HALLOWEENHALLOWEENComing Soon…Coming Soon…

Halloween, the eve of All Saints' Day, observed Halloween, the eve of All Saints' Day, observed with traditional games and customs. The word with traditional games and customs. The word comes from medieval England's All Hallows' comes from medieval England's All Hallows' eve. However, many of these customs predate eve. However, many of these customs predate Christianity, going back to Celtic practices, which Christianity, going back to Celtic practices, which was Samhain , the beginning of winter and the was Samhain , the beginning of winter and the Celtic new year. Celtic new year.

Witches and other evil spirits were believed to roam Witches and other evil spirits were believed to roam the earth on this evening, playing tricks on human the earth on this evening, playing tricks on human beings to mark the season of diminishing sunlight. beings to mark the season of diminishing sunlight. Bonfires were lit, offerings were made of dainty Bonfires were lit, offerings were made of dainty foods and sweets, and people would disguise foods and sweets, and people would disguise themselves as one of the roaming spirits, to avoid themselves as one of the roaming spirits, to avoid demonic persecution. demonic persecution.

Survivals of these early practices can be Survivals of these early practices can be found in countries of Celtic influence today, found in countries of Celtic influence today, such as the United States where children such as the United States where children go from door to door in costumes go from door to door in costumes demanding "trick or treat."demanding "trick or treat."

Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time encompassing customs of Halloween formed over time encompassing customs of medieval holy days as well as contemporary cultures. The medieval holy days as well as contemporary cultures. The souling practice of commemorating the souls in purgatory souling practice of commemorating the souls in purgatory with candle lanterns carved from turnips, became adapted with candle lanterns carved from turnips, became adapted into the making of jack-o'-lanterns. In traditional Celtic into the making of jack-o'-lanterns. In traditional Celtic Halloween festivals, large turnips were hollowed out, carved Halloween festivals, large turnips were hollowed out, carved with faces and placed in windows to ward off evil spirits. with faces and placed in windows to ward off evil spirits.

The carving of pumpkins is associated with Halloween in North America The carving of pumpkins is associated with Halloween in North America where pumpkins are both readily available and much larger – making them where pumpkins are both readily available and much larger – making them easier to carve than turnips. Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a easier to carve than turnips. Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their doorstep pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their doorstep after dark. The American tradition of carving pumpkins preceded the Great after dark. The American tradition of carving pumpkins preceded the Great Famine period of Irish immigration and was originally associated with Famine period of Irish immigration and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.until the mid-to-late 19th century.

Halloween Halloween will come in your housewill come in your house

The End.The End.