Of Witches, Shrieks and Howls in the Night

Who in America doesn’t know about Halloween? Yet despite its enormous commercial popularity, it is not officially a holiday. No day off is given, although every calendar sets it apart as a special day of celebration.

Halloween’s origins trace back to the Druids, who felt that the spirits of the dead would roam the earth on Nov. 1, the turn of the new year at that time. This was believed to be when the veil between life and death was at its thinnest, thus “all souls day.” Accordingly, people would dress up to remove distinctions between the nether world and this one, while engaging in various rituals.

By the seventh century, Christians made this into a celebration for all known and unknown martyrs, calling it “All Hallows Day.” The night before became “All Hallow E’en,” for Even, meaning evening. “All Hallow E’en” eventually got shortened to Halloween. The emphasis was also switched from celebrating during the day to celebrating the preceding evening. Instead of November 1st, the night of October 31st took center stage, with pranks, bonfires and a host of games.

The American contribution came in the 20th century with the popularity of children parading in groups from house-to-house trick or treating. This practice harks back to a 9th century European custom called “souling,” where beggars, going from village to village, would ask for “soul cakes,” square pieces of bread with currents. The more the beggars received the more prayers would be offered for departed loved ones of the givers.

Today’s jack-o’-lantern also derives from ancient days, this time the Celts. It was feared that if spirits could travel from the other world to this, then bad spirits might be among the good. To scare away the former, carved faces were made in potatoes and turnips, which were then hollowed-out and lit with candles. In America pumpkins became the vegetable of choice, since they were plentiful and larger. Its orange color became embedded with black, representing night. To think of Halloween is to summon images of black and orange!

Why it’s called a jack-o’-lantern originates with an Irish legend about a shifty villain named Jack, wanted neither in heaven or hell. The only solace he ever receives all year long, and indeed every year throughout eternity, is the warmth of the candle bearing the cut-out symbol of his face smiling on a pumpkin.

Some noteworthy things have happened on Oct. 31. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Palace Church, setting forth the Protestant Reformation. Nevada became the 36th state in 1864. The renowned magician, Harry Houdini, died on this day in 1926. One of England’s greatest poets, John Keats, was born on Halloween in 1795. Lastly, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle was published October 31, 1892, replete with many a two-pipe problem.

Returning to Halloween, it is the time to ponder why it is that ghosts leave shadows but not footprints. While doing so, and amid the calls for trick or treat and howls and shrieks in the dark of night, we close on this anonymous rhyme.

                          I’m jack-o’-lantern with a great big grin.
                          I’m jack-o’-lantern with a candle in.
                          Poof goes the wind and out goes the light.
                          Away fly the witches on Halloween night. 

Endnote: “There is nothing that gives more assurance than a mask.” — Colette