Long before the Christian faith made way among the untutored peoples of ancient Britain, the Druids had performed special rites of what is now known as Hallowmas Eve: fires were lit deep in remote forests, upon outlying spurs of hills, even upon the great plains that stretched between dense forests and partially cleared woodlands; mystic rites were performed, the help of the true God was implored, the machinations of evil powers were protested against.
From Massachusetts
On Halloween a girl is to go through a graveyard, steal a cabbage and place it above the house-door. The one on whom the cabbage falls as the door is opened is to be the girl’s husband.
(Editors note: provided he survives)
From Pennsylvania
On Halloween walk backwards from the front door, pick up dust or grass, [...]
From Alabama
A Halloween custom is to fill a tub with water and drop into it as many apples as there are young folks to try the trick. Then each one must kneel before the tub and try to bite the apples without touching them with the hands. The one who bites one first will marry [...]
Apples, nuts and candles are important in Halloween superstitions.
Nuts
Superstitious people believed the devil was a gatherer of nuts. So nuts were used as magic charms by those who practiced such things.
Young ladies of courting age placed Hazel Nuts near the front of the fire, each one to symbolize one of her suitors, if she had [...]