|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:50 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:52 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Samhain Superstitions
Mirror Superstitions:
Many people in various parts of the world consider it to be extremely unlucky to look at their reflection in a mirror by candlelight on Samhain.
Many people also believe that mirrors are the gateways to the other worlds, and cover mirrors with black cloths to keep the gateway closed.
Candle Superstitions:
A burning candle placed inside a hollowed out pumpkin or jack-o-latern on Samhain works to keep evil spirits and demons at bay.
For good luck, burn black and orange candles on Samhain. Black and Orange are the traditional colors of Samhain and Halloween. On this day their magickal vibrations are at their peak.
If a candle should suddenly go out by itself on Samhain, as thought being blown out by wind or by breath, this is said to be a sign that a ghost has come to call.
Always burn new candles at Samhain to ensure the best of luck. Likewise, iti s not a good idea to burn Samhain candles at any other time of the year. To do so may cause you to experience bad luck and/or strange happenings over which you will have no control.
Gazing into the flame of a candle on Samhain will enable you to peer into the future. Many witches traditionally scry candle flames on Samhain to receive clairvoyant visions.
It is believed that if a person lights a new orange-colored candle at midnight on Samhain and lets it burn until the sun rises, he or she will be the recipient of good luck. However, according to an old legend from Europe, any person who bakes bread or journeys after sunset on Samhain (Halloween) runs the risk of conjuring forth bad luck in great abundance.
Halloween Moon Omens:
If the moon is new on Samhain, this indicates that the coming year will be fertile ground for new beginnings to take place, such as the start of a new project, a new career, or even a new way of thinking. For those desiring children, a new moon at Samhain is a lucky omen, indicating a new birth within a year's time.
If the moon is waxing on Samhain, this indicates good luck throughout the coming year. It also indicates growth and an increase of all things that are positive nature.
If the moon is full on Samhain, this ensures the that the powers of all forms of magick and divination practiced on this night will be at their greatest. A secret wish made at midnight will be realized within the coming year., and do not be surprised if an experienced of a psychic nature awaits you in the very near future.
If the moon is waning on Samhain, this can be an omen of either good or bad consquences. It can indicate the elimination of such things as bad habits, unhealthy realtionships and obstacles within the coming year. Or it can point to a decrease (such as in one's health) or a loss of some kind soon to take place.
If the moon is in the dark phase on Samhain, this is believed to be a very negative omen. Exercise extrememcaution in all oof your endeavors within the next twelve months, and it wouldn't hurt to protect yourself by wearing or carrying any type of amulet or talismean designed to ward off bad luck and misfortune. "Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses."
- C. G. Jung from 'Psychological Reflections'
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:57 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Goddess and God Call
Goddess:
Great Lady of the coming of Death, I call to you Open wide your darkest night and swallow mine whole I beseech you, Great Lady of the Darkness, teach me Your wiles, your ways, your wisdom And in that knowledge, release my soul to greater learning Open the pathways to Avalon and beyond the mists To the other side, Great Lady, I would pass to learn. Teach me the way, and allow me to learn Let me stumble and light my way Join me in success and failure and suffering For you ever walk by my side, though I know it not. Great Lady, join me in this sacred rite. Blessed Be.
God:
Death walks among us, as you pass your way. Your time, once again has come, and the wheel turns. You have been the Spring, the rejoicing Summer, and now the tables turn You are the sorrow, the sadness and the coming of death to us all. Back to the Mother who gave you birth Back to the forest which nurtured you Back to the womb of the darkest night Back to the chambers of rebirth And in that forever sleep which so restores your ancient form You pass once more, like us all to the Mother to be reborn Join us now, before you leave us, and rejoice in life For without it, there is no death and rebirth And so you are the cycle, and we rejoice in it. Blessed be.
(C) Rev. Judith Lewis
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:01 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
'Twas the Evening of Samhain
'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place were Pagans preparing the ritual space.
The candles were set in the corners with care, in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.
