THE current trend of celebrating days such as Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Flower Day and many more reflects the way western culture has caught the imagination of our younger generation. However, one day which is still not very popular in India is the Hallowe’en Day. Though parties and get-togethers are planned with a lot of enthusiasm, the true spirit of Hallowe’en is missing in our celebrations.

Although people go along with the trend of celebrating festivals, very few are aware of their significance. Hallowe’en falls on the night of October 31, the eve of Hallow Mass or the holy mass. This is the night on which, according to old beliefs, the spirits of the dead visit their living relatives in search of comfort.

The multitude of spirits abroad on Halowe’en create an ideal atmosphere for all kinds of supernatural and mystical happenings. Goblins (somewhat like pixies or elves) seize their last opportunity, before they are frozen in for the winter, to play all kinds of mischief on humankind.

There are many superstitions and sayings about hallowe’en. It’s said that the shrieks and cackles of witches fill the night sky and the moon turns red at midnight. Also, flocks of witches fly to the final Sabbath of the year. Fairies spirit away young wives, whom they return dazed and amnesic 366 days later, and, also snatch babies from their cradles. Werewolves howl and prowl in the darkness of the night, saluting the moon beside a misty moor, where the only other sound is that of the ominous owl and the rustling of the dry leaves in the midnight hour. Also, every kind of ghost makes meaningless, terrifying sounds and moans around windows and doorways. Even skeletons’ hands reach up out of their ancient forgotten graves.

All these supernatural and weird tensions create a splendid ambience for a horror movie. But I guess most of the old sayings should not be taken "too" seriously. Also, old beliefs give solutions to avoid coming to harm on Hallowe’en.

It is believed that mortals should not hide or sit in terror or fear inside their homes on Hallowe’en. They should light great fires on hilltops to frighten the witches away and, throw riotous parties and dance around houses and barns to scare off goblins, ghosts, fairies and the likes. One should also give plenty of food and drink to children and poor people in the name of charity.

These days Hallowe’en is celebrated on a happy note. Parties are held where kids and grown-ups wear masks and disguises. Little children go from door to door and are given sweets and presents. The pulp is scooped out from small pumpkins and faces which adorn the entrance of every house are made from them. It is said that the community which stages an uproarious Hallowe’en will drive away all the prowling creatures of the night.