by D.W. Roach
As the air cools and the days grow shorter, I can always feel it coming — that unmistakable shift that signals my favorite time of year. Autumn settles in like an old friend, bringing the scent of woodsmoke, the rustle of fallen leaves, and that perfect mix of cozy and eerie that only October can offer.
I’ve always loved this season: the way the trees trade their greens for fiery reds and golds, the comfort of warm drinks on chilly mornings, the satisfying crackle of the first fire in the hearth. And, of course, Halloween — a holiday that’s equal parts history, mystery, and mischief.
From Samhain to Halloween
Halloween’s story begins long before costumes and candy, in the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Over two thousand years ago, the Celts marked October 31st as the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter — a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was said to blur. Bonfires were lit, disguises were worn to confuse spirits, and offerings were left out for wandering souls.
When Christianity spread through Europe, Samhain blended with All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. The traditions mixed and evolved, and when immigrants brought their customs to America, they met new influences — from colonial superstitions to harvest festivals — eventually shaping the Halloween we know today.
The Spirit of Colonial America
Something about early American Halloween captures my imagination more than any plastic skeleton or modern haunted house. I picture small colonial towns surrounded by dark forests, where superstition and faith walked hand in hand. The crackle of the fire might have been the only light against the shadows, and stories of witches and ghosts filled the long nights.
It’s that world that gave us Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, one of my favorite autumn tales. The image of the Headless Horseman racing through the misty woods has haunted American folklore ever since — a reminder that fear and wonder often share the same path.
Why It Still Matters
Every October, I find myself returning to those old traditions in small ways. I carve pumpkins just as the Celts once carved turnips, light a fire to chase off the chill, and watch the flames dance as the wind howls outside. Halloween, at its heart, is about change — the turning of the seasons, the balance between light and dark, life and death, comfort and the unknown.
It’s a celebration of stories, of imagination, of the thrill of being just a little bit afraid while knowing you’re safe by the fire. Maybe that’s why it endures — because Halloween invites us to remember, to play, and to believe in the magic of the in-between.
Sources
- History.com Editors. “History of Halloween.” History Channel.
- The Library of Congress. “Halloween: Day of the Dead or All Hallows’ Eve?”
- Smithsonian Magazine. “How Halloween Became the Spooky Holiday It Is Today.”
— D.W. Roach
D.W. Roach "Marauder" 