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Just in time for Halloween.

The annual celebration of Halloween on October 31 is a mainstay across much of the Western world. While modern Halloween traditions include spooky costumes and trick-or-treating, it is an ancient festival that can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the turning of the Celtic year. It was also a time when the veil between the worlds was thin, allowing ghosts and other supernatural beings to pass through, giving Halloween its spooky side. Through the Romans, Samhain was integrated into the Christian festival calendar, becoming All-Hallows Eve, before evolving into the modern secular festival of Halloween.Where Does Halloween Originally Come From?A spooky Halloween scene. Source: The Local MysticThe Celts of Ireland, Britain, and Northern France treated 31 October much as we treat New Years Eve, marking the closing of one annual cycle and the beginning of another. Called Samhain by the Irish, meaning end of summer, it was known as Calan Gaeal in Wales, Kalan Gwav in Cornwall, and Kalan Goanv in Brittany (Northern France).While the earliest written evidence for Samhain dates to the 9th century, when Ireland was already Christianized, there is strongevidence that it was an ancient festival. Several Irish Neolithic passage tombs are aligned with the rising sun on Samhain, suggesting that the date was important from prehistoric times. The Gaulish Coligny Calendar from the 1st century BCE calls this time of year Samoni.Because the literary sources come from Christian times, they describe a mix of pagan and Christian customs. It suggests that the ancient pagan festival was associated with the god Crom Cruach, who seems to have been both a solar and a fertility deity. He is a god hidden by mists who accepts firstborn sacrifices in exchange for good harvests. This probably means that he received the first takings of the harvest, but there is some evidence that he also received human sacrifices. In this case, firstborn probably referred to the most important person in the community rather than birth order. It is suspected that several Irish bog burials represent the ritual sacrifice of kings or other important persons, possibly interred around the time of Samhain.A Day of the DeadAn Irish Neolithic Passage Tomb at Newgrave. Source: National Museum of IrelandFor the Celts, whose rhythm of life revolved around the changing seasons, 31 October marked the beginning of winter, with its cold days and long, dark nights. For communities dependent on natures unpredictable patterns, the shift from fall to winter was marked by fear and uncertainty. They believed that the veil that separated the worlds of the living and the dead, and the mundane and the supernatural, was at its thinnest during this moment of transition.In Irish literature, there are many stories of deceased ancestors returning to see their homes at Samhain. More dangerous entities could also pass between the worlds, killing livestock and burning down houses. Rituals were often conducted at burial mounds, which were seen as gateways between the worlds. Protective bonfires were built, and sacrifices were made to appease the spirits. In the Gaelic tradition, when people returned home, they would take a spark from the ritual bonfire to light their own hearth and lay out an extra plate for the honored ancestors.Samhain TraditionsModern-day revelers celebrate Samhain. Source: National Heritage CenterBy the 9th century, Samhain was a time of festival and celebration. Communities gathered to eat, drink, and celebrate, meaning that Samhain also had a political role: it was a time to reaffirm bonds between neighbors, and leaders could confirm and pass rules and laws.With the community gathered, mumming of guising, the root of trick or treating, was practiced. People would dress in masks and costumes to go from place to place, dancing and reciting verses in exchange for food. Traditions around hospitality and welcoming guests meant that denying food could bring bad luck and perhaps also a trick from the disappointed players.Samhain was also seen as the best time of year for divination practices, many of which are preserved in modern Halloween games. Bobbing for apples could reveal whether a person would marry or have children in the coming months. People would also peel an apple into a single long strand while asking a question. They would then throw the peel over their shoulder, and the shape of the peel would provide an answer. Two hazelnuts were named for an individual and their hearts desire, and then placed on the fire to roast. If the hazelnuts jumped away from the fire, this was not a good sign for the match. But if the two roasted quietly side by side, this was a good omen.Ancient Roman CelebrationsPomona Encircled by a Garland of Fruit, Studio of Frans Snyders, 17th century. Source: ChristiesAs the ancient Romans conquered Celtic land, Roman and Celtic cultures influenced one another. The Romans had their own days for honoring the dead, who were venerated rather than feared. One of these was called Feralia, a festival held on February 21 when Romans paid tribute to the dead. Feralia marked the end of Parentalia, an annual nine-day festival honoring ancestors.Romans also held an annual festival in honor of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit. Her symbol was the apple, and some believe that Roman games involving apples may have influenced the apple games played during Samhain.Interestingly, like the