How Ancient Terror Became Modern Candy
A short audio piece on how Halloween's frights got sanded down into sweets.
These sources explore the cultural history, varied traditions, and modern evolution of Halloween and Día de Muertos. They investigate the ancient Celtic roots of Samhain and the indigenous Aztec origins of the Mexican “Day of the Dead,” noting how both were later influenced by Catholicism. The texts also examine the significant role of popular culture and media in transforming these festivals into global phenomena, specifically through horror cinema and the commercialisation of costumes. Historical practices are detailed, including Victorian divination games used to predict marriage and the folklore behind the Jack-o’-lantern. Ultimately, the collection highlights how these holidays encourage a unique engagement with death, shifting between spooky entertainment and joyous ancestral remembrance.