Halloween Fairies

Summary: Fairies, central to traditional Irish and Scottish Halloween folklore, represented ancestral spirits and the souls of the unbaptized. The modern, Americanized Halloween has largely obscured this connection, transforming fairies into benevolent figures rather than the powerful beings of Celtic folklore. This shift reflects a broader cultural disconnect from the ancient origins of the festival as a remembrance of the dead.

Insights:

• Fairies in traditional Halloween folklore were associated with the dead, unbaptized souls, and ancient burial mounds.
• The modern celebration of Halloween, influenced by American traditions, has shifted away from its Celtic roots and the significance of fairies.
• The change in how fairies are perceived, from powerful otherworldly beings to small benevolent creatures, reflects a disconnection from the original meaning of Halloween as a festival of the dead and the earth.

Proper Nouns:

• Halloween: The focal festival, its origins and changing interpretations are explored.
• Samhain: The Irish name for Halloween, emphasizing its Celtic roots.
• Scotland/Ireland: Regions with strong folklore traditions linking fairies to Halloween.
• Finn McCool: An Irish mythological hero who battled fairies, illustrating their powerful nature in folklore.
• Tamlin: A figure from the Ballad of Tamlin, highlighting the darker aspects of fairy lore.
• America: The source of modern Halloween traditions that have overshadowed the older folklore.