4. SAMHAIN is the actual name for this festival: the most popular of eight occult holidays during the year, which was started by the Druids (occult priests of northern Europe), in the 17th century.

Did you know that before Halloween became "the harmless tradition" that it is thought of today, it was a rite of the Druid religion?

Druids were pagan priests from the early Celtic religion (Celts consisting of the Irish, Highland Scotch, Welsh, and Britons). These Druids reigned between the second century B.C. and the fourth century A.D. They were from a barbering order and known for their power and blood-thirstiness which involved animal and human sacrifices. They believed that Samhain (the "Lord of the Dead"), would call up the evil spirits of the dead on October 31st. These spirits of the dead are then released in the evening and they will try to "find a place to stay". Consequently, people would put food and drinks outside their house to protect their homes and possessions.

For example, in Ireland, the Druids would go through the neighborhoods and countryside on the eve of October 31st to collect offerings for Satan. They would carry lanterns, bags for money, and canes with very sharp points on the ends (currently known as Leprechaun staffs, good luck horns, or fairies' wands). At each house, they would demand a specified amount of money. If the household would not, or could not, give the offering (penance or "Treat"), the Druid would use his cane to castrate the male human or one of his prize animals -- the "Trick".

Many of the "unseen" Halloween activities, that go on today, are no less harmless than those of 2000 years ago. Yet, thousands of people participate each year in this senseless celebration, including..."Christians"!

HISTORIC PRACTICES:

1. HUMAN SACRIFICES: men, women, and children were imprisoned each year in Wickerwork towers (large wicker cages), by the Druids. These cages were burned making the prisoners inside "human sacrifices". This was done to worship Satan and Samhain (the Lord of the Dead).

2. "TRICK OR TREAT": The Druids would go from house to house every October 31st to collect offerings for Satan. They would make a demand of a child or a virgin for sacrifice, or short of that, they would castrate the male member of the household (or male animals on the farm) -- the victim was the Druids' "Treat".

When some "unfortunate" could not meet the demands of the Druids, a symbolic hex (Satanic pentagram) was drawn on the front door of the dwelling. That night Satan or his demons would kill someone in that home -- the "Trick".

3. BONFIRES: Superstitious people believed that the spirits of the dead were released on All Hallows Eve, to seek their old dwelling places and stalk the countryside. Bonfires were lit to keep ghosts (demons) away.

4. MASKS & COSTUMES: These were tangible representations of what lurked, unseen in the night -- worn by people because they thought in doing so, they would not be distinguished from the demons.

5. PUMPKINS: The people to be sacrificed on Halloween were randomly selected by the Druids. The Druids would then leave a pumpkin on the doorstep with a lighted candle made of human fat, to prevent those inside from being killed by Satan or his demons that night.

PRACTICES TODAY:

1. "Samhain, or Halloween, is the beginning of our New Year, and is the time when we can most effectively communicate with the dead.''
(Interview: "Do you know what a Witch can do?", State Times, May 13, 1983).

2. "Witches, Satanists, and Occultists worldwide are joined together -- all practicing spells, curses, séances, and sacrifices (human and/or animal) -- on Halloween night."

3. Some years ago, 300 arsons were recorded in Detroit alone during Halloween night.