Being of Irish decent on both sides of my family, my mother was particularly interested in our knowing that many of our Halloween traditions originated in Ireland, where the Celts celebrated Samhain, (sow-en).
In Celtic lore, the year is divided into two halves associated with the dark and the light. The dark half begins at sunset on November 1st with Samhain and the cycle ends when the light half begins at sunset on May 1st, which is the festival of Bealtaine. Both festivals are closely linked, but in general, Samhain is considered to be the most important. Irish Culture and Customs
This was the time between the end of summer and the beginning of winter that the dead revisited the mortal world. When the Catholic Church arrived in Ireland, they took the Druid custom and created All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2. Oct. 31 became the All Souls Evening or All Hallow’s Eve.
In the old days, the ancients believed that on this night, hobgoblins, evil spirits and fairies traveled about the country in great numbers. For protection against fairy mischief, holy water was sprinkled on animals, food offerings were left outside the house, oatmeal and salt were put on the heads of children, iron or a dead ember from the fire was put in an infant’s cradle, and little ones were taught not to eat wild fruits on this night, or afterwards, because it was believed that the Puca, a particularly nasty spirit, went about spitting or urinating on them. It was also the custom to make a special cross called a Parshell. Two small sticks were laid crosswise and shafts of wheat were woven around the junction until the cross was secured. It was then hung over the door on the inside of the house to help protect the family from illness, bad luck and witchcraft until the next Halloween when a new cross would be made. The old cross would then be moved to another part of the house. ‘Everyone has debts at Halloween' is an old Irish proverb and this was a time when people attempted to settle up. Workers were paid, as was the rent, and farm folk secured crops and livestock for the hard winter to come. While the adults were completing these chores, children visited relatives and friends and were given gifts of apples and nuts. They also played lots of games. Irish Culture and Customs
The Druids believed that the living and the dead were at their closest on the night before Samhain. Since the spirits would try to collect as many souls during this time, people would disguise themselves so that they would appear to already be spirits. Thus began the tradition of dressing up on Halloween.
As for Jack O Lanterns, the tradition of carving turnips (now pumpkins) dates back to a blacksmith named Jack, who was so nasty, he was denied entry into heaven. He was so rotten that the devil didn’t want Jack in hell either — too much competition for him! So Jack’s spirit was condemned to wander the earth for eternity. But one request the devil did grant Jack was to give him something to light his way. What he got was a burning coal ember, which Jack placed inside a carved out turnip. Thus, the tradition of the Jack O’ Lantern was born. To this day, people in Ireland still carve out turnips and illuminate them with stumps of candle. They’re then placed in a window or put on a gate post outside the house. Here in the United States, the custom was continued by millions of Irish emigrants who carved out pumpkins because they were a lot more plentiful than turnips. Irish Culture and Customs
Today’s “take a break” is learning about Samhain and incorporating a tradition or two in your own celebration of Halloween.
Make a Barnbrack Cake: The fruit caked served on Halloween, filled with fortune telling objects e.g. a ring for finding true love, a coin for obtaining wealth in the coming year.
Make a Parshell, the Halloween cross that woven on Oct. 31. It is placed on the front door or inside the house and is believed to help protect you from bad luck. It’s very similar to making a God’s Eye, with the exception that wheat straw, plant material or paper twist is used. You can practice how to make it now so you’ll be all set for making one on Halloween.
Irish Halloween Traditions
Samhain-The Irish New Year
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