There was a civilization known as Celtics who were completely pagan, worshipping several gods, but the real menace was the Druids. On October 3lst, they celebrated the festival of the dying sun, also known as the festival of death, or the festival of Samhain. The Druids believed at the end of October the old year dies and the new year begins. Samhain signifies the end of summer, and was honored on this day. Sacrifices are offered to Samhain, some of which are food and drink, dogs, chickens, and sometimes human sacrifices.
Midnight is the climax for divination, witchcraft, trickery, sacrifices and sorcery.
On this day they believed spirits revisited the earth and evil had power over men. The Druids used to carry hollowed out turnips with a burning lamp inside. They believed it to be representative of the spirit that dwelled inside. Instead of using turnips, the common people later used pumpkins which were easier to carve. On October 31st the Druids would wait until the sunset, and prepared fires on the hilltops to release the spirits of the evil dead and to offer sacrifices to their god, Samhain.