Greetings, my Friends!
I cannot believe we are almost at the end of October and getting ready for Halloween. The “Ber” months are moving right along, some say too fast and some say not fast enough.
We all know that 2020 has been and is a very tough year. With all of the cancellations of events a couple of the big questions that keep coming up is “What about the Holidays?”
By now, many of you know that I am very curious and love finding out the Why, What, When, Who and How of most everything I come across in researching and writing my Blogs. It is not unusual that while I am writing on a specific subject for my next blog, another story relating to my subject pops up and I veer off to look up more information about the additional story.
My last blog had a lot to do with Ireland and lo and behold, the subject of Halloween popped up. I started thinking about Halloween and wondering if trick or treating would be cancelled, as I have heard it might. Then I started thinking that I actually do not know all about Halloween, why and how it started, why we wear costumes and have scary parties. I have always wondered why we give out candy to children, when we tell our kids from the time they can talk to not take candy from strangers, then we personally take them to strangers’ homes to take candy from them???? Wait….What????
The History of Halloween
A complete contradiction, I would say! At any rate, I learned that Halloween started as a Celtic Tradition, yep… Celtic as in; Ireland, Scotland and England. The ancient festival was known as Samhain. During this festival, bonfires would be lit and the celebrants wore costumes to ward off ghosts and other spirits. I know, you probably knew this especially if you watch a show called “Supernatural.” However, I did not know the depth of the back story of Halloween, how we have evolved it into the Halloween we know and take part in today.
Halloween was once called All Hallows Eve. November 1 was named All Saints Day by Pope Gregory III in the 8th Century. November 1 was also the day that Celts celebrated New Year’s, and the night before, Samhain, was a time when the worlds of the living and the dead crossed paths. It was a night when Druids could make predictions about the year to come. Wow, right up my magic alley!
Because Samhain and All Saints Day were back to back, the traditions of the two began to blend together, and the evening before became known as All Hallows Eve, then Halloween.
Scare Away Negative Energy
During this time, what traditions can we take from the ancient ritual? Perhaps we can tap into the spirit of Samhain to wish away any negative energy that may have come into our life this year. It certainly has been a long, strange year. We are still wondering if trick or treating and Halloween parties will be cancelled for this year, due to this virus crisis. Whatever the decision, please take precautions and stay safe.
xoxo
Carolyn