Halloween is one of the oldest holidays celebrated. Years ago there was a group called the Celts. They lived in the area that is now Great Britain and France. The Celts worshipped many gods, but their favorite was the sun. Their new year was November 1, making their new years eve October 31. On that day they belived the SamHain would take up all the dead people, and make them animals, like black cats.The priests of the Celts would meet on hills near oak trees and create fires during the night, and when the morning came, the priests, also known as Druids, would give an ember to each family to start off a fire that would keep the evil spirits away for the year.
Later on, Christianity spread, and November 1 was made a holiday to honor all saints. But, the Celtic religion was still remembered and eventually the two customs of All Saints Day and Samhain Day mixed into one creating the holiday we know now as Halloween.
ORIGINS
Jack-O-Lantern : There was a man named Jack that everone didn't like because he was a scrooge. One day when he was napping in the woods he looke over and saw the devil beside him. The devil knew gow greedy he was and made a barigain with Jack for his soul. Jack told the devil to climb a tree and get him a piece of fruit and then he would macka decision. When the devil was climbing Jack carved a cross in the tree and because the devil can't pass over a cross he was stuck. Jack agreed to let him down if he never asked for is soul again. When jack dies he was not accpted to heaven because of the greedy life he lived and the devil wouldn't accept him either because of their deal. So Jack became a lost soul. To light his way he cut two holes in a turnip,partcularily on Halloween night.
Trick or Treat : The celts tried to appease the evil spirits. Ghost, goblin, and demons. Huge bonfires were built to light the way for all the spirits to find their way to living world. They would leave out food, hoping that this would please the spirit world. If they didn't leave anything the spirits would play evil "tricks" on the living in that house. The Druids required human sacrifices, they would go door to door asking for the virgin daughters. If this was not obtained at the chosen homes, then a hexagram was painted on the door in blood to show the appointed evil spirits to cause all kinds of evil to fall on the home. In some cases, even resulted in death.
