10/27/2025
🖤 “The pagan Samhain is not, and never was, associated with evil or negativity. It has always been a time to reaffirm our belief in the oneness of all spirits, and in our firm resolution that physical death is not the final act of existence. Though death is very much a part of Samhain’s symbolism, this sabbat also celebrates the triumph of life over death.” 🖤
~ Edain McCoy in The Sabbats: A Witch’s Approach to Living the Old Ways
🎃 Fun facts about dressing up in costume on Halloween (because I’m a nerd about these things):
- Dressing up for Samhain (aka Halloween) began as ancient Celtic villagers dressing up as animals or frightening creatures in order to dissuade faerie kidnappings and any other evil entities they thought may be lurking. This later evolved into individuals dressing up to partake in mumming, which was going door-to-door offering songs & prayers for the dead in exchange for soul cakes (cookies with a cross drawn on top).
- In later years, “mumming” led the way to going door-to-door saying, “Help the Halloween party! Any apples or nuts?” In France, this tradition differed slightly in that children would go door-to-door to collect flowers they could use to decorate loved ones’ graves.
- In South Wales, men and boys often dressed in sheepskin or ragged clothing & masks. The Irish also brought many costume customs to America.
- In colonial America, there were masquerade parties with a Victorian aesthetic setting the tone for the attire.
- In the 1930’s, commercial costume companies began to appear, with the earliest of these costumes including Little Orphan Annie, Mickey Mouse, and a witch.
👻 Do you dress up for Halloween? 👻
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