The Magic of Samhain
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) is one of the most important festivals on the Celtic calendar, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Celebrated from sunset on October 31st through November 1st, Samhain was seen as a liminal time—when spirits and ancestors could cross into our world, and magic was afoot in every hedgerow and hollow.
Origins Across the Isles
• In Scotland, Samhain was marked by bonfires on hilltops to ward off evil spirits and welcome the return of ancestral souls. People carved turnips (not pumpkins!) into lanterns called "tumshies" to frighten away mischievous fae.
• In Wales, the festival was known as Calan Gaeaf, a night when spirits and supernatural beings wandered freely. Families would gather around the hearth, telling stories and leaving offerings of food for visiting ancestors.
• In England, the night before All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Eve) blended local folklore with church traditions. Soul cakes were baked and given to "soulers"—children and the poor who went door to door, singing and praying for the dead in exchange for treats.
Where Did Trick-or-Treat Come From?
The custom of trick-or-treating has its roots in these ancient practices. Scottish and Irish children once dressed in costumes—called "guising"—and went house to house, performing songs or jokes in exchange for fruit, nuts, or coins. In England, the tradition of "souling" saw children and the poor visit homes to collect soul cakes in return for prayers for departed loved ones. These customs crossed the Atlantic with immigrants and gradually evolved into the modern trick-or-treating we know today.
Modern Halloween: A Night of Magic and Mischief
Today, Halloween is a joyful blend of old and new. Costumes, jack-o’lanterns (now pumpkins!), and trick-or-treating fill the night with laughter and a touch of mischief. But beneath the fun lies a thread of ancient magic—a time to remember our roots, honour the turning of the year, and find wonder in the mysterious and the unknown.