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Halloween celebrations in times gone by

There’s something irresistibly eerie about Halloween. We fill our homes with cobwebs, carved grinning pumpkins, and indulge in horror movie marathons. But Halloween as we know it – Cadbury’s Heroes, Asda costumes, and parties – is a modern mashup. Travel back a few centuries in the UK, and Halloween was celebrated in quite a different style. So gather around the bonfire as we explore the fascinating, and often quirky, history of Halloween in Britain!

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Pre-Medieval: Samhain and Bonfire Nights

The roots of Halloween are as ancient as Stonehenge. In early Britain, the Celts celebrated Samhain (pronounced “Sow-in”), marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. There were no skeleton onesies or cat ears in sight, but the Celts believed that spirits could return to Earth. To fend off these spirits, they lit large bonfires and made offerings of food to appease the souls. (Actually they were called “bone fires” because people would throw the bones of animals into the flames! No marshmallows, though!

Medieval: Soul Cakes and Fortune Telling

By the medieval era, Halloween’s spooky appeal had evolved into something of a charity event. “Souling” was the thing to do on All Hallows’ Eve, where groups of poor people would go door-to-door offering prayers for deceased loved ones in exchange for soul cakes (small, round, spiced cakes with a cross marked on top). Picture it as a more sombre version of trick-or-treating, with prayers instead of sweets.

17th and 18th Century: Witch Trials and Superstitions

Halloween’s popularity took a dark turn during this period, as fear of witches and the supernatural reached fever pitch. Witch trials were rife, with innocent people accused of consorting with the devil, casting spells, and generally being too spooky. To protect themselves, many people started carving turnips into grotesque faces and placing them in windows to ward off evil spirits. Imagine trying to hollow out a rock-hard root vegetable rather than a nice, plump pumpkin – hardly Instagram-friendly!

Victorian Era: The Rise of the Halloween Party

The Victorians loved all things macabre, and by the late 1800s, Halloween parties were growing in popularity. Fortune-telling games were all the rage, as guests would stare into mirrors by candlelight to see the face of their future partner, or crack open walnuts to read their “prophecies.”

Early 1900s: Mischief Night

The early 20th century saw the rise of Mischief Night, a precursor to modern Halloween pranks, with kids sneaking around playing Knock down Ginger. Children would also dress up and go door-to-door performing a “trick” (like a song or poem) in exchange for a treat, often fruits or coins. This tradition eventually crossed the Atlantic, where it evolved into the “trick-or-treat” phenomenon we know today!

Final Thought: A Bit of Old, a Bit of New

Halloween in Britain has shapeshifted over the centuries, blending ancient superstitions, Medieval customs, and Victorian parlour games into the sugar-fuelled, horror-movie-watching, pumpkin-carving extravaganza we know today. Though we’ve swapped turnips for pumpkins, there’s something timeless about Halloween’s spooky charm.

So light a candle, carve your pumpkin and enjoy the haunted holiday, knowing you’re continuing this ancient spooky tradition, but with better treats!

Want to try something spooky for Halloween? People often tell me it’s spooky how accurate the Tarot cards are. And not just on October 31st! If you fancy having a reading at any time, I’m pleased to offer a range of spreads, including traditional Celtic Cross ten-card readings, at various price ranges, all via email or face-to-face across Zoom or WhatsApp.

And, if you’re planning a party — whether it’s a Halloween one, an intimate get-together or a large-scale event, consider adding the excitement of Tarot readings. I’d love to chat with you, so to find out more, please email info@tarotbyemail.com.

I am the Weekend Witch, and I can’t wait to help you discover your story!



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