Halloween

'all hallows (saints) evening'. in scottish it is 'even', so it becomes halloween in short. on this evening children dress up as malignant spirits, to show that they're mocking them, and that god's writ runs supreme. it is also believed that evil spirits rise for that one night for one ghastly carnival, and will try to take vengeance on their enemies. by disguising, or guisin', one can deflect these maleficents. the day also marks the journey of souls in purgatory to either heaven or hell. soul cakes are distributed to pray for all the departed faithfuls. little children , called soulers, will trick or treat, meaning, will play pranks on you if you don't treat them with soul cakes - simply fruit cakes, with charms or gifts packed inside them. yes, it has pagan roots, though modern christians wink at it, as long as kids have fun. the church tried to convert it to a day of remembrance of hallows , or saints.