While waiting for my number to be called inside the bank yesterday, I asked Peter about the origins of Halloween, like how come Christians are so against it (I was baptized a born again Christian when I was in College, but I'm not active anymore. I do believe in God though, that higher power that transcends all and that which I cannot explain), and how come I am enjoying it so much whether I spend it alone or with the company of other like-minded individuals.
Anyway, what Peter said made such an impact, to me, as a baby Wiccan, at least. From what I remember, here are the things he said:
- Hallows pertain to the revered like the saints. So Hallows' Eve (Oct. 31) is the night or evening before All Saints day (Nov. 1), the day when we remember our saints. (I totally forgot about this fact. Hallows make me think of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. LOL!)
- It just so happens that Hallows' Eve is also the night (in certain pagan beliefs) before all monsters and demons walk the Earth, which is Nov.1.
- So the pumpkins and the gory costumes are worn by people to trick the demons and devils into thinking that they're also like them so people won't get attacked and eaten by these evil creatures.
- So in a way, Halloween is not really bad. Coz who would wanna get eaten and influenced by evil, right? LOL.
That's just my 2 cents about Halloween. I'm a baby Wiccan so I really found that enlightening!
Of course, you can read more about the origins of Halloween like I did if you want to learn more.
Here's a shorter version I found and it made me all the more love Halloween. Basically, it's a holiday that dates back to thousand sof years ago and it's becoming more fun as the years go by. Personally, I don't really see anything wrong with it. It's a good time to celebrate the saints and remember our dead (R.I.P. Mama) and celebrate life in the process.
Halloween History & Origin
Halloween is the one of the oldest holidays still celebrated today. It's one of the most popular holidays, second only to Christmas. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origins and myths, the history and facts of Halloween make the holiday more fascinating.Some people view Halloween as a time for fun, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, and having theme parties. Others view it as a time of superstitions, ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided at all costs.
As the Christian debate goes on, celebrating Halloween is a preference that is not always viewed as participating in an evil holiday. Halloween is often celebrated with no reference to pagan rituals or the occult.
Halloween History
Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic church honored saints on this designated day.
Origin of Halloween
While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead. Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.
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