Trick or Treat

The lantern is a memorial to Jack, a vile and crafty Irish villain who was so nasty that, according to legend , the good souls in heaven would have nothing to do with him. Even the Devil himself supposedly threw Jack out because he used to play tricks on him.

Discarded by the good and bad everywhere, Jack roamed the Earth grasping a hollowed out rotten potato with a flickering light inside to keep him warm, looking for a resting place. During recent years the American traditional pumpkin has been adopted by UK children as the jack-o’-lantern although in some parts of these islands the swede or turnip is still used (usually as second best).

The traditional Halloween colors of orange and black are strongly believed to have Celtic origins: orange being associated with Autumn harvest and black being the symbol of death. Trick or treat began with small groups of peasant farmers would go from door to door demanding some foodstuffs for the village Halloween festivities.

Such offerings were collected by the authority of Muck Olla the ancient god of Irish clergy. People who gave freely were praised and promised prosperity, while meaner souls who gave little or nothing had awful threats thrust upon them.

There was another custom related to trick or treat. On All Souls Day the poor would call from door to door begging food and if they were given specially made sweets they would promise to pray for the dead in those families who were generous. Gradually with the passing years, this custom was adopted by children at Halloween.

Black cats and witches are also strongly associated in the public’s mind with Halloween. According to Celtic myth, black cats were once people on Earth who had been changed into these creatures through bad magic; however, if silver ropes were tied to them, it was believed they would protect the church treasures. A mixture of Catholic traditions and ancient pagan superstitions led, over time, to the black cat becoming the witch’s companion in fairy tales – and in some people’s minds too!

As time passed and the “new” religion superseded the old, the original rites and rituals that were so much part of everyday life all but disappeared. The traditional festivals are still celebrated in certain areas, it is true, though many of these have been renamed or have been absorbed and adapted in line with Christian principles.

Children’s Games

Traditional annual parades held in towns and villages gradually evolved into a children’s parade and only they dressed up in fancy costumes. Finally the ritual of appeasing spirits disappeared altogether.

Preparing a Halloween party for children between the ages of 5 and 13 years is described in an old children’s encyclopedia as follows. “If as it becomes dark the lights are turned out and toy spiders are dangled around, some smaller children may go berserk with fear and nervousness. Compromise with lighted candles and low lights. An open fire will help.

Ghoulish masks and an oooooh! type of spookiness will give children up to the age of eight enough enjoyment. Pin black cats and witches to the curtains; hang orange ribbons and black crepe paper from the light fittings.

And don”t forget to hollow out turnips, making them safe to house lighted candles. A big pumpkin with grotesque face and light inside placed strategically in the hall to welcome guests. Ask guests to dress up and wear masks.

But as today’s children dress up each year on October 31st in their ghoulish costumes parading as ghosts, devils and witches, as they bob for apples at parties and later carry their jack-o’-lanterns gaily through the streets exclaiming “trick or treat” they are innocent of the ancient pagan rituals which their actions imitate; the origins have been lost in time.

There is no doubt that, except for a few pagan groups dotted here and there around the world today, Halloween is mainly for children. But the shades of Samhain still lie rooted deep within its rituals.