Code Blue, I would advise you not to post about topics of which you have no knowledge.
As DZRose said, Samhain (or now "Halloween) originally marked the close of the season, and the final harvest festival in the Pagan year. These traditions began long before the rise of the Roman Empire or the birth of Christ, and have lasted for over 6,000 years.
The "bonfires" of which Code Blue speaks were not about "human sacrifices" or the "worship of evil spirits". They were used to honor loved-ones whom had passed away, as well as to ask "Mother Earth" for a successful harvesting season.
The origin of Trick-or-Treat is this: The ancient Celtic tradition of leaving special food as an offering to dead loved-ones, much like the Mexican offrenda. The practice of going from house to house was not originally just for Halloween. House to house visitations were common in ancient Europe as well as America on many holidays. These visits often included the singing of songs, and it is well documented that on many occasions adults went house to house as well as children. After singing, rhyming, or dancing for the house inhabitants, the visitors were often given money (Ireland) or food (Britain and Germany) in exchange for this entertainment. A poem that was often said in Ireland was:
Halloween is coming on and the geese are getting fat
Will you please put a penny in the old lad's hat?
If you haven't got a penny, a half penny will do
If you haven't got a half penny, a farthing will do.
If you haven't got a farthing, then a piece of bread will do.
If you haven't got a piece of bread, God bless you, and your old lad, too.
As for black cats, they were believed by the Celts to temporarily contain the souls of a family's dead beloveds, and would visit on All Hallow's Eve to keep watch over the family.
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