Samhain: the night when witches and demons walk the earth, confound the living, mutilate farm animals and vote liberal?

Don't believe the hype. For Pagans like myself, Samhain - what Halloween came from - isn't about evil, mischief or anything so absurd.

It's part of our yearly cycle of observances: a bit of a cross between New Year's Day and Memorial Day, if you want to compare it to something more mainstream. In it, we regard the connection between the cycles of the seasons and our lives, and how they both affect and mirror one another.

Samhain ("SOW-ahn" or "sow-AHN," depending on which side of the Mason-Dixon line you're on) is the end of our year. It is the time when the world is cold and dark and the earth is falling asleep. Lugh is in the underworld fighting with Balor, Persephone is sitting next to her husband, again, and your car's a little slow to start up in the mornings.

It's not as cold or as dark as it's going to get, of course. That's Yule. But the downward spiral that began at Mabon is quite noticeable, now, and Winter is well on the way.

Samhain is also the time when the wall between the worlds of flesh and spirit is very thin. The dead speak their names and wish to be remembered, and the living seek answers to what the new year will bring. Hand in hand with that, some of us try to let bad habits die out with the old year - new years' resolutions for Pagans, in a way.

Halloween, as it's practiced today by the masses, is really more amusing than insulting... at least to those of us who don't squeeze out diamonds in the morning. (You know - the same people who were complaining because Harry Potter doesn't ride his broom "the right way"... bleah) We've had our gods, customs and celebrations hijacked, renamed and commercialized since ancient times, so you'd think we'd be used to it by now?

How Samhain became Halloween is a pretty long story, for which you have to look to the Romans and the Church. The Romans invaded the British Isles in 43 CE, and would hold it until the 5th century, when their troops were recalled to defend the Empire. Two of the Romans' Fall celebrations - one honoring the dead and the other honoring the Goddess of trees and fruit, Pomona - were melded into the Celts' Samhain celebrations. (That's where we got the apples from)

Later, in the 9th century, the Church established All Saints Day on November 1st. The old forms of celebration that went along with Samhain were transferred onto the new holiday. And since the Mass said on All Saints Day was Allhallowmas, the night before - October 31st - became known as "All Hallow' Eve," or "All Hallow e'en."

For me, it's actually a little flattering to have people carry on the old Samhain traditions, however unknowingly, just as they burn Yule logs, build bonfires and go looking for the Easter Bunny. It's just another reminder that some things just don't change, even when they do.

In some ways that's the whole point of Samhain, itself. Winter heralds Spring, Death brings Life, and just as what is new will one day be old, what is old will one day be new again. But it is important to remember where we were, and who walked with us before now, if we are to grow in spirit.

If I could say anything to the folks who are wary of celebrating a "pagan holiday" - whether it be Halloween, or anything else that's been hijacked over the centuries - it would be to chill out. A holiday is largely what you make of it, and sometimes the reason for the party is entirely subordinate to the party, itself. For us, the night is sacred, but for others it's just a fun time to dress up, get candy and have a masquerade ball... or two, and have a good time. And that's just fine by me.

So why let our rites get in the way of your enjoyment? Don't get scared and go hide under a rock when dusk falls on October 31st. We're not out to get you, kill your cattle or put dead cats on your lawn. We're just doing what we've been doing for ages, harmlessly and amongst ourselves. I suspect you'll also see a lot of our kids out there ringing doorbells as well, as it's a rare bird who turns down a chance to dress up and get free candy!

Happy Halloween, and Blessed Samhain.

Well I live with snakes and lizards - and other things that go bump in the night - 'cause to me everyday is Halloween - I have given up hiding and started to fight

(Everyday is) Halloween - Ministry