The Origins of Halloween
Our modern-day Halloween has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain. The festival celebrated a number of things, including the end of summer and the harvest season (and thus the beginning of winter). It was believed that at this time of year, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thin and could become blurred—allowing the ghosts of the dead to return to earth.
Around the 9th century, Christian influence in Celtic lands had grown, and it’s believed that the church began replacing traditional festivals with similar, related festivals that were church-sanctioned. To that end, All Souls’ Day, an annual celebration on November 2nd to honor the dead, was established by the church in 1000 AD.
The day before, November 1st, was deemed All Saints’ Day—known by some as All-hallows. Thus, the night before All-hallows became known as All-hallows Eve. Today, we know that day, originally Samhain, as Halloween.
Rituals
We suggest having a beautiful feast with friends aka "dinner party" this can be celebrated in many ways. Allow the focus to be on honoring those ancestors and loved ones who have passed on to the other realm. Being the veil is the thinnest on this night many may prefer a solo personal ritual or other various magickal workings within themselves. We highly recommend using one an herb bundle specific with sage to cleanse the space and heighten the channels of energy.
Another great addition would be the resin incense "apothecary blend" allow the various herbs such as copal and myrrh to do the work and create an aromatic connection between this realm and beyond. Lastly but certainly not least if you'd still like to partake in festivities but keep it simple light up our signature 21 candle to raise energy deflect negativity and feel a moody , sexy vibe.
Product Recommendations
RESIN INCENSE "APOTHECARY BLEND"
$16.00
7 CHAKRA SAGE BUNDLE
$20.00
PAPER FLOWER SAGE BUNDLE
$16.00
ABALONE SHELL AND WOOD CARVED TRIPOD
$35.00
21 CANDLE
$39.00
Jack O’Lanterns
The practice of carving Jack O’Lanterns originated in Ireland—but instead of pumpkins, large turnips and potatoes were used! The name comes from a folktale about an unsavory man named Stringy Jack, who managed to offend both the Devil and God and now his spirit roams the earth with only a burning coal to light his way. The legend says that Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip, which is how his spirit became known as “Jack of the Lantern” – later shortened to “Jack O’Lantern.”
The Irish believed that by carving their own, scary-faced versions of Jack’s lantern, they could ward off his spirit and any other malevolent spirits that might be wandering the earth. The tradition made its way to England (where large beets are used) and eventually to America, where native pumpkins served as ideal lanterns.
Costumes
During Samhain, the Celts lit sacred bonfires to make crop and animal sacrifices to the Celtic gods and wore costumes to tell each other’s fortunes. Many left food or treats on their doorsteps as an offering to help the spirits of loved ones find their way home.
When All Souls’ Day was established, it continued the traditions of dressing up in costumes and building bonfires. Community parades also became common practice during this holiday.
The tradition of wearing costumes persisted when the holiday, by then known as Halloween, came to America. But instead of dressing in costumes to tell fortunes and leaving food out for souls, Americans wore them to go door to door asking for food or money. In the late 1800s, the practice was abandoned for several decades, with costumes being worn instead to community parties and parades. Trick-or-treating was revived in the mid-1900s as a way to keep entire communities involved in Halloween celebrations even as celebrations moved more into individual homes instead of at community locations.