Halloween, It's Origins and Modern Day Halloween Traditions

The origin of Halloween dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain. This was sort of the Celtic version of New Years Eve. It was to honor the end of summer and harvest time, and start the time of cold, darkness, and of winter. Celts believed that this end of the year time denoted the time in which the barrier between the living and the dead became almost non-existent. It was assumed that on October 31st, the spirits would come back from the dead and cause trouble and mischief by damaging the crops with frost and they would cause other trouble.
In order to take away the glamour of worshipping spirits, the Roman church (which eventually became the Roman Catholic Church) created a holiday. Therefore November 1st, became All Saints Day to honor the saints and martyrs of the church. The day before All Saints Day was known as All Hallows Eve. As time went on, the two religions began to include the rituals of Samhain, such as dressing up in costumes and dancing around the fire. The result was, these rituals and All Hallows Eve became Halloween as we know it today.
Halloween is a day full of customs from centuries past. An example of these customs would be bobbing for apples. Romans and Celts mixed their customs and their celebrations or festivals. One festival from the time of Samhain was to honor the goddess of fruit trees, Pamona. Pamona was symbolized as an apple. Therefore bobbing for apples is a popular custom at Halloween celebrations.
Trick or Treating is also derived from a custom from centuries past. There would be parades on All Soul's Day in England of the past. Rich members of the community would parade past poor citizens and throw them pastries that they called soul cakes. The poor citizens, often on the verge of starvation, would accept these cakes in exchange for praying for the rich citizen's dead family members.
Dressing in costumes also can trace it's origins to centuries past. This custom was started in England as well. English citizens, knew that Hallows Eve was a time for the spirits of their ancestors to come back and haunt and torment them. Therefore they would don masks and costumes in order to keep their dead relatives from recognizing them.

Where did the custom of carving Jack-O-Lanterns out of pumpkins originate? The custom was bought to the United States by Irish immigrants. People have practiced this custom for centuries. The following story is from Irish mythology.
Once there lived a man known as Stingy Jack, who, as a result of a wager, tricked the Devil. Part of the trick gave the Devil no rights to his soul. When Stingy Jack died he found that he could not get in to Heaven either. He found himself wandering in darkness or pergatory, as the realm between Heaven and Hell is called. It was so dark, the Devil took pity and gave him a coal directly from the fires of Hell to help him see in the darkness. Stingy Jack hollowed out a turnip and placed the burning coal inside. Since that day Stingy Jack has roamed the earth, trapped in pergatory between Heaven and Hell using the turnip as a lantern. This turnip became known as a Jack-O-Lantern.
The story is that on All Hallow's Eve, Stingy Jack joined other evil spirits in an effort to torment Irish people. As a talisman against this effort, the Irish carved jack-o-lanterns on All Hallow's Eve and placed candles in them to keep evil spirits and Stingy Jack away. Originally the jack-o-lantern was carved from turnips, potatoes, gourds, rutabagas and even beets. Irish immigrants in America found that pumpkins were larger and better suited than turnips and much easier to carve. Eventually the pumpkin became the choice for carving jack-o-lanterns.

Vampire costumes are a popular choice for Halloween, they don't require much maintenance or preparation. As a matter of fact, one only needs a set of fangs and perhaps some 'pancake' makeup for some very good results. The picture shown above is reputedly one of the more well known vampires, Count Dracula or Vlad Tepes or Vlad Dracula, which translates son of the dragon. Vlad Tepes translates to Vlad "the impaler", due to his habit of impaling his victims on wooden stakes. It was said that he once ate lunch amid a forest of his victims impaled on wooden stakes. He was rumored to have survived death, hence the notion that he had become a vampire at the moment of his death.
Modern vampires are modelled after movies and books, such as "Salem's Lot" by Stephen King. They tend to be glamorous characters, and they are governed by rules probably contrived by writers of fiction to help sell books. Such as, vampires cannot venture out in sunlight, although Dracula could and the Vampires in "Twilight" can as well (although they sparkle like diamonds in the sun). There are many examples of the modern vampire, such as Lestat from the "Interview With a Vampire" novel written by Anne Rice, or the book and popular movie "Twilight", and the very popular HBO show "True Blood". I mean, who doesn't love the female lead, "Sookie"? (and she's not a Vampire, however she chooses them as love interests) This helps to explain the interest in vampires and the reason it is such a popular Halloween costume.
I was walking home from work, this was Halloween 1973 and I had to pass a grave yard with some of the tombstones there dating back to 1650. There was a man there, and from the beginning there seemed to be an evil aura emanating from this man. He was standing over an open grave and saying some sort of incantation. He had a slaughtered domestic animal (dog or cat) in his left hand and he offered it as some sort of sacrifice. I was horrified, but I could not look away. I could scarcely believe my eyes! At that moment a man seemed to drift out of the grave, I was so afraid that I simply could not move. The man from the grave opened his mouth and I could see his razor sharp teeth. He battened on the neck of the man standing and proceeded to make loud slurping noises as he drank the man's blood. He was very old when he drifted from the grave, but he grew somewhat younger as he drank. I didn't want to believe this, but my eyesight was perfect in those days. He finally stopped, and I found I could move and I got out of there with great haste. I know how this all sounds, but it happened in that small Connecticut town and I will never forget it. I think I stumbled onto a ritual that allowed a vampire to come back from death after his true death. So when people say to me that vampires don't exist, I can only nod and think that as far as I am concerned they do. I think that vampire may still be in Connecticut looking for blood to replenish his youth!

