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Louie's Zine

The Halloween Chronicles: Night 2 of 11: When the Dead Came Visiting

Louie10-22-2026, 08:40 AM · 2 min read · 💬 3Log in to subscribe1 subscriber
Yesterday we learned that people want to believe the dead could return to the world of the living. Apparently, some folks decided the appropriate response was to invite them in for dinner.
I’m sorry… What?🤣
There really isn’t a detailed record of what families were doing in their homes 2000 years ago, but we do have something that is pretty interesting.
In the 1930s, school children across Ireland were asked to collect local stories, customs, and traditions from their parents, grandparents and elderly neighbors. These accounts were preserved in what’s called the “School’s Collection”, part of Ireland’s National Folklore Collection.
Some of these traditions are interesting.
In certain Irish households, it was customary to leave food on the table for deceased family members believe to be returning that night. Some families clean the fireplace, kept a fire burning, or left a chair ready for their visitors. Apparently, some even left the door unlocked that could get inside. Wait… they are SPIRITS. Can’t they just walk through the freaking door anyway? 🤔
Keep in mind, you’re not just leaving the door unlocked for grandma. You’re leaving it unlocked for every thief and village asshole wandering around outside! So now you’ve got ghosts and criminals to worry about? 🤦‍♀️
I digress… Because these weren’t necessarily frightening visitors. For many families, it was a way of remembering loved ones and maintaining a connection with people who are gone.
Not everybody was thrilled about what might be wandering around on Halloween… Irish folklore also warned about supernatural beings, and they took precautions against any unwelcome “visitors” or “bad luck” by putting protective crosses above doors and holy water was used as well.
Can you guys imagine though… No electricity, no ring doorbell, and no way to see what’s out there.
Now, although we can document these as Irish folklore, we can’t automatically assume every tradition goes all the way back to the ancient Celts.
It’s still fascinating to see how Halloween became a night when people made room for the dead, feared what might be outside, and developed traditions around protecting their homes.

What happens when you decide you need a light to keep the darkness and whatever might be lurking in it – at bay?

Tomorrow we’re gonna talk about something that eventually became one of Halloween’s most recognizable symbols. And believe it or not, it wasn’t originally a pumpkin.

Tonight’s Question:
Would you have left food in a chair out for a deceased loved one?
Or would you have locked the damn door and told grandma you’d catch up with her in the afterlife? 🤣✌️

Comments 3

  1. SAMX 10-22-2026, 12:22 PM

    I'm leaving Grandma a plate, absolutely. But I'm locking the dang door.

  2. JVieira 10-22-2026, 12:39 PM

    Knowing my grandmother, she wouldnt want the food, just a pack of smokes, so sure, I will leave a pack out on the chair with a book of matches. But the door is locked.

  3. Louie 10-22-2026, 07:32 PM

    I would leave the door unlocked but hide under the covers in my bed hoping that I am not visited while secretly wishing I would be. Then I would probably get impatient and open the door if nothing happened after a bit....but still hide. Big Grin

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