Hallowe'en - a 'pagan' history

So here is the first of my blogs on Hallowe'en. Tonight we start with the 'pagan' beliefs behind the day:


  • Known in the Christianised sense as 'All Hallows Eve' or 'All Hallows Evening' as the day before 'All Souls', this day may have roots in the ancient, European, harvest festivals.

  • "some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain" - Historian Nicholas Rogers
  • Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of darker days for Winter.
  • It was believed that during Samhain, the doors to the 'Otherworld' would open and let in spirits of the dead. Not all of these were good and this may be where the lighting of a Jack O' Lantern or dressing up may come from as a way to ward of evil spirits.
Of course there must have been some sort of Christianisation of the festival. This will be explored tomorrow, but I think it highlights how the religion could adapt.

Please note, although I know this stuff I back it up with Wikipedia...go internet!!!

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