The bonfires and black cats the Irish used to keep the fairies away on Samhain

On October 31, the Irish believed the year tipped from light into darkness and the fairies came up out of their mounds looking for mischief and, worse, for company. The defenses they built against that night are still with us in the bonfire, the carved lantern in the window, and the costume at the door, even if most people have long forgotten what they were ever for.

According to a leading commentator on agriculture in Kansas, John Schlageck, "The Irish believed fairies, who came out of their mounds at Halloween, played pranks on the people who lived above ground. When the Irish came to this country, they decided to emulate the fairies by going around and putting carriages on barns and turning over outhouses."

As the Irish had many ways of ensuring they weren't stolen away by the fairies on Halloween night, they were also wary that they would follow them across the ocean, and so they brought their safety tricks with them wherever they went. Several of the traditions have been transported across the world, and here are just a few of the "tools" to keep those devilish, ghastly ghouls at bay.

Bonfires

If you light a massive bonfire, you are more than sure to keep the spirit world away. Fairies will be terrified of the flames.

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Black cats

Schlageck said these creatures are "associated with Faust, who sold his soul to the devil for knowledge and power." As such, the ghouls are wary of our dark-furred, little feline friends. Who said a black cat was bad luck?

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Pumpkins or jack-o'-lanterns

The faces carved on the pumpkins are said to keep away ghosts from the door. What face will scare off the fairies more this year? 

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Dressing up

Although the scary costumes may have fallen by the wayside recently, with superheroes and princesses topping the list of trick-or-treat ideas children have these days, the tradition of dressing up as various creatures is another way for people to ward off bad spirits.

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Halloween colors are still orange and black; however, colors are associated with the dead, so if you're feeling like getting into the Oíche Samhna (Halloween) spirit, simply stick on something in these colors. 

What's your favorite Halloween tradition? Share in the comments!