Celts, the ancient Romans believed that the threshold separating the world of the living and the dead opened on certain days. Known as Mundus Patet (the world is open), celebrated on 24 August, 5 October, 8 November, these days were often described as the Roman Halloween. In ancient Rome, the mundus was an underground pit believed to be the gate to the underworld. According to some ancient sources, the mundus was located where Romulus dug Romes foundation pit. Others linked it with the cult of Ceres, the goddess of wheat and harvest.Martyrs, Saints, and SoulsThe Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs, by Fra Angelico, 1423. Source: National Gallery, LondonDuring the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Roman Pantheon, turning the pagan temple into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and all Christian martyrs. The ceremony was held on May 13, the day when the Roman Church held All Martyrs Day. The festival later expanded to include saints, and Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1.By the 11th century, the Christian church had evolved the celebration into two separate events: All Saints Day, on November 1, a feast day which became a reminder for us to live like saints, and All Souls Day, an event for paying tribute to the deceased, celebrated on November 2. Both festivals remain a cornerstone of the Catholic faith.Soul cakes adorned with crosses in the traditional style. Source: MediumOver time, the name of All Saints Day evolved into several other variations, including All-hallowmas. This term comes from the Middle English phrase Alholowmesse, which meant All Saints Day, or the shortened All-hallows. The night before the day of festivities subsequently became knownasAll-Hallows Eve, a name that, in turn,became Halloween.During the 15th-century celebration of All Souls Day, the poor would go door to door asking for food, and be offered out soul cakes with crosses on top from kind neighbors. In return, they promised to pray for their neighbors dearest deceased. Eventually, the custom was adopted by children, who began collecting the cakes for themselves during Halloween.Halloween As We Know It TodayTrick or treaters at Halloween. Source: Jennifer CrumpDuring the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Halloween evolved into a deeply ingrained cultural tradition, marking the beginning of the annual harvest. Communities would host parties for telling ghost stories and fortune-telling, including rituals in which women tried to predict who their future husband would be.Many modern Halloween traditions came to the United States in the 19th century, brought by Irish and Scottish immigrants. Over time, the festival gained popularity beyond European immigrant communities in the US, becoming a mainstream annual celebration. Then, Halloweens core focus was creating a secular festival to bring people together and celebrate the fall season.Bonfire night. Source: Wikimedia CommonsHowever, by the 20th century, Halloween had evolved into the spooky, ghoul-laden festival we know today. This shift was in part due to a proliferation of clever marketing and movie franchises throughout the 1950s and beyond. Meanwhile, the practice of trick-or-treating evolved into a celebratory event in which children performed tricks and collected sweets from neighbors.

Since time immemorial, there have been fantastical occurrences and things that go bump in the night. For as long as societies have existed, there have been rumors of witches. Some lightthink of healers and particularly successful midwives of old. Many darkwhispers of women who danced with demons and cursed their neighbors. While weve heard much of a certain kind of female occupation being the oldest profession, some might argue the rumors and myths of witchery are just as ancient and woven into countless cultures. If visiting some truly spooky and witchy places sounds like your kind of Halloween adventure, look no further (mwahaha).1. Hartford Connecticut: Site of Americas First Witch TrialMap of Hartford Connecticut, 1877, photo by the city of Hartford. Source: FlickrIn May of 1647, Alse Young (sometimes called Achsah or Alice, thanks to spelling being more of a suggestion than a rule in those days) became the first person in America to be put to death for the practice of witchcraft. Poor Alse met her fate at the gallows in Hartford, Connecticut, near what is now the Old State House. Today, you can find a memorial brick engraved with her name beneath a flagpole near the Town Hall, a quiet reminder of a less-than-peaceful past.While Salem is the baseline for American witchcraft, Connecticuts witch hysteria started nearly four decades earlier and ran for several years. Alse was just one of many accused, and hers was not the only execution in the state. Over a dozen people were hanged, including Mary Johnson of Wethersfield, who confessed to making a pact with the devil in 1648 as many of the accused would do in hopes of receiving mercy in trade for confession and repentance. No matter that they had to lie to receive this mercy. Lying, to many of them, was preferable to dying. Even prominent members of the community, like Joan and John Carrington (who was a carpenter), werent safe from accusations. Both husband and wife were hanged in 1651.In 2017, nearly 400 years after her death, Alse and fellow Connecticut resident, Lydia Gilbert, were exonerated by the town council. By 2023, Connecticut lawmakers passed a resolution officially proclaiming the innocence of