Linton, R. (1951). Halloween. Scientific American, 185(4), 62–67. https://www-jstor-org.libproxy.albany.edu/stable/24945292
- Ralph Linton explains the history and traditions of Halloween. He describes how Halloween started as a serious religious event but has become a fun night with costumes and games. The article talks about the ancient Druid practices, like burning people in cages, and how these customs influenced Halloween in the U.S. Linton also mentions the Irish tradition of "trick or treat" and how the church adapted pagan rituals into Christian holidays. The article is useful for understanding the mix of pagan and Christian traditions in Halloween. However, it relies on stories rather than scientific evidence, which might limit its use for research. Overall, it provides a good overview of Halloween's origins and customs, making it helpful for those interested in cultural history.
Santino, J. (1983). Halloween in America: Contemporary Customs and Performances. Western Folklore, 42(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.2307/1499461
- Jack Santino's article looks at how people celebrate Halloween in America today. He talks about common activities like carving pumpkins, decorating homes, and wearing costumes. Santino explains that these traditions come from ancient Celtic festivals, especially Samhain. He also mentions how Halloween has become a fun, public event with parades and costumes, similar to Mardi Gras. The article discusses modern fears, like the Tylenol scare, and how they affect Halloween customs. Santino's work helps us understand the cultural importance of Halloween, but it mostly uses observations and stories, which might not be useful for all types of research. Overall, the article gives a good overview of Halloween traditions and their history, making it helpful for studying folklore and cultural practices.
Mullally, E. (2016). Samhain Revival. Archaeology, 69(6), 34–37. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26348788
- Erin Mullally, a freelance writer based in Dublin, talks about the revival of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain at the Hill of Ward, traditionally called Tlachtga, in Ireland. She explains the site's connection to Celtic mythology, especially through worship of the sun, and its role in Samhain rituals. During her explanation of the archaeological findings of the site, she adds that the time of Ireland's conversion to Christianity was during the late Iron Age, between the years 400-520. Mullally shows how Samhain traditions have influenced modern Halloween celebrations. The article is useful for understanding the history and cultural roots of Halloween, but it relies a lot on archaeological interpretations and myths. Ties together archaeology and mythology within the context of one of the largest Pagan rituals, Samhain.