We all had our robes on (as is habitual) and had just settled down and were starting our ritual when out on the porch there arose such a chorus that we went to the door, and waiting there for us were children in costumes of various kinds with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.
In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot, but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT), And so, they flocked from all over the street, they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.
We didn't think twice of delaying our rite, Kids just don't have this much fun every night. For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick of giving a choice: treat or a trick.
As is proper, the parents were there for the games, Watching the children and calling their names. "On Vader, on Leia, On Dexter and DeeDee, On Xena, on Buffy, Casper and Tweety! To the block of apartments on the neighboring road; You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!"
The volume of children eventually dropped, and as it grew darker, it finally stopped. But as we prepared to return to our rite, one child more stepped out of the night. She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen. Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green with simple gold cord tying off at the waist. She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face. No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch, so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch. And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom; I only use that thing for cleaning my room. My magical powers aren't really that neat, but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."
We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones, A candle, a crystal, a few other stones, And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van). She turned to her father ( a man dressed as Pan) and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed," And started to leave, but she first turned and said "I'm sorry for further delaying your rite. Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."
By Cathor Steincamp
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:10 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:16 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Ritual for Letting Go
((I thought this was fitting, since Samhain is the Celtic New Year, and I;ve always had a much easier time doing banishing/healing work at this time. ~ Gypsy))
(Note from TC: I highly recommend ceremonies like this if you are drawn to fire. In fact, all the elements can be incorporated well into this. *smiles*)
Shed Old Burdens: A Ceremony of Letting Go By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (Skylight Paths, 2003). Simple Solution
The old year is only just over: it's the perfect time to do a little ceremonial letting-go of the disappointments or burdens of the past so we can enter the New Year lightly and with hope.
Nearly every spiritual tradition on the planet has practiced this technique, for millennia, and with meaningful results.
Find out the simple, easy steps for this ancient and very powerful releasing ceremony:
Who knew something so simple could be so effective and liberating? But it is. There's just nothing more powerful than watching your unwanted "stuff" going up in flames.
1. First, find a well-ventilated place where it's safe to burn things, and a non-flammable container. If you don't have a fire-pit, an outdoor barbecue grill works well. Apartment-dwellers can use an ashtray placed underneath the stove-fan. Be sure to have water nearby just in case things get out of control.
2. Give this some thought, then write on a small piece of paper whatever it is you most passionately want to burn out of your life. (Examples: bad habits, like cigarette-smoking, self-destructive obsessions, distressing behaviors or memories, or a quality--like insecurity or self-doubt--that you'd like to be free of.) Now crumple the paper, or use both hands to figuratively wring its neck. (This feels very satisfying.)
3. Light a match and--focusing on your desire to be free of this thing--light a corner of your paper. Place the paper in the container and give your issue up to the fire. Watch the smoke rising, the paper burning to ash, and allow yourself to feel lighter. As you enjoy the flames' bright beauty, imagine your life feeling different, once this has gone out of your life.
4. Compost the cooled ashes or give them to a houseplant as fertilizer. Making a conscious effort to change can truly help things grow.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:20 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:23 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
The Crone
The Crone
"I am the silence of midnight, and black velvet skies. I am the shadow of vision that tempers your eyes.
I am the darkness of secrets that draw the veil thin, The coldness of winter that shakes on your skin.
I am Grandmother, Weaver, Enchantress and Crone, The Knowledge of Justice that strikes at the bone.
Destruction is mine when its time comes to be; Death to the living, who all come to me.
Mine is the hand of the spinning of fates, Mine is the passage between life's fragile gates.
I am the giver of magickal sight, The slight sliver of waning moonlight.
I am the branch of ageless worn trees. Hear my voice and know of me!
I am the Raven that flies through the woods, Black silken wings opened up to the sky! Bearer of closure, competition, and truth Dreamscapes and Banshee am I!
Mine is the wisdom that comes in the dark. Mine is the dying that calls to your flesh. Mine are the hidden remains of your heart. Mine is the mist that will take your last breath.
