For many of us, being harassed by children asking us for sweets when we are trying to watch Corrie brings out the Victor Meldrew in us. But we should think twice because being involved in these celebrations will connect us to an ancient tradition that is worth celebrating.

Mystic background

As the commercial cogs of modern-day Halloween start turning in the shops it’s easy to forget that, like Christmas, the celebrations on the evening of October 31st have their origins many centuries ago.

Ward off evil
In Pagan times it began as a rural ritual to ward off the evil spirits that roamed around in the darkness of autumn and winter, and threatened to kill livestock. In order to do this the farmers would dress up in scary costumes, make jack ‘o lanterns and light bonfires. It all sounds very similar to how we are still celebrating the festival today. Halloween is also a very powerful time, when magical energies are very potent.

So stop being so bah-humbug and get into the swing of things. Who knows you might even scare off a few nasty spirits of your own!