The History of the Celebration of Halloween Part 1

Halloween is a holiday rooted in ancient times. Historians agree that the most of the customs of the holiday we celebrate today probably originated with the Celts of Great Britain. These, Celts, whose religious order was called the Druids, lived in Britain, Ireland and Gaul (a large country encompassing parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany- they also sacked Rome) between 500 BC and 500 AD.

The Celts are somewhat mysterious to historians, mainly because they did not believe in writing their traditions or history. This knowledge was jealously guarded by the Druids. The Druids appear to have been very powerful. They were the priests and the scholars, tutors to the chieftains sons and it appears they were also judges.

In early Britain, Druids celebrated the autumn festival of Samhain on the first day of Druidic/Gaulish winter. The end of summer brought shorter days, less light, lengthening shadows and the end to the growing season. Even to this day pagan and Christian beliefs alike mix together bringing celebrations of this period- whether it be of the harvest, of the beginning of a new Earth cycle, or a holy day- from Oct 31st until November 5th. The Celts believed that the souls of the dead were allowed to roam freely on October 31st (today several cultures have this tradition on or about Nov 1). This was cause for much celebration (as well as some fear- for good souls and evil alike were freed).

Celts prepared for weeks in advance of the festival, gathering food, ale as well as wood and kindling for the community bonfire’s. Young boys went from home to home begging for this wood. The bonfires were believed to give strength to the Sun and to frighten the evil spirits into hiding. Prophecy and prayer regarding the future and imploring the light to return were made. Individual firepits were also prepared for homes at this time for the same reason, as well as to light the way home for their temporary visits from deceased loved ones.

In 500 AD the Celts were conquered by the Romans and the Celtic celebration of Samhain was absorbed into the Roman harvest festival honoring Pomona, thus adding Roman beliefs to those Celtic beliefs and traditions we continue today.

When the Christians subsequently overthrew the Romans, the “pagan” practices of both Romans and Celts were absorbed into the envelope of the Christian religion. As well as a harvest ceremony this was also a time to celebrate the fertility of the earth and to prophesy about one’s love. This blending was prompted in part as a tool in the effort to convert the “pagans”, and in part as a conciliatory measure to keep the converts within the realm of the “true faith”. In other words the “pagans” were not giving up their festivities, customs or traditions easily so the Church decided if the mountain wouldn’t come to Mohammed then Mohammed would go to the mountain. When powerful cultures merge homogenization of beliefs and customs occurs.

Similarities between the ancient rites and today’s celebration of Halloween abound. Ghosts, witches and hobgoblins run loose on Halloween night whether they be real, imaginary or costumed people. Darkness continues to exist in Halloween themes. people continue to believe that Halloween holds a special spiritual significance. Many today continue to believe that spirits roam the streets on that special night.

Children dress in costume and go from door to door, not begging for firewood, but requesting treats. Candles and lanterns burn brightly, echoing the bonfires of ancient times. Many communities actually hold bonfires as well. Prayers are offered for the souls of the deceased on All Soul’s Day, November 1st. Many churches hold services on Halloween as well. Prophecy survives. For some it is a game, for others a glimpse into the future.

The spirit of the festival of Samhain lives on today. It has been enriched and changed through the ages. Through that enrichment and change the holiday as we celebrate it today was born.

We will continue to explore the changing fate of Halloween observance in our next issue. Until then, Happy Haunting!

Halloween Pursuits…an ongoing column

Ed. note- This is reprinted from a 1999 edition of BooNews. Enjoy!

The Childrens Party Book

This fabulous illustration by Frances Tipton Hunter is from the Children’s Party book by Marion Jane Parker with recipes by Helen Harrington Downing.. This marvelous little book from 1923 appears to have been a promo for Calumet Baking powder.

The following is a suggestion for an activity taken from the Halloween party section of the book. I recall performing a similar activity at a party when I was small. Kids love this sort of activity.

The Witches Cauldron

Over a make-believe fire in a secluded corner of the room suspend a large iron kettle. At some time during the evening an old witch rushes into the room. The lights have been turned very low to make it more witchy. In a covered basket the witch has a number of the ingredients which she will need for charms. She gives the basket to the hostess and then retires, muttering to her witches kettle. The hostess explains that the objects must be passed through every hand till they reach the witch, and forms the company into a line. Then she bandages everyone’s eyes and passes first a hot baked potato. This will pass very quickly to the next and all along the line little screeches follow. Next comes a chestnut burr, then a piece of ice, an old glove filled with mush, a large soup bone, a large grape without the skin and an oyster. The horrid feel of these various things will keep the company squealing and when the last has been dropped into the witches kettle the bandages are removed and they may all look in. The old witch then stirs and stirs and later in the evening takes from the kettle written fortunes for each guest.

Modern Ideas For Your Halloween Party

This year is being heralded as the eve of the Millenium. Millenium parties are being planned for New Years and major money is being spent on the celebrations.

How can Halloweenites celebrate this most exciting occasion? Try having a Millenium themed party with a sci-fi twist. Your guests can costume themselves in their favorite alien gear. Of course you need to offer futuristic foods, so bone up on say- Klingon appetizers and blood wine!

You could also have a Y2K survival party….instruct guests to come dressed in survivalist gear, give Civil Defense instructions, bomb shelter symbols, bottled water and dried fruit as party favors. The menu could include NASA style cotton candy available from science museums, bottled drinks and (for the truly die-hard survivalist) K-rations.