Give unto me what is old and outworn, And I will return it with new life reborn.
Give me your sorrows, your sadness, your grief, And in the dark hour, I will give thee relief.
I am the giver of death and rebirth, Mine are the last things, before they are first.
See me in shadows, and in the dark sea. I am the Crone! Hear my voice and know me!"
Author Unknown
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:26 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Robin Goodfellow
Robin Goodfellow
When house or harth doth sluttish lye, I pinch the maidens black and blue; The bed-clothes from the bedd pull I, And lay them naked all to view. 'Twixt sleep and wake, I do them take, And on the key-cold floor them throw. If out they cry Then forth I fly, And loudly laugh out, ho, ho, ho !
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry
Thomas Percy 1765
The above lines from Percy's Reliques describes Robin Goodfellow.
When Percy wrote his book in the mid eighteenth century the folklore he was saving for posterity was already ancient. Robin Goodfellow was another name for Puck, or Pook, a kind of mischevious nature- spirit who would furtively curdle milk, interfere with the fermentation of ale, mislead night-time travellers, sexually harrass maidens and cause other such harmless trouble.
170 years earlier Shakespeare had already made him a star.
..that shrude and knavish sprite Call'd Robin Goodfellow; are you not he That frights the maidens of the villagery; Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern And bootless make the breathless housewife churn; And sometime make the drink to bear no barm; Mislead night wanderers, laughing at their harm ? Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck, You do their work, and they should have good luck. A Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare 1594
The Irish knew him and his kin as Pooka.
These are all different names for what must be a mid-European cousin of the Mediterranean Pan, last officially worshipped in Greece over fourteen hundred years before Shakespeare, a horny forest spirit that is held in affection by country dwellers.
As Christianity took hold on Europe the older pagan beliefs and practises were at first tolerated, then frowned upon, then discouraged, and finally punished by incineration. Before the one god came to drive out the many the Greeks worshipped Pan, while at the same time the barbarian Northern tribes, such as the Celts and Germans, were worshipping their own gods, which must have included their own local equivalent.
Most references to these European Pans have gone, but there is an intruiging reference in, of all places, The Malleus Maleficarum.
In the Christian bible, book Exodus chapter 22 verse 18 it says "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"; and later on in Leviticus XX 6... "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people". These 2,000 year old verses of uncertain provenance were all the justification necessary for the faithful to set about burning anyone they disliked with the usual glee, and so in order to help them a how-to-do-it manual was written.
In 1486 two monks, Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, wrote The Malleus Maleficarum, or "Hammer of the Witches", an extraordinarily detailed treatise on witchcraft, including what it is, how to spot it and how to extract confessions from anyone you think might have been doing it.
Part 1 question 3 deals with the origins of familiar spirits, that is "what are demons ?". It concludes...
Satyrs are they who are called Pans in Greek and Incubi in Latin. And they are called Incubi from their practise of overlaying, that is debauching. For they often lust lecherously after women, and copulate with them; and the Gauls name them Dusii, because they are dilligent in this beastliness.
The reference for the term dusii is accredited to Saint Augustine (Dei Ciutate Dei, XV, 23). Pan is a singular Greek god, actually worshipped in ancient Greece, but there are endless references to a type of forest spirit that was not actually worshipped but simply affectionately believed in, and perhaps propitiated, all across iron age Europe. These spirits lived in the wild places and were famous for lusting after human women, known variously as satyrs, incubii, dusii and fig-fauns.
1500 years of Christianity later in medieval Europe these spirits were still firmly embedded in folk-lore, but were now known as Pucks, Pooks, Pooka and Robin Goodfellow.
The Christians called them demons so even they still believed in them. They just didn't like them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Lord Of The Dance
When She danced on the water and the wind was Her horn The Lady laughed and everything was born And when She lit the sun and the light gave Him birth The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth.
