Celebrate Halloween

UK Halloween celebrations seem to have become popular since the film E.T., released in 1982, where much of the action takes place in a typical US suburb during the celebration of Halloween. Halloween is, of course, the night of 31st October, the night before All Hallows day, also known as All Saints Day. Hence the name Hallow Even, abbreviated to Halloween.

However, it is almost certainly based on the Celtic Harvest Festival celebrations (called Samhain) at the end of a successful harvest, that would ensure survival until next year. Because it was difficult to grow enough food to feed all the animals throughout the winter, many would be slaughtered to provide for the family.

The celebrations also involved bonfires to burn the bones of the dead animals, another pagan festival that has been converted, this time into burning Guy Fawkes on Bonfire Night. The carving of pumpkins and other root vegetables to make Jack O' Lanterns is also believed to date from these Celtic festivals. They were used to frighten the evil spirits (and later the Devil) from the premises.

The ancient Romans celebrated Pomona, the goddess of trees and fruits in late October. When the Romans came to Britain, the natural merging of the two cultures resulted in the combination of the Roman festival with that of the Celtic Samhain. This may well be the origin of apple bobbing and other apple games at this time of the year.

"Trick or Treat "may have its roots in an ancient Scottish custom. There are spirits who were not scared of pumpkin lanterns were a lot of food, leave the house alone for another year open. Another possible origin is the English tradition of Mischief Night (celebrated on November 4, between Halloween and Bonfire Night) in boys jokes in their neighborhood. hooliganism is not a modern invention, after all.

However, Halloween has lost its religious andsymbolic significance for most people; it is simply an opportunity for children and adults alike to have a party!