Facts On ---- Halloween -- Chapter Six

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Halloween, Haunted Houses, Poltergeists, and Witchcraft

What is the historic connection between Halloween and ghosts? Are "Halloween ghosts" only myths?

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   From its origins with the ancient Druids and their cult of death, the dominant theme of Halloween has been one of ghosts, spirits, and the dead. Lewis Spence reports, "There is no doubt that the original idea underlying all these various ceremonials is that the spirits of the dead might be pacified and prevented from haunting the living. The festivals to the dead are among the earliest in the world...beginning with the idea of fear, and therefore of propitiation..." The degree of influence of the spirits of the dead, ghosts, and poltergeists upon Halloween and related festivals around the world can be seen in literature and the media.
   The influence of the supposed ghosts of the human dead on Halloween and, in fact, most religious traditions throughout the world, takes us to our next section. As we've noted, Halloween may be an innocent pastime, but some of the practices and phenomena associated with Halloween need to be carefully evaluated and taken seriously. We hope the reader will understand that although we first chose a more lighthearted subject to discuss, we are now evaluating a for more sober phenomenon routinely associated with this holiday. By its historical associations and very nature, Halloween can lead people to a fascination with things like poltergeists and genuine witchcraft. We examine these in turn.

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