Ever wondered how Halloween became the holiday of haunted houses, costumes, and candy? In this episode, we’re unraveling the eerie origins of Halloween and diving into some of the strange (and spooky) ways Victorians celebrated it. From its ancient Celtic roots as Samhaian, a night when the veil between worlds thinned, to the blend of superstitions and traditions that made it a night of magic, we’ll trace Halloween’s transformation into the holiday we know today. And Victorians put their own spooky spin on it! We'll explore their unique customs, from apple-bobbing to fortune-telling rituals meant to reveal future loves, and way more tricks than treats.

***This episode starts with some noise interruptions, but they clear up less than 10 minutes in.

CORRECTION: Clara refers to Lemongrab from Adventure Time as “Lemonhead” and does not realize her mistake!

SOURCES:

History.com - Halloween 2024

History.com - Halloween Was Once So Dangerous That Some Cities Considered Banning It

Friends of Dalnavert - Victorian Hallowe’en: Love, Poetry, and Stingy Jack

CNN - From pagan spirits to Wonder Woman: A brief history of the Halloween costume

The New York Times - Boo? Halloween Used to Be About Finding True Love

Irish Archaeology - Halloween in Irish Folklore

Pilgrimage In Medieval Ireland - Irish Halloween Traditions

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