Tomorrow brings trolls, ghosts, monsters, princesses, current cartoon heroes and other diverse creatures to our doors. Modern Halloween has become a fun time for kids. First there is the fun of getting dressed up in costumes, and then making the rounds to the neighbourhood collecting more than enough candy to keep any child going for a while.

There are several speculations on the origin of Halloween. I like the idea that it started with the Celtic culture and was a celebration before the really dark days of winter. Certainly, it is connected to the end of summer. It may have started with the pagan Irish but it is changed through the centuries, but it has changed and adapted over the years, to suit the society celebrating the holiday.

In earlier centuries and into the 20th Century, the end of October is the time when the harvest is in and stored before the onslaught of winter. It is also the time when it was cool enough to slaughter the animals and store the meat. The tradition of a bonfire likely started at that time, as well. It was a cool time of year and the fire provided both heat and light as the last preparations were made for winter. Today, we have fireworks instead.

As the origins were pagan, the church moved the traditional All Saints Day to November 1 from May 13, in an attempt to put a Christian stamp on the celebrations. It is likely where the present name originated. October 31 came to be called Hallow Eve in deference to the celebration of All Saints Day the following day. When we say “Halloween” it is likely the closest that most of us come to speaking old English.

Part of the old tradition was to hollow out a turnip, carve a face on it and light it with a candle. It was placed in a window or on a door sill to either ward off evil spirits wandering in the dark, or as a welcome to people who may come along. You may take your choice: I am sure that eminent scholars are still debating which interpretation is true. It was made like a head, as the head was the source of all knowledge. The use of a pumpkin instead of a turnip was a North American innovation. Pumpkins were plentiful, larger and it was a lot easier to hollow out and carve a pumpkin than a turnip.

Legend has it that it is called a Jack-o-lantern because it is named after a cantankerous and mean fisted old farmer called Stingy Jack. Jack met the Devil as he was returning home from another night of hard drinking. Afraid the Devil was going to take him then and there, he tricked the Devil into climbing a tree. While the Devil was up the tree, Jack carved a cross in the bark, trapping the Devil up the tree. The Devil, being a little upset at being fooled, put a curse on Stingy Jack. He was made to wander continual nights with only light from a small lamp carved from a turnip.

The concept that on this night many scary things lurk in the dark also likely has Celtic roots, although it has been added to over the centuries. Likewise, the practice of trekking from door to door with the call of “trick or treat” has changed over time. In some parts of Britain, the canvassers give a song or other treat and are rewarded with a small gift.

Whatever the origins, it is a night-time event, full of fun for children and there are never enough of those. Just remember that some of those little goblins can be hard to spot in the dark. They have also been known to change direction and move very quickly. Please drive with a little extra caution.