those convicted of witchcraft in colonial Connecticut. It may have taken centuries, but better late than never, presumably.Old State House, Hartford Connecticut. Source: Wikimedia CommonsHistorians have only two records documenting Alses tragic fate: a brief mention in John Winthrop Sr.s journal and a line in Matthew Grants Old Church Record. Though the details of Alses life remain mostly lost to time, we know she lived with her husband, John, and their daughter, Alice.While the cause of her witchcraft accusation is unknown, there was a devastating influenza epidemic in their town that quadrupled the local death rate in 1647. Living next to the Thornton family, who lost four children in the epidemic, didnt help either. Thomas Thornton, the patriarch, later became a minister and was friends with none other than the infamous Cotton Mather, one of the strategists behind the Salem trials. We can assume that the accusations against Alse may have been nothing but bad luck and proximity. But in those days, with both illness and insinuations of devilry flying about, bad luck was just as dangerous as truly bad behavior.Wander Hartfords colonial streets, and you might just feel the echoes of Alses trial haunting you.2. Myrtles Plantation and Galenas Ably House: Two Haunted HomesMyrtles Plantation, U.S. Route 61 St. Francisville. Source: Wikimedia CommonsSome haunted houses shine under the bright lights of their spooky reputation, while otherslike Myrtles Plantation and Galenas Ably Houseseem stuck between fact and fiction, haunted by both ghosts and historical inaccuracies.First up, Myrtles Plantation, a seemingly idyllic slice of Louisiana history, is actually a paranormal heavy hitter. While legend has it that Chloe, the spectral former slave with the green headscarf, haunts the plantation, skeptics have worked hard to debunk the myth. One cant get too comfortable just because Chloe may not have existed doesnt mean the place isnt replete with specters of those who came before. Plenty of actual, verifiable tragedies occurred here, including one still unsolved murder.Chloes story, though likely fabricated, is still based on a phenomenon thats haunted generations of homeowners. For decades, members of the Stirling family reported sightings of a womans shadowy figure, and all of their stories contained an eerie similarity. The woman they saw was wearing some kind of green head covering.Ghostly activity was commonplace here, especially near the location where William Winter was shot on the front porch in 1871. Winter, a well-known lawyer, succumbed to his injuries and all the perp left behind was the sound of fading hoofbeats and a death that still reverberates in local lore. Add to that a slew of deathsincluding several children perishing from fevers within the homeand youve got yourself a good, old-fashioned ghost hotspot that skeptics cant fully explain away.Myrtles Plantation, by Nicolas Nova. Source: FlickrNow, lets hop over to Galena, Illinois, a one-time bustling riverboat port, where the Ably House has been giving people a serious case of the creeps for over a century. This one isnt open for tours or peeks into the netherworldAbly House is privately owned. At most, visitors can only spy it from the nearby road or loiter in the local general store. That hasnt stopped the small towns teenagers from sneaking onto the property in search of cheap thrills. Not many see a ghost but a fair few have been warned off by local law enforcement.Galena, Illinois, by Vincent Yuan @USA. Source: UnsplashThe grim tale of the Ably family begins in the 1830s with Garrett Bias, his wife Polly, and their children. Soon, a young servant named Catherine joined the household. What followed was a string of suspicious deaths that began with Pollys sudden illness and quick burial, followed by the death of the Biass daughter, who was also put in the ground with haste, making the town wonder why no one was able to appropriately give a farewell to their bodies. Only months after, Garrett married Catherine, arousing suspicions that the deaths may not have been as natural as they appeared.Another hired person joined the household, Jacob. As the years passed, Garrett himself fell ill and diedanother sudden departure that met with raised eyebrows. After Garretts death, Catherine married Jacob Ably, a hired farmhand, and it is from this fellow that the house gets its name. Catherines death in 1877, ruled a suicide after her body was found hanging from a tree in the front yard, is perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the tale. Her children long believed she had been murdered, with fingers pointed at Jacob himself. Not long after, Jacob was also killed, shot dead under mysterious circumstances. One of the couples sons would later be found guilty of the crime.The Ably House has its fair share of tragic history, with more than a few untimely deaths. The story that tends to unsettle even the boldest visitors involves Jacob Ablys murder. According to lore, Jacob, known for his violent temper, was killed by one of his own sons who had enough of watching their mother, Catherine, suffer and die at his hands. The murder may have put an end to Jacobs reign of terror, but the violence didnt stop there. Several more family members met tragic and mysterious ends within the houses walls, further cementing its haunted reputation.General Store, Hampton County. Source: Get ArchiveAt the Ably house, past visitors have experienced cold spots and feelings of deep-seated but inexplicable unwelcomeness. Rumors