Halloween

The Halloween customs that we observe on October 31 had their beginnings long, long ago. They came from the beliefs of the druids -priests of ancient Gaul and Britain. The druids believed that witches, demons, and spirits of the dead roamed the earth on the eve of November 1. Bonfires were lit to drive the bad spirits away. To protect themselves further from the mean tricks of the bad spirits, the druids offered them good things to eat. They also disguised themselves so that the spirits would think the druids belonged to their own evil company. Surely the spirits would not harm members of their own group! Or so the druids thought. And thus we celebrate Halloween by playing "trick or treat," dressing up in costumes, and wearing masks.

The autumn leaves, cornstalks, apples, and nuts that are so much a part of the Halloween season are reminders of the druids' autumn festival in honor of the harvest.

Much later the Roman Catholic Church set aside the first day of November to honor all the saints who had no special days of their own. Saints were known as the hallowed, or holy, ones. Their special day was known as All Saints', or All Hallows', Day. The night before was called All Hallows' Even. All Hallows' Even was shortened to Halloween. (Grolier Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia)