"In October, we costume up for Halloween, once a sacred day, Samhain, celebrated by the ancient Celts to mark the end of summer and the harvest season. The boundary between the living and the dead was thought to grow thin at this time. Celebrants then dressed in costumes as a disguise to confuse the spirits of the dead, who were said to return to the living. Later, the Catholic Church absorbed some of the ideas of the pagan ritual, transforming it into All Saints' Day to honor its saints."
"Wise women, herbalists, midwives, and healers who were trusted and revered for their benevolent powers in Irish and Celtic culture became, under Christianity, feared, mistrusted, persecuted, and killed, believed to be cunning allies of the devil. 1 Great witch hunts were conducted throughout Europe from the 15th through the 18th centuries, and to a lesser degree in the American colonies. Innocent women could be accused by neighbors or religious authorities of causing crop failures, natural disasters, casting spells, and working black magic."
A childhood belief in someone having supernatural sight can create a sense of power or helplessness associated with being a witch. Performing as the Wicked Witch produced ecstatic feelings of agency and theatrical power. Halloween traces back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of summer when the boundary between living and dead was thin and worshipers disguised themselves to confuse returning spirits. The Catholic Church transformed aspects of the ritual into All Saints' Day and All Hallows' Eve. Trusted women healers later became targets of fear and violent witch hunts across Europe and the American colonies.
Read at Psychology Today
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