31/10/2025
Halloween originated from the ancient Scottish Gaelic: or Sauin is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year
It is also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for November. Celebrations begin on the evening of 31 October, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset.
This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa. Historically it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Its Brittonic Celtic equivalent is called Calan Gaeaf in Wales. which celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of winter over 2,000 years ago. The Celts believed spirits returned to earth on this night, leading them to light bonfires, wear costumes, and mask themselves to ward off ghosts. Modern Halloween evolved as Christianity incorporated Celtic traditions into its own observances, with the night before All Saints' Day becoming "All Hallows' Eve," and eventually "Halloween".
Spirit World: The Celts believed that on this night, the barrier between the world of the living and the dead thinned, allowing spirits to return to earth.
Costumes and Bonfires: To ward off evil spirits, people would wear costumes (often animal skins) and light bonfires.
Food and Offerings: People would leave out food to appease spirits and sometimes perform sacrifices.
