Calan Gaeaf is celebrated on November 1 in Wales, U.K., marking the beginning of winter. Known as the "Mother of Halloween," this holiday embraces themes of the macabre, ghouls, and ghosts, making it particularly popular among children who dress in costumes and carve pumpkins. The night before Calan Gaeaf, called 'Nos Galan Gaeaf,' is associated with spirits, prompting people to avoid churchyards and crossroads to steer clear of encounters with the supernatural. Traditionally, villagers would dance around a bonfire, writing their names on rocks that were later placed in the fire. The following morning, they would check the rocks for their marks; if the marks were gone, it was seen as good luck, while a missing rock indicated potential bad luck or even death within the year. The festival is deeply rooted in superstition and serves as a preparation for the long, dark winter months ahead.