Even more fun might be to have your guests arrive dressed as Y2K bugs! You can serve ‘anti-virus serum punch’, data ‘bites’ and ‘memory’ chips. Activities could include having guests act out their worst Y2K fears in a game of charades, or going on a Y2K scavenger hunt. Sounds like fun to me!

Vintage Catalog Cut

Rivoli Merchandise Co.

54 Howard St., NY, NY 1961 Issue

These novelties ranged in retail price from 29 cents to 98 cents. Can you guess which cost the most?

No. 97 double sided ‘trick’ & ‘treat’ sides still costlyr! b

History of Anoka, Mn Halloween

Have you heard of Anoka, MN? It boasts the reputation of being the Halloween capital of the world. It is believed that Anoka was the first city in the US to put on a Halloween celebration to divert mischievous and/or destructive pranks.

In 1920, George Green and Anoka business and civic leaders suggested the idea of a giant celebration. It took weeks of planning but came off as a gala event. An evening parade included thousands of costumed children marching down main street in torch lit (perhaps JOL torch lit) glory. Hundreds of free bags of candy, popcorn and peanuts were distributed and the evening ended with a huge bonfire.

The Anoka Halloween Celebration has continued ever since 1920 with the exception of 1942 -1943 when they were canceled due to WWII.

The celebration has become more grand over the years. Anoka’s festival now boasts a football game (‘The Pumpkin Bowl’), card parties, bingo, horseshoe tournament, costume contests, haunted house, fashion show, a kiddy parade, the 5K ‘Grey Ghost Run (named for a 70-something runner whose grey-clad ghostly figure could often be seen running through a local cemetery), and a 150 unit parade, 2nd largest in the state of Minnesota. The Anoka Halloween celebration culminates with the Miss Anoka beauty contest.

For further info contact: Anoka Halloween, PO Box 385, Anoka, MN 55303

Nifty

Placecard!

Maker is unknown. We guess this is 1910’s-20’s

Beistle, An American Halloween Giant

Note: This is where it all began! This article was in my first issue of BooNews and it is as topical today as it was then. Enjoy the review!

The Beistle Company was founded in 1900 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Martin Luther Beistle. “M.L.” began a company that grew to become one of today’s largest American Halloween novelty producers.

M.L. gave birth to the company in the basement of his Pennsylvania home crafting decor for hotel lobbies with his wife and brother-in-law. In the beginning, Beistle lines consisted mainly of artificial plants and wooden products. M.L. kept his job as a calendar salesman while the company “got off it’s feet”. It was not long before he was able to purchase the company for whom he had worked.

The firm saw a brief setback during the financial collapse of 1907, and M.L. moved his company and family back to his home in south central Pennsylvania.

The company soon rallied however and moved quarters to a wagon shop owned by M.L.’s father-in-law. Beistle was able to move to yet another new headquarters in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania shortly thereafter.

M.L. made a shrewd business move in 1910, when he brought the technology to produce honeycombed tissue to the United States. This technology had formerly only been available in Europe and the Orient. He built and patented new machines for this process.

The new honeycombed tissue was a hit. Beistle rapidly expanded their production lines of paper decorations and the business thrived.

American paper products saw a surge in popularity during World War I when German goods were not available. The lack of imported goods proved most beneficial to American manufacturers. Beistle’s production of party goods surged during the war years as did the firm’s resources and employee base.

Beistle turned to the community for employees. The United States had not yet placed restrictions on the use of “home workers” for production. The extra income earned by home workers was welcomed by the farming community. Beistle, like most of it’s German counterparts, existed for a time as a rural agricultural cottage industry.

Beistle’s production of paper decorations came to a shuddering stop with the advent of World War II. This was the only period in the history of Beistle during which no decorative products were produced. Parachutes and water-tight shipment wrappings became the war era production focus.

Following World War II, Beistle resumed their regular lines and the company continues growth and expansion to this day.

Beistle has employed several “signatures” (trademarks) over the years, including the “Copyr. H.E. Luhrs” patent notice found on many items. (H.E. Luhrs was M.L.’s son-in-law, later to become the President of the company.)

Other marks utilized include the printed signature (The Beistle Company), the Beistle Diamond trademark,”BeeLine” (and/or the inclusion of the bee in flight device), and Art Tissue Westminster Bells (tissue). These marks have been embossed, printed and applied with a paper label dependent upon the nature of the product.

Beistle is rightfully proud of it’s accomplishments, innovation and history. Beistle maintains a full private archives of their products. C. Michelle Luhrs-Weist, Product Manager for the business proudly states that they have one of every items produced by their company. This archive, which is not open to the public, includes decorations, catalogs, games, party guides, calendars and more. Not many enterprises are able to make such a bold, obviously pride-filled statement.

Beistle continues to have strong family ties. Many of M.L.’s descendants, their spouses and their families remain in both management and work force positions. M.L. Beistle’s great-grandson, Stephen F. Luhrs became President of the firm in 1990. His father, H. Ric, is Chairman of the Board.

This family tradition strengthens the company and propels it into the future. This means that the collector can look forward to enjoying quality Beistle products for many years to come!

–Thanks to the gracious research and assistance of Michelle Luhrs Wiest, grand-daughter of M.L Beistle!

BooNews Returns!

BooNews, the Halloween Quarterly is now returning to it’s fans as a blog!  Here you will find old articles, new articles, photos……all the goodies you found in the old print copies of BooNews.  Bookmark us and check back often to see what is new on the site.

Interested in being a contributor to BooNews- writing articles and sharing your knowledge?  Contact me and we can set it up!

Hope to hear from many of our friends once again!  Hooray for blogs!

 

Dawn Kroma, editor