"Dance then, whereever you may be For I am the Lord of the Dance," said He "And I'll lead you all, whereever you may be And I'll lead you all in the Dance," said He
I danced in the morning when the world was begun I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun I was called from the darkness by the Song of the Earth I joined in the singing and She gave me Birth
"Dance then, whereever you may be For I am the Lord of the Dance," said He "And I'll lead you all, whereever you may be And I'll lead you all in the Dance," said He
I dance at the Sabbat when you chant the spell I dance and I sing that everyone be well When the dance is over do not think I am gone I live in the music so I still dance on
"Dance then, whereever you may be For I am the Lord of the Dance," said He "And I'll lead you all, whereever you may be And I'll lead you all in the Dance," said He
They cut me down but I leap up high I am the Light that will never never die I live in you if you live in me I am the Lord of the Dance said He
"Dance then, whereever you may be For I am the Lord of the Dance," said He "And I'll lead you all, whereever you may be And I'll lead you all in the Dance," said He
--------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
Further Reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare
"Reliques of Ancient English Poetry" by Thomas Percy
"The Malleus Maleficarum" by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger
http://www.lugodoc.demon.co.uk/ROBIN.HTM
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:31 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:35 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Samhain Lore by Ian Corrigan
The Festival of Samhain marks the ending and beginning of the Celtic Year. Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in") comes from the Irish Gaelic and means "Summers End". There is a great deal of distortion as to the true meaning of the Holiday, fostered in large part by religious propaganda perpetuated by overly superstitious fundamentalists.
Sometimes one will hear of an "Evil God" named "Samhain", but such a deity never existed anywhere in Celtic lands or Europe for that matter. It was a literary fiction masquerading as scholarship from the early nineteenth century. Fables of Druids leaving "Jack-o-lanterns" at the homes of families who have helped procure a sacrifice for "Samhain" (or Satan) are likewise scurrilous at best.
Samhain can be viewed a number of ways.
First, it was an important agricultural observance, when the final harvest was taken and the folk were now dependent on stored food, hunting and slaughtering of animals for survival. Herds were culled to eliminate the weak and unnecessary and ensure that the limited amount of food would go around for the next six months. In this aspect, Samhain is a holiday of Plenty and feasting, laying in a layer of fat before the winter, and gathering together for safety and protection.
The harvest being over, the seeds for the next years crops are planted. They'll lie dormant until Oimelc (Feb. 1st) when they will begin to sprout. By Beltain (May 1st) they will have shown growth, and it is this time of year that is concerned with the fertility of the coming crops. Those same crops will be harvested by Samhain, and the cycle begins anew.
In present times the importance of this part of the festival has diminished for most people living in this country, but you should try to see this from the stand- point of a tribal people for whom a bad season meant facing a long winter of famine in which many would not survive to the spring.
(S. McSkimming, Dalriada Heritage Trust <-http://www.tartans.com/samhain.html->)
Samhain is also a time when the veil separating our world, the mortal realm, and the world of the Gods and spirits becomes thin. As such, it is a good time to commune with the recently departed before they continue their journey from death to the "Summerland" - the realm of the Gods. There they can enjoy an eternal paradise of feasting, joy and plenty, until they are ready to cross back over to our realm and become incarnate beings again.
...Death was never very far away, yet to die was not the tragedy it is in modern times. What was of great importance to these people was to die with honour and to live in the memory of the clan and be honoured at the great feast Fleadh nan Mairbh (Feast of the Dead) which took place on Samhain Eve. (S. McSkimming,)
Likewise, the separation between past, present and future becomes blurred, allowing for glimpses not only into the realm of the ever Young, but of things which have not yet come to pass. Divination has been historically popular at Samhain, from the Irish myths; to children casting nuts into a fire and kenning their future sweetheart by the way they pop and burn.
Samhain, as the beginning and ending of the yearly cycle, can be viewed as any other "New Years" celebration.
