Halloween Red Witch in Tree Black Cat Valentine & Sons Embossed Postcard

Halloween, stemming from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, marked the end of summer and harvest, ushering in winter and a period believed to blur the veil between worlds. With the advent of Christianity, it merged with All Hallows' Eve, evolving into a holiday associated with spirits and supernatural folklore. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as American communities increasingly embraced Halloween, the holiday began transitioning from solemn observances to a more festive, secular celebration.

During this period, seasonal postcards like this one played a significant role in standardizing and popularizing iconic Halloween imagery. Witches and black cats became quintessential symbols, with the cat historically linked to superstition and the supernatural, and the witch representing traditional folklore. The full moon and bats further enhanced the eerie yet artistic aesthetic common in early 20th-century holiday depictions, which often combined fantastical elements with seasonal greetings.