WINSTON WEEKLY©[1]

October 19, 2025

Vol. 3, No. 42

HALLOWEEN HISTORY[2]

Halloween is more than scary and delightful costumes. Originating from the pre-Christian Celtic festival called Samhain or “summer’s end,” it has also been known as Witches’ New Year. Samhain was the third and last harvest festival of nuts and berries. Marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter, black represented the death of summer, and orange represented the life of the fall harvest. Turnips and other gourds, instead of pumpkins, were carved and celebrated.

Who knew husband-hunting was a Halloween tradition? In the 18^th century, there were plenty of ways to find one’s future spouse. Husband-hunting included lighting candles in a dark room to tossing apple peels over one’s shoulder. Hazelnuts were named after potential partners before throwing them into a fire. The winner of the apple bob would allegedly be the first to marry.

The scarecrow, a Halloween staple, evolved from Ancient Greece to scare the crows away from the crops. During the Middle Ages in Germany, scarecrows were made as witches, drawing them to the evil spirits of winter.

Although a full moon is rooted in the ancient belief that it causes erratic behavior, a full moon on Halloween only occurs every 18 to 19 years. 2020 was the last full moon on Halloween.

 THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Check out a book on Halloween history. For adults, Nicholas Rogers explores the Celtic origins and the impact of cultural forces in Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night. For children ages 6 to 12, The Story of Halloween by Carol Greene is a good option.  

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[1] A Sunday newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2]Resources: Janice Brown, 100 Years Ago Halloween Was Husband Hunting Day, Oct. 19, 2018, www.cowhampshireblog.com; Chris Parker, Samhain and Halloween – History, Beliefs, and How They Connected, In Paganism, Aug. 7, 2025; Hal Arkowitz and Scott O. Lilenfeld, Lunacy and the Full Moon, Scientific American, Feb. 1, 2009