October 31 is Halloween or All Hallows Eve. On this night
it was once believed that the spirits of the departed were allowed to walk
abroad and visit their living relatives and friends. It was also believed that
Goblins, Banshees, Witches, Spectres, Pookas, Werewolves, and other creatures
of the night were also abroad in force. People believed that this was the last
night of the year before winter set in and as such all of the creatures of the
night would wreak havoc upon humans before being frozen in for the winter.
On this night the autumn winds begin to blow and the trees begin to loose
their foliage, soon to become skeletons of their former selves. The moon shines
bright in the crisp night sky casting strange shadows upon the landscape. It
was this time that people once believed that the earth became enshrouded in
death as winter approached.
These beliefs gave rise to some rather interesting customs. Great bonfires
were lit as people dressed up in scary masks and held roaring festivals to
frighten away the sinister creatures of the night. Turnips were carved into
grimacing faces and placed on doorsteps in hopes this would scare away any
unwanted sinister visitors. Feasts were held where food and drink were given
out to children and the needy as well as left out on doorsteps for the spirits
of family members who might visit during the night, welcoming them to the warm
hearth of their original earthly home.
It is these customs that have evolved into our modern day Halloween.
Jack-O-Lanterns have replaced the turnips, candy and toys are given out to
children, adults hold roaring Halloween parties, and almost everyone dresses up
in costumes both scary and silly.
So dress up as your favorite monster or movie character, carve up a pumpkin,
have a huge party with friends and family, and don't forget to have plenty of
the best goodies to give out to everyone. Scare away all of those strange,
sinister creatures and above all else have a very...
Happy
Halloween!
The Meaning of Halloween
