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About Samhain:

Samhain is the Celtic New Year. On this day, pagan belief says that spirits and ancestors come back to visit their living relatives by "walking across the two worlds." Samhain is celebrated with traditions similar to Halloween, like jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, costumes, and mischief. Pagans also participate in rituals such as "dumb suppers" and divination. Above all, pagans honor those who died in the past year. They invite those spirits to join them by setting an extra place at the dinner table.

Jack-o-Lantern:

Originally used as a lantern for travelers on Samhain - those who traveled on the eve of Samhain carved scary faces into their pumpkin lanterns to protect themselves from evil spirits. It was said that spirits and ancestorscame back to their living relatives on October 31st. During this one day,the veil between the world of the living and the dead was thin and allowed spirits to cross over.

Trick-or-Treating:

According to pagan belief, Samhain was the only day during the year whenthe force of chaos invaded the realm of order. On this day, men dressedas women and women dressed as men to add to the chaos. Children ran around to neighbors' houses, playing mischievious pranks for fun. Often, adults gave out treats at their front door to coax the children out of the pranks.