Reclaiming Halloween's religious roots

[cbayer]

A pagan altar constructed for Samhain, which Pagans celebrate around October 31.

October 31st, 2012
11:36 AM ET
Editor's note: Christine Hoff Kraemer is managing editor of the Patheos.com Pagan Channel and an instructor in Theology and Religious History at Cherry Hill Seminary.

By Christine Hoff Kraemer, Special to CNN

(CNN) – As Halloween approaches, Americans rush to malls and shopping centers, credit cards in hand. Children are outfitted as ghosts, Disney characters, princesses and superheroes, while adults dress to impress with “sexy” witch, vampire or pirate garb. Cookies shaped like jack o’lanterns fly off the shelves along with bag after bag of packaged candy.

In American culture, Halloween has mostly become a reason for a good party.

So it may surprise you to learn that the roots of Halloween are religious. In fact, for Americans who practice contemporary Paganism, Halloween is one of the two most important religious holidays of the year. Known as Samhain (pronounced SOW-un), the holiday is modeled after the ancient Celtic festival that marked the beginning of winter.

In Ireland, Scotland and parts of what is now France, ancient people believed that on the night of Samhain, the veil between the living world and that of the dead grew thin. The festival was a time to honor one’s ancestors and to remember deceased family members, as well as to prepare for winter.

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[BlueToTheBone]

1. And because Samhain is a lunar festival

It has already passed, unmarked by most.

[Mojorabbit]

2. we celebrate it as a cross quarter day which this year is 11/5 nt

[BlueToTheBone]

3. Thanks...I was just guessing, knowing

today is not the day. May this turn of the wheel shower you with blessings.

[Mojorabbit]

4. And you!

We do a weeklong celebration in my house. I feel (my own op) that so much energy has built up over the years around the 31st that it is itself a holy day!

[pokerfan]

5. As astronomically minded individuals

we also mark it as a cross quarter day. Halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Same as Groundhog Day is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring (vernal) equinox or May Day is halfway between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.