Halloween began as a Celtic celebration. Basically it was a time to say, "We're really happy for our harvest. Please don't let us die over the winter." They sacrificed sheep and had bonfires. A lot of the rituals started as a way to foretell your future - particularly whom you would marry. The Romans came along and added in the apples for their goddess Pomona. Then along came the Christians and they really tried to get rid of Halloween, but obviously were unsuccessful.

The Christians like tying their holidays into already preexisting ones. I have always been somewhat amused that Christmas is around the Saturnalia, a lawless time in Rome when roles were reversed and people sang naked in the streets - early caroling.

Veronica