Halloween is Coming ! October 31st

[Lynn]

Halloween October 31st
　

Samhain’s History ( sow - en )

This is where the path to the modern day Halloween might well have started. This Samhain dates to the ancient Celts about 2000 years ago. The meaning for the Celts of October 31st was the ending of the Summer. It was the end of a year and the new one was to start November 1st.

In many countries if one mentions Halloween one instantly is confronted with Paganism and a Pagan Holiday for the “dead”. For the Pagan holiday the home fires are put out and the home is cleaned and made ready for the Fall. This tradition as Fall clearing was thought to be Pagan was changed to Spring Cleaning.

There was a huge Village Fire built on the Eve of October 31st. This often was a time of sacrifices of crops, and even at times animals to appease the Celtic God’s. This celebration was to give forth a share of the previous year and to cleanse for the new year coming in.

This fire celebration is where the idea of wearing a costume comes in for modern times. The Celts adorned costumes and would dance around the fire. This was too the start of later traditions of stories being told around an open fire. The fire symbolized the end of one cycle by burning items and the start of a new cycle .
There were three main reasons for dressing up in costumes.
The first reason was to “Honor the Dead” whom on this date were allowed to rise from the Otherworld. The Celts believed that the Souls of the dead were freed on this night form the Earth. The wearing of a costume was thought to release those souls into the physical World.

Like all faiths it seems there too was a part where some souls were not honored and respected. It was though that some were negative in nature and would return to ‘Haunt’ and reek havoc to the living. The wearing of a costume also gave one cover in which to hind identity in.

The final reason for costumes was th honor the God’s of the Harvest. Giving thanks to those whom helped with village. This too was the time to ask for good favor for the new year to come. To ask that Winter not be too harsh.

For Paganism October 31st is thought to be the time when the Veil to this World and the World of the Dead is at it’s thinnest. It was a time of communications with the dead by Druid Priestess, and Celtic Shamans. This was a time for fortune telling and making of prophesies . This is a tradition too that went forth to this very day.

Many the “TOOL” that were used then are much the same that are still used today. The tossing of Bones, and the creating of an Ogham. This is a tall pillar like stone that has carved writings on it . The Romans would later write about seeing the reading of Tea Leaves, rocks and twigs and what is now seen as “Channeling”. These are all traditions that are still practiced today in some ways.

　
At the close of the celebrations each home would take a torch and light it from the central village fire and re light the fires in their homes. This was thought to bring forth protections for the coming Winter. Deep beliefs in keeping the fire burning over the months to come, if it was to go out many thought that ill will would soon befall that family. In more modern traditions we know this as keeping the home fires burning brightly. For times of war when men were away.

With the Roman’s taking over in conquest the Celtic lands and this new rule lasted well into 400 year’s many of the Celtic Traditions were melted into Roman one’s . The Roman’s too had a day for the moving forward the dead called Feralia this too was in the later stages of October, too the Romans had a day to honor a Goddess of the Fruit of the tree’s. The symbol for this festival day was an APPLE. From this we can take forth the idea of Bobbing for Apples that is a tradition at many a Halloween party.

With the coming forth of Christianity the Church of England did its best to shut down the Celtic festivals and traditions. They took November 1st and re named it “ All Saint’s Day” and October 31st became “ All Hallows Eve” and later became to be known as Halloween.

The traditional Western concept of Trick or Treat most likely has it roots in England and the “ All Souls Day” parade . It was when the poor begged on the streets and families would give to them “Soul Cakes” in return for prayers being given for their families. From this came the tradition of children going door to door to be given ale, food and other items. From this came the tradition of modern times going door to door for candies and money.

The dressing in a costume gets its roots from the very early Celtic village fire festivals. It is said the first more traditional Halloween started in England. It was strongly believed the dead would return to the Earth on Halloween and haunt the living so offering of food were left on door steps to prevent entry of Ghosts to their homes. If one had to venture out on that night to the streets one put on a costume so not to be recognized.


With the European immigrations to America some came many of the traditions. From this the modern American Halloween traditions emerged. The very first Halloween events included parties and public events. It was done to celebrate the coming of the harvest and share in stories of the dead. There were fortunes told and dancing and singing. One’s came out in full costume dress to basically PLAY. As time went on house and more individual parties became more the norm. Neibourhood block parties.

Halloween really started to take off in the 1920’s and 1950s. This is where in America it became more a COMMUNITY event with parades and community events. It was thought and easy way for all of the community to participate in a celebration too if treats were given at a home chances were good no tricks would be played there.

NOW Halloween is a 10 BILLION dollar a year retail industry in America with the sale of costumes and candy.

　
The traditional colours for Halloween are Black and Orange . Black is the colour of darkness and Orange is of the Dawn. Black is death and Orange is re birth.

　
The coming of the Pumpkin or Jack O Lantern has roots in many traditions. Irish, English, Scottish . It was not always a Pumpkin used either, Beets, Potatoes and Gourds were also used. Some traditions say that they were carved out and a candle place in them and lit was to ward off evils Spirits as they were place in windows. With the immigrations to America it was found that the Fruit the Pumpkin worked very well. Thus the Jack o Lantern was born.

For those that still practice in the Pagan faith it is still the day when the veil to this World and the World of the Dead is the most open for communications.



Lynn
　
　

　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

I'm so looking forward to this year's Halloween, I'll be spending time with my baby cousin on his FIRST Halloween ever. I'll be the Green Lanturn, lol
We should start a thread for pictures of this year's fine holiday.

Thanks for sharing the tradition's history, not just some bogus IT WAS INVENTED BY THE CANDY COMPANY!!! I didn't know the orange meant re-birth.