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“Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. Contrary to what some believe, is not a celebration of a Celtic god of the dead. Instead, it is a Celtic word meaning ‘summer’s end.’ The Celts believed that summer came to an end on October 31st and the New Year began on November 1st with the start of winter. The early Irish and Brythonic cultures believed the year was divided in half…the dark half and the light half. Samhain marked the end of the light half and the beginning of the Celtic new year or the dark half. Eventually, Christian holidays developed at around the same time. During the Middle Ages, November 1, became known as All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day. The holiday honored all of the Christian saints and martyrs. Medieval religion taught that dead saints regularly interceded in the affairs of the living. On All Saints’ Day, churches held masses for the dead and put bones of the saints on display. The night before this celebration of the holy dead became known as All Hallows’ Eve. People baked soul cakes, which they would set outside their house for the poor. They also lit bonfires and set out lanterns carved out of turnips to keep the ghosts of the dead away.”