History of Halloween, like any other festival’s history is inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. The history of Halloween Day is to help out those who are interested in washing off the superficial hues to reach the core and know things as they truly are. ‘Trick or treat’ may be an innocent fun to relish on the Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, elves and animal sacrifices associated with it. They are no more innocent. Are these stories a myth or there is a blend of some reality? Come and plunge into the halloween history to unfurl yourself the age-old veil of mysticism draped around it.

Behind the name… Halloween, or the Hallow E’en as they call it in Ireland , means All Hallows Eve, or the night before the ‘All Hallows’, also called ‘All Hallowmas’, or ‘All Saints’, or ‘All Souls’ Day, observed on November 1. In old English the word ‘Hallow’ meant ’sanctify’. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church year. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to attend Mass. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them, and made oblations to them. The festival was celebrated on February 21, the end of the Roman year. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints’ Day to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed the date to November 1. The Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

Despite this connection with the Roman Church, the American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called “Samhain”, celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced “sow-in”, with “sow” rhyming with cow. In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or La Samon, the Feast of the Sun.

In Scotland, the celebration was known as Hallowe’en. In Welsh it’s Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the Winter Calends. According to the Irish English dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society: “Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season, lasting till May, during which troops (esp. the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess).

Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a “lord of death” as such. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who conquered them.

Halloween history is one of religious traditions, sacrifices and folklore. While it seems strange to understand the motivation of these ancient actions, it is good to know the roots of our current practices of Halloween. Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

If a costume party or trick-or-treating is not on your schedule this coming weekend there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween in central New Jersey. The following are just a few suggestions for spooky celebration.

Haunted Mill, Historic Red Mill Museum Village Clinton NJ
As the moon rises and darkness reigns, the spirits summon the creatures of the SHADOWS to awaken from the perpetual slumber of death to feast on the fears and flesh of the living, those who are foolish enough to be at hand. Take heed of what lies “Beyond the Shadows”. Concealed in the gloom prowl the hunters and you are their innocent prey.
The 18th Annual Haunted Mill will be taking place at the Historic Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, New Jersey. Performances are scheduled for the evenings of October 17, 18, 24, and 25 from 6:00 pm to midnight. General admission tickets are available for pre-purchase starting October 10 at the Red Mill Museum Office from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm daily. The ticket window opens on performance nights at 5:00 pm. General admission tickets are night specific and are available for $20 each, and XpressPass tickets, good for any of the four nights and are $40 each. Both prices include the notorious haunted hayride and infamous walking terror trail.

Howell Living History Farm
Owned by Mercer County and operated by Mercer County Park Commission
Howell Farm’s 11th Annual Corn Maze. The maze includes a kids hay bale maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, food tent, gift shop & more! Saturdays September 15 – November 10 and Sundays September 16 to November 4, 2007. Admission; Adults & Children ages 13 & up: $8.00; Children ages 5 to12: $6.00 (ages 4 and under, free). Group Rates for 20 or more, pre-paid (call for details) Private Events (call for details). There is no admission fee for the Howell Farm itself, located about a mile from the maze up Valley Road. Howell Living History Farm, 101 Hunter Rd. Titusville, NJ
609-737-3299

Schaefer’s Frightfest 1051 Route 523,Flemington 908-782-2705
A trilogy of frights for one low price. Haunted Hayride is a 45 minute hair raising ride through 200 acres of fright. Expanded Haunted House. Walk through out nightmare Mass-Acre Maize, a brisk run for your life! Not reccomended for children under 10. All three haunted venues for only $20.00 per body. Free parking. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October and Saturday – 7:00 P.M. ’till 10:00 P.M.

Six Flags Annual Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Route 537, Jackson 732-928-1821
Come experience the Northeast’s Largest Halloween Party! Loads of costumed ghouls, spook-tacular entertainment and special fun for the littlest ghouls. Kids can enjoy Trick-or-Treats and other Halloween fun in our Scare Free Zones! No BOOing please! SCARE-FREE ZONES! – At 6 p.m. when the sun goes down, the ghouls come out! But families are always safe to pass through without frightening the little ones…even in the dark. Visit their website for much more details.

Burjan’s Pumpkin Festival - pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, face painting
524 Old York Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822. Phone: 908-782-7654. Fax: 908-782-9502. Email us at: burjansfarm@yahoo.com. Directions: Located on Old York Rd. behind the Hess Gas Station in Three Bridges NJ. We open at 10:00 AM and hayrides begin between 11:00 AM and 12 PM. The last hayride goes out around 5:30 pm. Payment: Cash, only.

Doyle’s Unami Farm – pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, corn cannon, tractor-pulled hay rides, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, farm animals, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
771 Mill Lane , Hillsbourgh, NJ 08844. Phone: 908-369-3187. Fax: 908-369-1660. Directions: Rt. 206 to Rt. 514 West (by Shell station). Turn left onto 514 West. Continue through three traffic lights. At the fourth light, turn right at fourth light onto East Mt. Rd. Proceed approximately 300 ft. and make the first left onto Mill Lane. (Please observe the 25 mph speed limit.) Continue on Mill Lane for one mile, turn right by the big red barn, into Doyle’s Unami Farm entrance. Open: Weekend’s in September and October Friday’s 6 pm to 10 pm Saturday’s 10 am to 10 pm Sunday’s 10 am to 5 pm Payment: Cash, Check. Corn Maze Enjoy our seven acre corn maze during the day or at night Bring your own flashlight or purchase one here. (Flashlights are required at night). Bring some old clothes so you can build your own scare crow. Some of the clothes you will need to bring are: Pants, Nylon stocking, Long sleeve shirt, etc. Bonfire: Enjoy hot cider and a donut after your evening scenic hayride around our bonfire, weather permitting. Outdoor movies: Bring your blanket so you can enjoy relaxing in our 15-acre grass field as you watch a movie on our huge outdoor screen