say that cars stall on the roads and in the rather ominous tunnels that lead to the house as if even machines cant function under such bad vibes.Whether they are debunked myths or real-life tragedies, both Myrtles Plantation and the Ably House remain spooky spots where history and haunting intertwine. While you may not be able to visit Ably Houses interior without trespassing, both locations offer a peek into the darker side of history.While Ably House and Myrtles Plantation differ in settingone is a rural Midwestern farm, the other a grand plantation in the Souththey share an eerie common thread: the women who once lived there, and the violence that followed them. Catherine Ably and Chloe both allegedly suffered under the weight of tyrannical men, their deaths marked by mystery and suspicion. In both places, we are left with ghost stories that twist the knife of history, reminding us that sometimes, tragedy cannot simply be buriedit lingers.Like the lingering spirits said to trouble both locations, questions surrounding these stories remain unanswered. Did Catherine truly take her own life, or was her death another act of brutality? Was Chloes tragic end the result of her desperate attempt to control her fate, or does her story carry a deeper warning about the lengths to which the oppressed will go to break free? Was she even real? And who shot William Winter while a classroom full of students awaited his return inside, and why, and how did no one see the assailant?3. The American Southwest: The Navajo SkinwalkersCrow Creature, by Kitiara. Source: Good FonThe Navajo have long believed in shape-changing once-human beasts known as Skinwalkers, who can transform into animals and hide in plain sight. These creatures are not your average Halloween ghoulietheyre said to gain their powers only after committing the worst crimes imaginable, like murdering a close family member.Initiation into the Witchery Way, which involves these gruesome crimes, grants the newborn Skinwalker the ability to morph into anything from a wolf to a crow, making them both terrifying and elusive. If youre ever in the Southwest, beware. Rumors of these tricksters include them seeking vengeance on anyone who crosses them and striking folks with terrible illnesses.The name Skinwalker comes from the Navajo phrase yee naaldlooshii, meaning he who walks on all fours. Unsurprisingly, speaking about them openly in Navajo culture is a no-no: theyre associated with some seriously nefarious powers. These witches (mostly males with a shamanic bent) were feared for their ability to bring death and mayhem, often while slinking around as a coyote or owl.American Coyote, by Oscar Sutton. Source: UnsplashIn modern times, the idea of Skinwalkers has found a new home in paranormal lore, especially after the bizarre events that unfolded at Utahs Skinwalker Ranch. Back in the mid-90s, ranch owners Terry and Gwen Sherman reported cattle mutilations, oversized wolf sightings, and mysterious crop circles on their land. However, many didnt necessarily believe the Shermans claims. These owners didnt last long, despite the sprawling lot in their name. 18 months after purchasing the ranch, they sold the property and moved.Some skeptics minds were changed about the place when biochemist Colm Kelleher later alleged that he saw a large humanoid creature lurking in a tree, watching his research team in the area. This wasnt just a one-time fluke eitherlocals had been whispering about eerie happenings and warning each other away from the area for years before the Shermans arrived.Whether you believe the stories or not, the tales of the Skinwalkers have endured for centuries, a mystery and a legend all rolled into one. One things for sure: if you ever see a coyote acting weird on your desert road trip, maybe just keep driving.4. Salem: Americas Most Famous Witch HuntMourning Ghost, by Fantasy Art. Source: FlickrThe name of this New England town alone conjures up images of pointy hats, broomsticks, and unfortunate souls who were accused of witchcraft in a frenzy of paranoia and petty grievances. However, there are fewer potions and portents in this tale than there are power plays.In the late 1600s, Salem wasnt just one placethere were actually two Salems. Salem Town, a bustling port where the money was, and Salem Village, a small farming community that was less prosperous and awash in social tensions. The feud between the wealthy Porters and the less fortunate Putnams only fanned the flames. Add in a dash of dogma, some bored teens with a flair for the dramatic, and a leadership vacuum, and voil: youve got a recipe for mass hysteria.It all started with whispers and rumorswith accusations flying around faster than you could say witch. Once someone was accused, it was a short trip from suspicion to conviction, and often, to a gruesome state-sanctioned murder. Between 1692 and 1693, the trials saw over 200 people accused, and 20 killed, including the infamous hanging of George Burroughs. Burroughs, a former minister, was dragged back from Maine and accused of leading the witches. As he stood on the gallows, he perfectly recited the Lords Prayersomething witches supposedly were barred from completing. A few onlookers had doubts, but those were quickly squashed by Cotton Mather, whose forceful personality moved the violence forward.Accusations at Salem, 1904. Source: PicrylThe trials didnt just involve flying accusations; there were also some pretty horrific punishments. Take Giles Corey, for example, who refused to plead