Alas, Halloween has ended. It is time to compost our pumpkins, pack away our spooky decorations, and shelve our desire. Halloween is fleeting—it feels like October just began yesterday. Which makes sense. Autumn is a transitional holiday, a passage to heights we never thought we could reach. This transitional nature is nothing new, embedded in the history of the holiday itself. A history that reaches back to before even the Middle Ages.
The ancient ritual that evolved into what we know today as Halloween was called Samhain (pronounced: saa - wn). A pagan festival, Samhain marked the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. Samhain was the culmination of the long, tough autumn season, with the preceding weeks spent harvesting in preparation for the barren months ahead. A spirited farewell to all that is bright and warm, the celebrations often lasted for days. It was believed that on the true night of Samhain—October 31st—the boundary between the spirit world and the physical world was at its thinnest, and spirits walked among the living. The physical and spiritual significance of Samhain gave rise to many traditions: abundant feasts and parties, huge bonfires, rituals to ward off evil spirits, divination. Halloween these days has its own assortment of fun activities—from costumes to trick or treating to parties. But with most people hurtling to Christmas as soon as the clock ticks November 1st, sometimes it feels like Halloween peters out as opposed to ending with a bang.
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| Photo by Joris Voeten on Unsplash |
In the fall of 2019, I completed a term abroad as part of my university’s international exchange program. Allured by its rich history and stunning natural landscapes, I chose to study in the United Kingdom. Despite its Celtic roots, Halloween isn’t really a thing in Europe—at least when compared to the holiday's popularity in North America. Trick or treating is a niche activity and, in my experience, Halloween’s primary purpose is as an excuse to party (which I respect deeply). Nevertheless, I did my best to bring the spooky spirit to my new university, and after celebrating with my usual abandon (cemetery walk followed by a horror movie), November began with no regrets. However, in the United Kingdom, the autumn festivities don’t end with Halloween. On November 5th, a blistering array of fireworks and bonfires light up the sky across the United Kingdom. These dazzling lights, flirting with stars overhead, are the by-product of a tradition founded in the 17th century. A tradition that has diverged from its origin and realized new life in our modern age. For November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day.
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| Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash |
Guy Fawkes Day was founded in 1605 after a plot to assassinate King James I was foiled by the English government. At the time, England was steadfastly protestant and Catholics in the United Kingdom were persecuted. A group of English Catholics seeking to re-establish the United Kingdom as a Catholic nation plotted to kill the protestant head of state: King James I. The conspiracy consisted of secreting thirty-six barrels of gunpowder beneath the parliament building—the House of Lords. When parliament convened the next day, the gunpowder would be ignited, killing all those in attendance and destroying much of the surrounding Westminster area.
Guy Fawkes, a Catholic extremist, was tasked with guarding the barrels overnight. The plot was foiled when a mysterious letter received by a member of parliament tipped the government off to the next day’s grisly events. A search of the House of Lords was conducted, and the explosives were found, Guy Fawkes with them. As news of the failed assassination attempt circulated among the citizens, bonfires were lit to celebrate the King’s survival. This tradition endures today, to the point where the holiday is referred to interchangeably as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night.
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| Photo by Charlie Ellis on Unsplash |
As the religious and political undertones of the holiday have waned, Guy Fawkes Day is a much less divisive event today. The "Guy Fawkes mask" (see below image) may be the most enduring symbol of the holiday in the current zeitgeist. Historically placed on effigies of Fawkes burned during festivities, the mask embedded itself in popular culture after the V for Vendetta graphic novel and movie were released. Loosely inspired by Fawkes’ legend, V for Vendetta takes place in a dystopian future where an anarchist named V (who wears a Guy Fawkes mask) attempts to bring down a fascist regime ruling the United Kingdom. This depiction of the mask has led to Guy Fawkes becoming a twisted symbol for anarchists and those protesting government tyranny.
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| Photo by Ahmed Zayan on Unsplash |
On that November 5th night in the United Kingdom I remember looking expectantly to the sky. Basking in the grandeur of far-off fireworks as a stiff breeze chilled my reddening cheeks. It’s all too sudden—to be participating in the arcane rituals of Halloween one night and have the entire world move on the next. The traditions of Guy Fawkes Day serve as an ideal way to cap off the season of Halloween. Outdoor bonfires are a vital autumn activity, bringing an atavistic rapture that harkens back to the traditions of Samhain itself. In those olden times, an enormous bonfire would be lit in every community. Each household would extinguish their fireplace and relight it with flame from the communal bonfire. This activity was meant to bond the community, imbuing each household with the strength to withstand the harsh winter ahead.
As autumn descends toward the slumbering depths of winter, take heart in the journey we have completed. We can lay Halloween to rest knowing that it was enjoyed with every fibre of our being. And before we say goodbye completely, perhaps light one last bonfire to cap off the season. In Guy's honour. Or better yet, in his dishonour.
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