The Origins of Halloween

Halloween traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), celebrated over 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the UK, and northern France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of a long, dark winter - a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to blur, when the veil between the world of the living and the dead was at its thinnest. 

During Samhain, it was thought that the presence of these spirits made it easier for Druids (Celtic priests) to make predictions about the future. These prophecies were a source of comfort during the long, dark winter months. The Celts would light bonfires to ward off evil spirits, and wore costumes, typically made from animal heads and skins, to disguise themselves from wandering ghosts. Offerings of food and drink were left out to appease the spirits and ensure a good harvest for the coming year.

The transition from Samhain to what we know as Halloween came with the spread of Christianity. 

Roman Influence

By the 1st century AD, the Roman Empire had conquered most of Celtic territory. Two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain, further influencing the development of Halloween. The first was Feralia, a late October celebration when the Romans honored the dead. The second was Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol was the apple, which may explain the tradition of bobbing for apples that is often associated with Halloween festivities.

As Christianity spread through Europe, pagan festivals like Samhain were adapted by the Church. In 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day) on May 13 to honor martyrs and saints. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory III moved the celebration to November 1, likely as an attempt to replace the pagan festival of Samhain. The night before became known as All Hallows' Eve, which eventually morphed into Halloween. 

Superstition and Witchcraft

The later association of Halloween with witches and the supernatural grew during the early modern period. The connection between Halloween and witchcraft is a deep, interesting and oft times dark aspect of the holiday's evolution, particularly rooted in medieval and early modern beliefs about witches, magic, and the supernatural. The association grew over centuries, shaped by folklore, religious persecution, and cultural traditions.

During the Middle Ages, witches were believed to be individuals, primarily women, who had made a pact with the devil and gained magical powers in return. These powers were often thought to include the ability to fly, transform into animals, cast spells, and communicate with spirits or demons. Witchcraft was seen as a direct challenge to the established religious order and a form of heresy, making those accused of it targets of persecution.

The medieval period was a time of heightened superstition, and natural events such as bad harvests, diseases, or personal misfortunes were often blamed on witches. This belief grew in intensity with the rise of Christianity across Europe, where any practices or beliefs outside of Christian orthodoxy were seen as dangerous or evil.

So it’s easy to make the connection with Halloween when it was thought that the spirit world was among us. Halloween became the night when people were most wary of the witches' presence.

Witch Trials 

We cannot talk about witches without mentioning the trials. I don’t want to go into too much detail here - trying to keep this convo light. The association between Halloween and witchcraft deepened during the period of the witch trials in Europe and North America. It actually started with King James the First wrote book called Demonology - he had an immense fear of witches and dark arts. The townspeople wanted to stay in the good graces of the king and thus started turning in women they feared. The accusations of witchcraft often stemmed from deep social tensions, personal vendettas, and religious fervor, with women and some men being accused of practicing harmful magic. In reality it was those that lived on the outskirts of society usually, and didn't conform to the norms of the day, who were pinpointed.

From there the hysteria spread - eventually to the US. The Salem witch trials of 1692 in colonial Massachusetts which is vast and sweeping topic for another post.

Some serious atrocities were committed during these dark years against women of all types and I cannot imagine the hysteria and fear that must have been a daily feeling. This fear of women who were connected with nature and themselves and their innate power were a serious threat to the conventional patriarchy. 

To go deeper on the topic I recommend a new documentary series with Suranne Jones called Investigating Witch Trials.  

"Suranne Jones goes on an epic journey to learn about the most infamous witch trials in history. She discovers why so many women were accused of witchcraft and what their story means today."

Reimagination of the Witch

Thankfully, by the 19th century, with the decline of belief in evil witchcraft and the rise of a more secular, consumer-driven Halloween, the image of the witch shifted into something more symbolic and less terrifying. This old version of the witch became stock characters in Halloween celebrations, no longer feared as real threats but celebrated as part of the ethos that is Halloween.

Halloween today celebrates this stereotype of the witch of yore in a largely playful, imaginative way. Witches are one of the most popular Halloween costumes, and the imagery of cauldrons, black cats, and broomsticks is omnipresent in Halloween decorations. 

The Modern Day Witch 

I will only touch briefly on this topic as it is also highly personal to so many and I am not an educated speaker on the topic as I am not part of the community. Many modern neo pagan and Wiccan practitioners see Halloween (or Samhain) as a deeply spiritual time, reconnecting with the ancient roots of the festival and honoring the cycles of nature, the dead, and the spirit world.

There is a resurgence of women who view themselves this way and are reclaiming the voices of those voiceless women who were tried and often executed back in the day. They are getting in touch with the feminine power and standing into the power of mother nature. They are standing their ground and showing that it's ok not to conform to society and embrace who they are - which is a lesson for all women, no matter their belief basis. 

Halloween Today

Halloween’s journey to what it is today started with the wave of Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century, who brought their Halloween traditions with them to the newly formed US, including jack-o'-lanterns. Originally, jack-o'-lanterns were carved from turnips in Ireland, but in America, pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve, leading to the tradition we know today. The jack-o'-lantern comes from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a man who tricked the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with only a hollowed-out turnip lantern to light his way.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween became more of a community-centered holiday, with parties, parades, and games. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had shifted into a more secular, family-friendly holiday, though it was still associated with mischief and pranks. The practice of trick-or-treating became widespread in the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s, a blend of the old Celtic and European traditions of offering food in exchange for prayers or protection.

This shift also influenced Halloween fashion and accessories. Instead of the simple, homemade costumes of earlier decades, people began embracing more elaborate outfits and themed accessories. And today, the spirit of creativity and individual expression through Halloween costumes and accessories continues to thrive. I am sadly usually missing Halloween these days as I live in Croatia ½ the year and it’s not celebrated here. But oh when I was in the US I threw a seriously decorated Halloween party. 

The Rise of Halloween Fashion & Accessories

Over the years, Halloween has expanded from a night of costumes to a whole season filled with themed décor, food, and fashion. Costume parties and themed events have encouraged people to go beyond just dressing up for one night; Halloween-inspired accessories, like spooky-themed jewelry, have become a way to express the season’s spirit all month long.

MADERA is Bringing Halloween to You with Handcrafted Earrings

This is where our Halloween-inspired jewelry comes in. My handcrafted earrings combine Halloween themes with wearable art, offering a fun way to celebrate the season. From spider webs to black bats and skeletons, these lightweight, hypoallergenic earrings are designed to reflect the fun and whimsical side of Halloween.

Each design is carefully crafted:

• The pattern is first laid out in Adobe Illustrator to capture the eerie yet festive Halloween spirit.
• The design is printed on fabric and adhered to lightweight wood blanks, ensuring comfort and durability.
• With hypoallergenic earring findings, these pieces are perfect for sensitive ears.

Whether you’re attending a Halloween party or simply feeling the season, these earrings are an effortless way to add a touch of spooky sophistication to your look.

Halloween has come a long way from its ancient (and sometimes dark) roots, evolving into a celebration of creativity, fun, and personal expression. As the holiday continues to grow, so does the opportunity to showcase your unique style. Accessories like my handcrafted Halloween earrings help you embrace the spirit of the season without compromising on comfort or style. Whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual, these playful designs are the perfect addition to your Halloween ensemble.