guilty or innocent and was pressed to death with heavy stones over two long, painful days. While he wasnt a witch, this 81-year-old clung to life rather tenaciously. This wasnt just a witch trial: it was a tragedy for a town that couldnt get along and needed a mediator much more than a deathman.But lets not forget the people who came to regret their part in this witch hunt. Judge Samuel Sewallone of the officials responsible for sentencing many to their deathsmade an extraordinary turnaround five years later. In a rare display of remorse, he publicly recanted his judgments and begged for forgiveness.Then theres Ann Putnam Jr., one of the accusers who, years later, joined the Salem Village Church and confessed that she had been deluded by the devil. She begged for forgiveness, too, but only after the damage had long been done.Roger Conant, Salems founder. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThere is a reason Salems story lives on in the collective American memory. Several notable descendants of Salems key players include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ray Bradbury, and even Walt Disneywho is descended from none other than minister George Burroughs himself.Visitors to Salem can traipse through the Old Burying Point Cemetery, the second oldest cemetery in the U.S. and a whos-who of Salem history. It is home to Judge John Hathorne, the unapologetic witch trial judge, whose great-great-grandson Nathaniel Hawthorne added a w to his name to distance himself from his ancestors witch-punishing legacy. Also resting in Old Burying Point is Captain Richard More from the Mayflower and Simon Bradstreet, the last governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.For those who hunger for tales of bad judgment and its consequences, Salem is the spot. Halloween in Salem is especially spooky, as the town goes all out to commemorate its eerie past, with haunted happenings, ghost tours, and more.5. Chichicastenango Market: Witchcraft and Ancient Rituals in GuatemalaMasks at the Chichicastenango Market. Source: Wikimedia CommonsNestled in the misty mountains of Guatemala lies Chichicastenango, a town so magical you might feel like youve stepped straight into another world. Famous for its colorful markets, ancient ruins, and a sprinkling of witchcraft, this hidden gem is Central Americas best-kept secret.Chichicastenango Market is an explosion of color, culture, and centuries-old tradition. The locals still wear traditional Mayan clothinghuipils and trajesand speak various Mayan languages that date back to pre-colonial times. At the market, there are vendor stalls selling all kinds of charms and potions, some of which look like they belong in a medieval apothecary. Whether a purchaser is after a good luck spell or something a little darker, theres something for everyone. However, it might be best not to buy the dead things suspended in murky liquid.Pascual Abaj, Maya Shrine on a hill near Chichi. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe real magic happens when shoppers hang around long enough to catch a glimpse of the Confradas, a secret society of men keeping traditional Guatemalan spiritual practices alive. Witchcraft is still very much a part of the culture here, blending with Catholicism in a way thatll have you double-checking if thats really just a church youre standing in.At the Iglesia de Santo Toms, locals perform ancient Maya rituals right on the church stepsburning candles, offering food, and connecting with their ancestors. These stairs act more as an ancient altar than a means for going inside to pray. Just south of town resides Pascual Abaj, also known as the Sacrifice Stone (again, its exactly what it sounds like). It is dedicated to the Mayan god of Earth, Huyup Takah, and is still used for sacrificial rituals today, though chickens are the current offering of choice. It is advisable to bring something small to offer, like cigarettes or a drink, because no one wants to anger a Mayan god, even curious tourists.Guatemalan Church, Nick Kenrick. Source: FlickrNo one can forget the legendary La Llorona, the infamous weeping woman who haunts riversides searching for the child she drowned in a panic. Guatemalans proudly claim their own version of the taleas do most Latin countries. As the story goes, she wanders near water, wailing into the night for her wronged infant. In a country where the supernatural feels more prominent than nearly anywhere else, it makes sense that such spirits have long been woven into the fabric of the culture.Chichicastenango isnt just about the market or the mysticism, though. It is a living, breathing embodiment of Guatemalas unbroken line of indigenous heritage. Nearly half the population here is of Mayan descent, and the ancient societys influence is everywhere, from the market stalls to the towering tombs in Chichicastenango Cemetery. Some of these tombs are larger than life, painted in all the bright shades of the rainbow, and they speak to the blending of Mayan and Christian traditions. At the highest point in the cemetery, there is a concrete platform for sacrifices, where food, alcohol, and tobacco are placed daily as offerings. It is a sacred moment that reminds all comers just how deeply rooted these traditions are in everyday life.Anyone ready to embrace a little magic and history, combined with a shopping spree on the side, should head to Chichicastenango. Be preparedvisitors might leave with more than just a souvenir.

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