All Hallows' Eve

All Hallows Eve is the first of three Christian holy days called Hallowmas. The word, Hallow, means Holy. It occurs on October 31st. Hallowmas are days set aside to honor the dead saints and pray for everyone else who has died recently, but haven't made it to Heaven yet. It became a tradition to ring church bells for all the souls in purgatory.

There are many myths, legends, stories, and superstitions connected with All Hallow's Eve. Although there are many traditions that have been passed down, no one really knows a lot about the early Celts or Druids. The fact is, there is very little in the way of records. Most of them were lost around the time of the Roman Empire. Archaeologists have discovered items and have made educated guesses about their uses.

Customs, stories, and myths were all handed down mostly by word of mouth, from generation to generation. An Irish poem from the 10th century, suggests that there may have once been sacrifices of newborns made to a heathen god named Crom Cruach. This was supposed to be taking place during the reigns of David and Solomon in Israel. It may or may not be true. There really isn't much evidence. It is said that this practice was abolished by Saint Patrick, although he never wrote anything about it. Most Irish myths were written down by Christian monks of the 7th century.

Many believe that All Hallows' Eve started as a feast based on harvest festivals, like the Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celt's only had two seasons. Beltane was the name for the spring and summer months. Samhain was the fall and winter months. Samhain is Old Irish which means "summer's end." Samhain was the end of their year. Samhain was the festival of the dying sun god. November 1st was the 1st day of their new year.

This was harvest time. It was a time to get ready for cold weather; chop wood, bring livestock down off the mountains and closer to home.

It was a time to preserve fruits and vegetables for the winter. This time of year animals could be slaughtered and the meat would keep all winter.

It was a time of celebration, much like our New Year's Eve. They had feasts, remembered the old, and looked forward to the new. It was also a time to honor their dead.

Large bonfires were lit and people often gathered there to celebrate. They believed the bonfire was cleansing as well as a protection against evil spirits. They would light the new fire in their hearths from the bonfires for the new year. There was feasting, drinking, singing, and playing games. A favorite game played then was "bobbing for apples."

People believed that there was a thin veil between the worlds. On the last night of the year they believed the souls of the dead would walk the earth. They set places at the tables for dead loved ones, with filled plates and cups. They hoped this would help them reach the next world.

They believed that fairies and evil spirits also came out. They would leave out food and drink for the spirits, hoping to be left alone. Many believed that on this night the spirits had one last chance to get even with their enemies before moving to the next world. Masks were often worn so that the spirits wouldn't recognize them. Some also dressed in costumes and made noise to frighten evil spirits away.

People also hollowed out large turnips and carved scary faces on them. They put a candle inside. They carried them when they went out at night to scare away evil spirits. That was the first jack-o-lantern.

Pope Gregory the First told his missionaries, in 601 A.D., not to try to abolish the peoples customs, but to embrace them. They could then be turned into ways to worship Christ. It became a day to remember and honor dead loved ones.

When Christian missionaries arrived they convinced most of the people that the Druids were devil worshipers. Anyone that refused to give up the Druid religion were labeled as witches. All supernatural beings, like witches, ghost, goblins, were declared to be evil.

People in England used to make "soul cakes" as a way of praying for christened souls or souls in purgatory. Beggers would go 'a soulin' from house to house on All Hallows Eve. They would receive a soul cake if they promised to pray for the soul of a dead loved one.

Later, people in costumes would go house to house entertaining the people and would be rewarded with food. They called that guising or mumming. Many people believe that was the model for modern "trick or treating."

There were many who believed that if a young girl did certain silly rituals they could find out who their future husband would be. A lot of people tried different ways to see into the future. The missionaries tried to teach the people that it was wrong and a sin against God.

All Hallow's Eve or Halloween was not celebrated in North America until a mass of Irish and Scottish began immigrating during the 19th century. It had become widely popular all over the United States by the first decade of the 20th century. It is now a children's holiday. Very few people remember, or even know that it is supposed to be a Christian holiday honoring the dead.