the Celts celebrated Samhain on 31st October. Marking the end of the harvest and the start of winter, the Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred on this night. Samhain was much more than a seasonal festival – it was a time of profound spiritual significance. Offerings were made to fairies, spirits, and ancestors, and to avoid being abducted by fairies, people dressed as animals or monsters – an ancient precursor to today’s Halloween costumes.

Celtic mythology is rich with supernatural creatures linked to Samhain, from the Pukah (a shape-shifting trickster) to the Dullahan (a headless horseman). These creatures, along with Samhain’s mystical atmosphere, contributed to the eerie elements that continue to define modern Halloween celebrations.

Contrary to popular belief, the Christian festival of All Saints’ Day was not created to replace Samhain. In fact, it was initially celebrated on 13th May, only later being moved to 1st November by Pope Gregory III. This shift eventually aligned Allhallowtide with the older pagan celebration, and Halloween as we know it began to take shape.

While both Allhallowtide and Halloween eventually had a shared date, they have evolved into distinct celebrations. Allhallowtide remains a religious observance focusing on saints and departed souls, with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day dedicated to honouring the holy and praying for the dead.

In contrast, Halloween today is mostly secular, celebrated with costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating. Some remnants of its spiritual origins, like the practice of “souling” (going door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food), still echo in modern customs.

 

The Modern Celebration of HalloweenFood preparations Allhallowtide

Halloween as we know it today was shaped significantly by Irish immigrants who brought their traditions to America in the 19th century. Practices such as mumming (performing in costume for food) and carving turnips into lanterns (later pumpkins) were incorporated into the American Halloween tradition, creating the vibrant, spooky celebration we see today.

While the festival has largely shed its religious overtones, and in some cases become known as the antithesis or enemy of Christian observance, holiness and piety, Halloween still carries an essence of mystery and reflection on life and death. For some, especially in Wiccan and pagan communities, the ancient festival of Samhain is still celebrated, honouring ancestors and marking the end of the harvest season.

Halloween is far more than a night of costumes and candy. Its origins reach back to the sacred festival of Samhain and the Christian observance of Allhallowtide. Whether through the lighting of bonfires, the telling of ghostly tales, or the honouring of saints and ancestors, Halloween remains a powerful reminder of the cycles of life, death, and renewal.

As we prepare for Halloween this year, it’s worth pausing to consider its deep historical roots and spiritual significance, bridging ancient and modern traditions. And here at Weald & Downland Living Museum, you can experience this reality, as we seek to observe traditional festivals in all their authenticity. Learn more about medieval Allhallowtide, Halloween and The Ritual Year when you visit!