Trick-or-treat is actually the follow up to what was known in England as ‘souling.’ Small breads called ‘soul cakes’ were exchanged for prayers. In some parts of the UK and Ireland, ‘mumming’ was practiced. ‘Mumming’ was the dressing up in masks and parading around, as well as going door to door performing songs and dances in exchange for food and/or drink. In England, Guy Fawkes Day, November 5, still celebrates ‘mumming.’

‘Trick-or-treating’ is still the main activity for children in the United States and Canada. Costumes are worn going door-to-door yelling, ‘trick or treat!’ Homemade costumes as well as elaborate character store bought costumes abound. To avoid having ‘tricks’ played on them those that are visited do give revelers treats such as candy or sweets.

Halloween has a distinct history. It takes place worldwide on October 31. In the United States and Canada dressing in costume by both children and adults is traditional and ‘trick-or-treating’ takes place. Pumpkins are carved into jack-o-lanterns and Halloween parties for both adults and children feature haunted house displays, ghost stories and games like bobbing for apples. Images of ghosts jump out from decorated homes, as do skeletons, black cats, witches and other goblins. Halloween parades are rampant.

Halloween has its origins in the Pagan festival of ‘Samhain’ (pronounced: SOW ehn). This simply translates into ‘summer’s end.’ Originally a festival that marked the ending of the harvest and the beginning of the winter season, the in 800s, the Church established a mirror holiday, ‘All Saints’ Day’ on November 1. ‘All Hallows’ was another name given to ‘All Saints Day.’ The definition of hallow is saint, or holy one. ‘All Hallows Eve’ the evening before ‘All Saints’ Day’ became known as ‘Hallow e’en’. Now it’s just called Halloween as slang for the original name.

New modern traditions have evolved. The commercial venture of visiting a haunted house is one of these, and is used as fund-raisers now. Popular costumes now inspire the dressing up of yesteryear, and more humorous costumes exist. Parents now accompany children during trick or treating in America and pranks are practically non-existent. This evolved because of scares over the years about poisoned treats. Costume prizes now exist and others dress to impress rather than scare. Homes, bars and nightclubs are where these activities take place primarily.

Although some countries don’t have Halloween they have similar holidays. Mexico celebrates ‘The Day of the Dead’ and blends ‘All Souls Day’ with Catholic and Native American traditions. Human skeletons decorate Mexican homes, and set out food for spirits that wander. Guy Fawkes Day in England has taken the place of Halloween and is a patriotic holiday on November 5. Guy Fawkes was a conspirator with a group of Catholic conspirators that attempted to blow up parliament in the early 1600s. The conspirators were captured, tortured and killed instead.

Second only to Christmas in popularity in America, millions celebrate without knowing the origins. Halloween is a time for friends, family, and parties. Some still view it superstitiously, but no matter how it’s viewed, it’s an intriguing holiday.

Other less well known superstitions about Halloween are the beliefs that the Welsh held that you could sneeze your soul out which led to the ‘God Bless You’ we all now use after sneezing. If someone sneezed on Halloween, it was especially dangerous as the devil could then capture your traveling soul.

Owls were thought by some cultures to swoop down and snatch the souls of the dying, and any owl heard hooting immediately had individuals turning their pockets inside out for good luck. Africans would eat in silence during Halloween night to keep the spirits happy, and encourage them to come to the table. In Britain, the devil was viewed as a nut gatherer and nuts were worn on Halloween night as magic charms.

A lot of folklore exists about babies born on Halloween and their ability to see and speak with ghosts. This is called the ‘Gift of Second Sight’ and many movies are made about this folk tale. Halloween babies are also supposedly protected from evil spirits.

Halloween also has romantic superstitions. It’s been said that catching a snail and locking it in a dish on Halloween night will reveal your ‘sweetheart’s’ name in the morning. Another states that a girl that puts rosemary and a silver coin under her pillow will see her future husband in a dream.

The carrying of water to a spring on Halloween night by a young girl will supposedly reveal a future husband’s reflection in the water. Carrying a broken egg in a glass to a spring of water during the day and mixing some of the water into the glass will reveal the future husband’s image as well as future children. Scattering the seed of hemp into a field while chanting, “Hemp I Sow Thee, Come After Me, and Show Me’ and then turning around would reveal the image of her future husband.