Samhain
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Samhain is the ancient Celtic name for what is known today as Halloween. It translates roughly as "The End of Summer." In the early dark ages Samhain was adapted into Christianity under the name "All Souls' Night." For the Etymological history of the name for this holiday, see the article Halloween.
In the ancient Druidic times, Samhain was considered the night when the world of the living, overlapped with the otherwold, and spirits and goblins walked the earth. The spirits, revered on Samhain were not necessarily considered evil, but they were certainly treated with a measure of caution, as they had a reputation for mischief. Food was left outside the doors of homes for the spirits, and Rowan boughs were hung over the lintel to protect the home from the more malefic spirits. It was forbidden to turn a stranger away from the door on this night, because strangers and guests were sacred at this time. The American practice of trick-or-treating takes on a much more profound quality, when viewed in the light of this ancient custom. The children in their wild costumes, venturing out into the night, demanding sweets or else, mimic quite literally, the perceived behaviour of the spirits on this night.
Most people in the U.K. today view Halloween as an American custom, and would be surprised to hear that it evolved from an ancient Celtic festival. However, the Gods and spirits of Samhain may not have gone entirely unsatisfied in the British Isles, as Guy Fawkes is still observed on the fifth of November. Guy Fawkes has no direct descension from Samhain, and a day to commemorate the execution of a pyromaniac seems hardly indicitative of The Night of the Spirits, but the bonfires, and the practice of burning of effigies, does have roots in Pagan folklore. On the other hand, Guy Fawkes could also be interpreted as a sort of anti-Samhain, as it also recalls the mediaeval practice of burning witches. In Lewis, Surrey England, locals burn an effigy of the Pope on Guy Fawkes, which could either be seen as a reflection of Pagan defiance, or Protestant anti Papist sentiments.
