Halloween (RE: Religion in the wizarding world)

[usergoogol at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 23674

 --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "M. Barnett" <fyregirl at c...> wrote:

> As I understand it, the Catholic calendar has a lot of days dedicated 
> to individual saints.  In addition to this singular days, there 
> is/was a day set apart where you celebrate all the saints at once.  
> That day is/was called "All Hallows' Day".  This falls on the first 
> of November.
> 
> So, the night before "All Hallow's Day" would be known as "All 
> Hallows' Eve".  This has been corrupted over the centuries 
> into "Halloween".
> 
> Now as to there being some pagan day associated with the 31st of 
> October, I cannot say.  Maybe somebody more knowledgable than I could 
> add some words of wisdom here.  :)
> 
> Marcus

In early Celtic tradition, Samahain or whatever, was the harvest festival. It was also believed that on that day, the gate between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead became more open. Then when the Celtic regions converted to Christianity, it was replaced by All Hallow's Eve, although many old traditions survived. (The connection between ghosts and halloween.)