Although it started as All Martyrs Day, he thought is befitting to include the Saints as well, changing the name to All Saints Day. The pope, after considering dates, officiated November 1 st as All Martyrs Day, changing its status from New Years for many Europeans. Since the Romans worshipped the Goddess Pomona, symbolized by the apple and incorporated into the Celtic celebrations, this could be why we bob for apples on Halloween today. In the 400 years of Roman occupation, festivals and beliefs were combined between the two.
The Romans conquered Celtic territory about 43 years after the death of Christ. Samhain was considered a serious observation, not the holiday we know today. They also offered animal sacrifices and read fortunes. The veil between the living and the dead was thinned, or some believe, even opened.ĭuring Samhain, the Celtic priests (Druids) built bonfires and wore costumes to resemble animals. Between these two days, it was believed the spirits of the dead could easily return to earth. Thus the Wiccan observance of Samhain in their beliefs, predating Christianity. With the New Year being on November 1 st, this meant that Samhain, was the name for New Year’s Eve on October 31 st, the same day we observe as Halloween in modern times. Mind you, it wasn’t considered dark for evil reasons, but only to symbolize the coming of a long winter, void of much sunlight. And of course, the New year was celebrated on November 1 st, marking harvest time and the entry into the dark seasons. Halloween, as we call it today, was known as the New Year’s Eve in Ireland, the United Kingdom and also in Northern France. It began in countries ruled by the Celts around 2000 years ago. But let’s go back really far first, and see what we can find.
The truth is, Halloween is a mixture of many traditions and beliefs, spanning almost the entirety of Europe and later into the United States.
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