Is Halloween Satanic?

Many controversies surround Halloween. While it seems innocent fun for many people, some are concerned about his religious affiliations - or rather, demonic affiliations. This requires many to ask the question of whether Halloween is satanic or not.

The truth is that Halloween is associated with Satanism only in certain circumstances and in very recent times. Historically, Halloween has nothing to do with Satanists because of the main fact that the formal religion of Satanism was not even conceived until 1966.

Historical origins of Halloween
Halloween is directly related to the Catholic feast of All Hallows Eve. This was a night of celebration before All Saints' Day which celebrates all the saints who do not have a holiday reserved for them.

Halloween, however, has garnered a variety of practices and beliefs likely borrowed from folklore. The origins of these practices are also often questionable, with evidence dating back only two hundred years.

For example, the jack-o-lantern was born as a turnip lantern in the late 1800s. The scary faces carved in these were said to be nothing more than jokes from "naughty kids". Likewise, the fear of black cats stems from a 14th-century association with witches and the nocturnal animal. It was only during the Second World War that the black cat really took off during the Halloween celebrations.

Still, older records are fairly calm about what may have happened in late October.

None of these things have to do with Satanism. In fact, if popular Halloween practices had to do with spirits, it would have been mainly to keep them away, not attract them. It would be the opposite of common perceptions of "Satanism".

Satanic adoption of Halloween
Anton LaVey formed the Church of Satan in 1966 and wrote the "Satanic Bible" in a few years. It is important to note that this was the first organized religion to ever label itself as satanic.

LaVey entered into three holidays for his version of Satanism. The first and most important date is the birthday of every Satanist. After all, it's a self-centered religion, so it's understandable that this is the most significant day for a Satanist.

The other two holidays are Walpurgisnacht (April 30) and Halloween (October 31). Both dates have often been considered "witch parties" in popular culture and have therefore been linked to Satanism. LaVey adopted Halloween less because of any intrinsic satanic meaning in the date, but more as a joke about those who had superstitiously feared it.

Contrary to some conspiracy theories, Satanists don't see Halloween as the devil's birthday. Satan is a symbolic figure in religion. In addition, the Church of Satan describes October 31 as "the culmination of autumn" and a day in which to dress according to one's inner self or to reflect on a recently deceased loved one.

But is Halloween Satanic?
So yes, Satanists celebrate Halloween as one of their holidays. However, this is a very recent adoption.

Halloween was celebrated long before Satanists had anything to do with it. Therefore, historically Halloween is not satanic. Today it only makes sense to call it a satanic feast when referring to its celebration as true satanists.