But the traditions go even further back in time to the old eve of the Celtic New Year, Samhain. One of the creepiest aspects of this festival is that the souls of the dead can make a bid for freedom to return to the living on this one night of the year. I was so inspired by this that I wrote a suitably dark short story around the idea.
In Scotland, bonfires were lit on hillsides, sometimes to aid the journey of the returning spirits, sometimes to protect homes from such an occurrence. And of course, it was a night when all kinds of mischievous spirits and witches roamed the land before All Saints' Day on November 1st. So keep a look out tonight - you never know who or what might be tapping on your door!
Romy