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Expert on Prophecy and the Supernatural Reveals Story of Original Halloween Witch

  • Veronica Neffinger

    Veronica Neffinger wrote her first poem at age seven and went on to study English in college, focusing on 18th century literature. When she is not listening to baseball games, enjoying the…

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  • Updated Oct 10, 2017

A Christian expert on prophecy, the end times, and the supernatural recently discussed the origins of Halloween, including the original Halloween witch.

In a Charisma News article, Dr. Thomas R. Horn, a television and radio personality who specializes in prophecy and the supernatural, writes that Halloween has pagan origins.

Early Christians changed the date of All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, to November instead of May, in order to Christianize the pagan holidays of Beltane and Samhain which were fall/winter celebrations.

The original Halloween witch was known as Hecate.

“As the dark goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, like Isis, was worshiped with impure rites and magical incantations. Her name was probably derived from the ancient Egyptian word Heka, meaning 'sorcery' or 'magical,'" he writes.

Horn also lists the modern-day symbolism for ancient pagan Halloween practices:

  • People visiting neighborhood homes on Halloween night represent the dead in search of food (the treat).
  • Masks of devils and hobgoblins represent evil spirits seeking mischief (the trick).
  • Those who pass out candy represent the homes visited by the dead, or may also represent worried individuals seeking to appease Hecate and other nighttime terrors.
  • The Jack-O-Lantern (will-o-the-wisp, fox fire, fairy fire, etc.) is, according to some histories, a wandering soul stuck between heaven and hell. Others claim the Druids left Jack-O-Lanterns on doorsteps to ward off evil spirits. Another legend concerns a drunk named Jack who made a deal with the devil. Each claims to be the true origin of the Jack-O-Lantern myth.

What do you think? Is Halloween a dangerous holiday, or just a day of fun and treats?

 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: October 6, 2016