The celebration of Samhain is how Halloween all started. Samhain is the marking of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the darker half of the year in the northern hemisphere. The celebration began on the evening of the 31st of October and ended at sunset on November 1st.
It was believed the barriers between the spirit world and the physical world break down at Samhain, allowing more interaction between the spirits. The people were required to show themselves to their local kings and chieftains. If they failed to participate it is believed they would be punished by the gods. Anyone that used a weapon or committed a crime during this celebration faced a death sentence.
Holiday thrones were prepared for the military leaders. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. Celts dressed as animals so fairies would not kidnap them. Shapeshifting creatures called púca could include headless women dressed in white chasing night wandering villagers, often accompanied by a black pig, as well as headless men and horses who carried their own heads.
Now you can see the difference and similarities of Halloween from the 9th century and today.
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