“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ‘tis near halloween”-Unknown

The stars shone brightly outside as ghosts and goblins wandered the streets. Green, orange, yellow, and purple lights illuminated nearby houses creating an ominous atmosphere for the little monsters and princesses to run through. House to house the creatures went, these creatures ranging from goblins, barbies, clowns, mermaids, witches, and race car drivers. This isn’t a night to be scared of anymore, this is a night of trick-or-treating. This is the night of Halloween.

October 31st, Halloween, a time to scare and be scared. Most people know what this holiday is but not where it came from. When asked, many students at New Ulm High School responded with “I have no idea,” or “I kind of understand” where Halloween came from. The origin of Halloween goes back to an ancient Celtic festival, something that normally goes overlooked.

The Celtic festival of Samhain (sow-in) is thought to be the basis for our holiday, Halloween. The festival, celebrated at dusk throughout the night, was a time when ghosts were said to walk amongst the living because the barrier between worlds could be easily crossed. Costumes were worn during this festival to disguise a person from spirits who might want to harm a living person out of rage or from a plot of revenge. Along with the costumes, games were played to ward off the spirits. These games normally involved seasonal food. Apple-bobbing was a prominent feature of the festival. Large bonfires could be seen on the night of Samhain to warm the participants of the festival.

Many aspects of Samhain can be seen in Halloween. Costume are worn but not to ward off spirits, instead they are used either for parties or trick-or-treating. The costumes are also a little bit different now than what they used to be. Traditional costumes such as vampires, ghosts, and werewolves have been replaced with attires such as superheroes, hippies, and unicorns. Things that aren’t normally seen as scary. The practice of disguising a person and scaring off spirits has changed to more of a easygoing kind of attitude.

Halloween incorporates the use of seasonal food just as Samhain did. Apple-bobbing can still be seen on the night of Halloween. Apples though, are now usually covered in a caramel or candy coating. Candied and caramel apples are only some of the sweet treats that can be found on the spooky night of Halloween.

Halloween, a time to scare and be scared was founded on the basis of the Celtic festival of Samhain an unknown holiday to most people. People are not normally aware that Samhain was an important ancient Celtic festival, a time when otherworldly spirits were thought to cross over into our world. Things such as costumes and utilizing seasonal foods, that can be found of this holiday, originated from this festival. The next time you celebrate the holiday Halloween, try to look around and imagine what the occasion might have looked like for the Celtic people, a night of not just watching princesses and superheroes beg for pieces of candy.