Mind States
HALLOWEEN: A Holiday Of Transformation
by Carolyn Grace Matteo
Why do we celebrate Halloween? What’s it all about? How is this holiday able to touch the spirits of so many people—young and old alike? Is it the opportunity to step outside ourselves and into a new persona for an evening? Is it our love of sweets that motivates us to gather pounds of candy corn and chocolate kisses—or is it something deeper?
The history of Halloween can be traced back about 2000 years. Some believe that its origins can be found in the Celtic festival of Samhain, meaning Summer’s End, which celebrated the harvest season and the Celtic New Year. The Celts believed this to be the day when the spirits or ghosts of their deceased loved ones returned to earth. It was the day when the veil between the dimensions was lifted, opening the portal between the living and those who had crossed over. Wiccans consider Samhain a celebration of death and the deceased. In some Wiccan rituals, the spirits of the departed are invited to join their celebration.
At some point during the seventh century, Christianity spread into the Celtic lands. It was believed that the Pope intended to change this celebration into a related, but church sanctioned, holiday. Samhain was soon renamed All-hallows or All-hallowmas from the Middle English Alholowmesse, meaning All Saints’ Day. The night before All Saints’ Day was soon called All-hallows Eve, which eventually became known as Halloween. All-hallows Eve was celebrated with huge bonfires and parades. People dressed up as saints, angels, and devils. During these celebrations, the poor begged for food. Wealthy families offered pastries to the poor, known as “soul cakes.” In return, the poor folks were asked to pray for the wealthy people’s relatives that had passed away.
This holiday continues to transform. Today’s celebrations have expanded to include a wide variety of costumes, haunted houses, pumpkin carving and apple bobbing. Whether you celebrate Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Samhain, or nothing at all, there are so many ways to step outside the norm this Oct. 31. When else can you bob for apples with your deceased relatives? Or peek in your pumpkin to find a “soul cake?” Go ahead—hide behind the spaghetti brains at the haunted house and jump out and scare your mom. If nothing else, you’ve got an excuse to wear your wife’s clothing. Then again, who needs clothes; maybe you’ll get lucky and bump into Lady Godiva, naked on her horse. However you choose to celebrate, make it fun!
Merry meet, merry part, read my article with a light heart. Blessed be!