by Christine Bode
A Personal Love for the Gothic and the Magical
It’s time for my favourite holiday—Halloween! Although truth be told, I keep gothic Halloween decorations on my bookshelves year-round. My penchant for all things gothic, magical, and mysterious might stem from my Celtic heritage—or maybe I’m just a bit weird. Either way, I’ll chalk it up to discovering Anne Rice’s novels and the haunting works of Edgar Allan Poe as a teenager. So, let’s examine why we celebrate Halloween.
What is Halloween Really About?
Halloween is a time when people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, go trick-or-treating, watch horror movies, and attend parties. It’s a celebration of magic, mystery, and imagination. But where did these traditions come from? And how has Halloween evolved over the centuries?
Ancient Roots: The Celtic Festival of Samhain
Halloween’s origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain—meaning “summer’s end” in Gaelic. Celebrated by the Celts of Ireland, the UK, and northern France, Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark, cold winter—a time associated with death and hardship.
On October 31, the Celts believed the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. Spirits were thought to return, causing trouble and damaging crops. Interestingly, the Druids (Celtic priests) believed this spiritual presence made it easier to predict the future.
To honour Samhain, the Celts built massive bonfires, burned crops and animals as offerings, and wore costumes made of animal skins to disguise or appease spirits. They also practiced fortune-telling using entrails, nuts, or bones. After the festivities, hearth fires were re-lit from the sacred bonfire to protect homes during winter.
Roman Influence and the Rise of Christian Traditions
By A.D. 43, the Roman Empire had conquered most Celtic territories and introduced its own festivals. Two notable ones were:
- Feralia: A late-October day to honour the dead.
- Pomona: A celebration of the goddess of fruits and trees—her symbol, the apple, may explain the Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples.
Later, in the eighth century, Christianity spread across Celtic lands. Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day to honour Christian martyrs and saints. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve—eventually shortened to Halloween. Pagan customs such as bonfires and costumes were incorporated into these Christian observances.
Halloween Comes to North America
During the 19th and 20th centuries, European immigrants brought Halloween to North America. Each group contributed unique traditions:
- Irish immigrants carved turnips or potatoes into lanterns to ward off evil spirits. In North America, they switched to pumpkins—more abundant and easier to carve.
- Scottish immigrants introduced the practice of going door-to-door asking for food or money, which evolved into trick-or-treating.
- English immigrants brought mischievous pranks, like tipping outhouses or unhinging gates.
The Commercialization of Halloween
By the 20th century, Halloween had become more secular and commercialized. It shifted focus toward children and entertainment. Mass-produced costumes and candy flooded stores, while parties and parades became popular. Horror movies and haunted houses added thrills and chills to the celebration.
Personally, I prefer vampires, ghosts, and witches to zombies or serial killers. Some of my favourite horror films include Sinners, Interview with the Vampire, Prince of Darkness, The Hunger, Psycho, The Shining, 28 Days Later, The Conjuring, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Haunting of Hill House, and Jacob’s Ladder. That said, I don’t watch as many horror flicks as I used to—real life feels scary enough these days! If you have a must-watch horror recommendation, drop it in the comments.
Global Celebrations in the 21st Century
Today, Halloween is celebrated worldwide in diverse ways. Some countries have adopted American traditions, such as costumes and pumpkin carving. Others honour the dead through unique cultural festivals:
- México: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
- China: Hungry Ghost Festival
Halloween is also a time for creativity and self-expression. People craft costumes, decorate homes, and share spooky stories—each adding their own flair to the festivities.
My Halloween Plans
I haven’t gone trick-or-treating since my youngest niece and nephew were little. Living in a condo means no trick-or-treaters at my door, but tonight I’ll see Frankenstein by Guillermo Del Toro at the cinema with a friend.
A Celebration of Imagination and Connection
Halloween has a rich history shaped by cultural exchange and transformation. Now you know why we celebrate Halloween—a celebration of imagination, magic, and mystery—a time to embrace the things that go bump in the night. I don’t believe in using Halloween as an excuse for bad behaviour, but rather as a chance to have fun and connect with others through shared traditions.
Do you celebrate Halloween? What are your favourite customs? Let me know in the comments—and Happy Halloween!