The Last Ride
by Paul Melniczek

She lifted up her head and peered outside through the frosted window. Wrinkled eyes gazed into the bright sky, and a smile came over the old woman's face when she saw the full moon, shining away in all it's harvest glory, a perfect background setting for All Hallow's Eve.

A loud purring reached her ears as a black cat leaped up on the table next to the rocking chair she was sitting in.

"Yes, my sweets. Isn't that a pretty night we have in store for us? Old man moon looks down on us with a wink in his eye tonight."

The cat stared at her with deep green eyes, attention fixed on every word.

"You know what this night means, don't you, Trickster?" The cat let out a soft meow, listening to his master.

"It is the passing of an age, that is what. Many long years, happy memories, but there is an ending to every story, good and bad. Ol' Madge here has seen it all, yes I have."

The old woman pushed herself up from the chair, one gnarled hand stroking the silken fur of Trickster. There was a creaking noise as old bones cracked within the ancient body, stiff joints groaning in protest at the effort made by her to straighten up.

"Ah, this craggy old girl ain't what she used to be. Need a dose of the ointment before I go, that'll fix me for a little while."

Madge walked over towards a large oaken trunk that was filled with an assortment of herbs, spices, animal parts, jarred collections of insects, packaged powders, and numerous other odds and ends. They were the tools of her trade.

Rummaging through the contents, she found a sachet containing some brown colored leaves, and when she opened it a sweet odor wafted outwards.

"Hmm, this will do fine." The crone went over to a wooden cabinet which had vials of liquid scattered about the shelves. She grabbed a tube with a bubbly fluid inside with a purple tinge to it, and then poured the leaves in.

Wispy curls of vapor rose up, and the old woman drank deeply.

A look of revulsion crossed her face at the bitter taste, but she shook it off.

"Not the fountain of youth, but it bestows on me a glimmer of strength, and that is all I need." She smacked her dry lips together, and smiled with glee.

Madge hobbled over to the great stone fireplace that warmed the cottage, and a black cauldron was resting above the burning flames. A green liquid boiled away in a frenzy, fat bubbles oozing from the surface. She stirred the mixture with a metal ladle.

"Double, bubble, toil and trouble!"

"Double, bubble, toil and trouble!'

Cackling with delight, the old woman churned the foul broth with renewed vigor. The cauldron hissed in answer, and the brew began to fizzle over.

"Ha ha, that's it. A ghastly potion for a ghostly night!"

Madge nodded to herself, and the flames danced before her, casting lurid shadows on the walls of the cottage.

The image behind the cat grew in size, reaching the proportions of a great beast which was many times the feline's actual body shape.

Trickster growled, his dark mane bristling. The master made a gesture in the air, and the front door burst open as the black cat sprang into the night, the transformation beginning to take place. A howl echoed from the woods outside, and Madge shouted in response, the language old and archaic.

"Rejoice in the wild, my pet. The night calls. Until the sun comes up, when you must return."

A gust of wind blasted against the cottage, slamming the door shut with a loud crash. The old woman's wizened face had a trace of sadness on it, and she let out a deep sigh.

"It is almost time, must make haste."

Madge opened the closet and reached inside, tenderly bringing out a worn garb, black as the night. A tear trickled from the corner of an eye, moistening the callused cheek beneath.

