Samhain Lore

Greek/Roman Mythology

Ancient Rome had many, many leaders, and in 314, Constantine the Great declared that Rome was a Christian nation.  But what has that to do with Halloween?  Well, around November 1st, the Festival of Pomona was held.  Pamona was the Goddess of Orchards and the Harvest.  With the conquest of most of the known world by the Roman Empire, the Festival of Pomona was blended with many different harvest festivals, some of which created traditions that survive even today (like Trick or Treating!)

Celtic Mythology

There is not much myth surrounding this holiday. The Sun God Lugh, who was maimed by Tanist at Lughnassadh, dies on this day, and Tanist, the God of Misrule, or dark half, takes the throne. Tanist is the cruel King who shines through the Winter months but offers no warmth or comfort to the planet. The lack of warmth, combined with the breath of Cailleach Bheare, the Crone, make for the hard Winter months and the balance of Summer. Lugh returns to his mothers womb on Samhain to await rebirth at Yule, and will eventually rise up as his mother's champion to slay Tanist, his other self, and retake the throne again. The cycle of life, death, and rebirth continues.

Other lore tells of the Fairy Gates opening, and the Lands of the Sidhe (pronounced "shee") becoming accessible. Irish heroes long dead are said to make gallant raids into the Otherworld, however, they must return to their proper resting places by the first cock crow.

Like all Celtic festivals, Samhain hosted a time of family reunion and reaffirming ties of friendship and social bonds. Also, in the agricultural communities, this was the time to bring in all the live stock from the hills and slaughter those animals that would not survive pasture for the Winter. Consequently, spirits often return on this night to visit their kin and friends during the celebrations should they wish to do so; many customs revolve around the return of spirits, as you will see. It was a natural thought that the approach of winter should drive the poor, shivering, hungry ghosts from the bare fields and the leafless woodlands to the shelter of the cottage with its familiar fireside.

Ahhhh... the fabulous night of Trick or Treating, when children are allowed to defy their elders and collect bags full of candy! In Celtic times, however, this fun filled romping was by no means confined to only those of the younger generation. Adults and children alike dressed in scary costumes and ran from door to door in wondrous amusement. Furthermore, the "treat" part of the surprises was usually in the form of spirits; not the ghostly kind, but rather the alcoholic kind - quite a change in present times. And what would a Holiday be without singing? The Gods know the Celtic folk took pride in their exceptional singing and lyrical intrigue! As at Yule, roving minstrels traveled through villages belting out hearty tune accompanied by fair damsels with soft bell-like voices. Truly, this singing from door to door was an enjoyment of every holiday, and not just confined to Yule as it has been in present days.

The principle of costumes has been altered from ancient times. It was previously common for people to cross dress, especially in Scotland and some regions of Ireland. Today, the children compete to see how scary or cute they can be and there is no real sense of fear (except about the weirdoes that we all seek to avoid.) The reason for this odd attire can only be guessed at by using folklore and oral tradition as a basis. Within the classic tales you will find a consistent pattern of malignant spirits and ghostly hunters. I belief costumes go along with the purpose of the Jack O' Lantern, as a means of confusing and hiding from evil spirits; they wouldn't think to look for their male enemy in a dress! 

American Traditions

Ah, Halloween is a much beloved holiday in America.  Well, at least for the children it is.  What better time of year than to dress up in fun, scary and glamorous costumes than this?  And who can say no to free candy?  A lot of hype and myth surround this holiday in America today, some of it true, and some not.  Believe me, no one's going to hell if they let their child celebrate a fun holiday.  A lot of the majority religions would like to stamp out the supernatural part of this holiday, and reinstate it as a "harvest festival" (which it IS) but, in truth, that would just destroy part of the magic and mystery of Halloween.

Halloween is a time about death.  To take away this aspect is to promote more fear of the unknown.  This is the time when children are presented with their greatest fears, and allowed to overcome them.

Halloween was very popular in Victorian times, and people would often throw magnificent parties to celebrate the spirit of the season.  Costume contests, and apple divinations were everywhere, and people delighted in having fun during this dreary time of year.

Halloween today has become a very commercial holiday.  Much like Christmas, it's all about the big money making companies churning out a stupid item for a profit.  People are afraid to let their children out, too.  Too many horror stories of children being poisoned, kidnappings, sacrifices and other hocus pocus thrive at this time of year.  It's scary.

My grandmother told me once, that during her childhood, Halloween was a lot more carefree, and communities used to trust one another.  Kids would dress up, and go do the trick or treat thing, and at each house the traditional saying would be given.  "Trick or Treat?"  But it was by the homeowner who would say this, and the children would be invited inside for a moment so all could guess which child this little goblin or ghost might be.  Home-made candies were given and the child would be off to another house, gobbling the candy before it even hit the bottom of the sack.

I have wonderful neighbors, and my son does get to go inside their homes, because I know them and their children, so I worry less around their homes.  But still the fear of the unknown creeps up on me, and I do worry about my child's safety.  As a child, my parents would examine the candy my sister and I collected, even before we could see what all we got.  It's sad that such distrust and fear exist in our society.