Sig Lonegren, in a treatise published in: <- http://www.isleofavalon.co.uk/knowbank.html-> remarks:
So as this Samhain approaches, what is ending in you? What do you have inside that it is time to let go of? No healing is complete until you get beyond recovery. Use Samhain to take the thirteenth step: Transformation. In the Tarot, the thirteenth card of the Major Arcane is Death, and it is ruled by Scorpio. Samhain occurs in Scorpio. The card of Death doesn't necessarily mean physical death (though it can mean that), but more productively, it can be seen as an inevitable heavy change or transformation. Something old must be gotten rid of to make room for something new to be able to come in. Use the magic of this time to say good-bye to an old habit or addiction, an old relationship, or anything else it is time to leave behind.
Samhain is the time when we connect with the vital forces of nature and make ourselves ready for the long descent into winter. It is a time to reflect on that which we've brought into our lives, and that which we need for the times to come. Connecting with our roots and examining the directions we need to grow. We feast with the ancestors and ensure the continuing vitality of our people, be it ourselves, our family or the community in which we dwell.
http://www.adf.org/rituals/celtic/samhain/scg-samhain-99-lore.html
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:38 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:40 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Halloween: Spooky Tradition By Bernie Alexander
Goblins, ghouls, ghosts, pumpkins, costumes, and candy. Just what is the link between all of these staples of Halloween? What transformed this pagan ritual into a commercial celebration? With Halloween just around the corner, let's see just how it evolved to what it has become today.
some info
Credit: Getty Images Thousands of years ago, the British Isles were inhabited by the Celts. About 2,000 years ago, November 1st marked both the first day of winter and the Celtic new year. To celebrate the event, they had the festival of Samhain, which began on their New Year's Eve, as it were, October 31. Because winter was closely associated with misery, gloom, and death back then, they believed that during this time, the spirits of the dead rose and ambulated among the living.
The Celts believed that the presence of spirits helped the Druids make predictions about the future, but feared that these spirits could harm the crops, and cause all sorts of trouble. For this reason, it was important to make good with the otherworldly specters. So people would place food outside their doors to attract good spirits.
In order to keep the bad ones away, the Celts would wear scary masks; a tradition that continues to this day. Druids would also light bonfires to keep them from playing tricks on humans.
Years later, when the Roman Empire conquered the British Isles, they tried to add a few of their own traditions to the Samhain celebration, most notably by making the festival about their goddesses. To this day, it is believed that the bobbing apple party game is directly influenced by Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees.
During the Middle Ages, when Christianity was being implemented in the Celtic lands, Pope Boniface IV proclaimed November 1st All Saints Day, a time to pay tribute to those martyrs and saints without designated holidays. At that time, the Church was fearful of pagan ceremonies and wanted to put into practice a ritual that would be accepted by the Vatican.
current practices
In middle English, the term for All Saints' Day is Alholowmesse, or All-hallowmas. The night before was referred to as All-hallows Eve. Before long, the word evolved into Halloween.
So just how did our modern traditions come about? In England, November 2nd was All Souls' Day, a church-sanctioned day to honor the dead. On this day, they had a parade and poor people would beg for food. Those who were richer would give them pastries called soul cakes, in exchange for the beggars' promises to pray for the family's deceased relatives.
This was called "going a-souling" and, in time, this custom was adopted by children who would go door-to-door asking for money and food. Thus began the tradition of trick-or-treating.
European immigrants brought their own Halloween practices to this great melting pot that is America. For instance, during colonial times, Halloween consisted of people telling ghost stories. Still, while harvest was celebrated in one form or another in the United States well into the 19th century, Halloween, as we know it, was not.
But by the end of the 19th century, the millions of Irish immigrants breathed new life into this holiday. Soon, Americans borrowed the English and Irish traditions, and started wearing costumes and going trick-or-treating. By the 1920s, Halloween was a community holiday with people parading and holding town-wide festivities.
What made Halloween what it is today is undeniably the baby boom of the 1950s. This affluence of children made the celebration take aim at them instead of their parents. Schools got on the bandwagon and Halloween was recognized as a fun way of entertaining kids. Trick-or-treating even took on another meaning in that if families provided treats to the neighborhood children, nobody would play tricks on them.
jack o'lanterns
No, Jack O'Lanterns are not a conspiracy from pumpkin growers to flood the market with their product. They've actually been around for centuries. It all started with an Irish legend about Stingy Jack, a man who met with the Devil every year and tricked him into not taking his soul every time.
