#17 - Mythology Behind Halloween

• From the 18th century they Scottish diaspora has taken emigrants all over the world whose descendents still embrace a Scottish identity.

• Halloween is a combination of two Celtic pagan holidays known as Samhainn (November 1) and All Hallows Eve (October 31)

• Samhain is celebrated as soon as the sun goes down.

• Samhain marks the halfway point between summer and winter

• The early literature says Samhain was marked by great gatherings and feasts and was when the ancient burial mounds were open, which were seen as portals to the Otherworld. Some of the literature also associates Samhain with bonfires and sacrifices.

• The otherworldy court of the fairies known as “Seelie court” can cross into our world on Halloween.

• Carving pumpkins originated as turnips

• All Hallows Eve is a day of remembering the dead