I have always liked the fall: the yummy food being harvested, the pretty colours of the leaves and warm comfy sweaters all make me happy. I also love Halloween, although more for its associations with fall and the macabre, since getting dressed up (in any way) irritates me.
But like most holidays we celebrate today, Halloween has a historical past that is much different than what we recognize today.
The Celts celebrated Samhain on Nov. 1, the day of their new year. It signified the end of nice weather, the harvest and the upcoming winter months.
It was believed that on the night before Samhain, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth because the boundary separating the worlds of the living and dead became thin. Those who passed that year would also visit their families, so people would hold feasts in their honour and light large bonfires in an effort to help their spirits find their way back home.
The Romans conquered most of the Celtic territory by 43 CE, which caused Samhain to merge with the Roman festivals Feralia and Pomona. Feralia commenced in late October and commemorated the passing of the dead. Named after the Roman goddess of the same name, Pomona honoured the goddess’s connection to fruit and trees. Her symbol is the apple, and the practice of bobbing for apples likely comes from this event.
During the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV created All Saints Day; a time to honour saints and martyrs of the church.
It is believed that the Pope was trying to replace the Celtic festival with one accepted by the church. October 31st was then deemed All Saints’ Eve.
In 1000CE, the Church designated Nov. 2, as All Souls’ Day; a day to honour the dead with bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes like angels, saints, or devils. The three consecutive days (All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’, and All Souls’ Day) was termed Hallowmas.
The mass-migration of people from Europe to North America fashioned Halloween into more like what we know today. Coming from earlier British traditions, people would go door-to-door asking for food and/or money; which we recognize today as trick-or-treating.
During the late 1800’s until the start of the 20th century, Halloween had a community focus, with people celebrating the foods of the season while wearing festive costumes. As time passed, the holiday became more and more removed from its earlier traditions to another Hallmark holiday.
It is also important to note that Samhain is an imperative occasion still celebrated today. It is the most significant of the eight sabbats celebrated in Wicca. It is a day when Wiccans celebrate death and those who have passed away, as well as paying respect to ancestors, friends, pets, and other loved ones. Although the Wiccan sabbat is influenced by the Celtic holiday, it is not considered to be equivalent, since the two faiths are different in many ways.
Other current observances at this time of the year include Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico, Spain, and Latin America (one I find particularly fascinating), as well as Guy Fawkes’ Night in the UK.
No comments:
Post a Comment