“From Ghoulies and Ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, good lord deliver us!”  Scottish Prayer and Cornish Litany, c.1500

Back Long ago… 

The good people of Scotland and Cornwall prayed for deliverance from spirits they believed could “cross the veil” from death to living. The fear originated more than 2000 years ago with the Celtic Festival of Samhain.  Over the centuries and across continents it has evolved into the spooky, silly family celebration we call Halloween.

Celts celebrated the Festival of Samhain late in October, gathering the harvest and burning bonfires.  But there was a sinister element to the festivities, too. The dark cold winter approached, foreboding death. And the Celts believe that during this time of year, spirits could cross over the fragile veil between the living and the dead to steal their bounty and engage in evil mischief.

To ward off the spirits, the Celts disguised themselves with costumes of animal fur, and offered bits of the harvest to appease the ghosts.  Scary faces carved into gourds were designed to send the beasties scampering back to the underworld. These customs spread and prevailed throughout Europe through the time of Christ.

As Christianity spread through Europe, Celtic, Roman and other pagan holidays and festivals were supplanted by Catholic rites and rituals. To keep the peace among the people, the church incorporated many of the secular and religious traditions of those earlier civilizations. 

 When Pope Gregory III declared November 1^st as All Souls Day, (c.711 AD), it was celebrated much like Samhain with bonfires and parades and costumes – only this time the costumes weren’t animals, they were saints, angels and devils!

The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. 

Closer to now…

Fast forward through centuries of religious beliefs, cultural norms, rituals, rites, customs and superstitions to find All Hallows Eve in the United States colonies when people told stories, danced and shared treats.  When immigrants brought their own customs for All Hallows Eve to the U.S. the traditions gradually morphed and merged to become the celebration and commercial blockbuster that is modern-day Halloween.

Here in Maynard, the holiday brings lots of little people and some big ones out into the dark for a merry celebration of disguises and treats.  A parade at the Great Meadow School has long been a tradition to delight kiddies and their parents, and Downtown Trick or Treating, organized by the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce has become a major celebration of community with lively spirits –not the scary kind – dashing and darting through streets and alleyways in jolly reveling.

So, if a ghoulie or ghostie knocks on your door this Halloween, it’s ok to open it.  They are still on this side of the veil!

For more information on Downtown Trick or Treat, visit: Discovermaynard.com

Tips for safe trick or treating:

• Choose costumes that are the right size to avoid tripping and are flame-resistant. Ensure clear vision through masks
• Use reflective tape on costumes and bags, and carry glow sticks or flashlights to make sure trick-or-treaters are visible to drivers. 

• Bring a cell phone and an extra treat bag in case one breaks.
• Small children should travel in groups or with parents
• Stay in well-lit areas and choose houses with lights on or Halloween decorations inviting trick or treaters 
• Always use the sidewalk and cross at corners. Look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Never cross between parked cars.