Halloween and All Saints’ Day

Traditions Steeped in Antiquity

Americans celebrate both Halloween, a Pagan holiday, and the Christian All Saints’ Day every year without much of an understanding of either.  To most, it’s a time to indulge alternative egos and have some fun, but there are deep feelings in this multicultural society about both.

The ancient Celtic tradition as its celebrated today draws criticism from Christians and Pagans alike, but the kids still love it and a growing sector of adults are making it a trendy holiday too.  Even pets can get in on the action.  Where is this holiday that extends back to the deepest recesses of time going?

This is my friend’s dog, Tosh, who’s dressed up to be the Star Wars’ character, Yoda. He seems rather put out by it all, but with all those wrinkles it’s hard to tell.

Halloween is a Pagan holiday that has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain.  Sometimes called the “Celtic New Year,” it took place at the end of harvest season that marked the line between summer and winter.  It was believed that during this day the veil between the world of the living and dead was open, and the dead could travel the streets at night to cause mischief for the living in the form of sickness or failed crops.

The ancient people of the Bronze Age, and perhaps earlier, developed a communal festival that involved lighting bonfires and throwing the bones of slaughtered animals into the flames.  They eventually wore costumes and masks in an attempt to fit in with the spirits they believed wandered among them.

As Christianity grew and spread its influence, many Pagan holidays were given Christian meaning without changing the basic structure of the celebration the community was accustomed to observing.  Pope Gregory IV moved All Saints’ Day from May 13 to November 1 in 837.  In those days, the church day began at sunset, so Halloween and All Saints’ Day coincided precisely.  No one knows the motivation for the move, but if it was to eliminate or diminish Halloween, it didn’t succeed. 

Halloween as it’s celebrated in America was initially the work of the two million Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine from 1845 to 1849.  It was later reinforced by the arrival of the Scots in 1870 and other Celtic peoples. 

The jack-o-lantern goes back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack who purportedly tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him there by carving a cross onto the tree trunk.  The devil’s retribution was to curse Jack to wander the earth at night with only the light of a candle inside a hollowed turnip as his guide.  The original jack-o-lanterns were made of turnips, but in America where pumpkins were not only plentiful and easier to carve, the latter became preferable. 

In the early 20^th century, Halloween became a night better known for it’s “tricks” of vandalism and serious property damage.  The Boy Scouts and Boys’ Clubs would counter this trend with efforts to reduce the mischief, but in many communities across the United States today, it still occurs.  The night before Halloween is often known as “Devil’s Night” or “Mischief Night” during which mostly harmless acts of soaping someone’s windows or trashing their property with toilet paper is an accepted way of expressing derision or revenge.  It’s actually pretty odd though, and sometimes it rises to the level of serious criminal behavior. 

Today, Halloween is the second most popular holiday for decorating behind Christmas.  New York has been hosting the largest Halloween parade since 1973 that has more than two million participants and spectators.  It also boasts a television audience of more than twice that number. 

Halloween isn’t without its detractors though.  Evangelist and Fundamentalist Christians decry the trivialization of the “occult.”  At the same time, they’ve found a way to capitalize on the event with the invention of “hell houses.”  These houses are very frightening depictions of what hell will be like for non-believers, and visitors are encouraged to “get on the right path” at the end of the exhibit.  Most of the people I know who have seen these displays are too sickened to even consider the proposal at the end of the tour. 

Pagans, particularly Wiccans or “real witches,” are not pleased with the promotion of their faith as being evil.  The stereotypes have perpetuated their persecution in America since the days of the Salem trials that were almost certainly the work of very disturbed children of low moral ethics.  It’s hard not to understand the Wiccans objection.

Orthodox Jews do not celebrate Halloween at all, but mainstream Jews have little issue with what’s regarded as a quaint tradition with no spiritual significance.

The bottom line?  The kids love the candy.  Many adults enjoy the fun of engaging another persona.  The pets are kind of neutral on the idea.  And I just love the history. Halloween isn’t going anywhere but up.