Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, as I truly enjoy the costumes, tricks, and treats. Though, it has become a topic of much religious debate, as it is seen as both a joyous celebration and a ceremony of evil worship. Both are true in their own ways these days. Unfortunately, the true tradition of Halloween is lost under all the commercialism and propaganda. The negative stigma, commercialism, and loss of the true tradition makes it hard to enjoy the holiday anymore.
How did this seemingly innocent and sacred holiday become associated with such a dark connotation?
When we look at the origin of Halloween, we see that it started approximately 2,000 years ago within the Celtic culture, but it was called Samhain (sow-wen) at that time.
November 1st marked the first day of the Celt's year, and it was a time often associated with death due to the transition from the warm, bountiful harvest months to the cold and dark winter.
Between the bountiful harvests from the year, and the worries of making it through the winter, their celebrations on October 31st were complex.
They believed October 31st was when the boundaries between the living and dead came down, and there were concerns the ghosts would cause trouble and damage crops. At the same time, they believed the weakened barrier between the worlds allowed those with foresight could predict the future easier. Therefore, many ceremonies conducted included fortune telling and bonfires with animal and crop sacrifices to the Celtic deities. In addition, villagers dressed themselves in animal skins in an effort to drive away the mischievous spirits that might bring them misfortune. These practices were done with the hope that it would help the Celts survive the harsh winter months.
What happened after the Celts to make the holiday so dark? What changed over the last 2,000 years to cause the negative views of a seemingly innocent celebration?
Moving on to the Romans Christianity, we see these cultures eventually declaring November 1st All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows. This made October 31st All Hallows Eve, and evetually Halloween. Further, they made November 2nd All Souls day, a day to honor the dead. Both days were again to honor ancestors and ones lost. On All Souls Day, children would go to homes of the rich asking for food or money in exchange for prayers for the dead. So, when did the doom and gloom begin?
Even when the holiday came to the United States of America, it was still a celebration of bountiful harvests and honoring the dead. Naturally ghost stories were told, as it was still believed to be a night where the dead briefly join the living.
Scotland and Ireland had the traditions closest to what we know these days, where they would dress up in costume and sing, pray for the dead, or perform tricks at homes to earn treats. Still no signs of devil worship.
In all my research, I found that Halloween is a day to honor the dead and a ceremony believed to help villages survive impending harsh winters when food and warmth were scarce. My belief is that the opinion of the day being about devil worship developed from propaganda and commercialized religion.
Granted, there are plenty of people out there that attempt to use the alleged weakend boundary between the living and the dead for nefarious reasons. However, they are not the example of what Halloween truly represents.
For me, there are plenty of loved ones I lost that I would give anything to hug once more, even for a moment. I will continue to celebrate Samhain as it is intended, to honor those I lost. Additionally, I will teach my children what each aspect of the day means.
Costumes are to drive away the mischievous spirits that might bring misfortune. Treats are a representation of the poor asking for food in exchange for prayers. If you did not pray for your treat, you were expected to perform tricks or sing instead. Tricks are not meant to be mean, but rather fun and enjoyable for all. The color orange is a symbol of the end of harvest. Decorations originated from Jack O Lanterns carved from turnips to guide souls through purgatory.
All this said is a very summarized version of the research I completed, so I fully encourage you to do your own research to truly appreciate the history and traditions of Samhain.
In all honesty, current events are far scarier than the true meaning and traditions of Samhain, All Hallows Eve, Halloween.
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