Witches have long been associated with Halloween, the holiday that is celebrated on October 31st each year. Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was believed that on the night of Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, and spirits could freely roam the earth. During this time, it was also believed that witches and other supernatural beings were at their most powerful. This association between witches and Halloween has continued throughout history, with witches becoming a prominent symbol of the holiday. Witches have a long and complex history, dating back centuries.
Vice President Dick Cheney’s Labrador retrievers also dressed up that year. Jackson dressed as Darth Vader, and Dave as Superman.
Young women believed that on Halloween they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings or mirrors. President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton dressed as James and Dolley Madison at Hillary s Halloween costume birthday party at the White House, 1993.
Witches have a long and complex history, dating back centuries. The term "witch" originally referred to a wise woman or healer who used herbs and other natural remedies to treat illnesses. However, during the middle ages, the perception of witches began to change.
The Witches of Halloween Past
If recent memes are any indication, it’s likely you’ll wind up as Big Bird, a face-eating zombie, Psy or the Ecco Homo fresco for Halloween. Or, there are the classics. You know, the default ghosts, scarecrows, clowns and witches our parents’ and even our grandparents’ generations wore for Halloween. (Turns out that my grandmother, my mother and I all had our turns as teenage witches, going door-to-door clad in black pointy hats collecting our bounty.)
Contestants in the Halloween Slick Chick beauty contest in Anaheim, California, 1947.
Silk stockings ad from Ipswich Hosiery, 1927.
Halloween is thought to date back more than 2,000 years to a time when Celtic people celebrated New Year’s Day, or Samhain, on the equivalent of November 1. Legend has it that the day before, or Samhain eve (now known as Halloween), fairy and demon spirits would appear in the ether as they traveled to the afterlife. Celts dressed in costumes to stave off the evil spirits and tap into the souls of their ancestry.
Witch fashion, 1938.
All Hallows’ Eve, as it’s also known, was brought to the United States by European immigrants in the 1800s and with it, the witch costume. With absolutely no scientific evidence, one could conjecture that at least one in four people has dressed up as the hooked-nose, broom-laden, cauldron-stirring, wart-faced caricature at least one time in his or her Halloween career. As proof of this hypothesis, images of Halloween witches throughout the decades aren’t difficult to come by.
Nancy Carroll, date unknown.
Joyce Holden, 1950.
Sexy witches, pin-up witches, cutesy witches. I’d assumed that the proliferation of racy costumes (bananas and bubble gum costumes included) was a more recent occurrence. Slate suggests that the tawdriness actually began in the 1970s for a few reasons: Drag queens began dressing up for Halloween in skimpy outfits; the Halloween parade kicked off in Greenwich Village in 1973 and was quickly mimicked in the Castro and West Hollywood; and retailers began selling suggestive pre-fab costumes. But from digging around for old photos and coming upon images of scantily clad enchantresses riding those broomsticks beginning in the 1910s, it looks like witches were less Salem and more sassy much earlier than the disco decade.
Barbara Britton, Katharine Booth, Ella Neal and Eva Gabor c. 1941.
P.S. Ever wonder why broomsticks were a witch’s accessory of choice? Brooms weren’t initially meant for flying. In Celtic times, they had a much more mundane purpose; they were used to clean an area before a healing ritual could be performed. But if you ask me, the broomstick’s primary function was likely to shoo away black cats from crossing your path.
Get the latest Travel & Culture stories in your inbox.
Emily Spivack creates and edits the sites Worn Stories and Sentimental Value. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
By A.D. 43, the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the 400 years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
They were believed to have made a pact with the devil and used their powers to harm others. This belief led to widespread witch hunts and trials, most notably the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts in the 17th century. These trials resulted in the execution of several women who were accused of practicing witchcraft. In modern times, witches have become popular figures in popular culture, often portrayed as powerful and independent women who harness their magical abilities for good. The image of the witch has been embraced by many as a symbol of female empowerment and the rejection of traditional gender roles. Today, witches are often depicted in Halloween decorations and costumes, with the iconic image of a witch wearing a pointed hat and riding a broomstick. Halloween has become a time to celebrate the supernatural and the unknown, with witches as a central part of the holiday's mythology. In conclusion, witches have a deep and fascinating history that is intertwined with the holiday of Halloween. From their origins as healers and wise women to their portrayal in popular culture, witches continue to capture our imaginations and add an element of mystery to the Halloween season..
Reviews for "Halloween and Samhain: Connecting Ancient and Modern Celebrations"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really excited to learn more about witches and Halloween history, but this book was a huge disappointment. The author barely scratched the surface of these topics and failed to provide any significant information or analysis. Instead, it felt like a random collection of loosely related facts without any coherent structure. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for in-depth knowledge or a well-researched exploration of witches and Halloween.
2. Mark - 2 stars - While the concept of this book intrigued me, the execution fell short. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and generalizations, failing to provide a nuanced understanding of witches and Halloween. The historical information was scarce and often felt oversimplified. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dull and lacking excitement. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance.
3. Sarah - 1 star - As someone who enjoys learning about history and folklore, I was sorely disappointed by "Witches and Halloween History." The book lacked depth and meaningful analysis, and instead presented a superficial overview of witches and the history of Halloween. The few anecdotes and stories it did include were cliché and didn't add any real value. I expected a more engaging and informative read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver. I would advise seeking other sources for those genuinely interested in exploring these topics.