‘Tis the time of year, the ancient Celts believed, when the veil between the living and dead fades away, loosing denizens from that dark Other World into our own.
If you’ve ever wondered why ghosts, goblins, witches, and other supernatural beasties show up at your door looking for goodies every Halloween, the custom bristles with all-but-forgotten cultural influences, both Christian and pagan, going far back in time.
Though the secular holiday we celebrate today would scarcely be recognizable to the medieval celebrants of All Hallows’ Eve, we would do well to remember we have them to thank for its existence. After all, honoring our dearly departed forebears was always at the heart of the matter.
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