By: Rhiannon Cook

Just as the season of autumn reaches its peak, the well-known and loved celebration of Halloween rolls around. People have their costumes planned weeks in advance, adorn their houses with spooky decorations, and look forward to an evening of coming together, having fun, and receiving sweets. But as much as the holiday is anticipated and enjoyed, how much do people actually know about Halloween’s origins and its development over the several centuries it has been observed? It has a long history, with variations in purpose and ways of celebrating.

Considered to be the very first idea of Halloween, is the Celtic – a culture originating in Ireland – celebration of the new year, starting almost 2,000 years ago, and observed around November 1. According to History.com, the date was referred to as Samhain, and it marked the end of the summer and the harvest and the beginning of a dark, cold winter. What made the date special is that the Celts believed in pagan tradition, that the night right before the new year was a time that the real, living world would blur with the afterworld, or the world of the dead, allowing for spirits to pass through the real world for the night. The spirits were thought to cause mischief and to ruin crops, but, at the same time, their energy made it easier for Celtic priests to see and predict things concerning the coming year. So, to protect themselves, the Celts would have huge bonfires and would provide sacrifices to their deities in order to please them and keep the spirits from causing trouble. The Celtic people would also make costumes and wear masks in order to disguise themselves from harmful spirits – one of the earliest ways of dressing up for Halloween – though it was more for superstitious safety than fun, back then.

There were a few other ways of celebration that were observed around the same time of season by separate cultures that eventually became mingled with the Celtic traditions. The Roman Empire ended up conquering most of Celtic land, and, as their cultures melted together, so did their ways of celebrating and understanding holidays. Specifically, the Romans had their own day to honor the dead and their passing between worlds which they called Feralia. It came to be celebrated at the same time and in the same way as the original Celtic version. There was also the day that the Roman goddess of fruits and trees, Pomona, was honored; she was symbolized with an apple, which very well may be the origin of the modern-day tradition of bobbing for apples at Halloween and other autumn season parties. An important part of all of these ways of celebrating is the idea that people would come together to celebrate, either for safety or for fun. This continues today with the popularity of Halloween parties and fall festivals.

As Eisenhower embraces the Halloween spirit, there is an event to look forward to on top of the holiday. The sophomores, along with Ms. Joncas, are planning Eisenhower’s very first “Eek-O-Lab!” “I got the idea for the Haunted ‘Eek-O-Lab’ from the Haunted Walk at Corry High school. We have the perfect place for it in the Eco-Lab,” Joncas shared. The event entails the help of the sophomores who will dress up and be stationed around the Eco-Lab. They’ll be working to spook participants and to hand out candy. “Those who come are encouraged to dress up, as well. We will also have face-painting,” includes Joncas. Admission costs $2 for children, $3 for adults, and the face-paint will be $1. Joncas also says that, depending on the weather and condition of the Eco-Lab, participants may want to consider wearing boots. The “Eek-O-Lab” will be held Saturday, October 21, and its sure to be lots of spooky fun!

The Squire enjoyed learning about the past and development of this well-loved holiday and looks forward to all the Halloween spirit in store at Eisenhower. The Squire wishes a spooky and happy Halloween season to all!

Credits to History.com