Halloween Trivia and History

Throughout the years, Halloween has taken on many changes. Even adults enjoy the holiday by going all out in decorating their homes and even dressing up themselves, nevertheless others do not like even to participate in the Halloween tradition due to their personal religious beliefs. I found it interesting when researching the history of Halloween; the transformation of this holiday from its origin of a Pagan holiday to a Christianity influence.

Origins of Halloween

Halloween dates back about 2,000 years ago when the Celts which today is made up of Ireland, United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1st. According to History.com, because of the seasonality end to summer and the beginning of autumn's harvest which was a prelude to a dark and dreary time of the year - winter - the Celts believed it was associated with human death. They had chosen October 31st which was called Samhain as a festival to mark a time of when the spirits of the dead returned to earth in order to help the Celtic priests make predictions about the future. The Celts wore costumes celebrating this festival while also attempting to give out future predictions.

Around 43 A.D., the Romans conquered the Celtic territory and that was the beginning of two types of celebration - one for the Celtic Samhain and the other was called Feralia by the Romans. The Romans celebrated it in late October and it too had to do with passing of the dead -honoring Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. This is most likely how the traditional bobbing for apples got started.

By the 800's the influence of Christianity was spreading into the Celtics territory and Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st - All Saints Day - a holy day of obligation honoring the saints and martyrs. The theory is that most likely the pope was trying to replace the Pagan festival with a Church sanction festival. Another name for the celebration was All-hallows which means All Saints Day in middle English and the night before it was called All-hallows Eve - known today as Halloween. By 1000 A.D. the Church also designated - November 2nd as "All Souls Day," to honor the dead. It was actually celebrated similar to the Samhain festival with bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes. The Church called all these celebrations "Hallowmas."

Now, for the kids today, all they care about is how much candy they are going to reap on Halloween day. They just enjoy it for what it is to them - a chance to dress up and use their imagination. Whether they are little angels or devils, they do not look at it based on religious sensitivity unlike some adults might. It's only a "fun" day for them - and not something that is life changing based on the costume they pick. Yet, we must always remember to check their candy for anything that could harm them - letting them know that they should wait till they get home for their parents to go verify the candy is good to eat.

Trivia for Halloween

According to Halloween superstitions, if you look in the mirror on Halloween you will see your future spouse.

Jack - O - Lantern was originated in Ireland and got its name from a guy name Jack. The first Jack - O - Lanterns were made out of turnips. The world record for the largest pumpkin weighed 1,385 lbs.

When it came to the Salem Witch trials, no witches were actually burned at the stakes. They were all executed by being hung except for one who was pressed to death.

Candy is a $2 billion dollar a year sale on Halloween.

If you see a spider on Halloween, it means a spirit loved one is watching over you.

Vampire bats really come from Central and South America.

The first Halloween greeting card started in the early 1900's.

For me, Halloween is very special because it marks an anniversary of my brother's death in 2003. That year was a special year for my own awakening of the spirit world. Now, whether you believe in spirits or not, I leave you with my own personal account and that of Kay Ray, another AC producer who also has shared her own spirit encounters.

"A Mother's Love Never Dies"

"Paranormal Experiences I've Had in my Home"

"Sharing a Home with Spirits of the Dead"

"My Parent's Haunted House"

"Living in a Haunted House"