7 Old Halloween Traditions That Might Give You the Chills

Experience Edinburgh's most haunted places at the most haunted time of the year. 

October is probably best known for one thing: Halloween. But what we know as Halloween actually stems from ancient Celtic celebrations. 

The Celtic people did not look at the year in months, but instead in two halves: one light and one dark. At the stroke of midnight on the 31st of October, the dark half of the year began. This was known as ‘Summer’s end’ or Samhuinn. 

It is also thought that Samhuinn (pronounced ‘sa-when’ or ‘sow-when’) is the time of the year when the barrier between the realms of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Many traditions have been passed down from old Celtic celebrations, including some that we still use today. 

Let’s take a look.

  

1. Guising 

One of the most popular Halloween traditions we still practice today is ‘Trick or Treating.’ For many people in Scotland, this act is better known as guising or galoshing. 

This is when you would dress up, usually as something scary, and ask for treats. Those who didn’t give treats would be left with a trick or a prank. 

The act of the treat came from the practice of leaving offerings on doorsteps to appease any ill-meaning spirits who may visit. People would dress up in the hopes that the costumes would disguise the fact that they were human and hopefully blend into the otherworldly visitors. 

 

2. Candles 

Although candles may sound like an obvious choice at Halloween, traditionally they offer more than atmospheric lighting.  

Candles can be lit around the home as a way to guide lost spirits home when the veil between realms is thinnest. They can also be used in a dark room to catch a glimpse of your future partner. 

1907 Halloween postcard depicting candle divination

 

3. Carved turnips 

It wouldn’t be Halloween without Jack o’Lanterns. But in Scotland, it wasn’t always pumpkins getting carved. 

Traditionally, turnips were used as they were more easily accessible. Grotesque faces were carved into the root vegetable, with a candle inside, designed to scare away any unwanted visitors. 

However, turnips are very difficult to carve and as colonisation moved to the Americas, pumpkins became more popular. 

Carved turnips from Mercat's 2015 turnip carving contest

 

4. Dumb Supper 

A Dumb Supper would be held during Samhuinn for any ancestors or loved ones who had passed away. 

One extra place is set for the dearly departed, with food served onto this plate. The name of this tradition comes from the fact that all of the guests eat in silence, with the door of the room left open for the dead to join.  

After the meal is finished, any remaining food at the empty place setting is taken outside and left in the open. 

 

5. Rowan crosses 

During Samhuinn, crosses are made from the twigs of the rowan tree and tied with red cord to ward off evil spirits. 

In Celtic mythology the rowan tree is also seen as the Tree of Life and symbolises courage, wisdom and protection. Not only this, but the red berries of the rowan tree were symbolic too, as red is believed to be a protective colour and one that is linked to creation and life. At the bottom of the berry, you can find the shape of a pentagram, an ancient protective symbol. 

You’ll find that each of our Storytellers carries at least one rowan cross in their pocket during Halloween ghost tours. 

A Mercat Storyteller holding a rowan cross for good luck

  

6. Apple peel 

Many believed that during Samhuinn, time moved differently. It is possible, then, to predict or look into the future. 

Apple peel is used by unmarried women to try and predict their future husband. The peel is thrown over their shoulder and falls into the shape of the initial of the person they would someday marry. 

  

7. Hazelnuts 

Hazelnuts are used in much the same fashion as the apple peels above.  

Each hazelnut is given the name of a potential suitor and then thrown into a fire. Whichever hazelnut pops out of the fire first is be the person you will marry. 

 

Descend into the depths of the city and hear its darkest tales this Halloween. Join us for a Halloween ghost tour of Edinburgh.