|
|||
|
Halloween History Also called All Hallows' Eve, Halloween was a hallowed evening observed on Oct 31st. This was the Eve of All Hallows Day (or All Saints' Day). In the ancient Druids, there was a 3 day celebration at the beginning
of November. On the eve before, they believed spirits of the dead roamed abroad.
The Druids lit bonfires
to drive away the sprits. In ancient Rome, the festival of Pomona (goddess of fruits and gardens) occurred at about
this time of the year. In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic festival of Sambain
was observed on Oct 31st at the end of the summer. This date was also the eve of the new year for
the new year in Celtic and Anglo Saxon times and was an occasion for ancient fire festivals where
huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits. The soul's of the dead were
supposed to revisit their homes on this day. The festival that later came to be in the autumn
acquired ghost, witches, hobgoblins, black bats, and demons that were said to be roaming about. The pagan observance of Sambain influenced the later Christian festival
of All Hallows' Eve (also called Holy Eve) which was celebrated on the same date. All Hallows' Day
was on Nov 1st and was
a time in which the church honored Christian Saints. Nov 2nd was All Souls' Day
when prayers were offered for all the dead. Their souls were said to be in a special waiting place called purgatory. In medieval times The Pagan Sambain and The Christian Hallows were
combined. Children went souling from door to door, singing and begging for soul cakes for the
wandering spirits. If no treats were offered, beggars or souls played pranks.
Immigrants to the US, particularly the Irish, introduced secular
Halloween customs that became popular in the late 19th century. Mischief making on this occasion
by boys and young men included overturning sheds and outhouses and breaking windows. In later
years the occasion has come to be observed mainly by small kids who go from house to house in
costume saying "trick or treat".
In modern day America, almost everyone is ignorant of past Halloween
traditions. In fact, many people protest the holiday saying it's demonic when it really has
modern roots in Christianity. Since 1965, UNICEF, an agency of the UN, has attempted to incorporate a money
collection for the UN Children's fund. I would have to stress the word attempted since I have never
had this collection at my house, but I suppose it's the thought that counts. Aside from Halloween's roots
being based in Christianities attempt to change all pagan holidays to Christian
Celebrations,
today, Halloween is simply a secular luxury for kids. The modern day
Church has tried to put a new spin on October 31st, calling this day a harvest
festival. This is quite peculiar considering the pagan roots of this
holiday were a harvest and new years festival. Why the Church has gone
from All Hallows Eve to a harvest festival is most likely an attempt to separate
themselves from the world and any association with the demonic. In the secular world, Halloween is a day for business to make money in food, costume, and decoration
sales. The
press, which usually has nothing of importance to report eats this day up and spends it reporting
the same stories about how to be safe and what went on in company sponsored trick or treat areas.
We can all look forward to our place in the history books for taking each and every holiday and
making it into something with no significance accept for a day to make money. |
|||
