Last week we looked at the possible Christian origins of Halloween. Turns out it started in about the eighth century. Today I want to explore the pagan side of Halloween which dates back about 2000 years. According to the Internet, it’s earliest roots are in the Irish Festival of Samhain. Wikipedia says:
Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. Traditionally, it is celebrated on October 31.
People felt that this time of year was when spirits, witches, and goblins were most active. So they would build bonfires and wear costumes to either frighten them away or confuse them.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:
Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes.
Halloween wasn’t celebrated in the United States until the early 1800’s when Irish settlers came to avoid the great potato famine. They brought their Halloween customs with them which included a
blend of Celtic lore and religious tradition. Slowly Halloween has blossomed here into one of the country’s most popular holidays.
These days some people observe Halloween by staying true to its more pagan roots. But most seem to view it as an innocent fall celebration where children dress up and go collect candy from their neighbors.
Based on what I have read, I definitely see a more sinister side to the festivities surrounding Halloween. I hope we are not tricking ourselves into thinking it’s not a big deal when in actuality it is the devil’s favorite time of year. Perhaps we should keep our guard up just in case.
Lord, regardless of the origins of Halloween, help us to remember that You have conquered death once for all. You bring the victory of life to your people. Thank you.
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