"There is a fundamental difference between 'guising' and 'disguising'. A guise is a whole other identity that you take on instead of your own - like an actor in a play. A disguise is simply a thing that hides your face so folk can't tell who you are. There is something about being masked which can turn you into someone else. You may not feel particularly different but others perceive you as the character of your mask. A man in a gorilla suit is far more likely to 'monkey around' than a man in a T-shirt and jeans. While others see only this outer mask they are unaware of who is behind it. This anonymity is attractive whether you are a Highwayman or Zorro. Furthermore a mask also allows you to be more bold and adventurous than you might be as just yourself.

There are three practical things that came together on Halloween night that made it a night of mischief: Folk in 'disguise', lots of people out under the cover of night and finally, lots of alcohol...

...Hallowe'en has long been a night 'between the worlds' where a little harmless shenanigans and high spirits can only be expected. Today Hallowe'en is, as most old folk festivals become, a night for small children. Whether they are guising or trick or treating at the end of the night the result is the pretty much the same. Little folk in costumes stagger wearily home and spill out their bags of sweets and fruit."

Extract from Halloween-Pagan Festival to Trick or Treat (c) Mark Oxbrow 2001 Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. http://www.thehalloweenbook.com

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