Samhain is considered a time to eliminate weaknesses - our Celtic ancestors slaughtered weak animals that were not likely to survive the winter and their meat was salted and stored for the dark months, this has evolved into the custom of writing your own weaknesses onto a piece of paper then burning them.
It was customary at Samhain to leave an empty chair and a plate of food for any dead guests, so that they would not be offended.
At the stroke of midnight - believed to be the hour the dead visited - all remained silent in respect.
The custom of trick-or-treating may have originated from an old Irish custom of going door-to-door to collect bread, cheese, nuts and apples in preparation for the feasting at Samhain.
When a candle flame flickers on Halloween night it is being touched by the spirits of dead ancestors.
Those born on All Hallows Eve are believed to have the gift of second sight.
If you catch a falling leaf on Samhain before it touches the ground it will bring you good luck and health for the coming winter.
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