Is this connected to Halloween? I would say yes and no....I picked the day when we lost track of the original Watchfires group...and it is a very signfiicant day for Catholics as it is All Saints Day, followed by All Souls Day. It is also Samhain, which preceeds these Catholic holidays. In Mexican cultures Nov. 2nd I believe is the Day of the Dead..which I think has older roots in Aztec culture. I think many cultures and religions recognize this as the darkest time of the year..darker than winter...I picked November 1st for these reasons and also because it was the birthday of a childhood friend and neighbor, equivalent to a brother, who died in Vietnam. mg