This temporal superstition connects to several cultural beliefs and fears. Midnight marked the transition between days, which in magical thinking made it a “liminal” or in-between time—especially suited for invoking change or contacting spirits. In Christian tradition, the hours after midnight were seen as particularly dangerous, a time when devils and demons were most likely to roam freely, unchallenged by the power of daylight. The term “witching hour” originally referred specifically to midnight as the time when witches, ghosts, and malevolent forces were most active.

Many folk practices were designed around midnight timing. Crossroads rituals, which were believed to summon spirits or offer life-changing choices, were ideally performed at this hour. Gathering magical herbs or graveyard dirt for spellwork was also commonly done at midnight, when the veil between worlds was believed to be thinnest. The association of this time with darkness and secrecy gave practical cover for activities that could otherwise attract suspicion.