"So many years, where have they all gone? How will I be able to face the next one, knowing that my time is done?"

She pulled the raiment tightly about herself, cherishing the feel of the familiar outfit. The cloak gave her comfort and security.

"Such little time, and too many things to fill it with, 'tis a pity."

There was an upper shelf inside the closet, and from this she brought out a rumpled black hat, pointed at the top in the shape of a narrow cone.

"Hee hee hee," she chuckled. "A pointed cone for a crooked crone." She set the hat on her head, and brushed back the strands of silver hair that lay tangled down to her shoulders. She began to feel much younger and stronger, but it was only wishful thinking. Potions could give her a teasing of both, but that was it.

Madge crossed to the other side of the room, wooden floor boards creaking underneath her musty black boots. The heels clicked softly with her passing.

A reading desk sat in the corner, and a dusty tome sprawled along the top. Strange words and symbols were etched onto the crinkled pages, the lettering written in blood. She leafed through until she found the proper incantation, then closed the book with a snap.

"Long ago, I could recite nearly every line of verse in half that script. But now....." The old woman shook her head, again being overcome with remorse.

"More's the pity, old hag, I've had my turn. The wheels of time roll on without stopping, and my moment has arrived to step aside. Only fond memories, no regrets."

The old woman's gaze wandered the trappings of the cottage, her domain for countless years. Yes, fate had treated her well, there was no denial.

"And now, my friend, who has served me so well these many years. Will you answer the summons yet again, on this night of all nights?

Madge spread her arms wide in appeal, pale yellow eyes closed in concentration. The wind picked up outside, and tree branches scratched against the window panes, bent stick arms moving in wooden animation, responding to the surge of dark power that was building within the cottage.

There was a flash of brilliance radiating from a section of stone next to the fireplace, and a secret panel was revealed. From the compartment emerged a long broom, stark in opaque blackness, levitating towards the old woman.

"Ha ha ha, come to me! It is our time again. The sisters await!"

The broom continued floating, and it came within the crone's eager grasp as it throbbed with power, pulsating with diabolical energy.

Madge held the broom up triumphantly, and opened the front door. A strong breeze was blowing, and fallen leaves covered the mossy earth. Sinister figures crouched within the surrounding shadows, lurking among the trees.

It was Halloween night, and spirits of the nights had awakened in unholy celebration.

Madge sat astride the enchanted broom, and up she flew to meet with her fellow sisters of the coven. This was her last time as the coven leader, and a new one would be sworn in this Hallow's Eve.

She gazed up at the awaiting sky, spotting others of her wicked brethren. It was Halloween night, and for the last time, into that magical night, rode the form of the witch, on her last moonlight ride.

The End

Michael Jackson Costume - Sequin Glove and Leggings

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Cyndi Lauper Costume

Womens Blue Katy Perry Wig

Infant Monster Costume - Lil Monster

Lady Gaga Halloween Costume Kit

You could make this costume or order it entirely from this link shown here

Mens ZZ Top Beard

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guaranteed. All of the costumes shown on this page may be ordered from the two companies whose ads appear below. Most of our commission will be donated to two environmental groups, (see 'Parting Thought' below) minus operating costs. Have fun, order today, Halloween is almost here!








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Demons were never originally associated with Halloween, however I think it would be a hit at a costume party. You could make your own or check out the ads on this page for ideas and places to view catalogs of costumes and accessories. This guy is really into the demon costume thing and his site Creating a Demon Costume, is really good, the image shown above is one of his. Give it a try, who knows? You may win first prize!

The photo above is Count Dracula's castle (see the information shown above concerning Vlad Tepes), you could actually visit this location (maybe the Count will put in an appearance, however be careful, he is the most powerful Vampire) and have a tour, drop me a note in the guestbook and I'll try to help you. Halloween is one of my favorites, and I hope you have enjoyed what we have presented here. Once again the idea is to have fun with this holiday.
If you are not handy with a needle and thread, you may order any of the costumes presented here and you may view more, simply click here and you'll be led to our site that showcases Halloween costumes, decorations and accessories. Just click any ad and you'll get to the proper area. Any commissions paid to us will be shared with two environmental groups, 1Sky and WeCanSolveIt (Al Gore's group), minus any operating costs.
If you check my site "Renewable Energy Sources" you can read something about these groups as well as be directed to their sites.
In the meantime, have a great Halloween, see you at Thanksgiving:)