Exploring the Irish Roots of Halloween and Its Connection to Modern Healing Traditions and Spirituality
- dartny091
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Origins of Halloween in Ireland
Halloween's roots lie in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration that marked the end of the harvest season and the arrival of winter. Held on the night of October 31st, Samhain was a time when the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, and the earthly world of the living became entangled with the world of those who had passed to another realm. On this night, spirits of the deceased were thought to return to Earth, leading to the lighting of bonfires and the offering of sacrifices to soothe these wandering souls.
The spirits of ancestors were honored and invited home, while harmful spirits were warded off. The celebration incorporated the cult of Donn, the lord of the underworld in Celtic mythology, into its festivities. (Don't think Satan, in the Irish tradition, the underworld was where we all returned after death.) People prepared food for both the living and the dead, ritually sharing offerings with the less fortunate, and also leaving food out for ancestral spirits around the fireside. These ancestral ghosts were generally benign, but offerings were necessary for appeasement, as withholding them could bring bad luck upon the household for the coming year. The practice of divination, or telling the future, was also a central part of Samhain festivities.
This festival was not just about honoring those who had passed; it also celebrated the cyclical nature of life and death, as reflected in the seasonal changes. Samhain divided the year into lighter (summer) and darker (winter) halves. Samhain is the transition to the new year at the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. This time of year, with the noticeable decline in the sun's strength, was associated with the lighting of winter fires, with the intention of aiding the sun's journey across the skies. These bonfires were also believed to offer protection, cleanse the community, and ward off malevolent spirits for the upcoming new year. ​They represented transformation, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness. The bone-fires (that story is for another time, stay tuned) attracted insects, which in turn attracted bats, leading to the association of bats with the festival. The ancient Celts interpreted these bats, swooping near the fires to catch insects, as the spirits of the dead themselves. We've probably all seen them flitting on the edge of our sight. I never made that association until learning this. ​Some folklore even suggested that lighting the fire was meant to encourage these creatures to appear.
The traditional Halloween colors of black and orange also stem from Samhain, with black representing the "death" of summer and orange symbolizing the autumn harvest season. Families gathered at Halloween to share stories, commemorate their ancestors, and prepare for winter.
The Relevance of Halloween Today
The sacred observance of Samhain, once a cornerstone of pagan spirituality, underwent a transformation when Christianity was brought to the island by missionaries. This new faith adeptly subsumed existing pagan customs, repurposing them to align with Christian doctrine. ​Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a time to honor saints - in the eighth century. Subsequently, All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows, integrated some Samhain traditions. The evening before All Saints' Day became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.
Halloween is celebrated worldwide, yet it retains important elements from its Irish origins. Today, the holiday is often seen as a fun festivity with costumes and parties stealing the show. Nonetheless, the enduring themes of connecting with the spirit world and honoring the past are still present.
The tradition of carving Jack-o'-Lanterns originated in Ireland, initially using turnips rather than pumpkins. This practice is based on the legend of Stingy Jack, who was condemned to wander the Earth as a ghost with a burning lump of coal in a carved-out turnip. (Here's his story.) Locals would carve scary faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits. The American tradition later replaced turnips with pumpkins.
In modern Irish households, many still light bonfires and carve turnips. For example, in 2022, approximately 40% of Irish families continued these traditional practices. These rituals serve as reminders of a rich cultural legacy that Halloween embodies.
The Journey of Halloween to America
In Ireland, during Samhain, people wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves from harmful spirits and avoid harm, while the spirits walked the Earth. The modern custom of "trick or treat" is a vestige of Samhain traditions, where offerings were made to ancestral spirits. Over time, people began dressing as unearthly beings in exchange for food and drink offerings.
Halloween traveled to America through Irish immigrants, particularly since the 1840s, during the Great Famine. As they settled into their new lives, they brought along their customs, including the celebrations of Samhain.
In the United States, this holiday has become increasingly commercialized, with an emphasis on costumes, trick-or-treating for candy, and elaborate decorations. As a community event, Halloween still provides a platform for shared experiences and connections among neighbors. It's wonderful to see this tradition flourishing in Prospect Heights and Crown Heights, where my shop is located. Last year, walking home, I was incredibly moved by how many people sat outside with bowls of candy, interacting with their neighbors, while children and adults played in the streets, music was cranked, and a spirit of celebration filled the air.
The Spiritual Connection: The Unseen and the Unknown
At its heart, Halloween celebrates the unseen and the unknown. The belief that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on this night encourages reflection on our own mortality and the mysteries of existence. Many seek to deepen their spiritual understanding during this time through rituals, meditation, or even walks in nature.
Ireland's mystical landscape, dotted with ancient stone circles and burial mounds, serves as a reminder of the spiritual ties between the living and the dead. These sites are often connected to tales of the Otherworld, inhabited by Faeries, spirits, and supernatural beings. Neolithic stone structures are scattered across Ireland. The Mound of the Hostages at the Hill of Tara and Cairn L at Loughcrew align with the rising sun during this time period, emphasizing the spiritual connection to the land.
Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Herbal Remedies and natural healing practices, reflecting a desire to reconnect with the earth's resources. This trend aligns with ancient Celtic traditions, where the land was vital for both sustenance and healing. Spiral Herbal Remedies, founded by Donna Troy Cleary, draws inspiration from ancient herbal practices and the spiritual customs of Ireland. Donna embodies a profound reconnection with ancestral healing practices, integrating them into the modern world. ​Her family on both sides descends from Hereditary Herbalism lineages in Ireland, dating back to the 1000s.​ She worked as a Registered Nurse for 13 years, trained as a Clinical Herbalist for 3 years, and has over eight years of experience running her own shop. Donna skillfully bridges conventional healthcare with a deep well of traditional wisdom. Her work is a testament to the belief that healing is not solely physical but also deeply intertwined with spirit, nature, and the cycles of the earth. The remedies are grounded in the belief that nature holds the tools for our healing and connection.
The relationship between Halloween and Herbal Remedies is profound. For instance, herbs like mugwort and yarrow have been used for centuries in rituals to enhance intuition and bridge connections with the unseen. Lighting a candle can be a stand-in for bonfires, and leaving water or food for the departed is a lovely continuation of these traditions. Incorporating these plants and rituals into modern practices allows us to pay tribute to ancestral traditions while deepening our connection to the spiritual realm.
Reflecting on Our Origins with Halloween
The origins of Halloween in Ireland are filled with history, spirituality, and cultural importance. From the ancient festival of Samhain to the modern customs we recognize today, Halloween serves as a reminder of our connections to the past and the unseen realm of those who have passed. By embracing our ancestors' traditions, we can find depth in life, death, and remembrance.
The evolution of Halloween into a vibrant community celebration in America underscores the holiday's adaptability. Yet, the timeless themes of honoring the dead and linking with the spirit world continue to hold relevance. By further exploring our cultural roots and the significance of our landscapes, we can deepen our understanding of our existence.
Halloween encourages us to honor our ancestors and the earth's wisdom.
Glance through our offerings at Spiral Herbal Remedies. Use the code HALLOWEEN for 10% off your next order. Pop your head in to say hello on Halloween if you're in the neighborhood. Or maybe I'll see you on my walk home.