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Although there are a few different theories about the history of Halloween, it is typically linked to a Celtic festival called Samhain. A name derived from the Old Irish, it means “summer’s end.” Its festival celebrates the beginning of the darker half of the year, and the end of the lighter half, and some regard it as the Celtic New Year.
Others believe its roots came from the feast of Pomona in Rome. Pomona was the goddess of the seeds and fruit. Still others believe it came out of the festival of the dead, called Parentalia.
Ancient Celtic belief tells that when our world and the “otherworld” became thin, this allowed both good and evil spirits to pass through to our world. Family spirits were welcomed home, but evil spirits were sent away. It is believed that this is where the wearing of the costumes and masks came in. If one disguised himself as a harmful spirit, no harm would come to him.
Samhain was also time to harvest, stock up on food for the winter, and slaughter the livestock. At times they burned two bonfires, and people passed between them believing to be cleansed.
The history of the name Halloween is derived from the expression “All Hallows Even,” (even being short for evening, and eventually the “v” was left out and the words were shortened to Halloween. Today, Halloween is a very popular time for costume parties, trick-or-treating, ghost tours, haunted events, and horror films, and it is enjoyed by all ages.
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