When Jack finally died, God didn't want to admit such a sleazy character in his Kingdom, and the Devil wouldn't allow him entrance into Hell because he had humiliated him before. Instead, Jack was sentenced to walk the dark night forever. He was given a blazing coal in a carved out turnip to light his way, giving us the Jack O'Lantern.
The tradition of carving scary faces into turnips and potatoes started in Ireland and Scotland when people would then put them in their windows to scare Stingy Jack away. Immigrants brought this custom with them when they came to North America, before discovering that a new fruit, the pumpkin, made the ideal Jack O'Lantern.
across the globe
Credit: Getty Images Because Halloween originated within the Celtic community, the celebration of Halloween is mostly associated with nations with Celtic ties. Countries like Ireland, Canada, and the United States observe Halloween very much in the same manner, with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and all-around merry-making.
Latin countries such as Spain and Mexico have retained the old Christian traditions with three days of celebrating, beginning on October 31st and ending with All Souls' Day on November 2nd. They honor their dead, whom they believe return home on Halloween. Altars are constructed and filled with flowers and candy.
In other countries, Halloween is simply a marketing strategy. For instance, in France, Halloween isn't a holiday. While a particular Paris bar has been celebrating the event for 20 years, it's only since 1995 that the French people have been really aware of Halloween.
Mega-corporations like Disney and Coca-Cola have introduced traditional Halloween symbols into their marketing, but it hasn't really caught on with the public yet. Interestingly, when people engage in trick-or-treating, which is rare, it is done store-to-store, and not house-to-house.
why is it searched?
Striving to be original, people are always looking for new kinds of parties, decorations and costumes. Learning the origins and significance of Halloween is a great way to understand what it is that we are actually celebrating. Searching for Halloween-related information on the Internet is also a great way to find new festivities to partake in.
For example, the city of Salem, Massachusetts, always celebrates the event in style with numerous costume balls, parties, and haunted mansions. Mexico has some great parties, as well, for their Dia de los Muertos, and there is always lots of skull-shaped chocolate to eat.
length of public interest?
At its core, Halloween is a party that celebrates deceased family members, and this kind of festivity has existed in one form or another in every culture since ancient Egyptian times. Every year, about $7 billion US is spent by Americans on this holiday alone, which makes it the second-largest commercial feast in the country after Christmas.
So as long as people enjoy wearing costumes, partying and eating candy, Halloween is most definitely likely to remain popular.
http://www.askmen.com/toys/special_feature_60/61_special_feature.html
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:42 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Halloween Moon Omens Source unknown
If the moon is new on Samhain, this indicates that the coming year will be fertile ground for new beginnings to take place, such as the start of a new project, a new career, or even a new way of thinking. For those desiring children, a new moon at Samhain is a lucky omen, indicating a new birth within a year's time.
If the moon is waxing on Samhain, this indicates good luck throughout the coming year. It also indicates growth and an increase of all things that are positive nature.
If the moon is full on Samhain, this ensures the that the powers of all forms of magick and divination practiced on this night will be at their greatest. A secret wish made at midnight will be realized within the coming year., and do not be surprised if an experienced of a psychic nature awaits you in the very near future.
If the moon is waning on Samhain, this can be an omen of either good or bad consequences. It can indicate the elimination of such things as bad habits, unhealthy relationships and obstacles within the coming year. Or it can point to a decrease (such as in one's health) or a loss of some kind soon to take place.
If the moon is in the dark phase on Samhain, this is believed to be a very negative omen. Exercise extreme caution in all of your endeavors within the next twelve months, and it wouldn't hurt to protect yourself by wearing or carrying any type of amulet or talisman designed to ward off bad luck and misfortune.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:44 pm
|
|
|
|
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|