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  • The Truth About Halloween
    Awake!—2013 | September
      1. Thousands of Wiccans, who follow ancient Celtic rituals, still call Halloween by the ancient name Samhain and consider it to be the most sacred night of the year. “Christians ‘don’t realize it, but they’re celebrating our holiday with us. . . . We like it,’” stated the newspaper USA Today when quoting a professed witch.

  • The Truth About Halloween
    Awake!—2013 | September
    • CANDY: The ancient Celts tried to appease wicked spirits with sweets. The church later encouraged celebrants to go from house to house on All Hallows’ Eve, asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead. This custom eventually became Halloween’s trick or treat.

      COSTUMES: The Celts wore frightening masks so that evil spirits would mistakenly think the wearers were spirits and would leave them alone. The church gradually amalgamated pagan customs with the feasts of All Souls and All Saints. Later, celebrants went from house to house wearing costumes of saints, angels, and devils.

  • The Truth About Halloween
    Awake!—2013 | September
    • HALLOWEEN TIME LINE

      FIFTH CENTURY B.C.E.

      The Celts observe the festival of Samhain at the end of October, when they believe ghosts and demons roam the earth more so than at other times.

      FIRST CENTURY C.E.

      The Romans conquer the Celts and adopt the spiritistic rituals of Samhain.

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