<body><![CDATA[The spooky HalloweΓÇÖen celebrations we enjoy today are a mixture of ancient Celtic, Roman and Christian rituals. ΓÇó The origins of HalloweΓÇÖen date back more than 2,000 years to a Celtic celebration called Samhain (pronounced sow-in). This was held on November 1 to mark the end of summer and the beginning of the Celtic new year. ΓÇó According to Celtic tradition, on the night before Samhain (which is the night on which we now celebrate HalloweΓÇÖen) the barrier between the world of the living and the world of the dead disappeared, enabling dead people to return to earth.ΓÇó The Celts believed these roaming spirits could cause all sorts of trouble. To protect themselves, they performed sacrifices and lit bonfires. They also wore scary-looking masks and costumes (sound familiar?) to frighten the spirits away.ΓÇó After AD 43 Samhain transformed into a Roman festival called Feralia. This was the RomansΓÇÖ day of the dead, when they honoured their ancestors and asked for their protection.ΓÇó A few days after Feralia, the Romans held a celebration in honour of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees whose symbol was the apple. HalloweΓÇÖenΓÇÖs association with apples ΓÇô for example, toffee apples and apple bobbing ΓÇô probably dates back to this Roman festival.ΓÇó By the 7th century, Christianity had spread into Celtic lands, replacing the religion of the Romans, and Pope Boniface IV decreed that November 1 was to be known as All SaintsΓÇÖ Day. On this day Christians held a celebration called All HallowsΓÇÖ and All Hallowmas in honour of all the dead saints.ΓÇó The night before this service became known as All HallowsΓÇÖ Eve. Over time, this was shortened to the name we use today ΓÇô HalloweΓÇÖen! ]]></body>
