The tradition of celebrating spirits of the dead, especially in the autumn, is largely universal to a variety of different world religions and cultures. Though specific legends and beliefs vary, by 1930’s America, several of those celebrations of the dead were cobbled together to form the version modern-day Halloween, as well as the days that follow.
In the United States, universal Halloween traditions are celebrated by carving jack-o-lanterns, hanging spooky decorations, dressing in costumes, Trick-or-Treating, and eating lots and lots of candy. A secular (non-religious) holiday, Halloween is celebrated mostly by children, parents, and young adults across the nation. Evangelical Christians, however, find the holiday abhorrent and will avoid it.
Halloween seems to have originated mostly in Europe and came to the Americas initially with the first white settlers. Over the years, related fall festivals from other parts of the globe have been incorporated and the holiday has evolved. Wearing costumes and telling fortunes on the ancient Celtic harvest festival of Samhain, Catholic festivals commemorating martyrs and souls of the dead, the 17th-century British custom of wearing a mask and attending bonfires on Guy Fawkes Day, The lighting of a Yahrzeit Memorial Candle to honor the dead in Jewish tradition, the tradition of cooking the favorite foods of and bringing out photos of deceased loved ones on Mexican Dia de los Muertos, as well as the offering of sweet foods to prevent spirits from becoming angry during the Festival of Hungry Ghosts in China, have all lent a piece of themselves to create the holiday that we know today.
On November 1, Christians celebrate All Hallows’ Day, also known as All Saints Day. Central to All Saints’ Day is the belief in the “Communion of Saints,” that all of God’s people, living and passed, are re-connected. On this day, congregants pray for and honor not only the saints they are already familiar with, but also the many unknown and unsung Saints. All Soul’s Day, the Catholic day to remember the dead, comes on Nov. 2 or as in many churches, the following Sunday. It is thought to have grown out of the tradition of celebrating the “martyrdom of saints during Roman times. This is when Christians honor all the “Holy Ones, known and unknown.” Some churches set up an Altar of Remembrance, with the names, photos and / or objects reminding us of our deceased loved ones. Candles are also sometimes lit and flowers placed at this alter, as might also be done by families at the cemetery where family members rest.
Most of the holiday is celebrated on the afternoon and evening of October 31st, and many families do not celebrate at all on November 1st or 2nd. The biggest part of Halloween is Trick-or-Treating. Costumed children ask for treats with the phrase “Trick or treat”. The “treat” is usually some form of candy or snack or maybe a tiny toy. The “trick” is an idle threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. Some teenagers might throw eggs, smash jack-o-lanterns or put toilet paper in neighbors’ trees. But this is generally discouraged by all adults, including the police, for obvious reasons.
For some good fun with the children of any age this Halloween season, watch the animated special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” make scarecrows and carve or paint jack-o-lanterns, discuss their Halloween costume plans, and maybe have them help you make a costume for yourself. Adult costumes are almost always optional, and it can be great fun to get into the spirit of it.
Be sure to follow some safety precautions, though, especially in regard to Trick-or-Treating. The California Highway Patrol (Police) puts out a list of safety tips specifically regarding Halloween that is very helpful. If you are taking the children out Trick-or-Treating be sure to bring light-sticks or include reflective tape on their costumes as well as carrying a flashlight. Be sure shoes are tightly tied and all costume elements are secured. Don’t allow the children to step inside a stranger’s home, and never allow the children to eat any candy until you return home and examine it in the light for any signs of tampering. If you are staying home to greet guests, be sure to leave a bright porch light on, keep the candy right next to the door so you don’t leave trick-or-treaters unattended and don’t open the door if the trick-or-treating party who rang the bell does not include at least one child (or someone you know). When you run out of candy or no longer want to answer the door, turn off the porch light and any bright decorations, and trick-or-treaters will stop ringing the bell. If you are out in the community, please don’t drink alcohol (well, maybe a single beer if you are over 21 and not driving). Drive extremely carefully, as there are people on the streets everywhere. And be vigilant when meeting new people who are in costume; It’s great to make new friends, but they are strangers that look different from how they normally do. Have fun and keep it safe!