All Hallows Eve and Mischief Night
A Canadian Halloween
Halloween and trick-or-treating; as we know it today; did not actually begin in Canada until about the mid-twentieth century, but was rooted in a tradition brought over with the Irish Immigrants, more than a century before.

Known as All Hallows Eve, it was thought to be the day that the dead could walk the earth, and young and old were encouraged to wander the streets causing mischief, or beg for food,  door to door.
All Hallow's Eve
All Hallow's Eve, also known as Samhain, was considered to be a day of limbo that separated the end of the Celtic year, which fell on October 30; and the New Year which began on November 1.  It was thought that on October 31, all the laws of  nature and physics were suspended, and the  dead could walk the Earth.   However, along  with the 'walking dead', October 31, was also the day that witches, demons and goblins were let loose, so children would go door to door begging for items to burn with the witches.

Sometimes they would be dressed as goblins and ghosts, to blend in and even scare away the real thing, and of course those of a mischievous nature would take the opportunity to scare the be-jumpins out of the unsuspecting; especially siblings and friends.  It was also a day when magical powers were said to be at their strongest, so if there was ever a time for an Irish curse, this was it.
However, the ancient custom of All Hallows Eve, was not just about the walking dead and evil spirits.  For the ancient Celts, it was actually a day of celebration, marking the onset of Fall, and the autumn leaves, cornstalks, apples and nuts that are now associated with Halloween, are reminders of the Druid's autumn festival in honour of the harvest, making it more like Thanksgiving.
October 31 was also the day to make preparations for the cold months ahead, including bringing in the animals for winter.  A time for getting rid of weaknesses, curing illnesses, and reflecting on the future.  In some of the old Druid ceremonies, a double faced mask would be worn; one side representing the past and the other the future; a symbolic way of forgetting the past and looking to what comes ahead.  

The Celts would also hold a Festival of the Dead, in honour of their ancestors and those amoung them, who had passed away.   With the coming of Chrisianity, the nature of these festivals changed to a series of Church Fall Festivals. 
November 1 was named  All Saints' (or Hallows) Day, a time to honor all saints and martyrs; and November 2;  All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead.  October 31 was still celebrated, with many of the  old customs ; and became known as All Hallows Eve. The three celebrations of All Hallows Eve, All Saints, and All Souls eventually became known as Hallowmas.
The Jack-O-Lantern
The famous Jack-O-Lantern was named for Jack, a wicked Irish villain who was unwanted by both heaven and hell.  Therefore, he wondered the world aimlessly looking for a place to rest, and with the passion that the Irish Immigrants carved his image, I believe he made have found his home in Canada.
Actually, Jack-O-Lanterns were one of the mainstays of Irish culture.  Originally carved from turnips, and even potatoes, they were hollowed out, a candle placed inside, and then left along the paths to light the way for evil spirits to make it back to the beyond.  They were also carved with scary faces and carried or placed on porches to ward off demons and witches. 
Bellman of the Dead
Clotheteur des Trespasses
Another event asociated with the season, which took place in French-Canadian and Acadian communities, and later became part of the Cajun culture, was the  Clocheteur des Tre~nasses or Bellman o.fthe Dead.  On the evening of All Souls' Day Souls' Day (November 2),  the church bells ring, and people run out in the streets of the village ringing hand bells and shouting:
Reveillez, reveillez,
Entre vous gens qui dormez,
Pensez a I'eternite!
Priez Dieu pour les fideles trepasses.
Requiescat in pace.

Awake! Awake!
Those among you who sleep,.
Think of eternity!
Pray God for the faithful dead.
Rest in peace!
Trick or Treat
The tradition of trick-or-treating dates back to the early All Soul’s Day in England; a day dedicated to all the departed souls of the faithful.  Linked with the Ancient Festival of the Dead, it was believed that the ghosts would visit their homes and eat their food, so residents would put wine and food on their doorsteps, hoping to keep them from coming inside.
Later, it would become a night when the poor would go door to door to collect food.  Candles would be kept burning, and "soulcakes"  prepared.  The needy  "soulers" would then go from house to house saying prayers for the dead and asking for soulcakes, and the more cakes you could eat, the more souls you could save.
With the influx of European immigrants to Canada, the beliefs and traditions were blended, and  by the   late 19th century, Halloween became more of a community and neighborly celebration.  Canadians were a superstitous lot and the occasion included the telling of ghost stories, enhanced with the darkness and eerie sounds of a Canadian backdrop.
Guy Fawkes Day
Another celebration loosely connected with Halloweeen, though not widely celebrated in Canada, was Guy Fawkes Day.
Held on November 5, it commemorated the 1604 foiled attempt to blow up the British Parliament buildings, by a group of English Catholics, protesting the severe  penal laws against the practice of their religion. An anonymous letter tipped off the authorities and the conspirators were arrested and executed.
The day was, and still is, marked with fireworks, and the burning of effigies of the nortorious ring leader.
"Remember, remember
the Fifth of November
is gunpowder treason and plot.

I see no reason
why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.

Knock at the door,
ring the bell.

Have you got a penny for
singing so well ?

If you haven't got a penny
a ha'penny will do

If you haven't got a ha'penny
then God bless you !!"
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