Several hundred years before the birth of Christ a people known as Celts inhabited much of what today is known as the British Isles, Scandinavia and Western Europe. Superstitious by nature, the lives of these people were under the strict control of a secret society of pagan priests known as Druids. Themselves controlled by Satan, this priestly class worshiped and served the god of death known as Samhain, pronounced Sa’-man. By threatening the people with death, disease and destruction, the Druids forced them to bend to their will and to recognize them as their spiritual masters.

Each year on October 31st the Druids took great pleasure in reminding the people of their power over them by forcing them to observe the Festival of Samhain, also known as the Festival of Death which coincided with the first day of the Celtic new year. Throughout today’s world Satanists, occultists and witches continue to observe the celebration of death on the eve of their new year.

Anton Levay, the late High Priest of the Church of Satan and the author of The Satanic Bible, noted that all Satanists, occultists and witches recognized three particular days in the year as having special importance: their birthdays, April 30th and Halloween–the most important day of their year. On the night of Halloween, Satanic, occultic and witchcraft powers are believed to be at their apex in that it is the celebration of “… all that is cold, dark and dead.”

On the evening of the Festival of Death, Druid priests would walk from house to house demanding particular foods which they in turn offered to Lord Samhain during the festival. Anyone who refused their demands received a curse on their home and family. History reveals that it was common for someone in the family to die within one year after being cursed by a Druid, proving that Satan does indeed stand behind his people. From this practice of demanding that the people give them food or receive a curse came the expression: “trick or treat.” In other words, either you treat us or we trick (curse) you.”

Along with bags to hold the food they received, the Druids carried large, hollowed out turnips with a face carved in the front representing the demonic spirit inside the turnip. Known as “familiar spirits” (mentioned 18 times in the Scriptures), these demons supplied the Druids with knowledge and power with which to curse those who failed to meet their demands. A lighted candle inside the turnip brightened the Druids paths as they traveled from house to house during the night.

During the 18th century large numbers of immigrants from the Celtic regions of the world began to arrive in America, bringing with them many of their Satanic practices, one of which was the celebration of the Festival of Death. Finding that turnips were not as plentiful as in the old country, the faithful began using pumpkins in which to carry their familiar spirits. They also began referring to the spirit as “Jock who lives in the lantern.” The spirit’s name and title were later changed to “Jack of the lantern.” Over time his official name and title were shortened to “Jack-o-lantern.” To be continued. L.J.