A Favorite Tridium: Allhallowtide

Speaking of Halloween, and for all you Pagans out there, Allhallowtide starts in just few days. It’s a Western three-day observance between October 31 and November 2 when we remember and honor the dead: All aints Eve (Halloween) on October 31: All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’) on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2. Although a tradition associated with Christianity for the past 1000 years, Allohallowtide is hardly recognized outside the Catholic church, and even Catholicism seems to have increased its distance over the centuries. The observance, especially the first day of Halloween, a contraction of “All Hallows’ Evening”, seems to have deep pagan roots, with many of its celebration traditions like those of Celtic harvest festivals. Culturally, however, it’s still a big deal with kids. Little kids. Big kids. Those celebrating that first day of Allohallowtide seem to get older every year.