 |
All Hallows Eve, Hallowtide, Halowmass,
Hallows, The Day of The Dead, All Soul's night, All Saints' Day
or Samhain. The day directly between the fall equinox and the
winter solstice known in America as Halloween means, especially
to those of the adolescent persuasion, costumes, face-paint,
jack o' lanterns and, most importantly of all, candy. To me,
as a Wiccan, it means a time to remember those I have loved who
have passed on, but it is impossible to deny what it means to
so many other Americans. While the traditions stem from many
places, their heart is in the pagan traditions of Europe.
For early Europeans Oct. 31 meant the beginning of the cold winter
months that would be so difficult to suffer through. This was
the time of year when the last crops were harvested and flocks
were brought in and slaughtered for preservation for the hard
months to come. The titles listed above come from many different
cultures, but one thing they all have in common is they represent
a day when the barrier between the living and the dead is the
thinnest it is all year, and therefore the time to honor them
and welcome them into your home, much the same as the animals
to be saved for the Spring's breeding were invited in.
It was believed that this time of year was a doorway of sorts.
A place neither here nor there, in nor out. A very mystical place
indeed. While the majority of Celtic religions recognize Samhain
(Halloween) as the end of the year, many do not celebrate the
new year until Yule (The Christian parallel to Christmas) in
late December.
So what about trick-or-treating? This all depends on whom you
ask. Jack Chick, a publisher, prints a comic book that describes
the practice of going door to door for tricks or treats as originating
from Early Druids. He claims that Druids would go door to door
searching castles for princess virgins to rape and sacrifice.
If they got what they wanted they would leave a hollowed out
pumpkin with a candle, made of human fat, for those who handed
over their virgins. For those who would not appease them they
would create elaborate assassinations. Never mind that Druidism
in Ireland and the British Isles was gone way before anyone was
building Medieval castles and sticking virgin princesses in them.
I personally find the following explanation to be a little more
realistic. Irish immigrants were likely to be Catholic and many
observed All Soul's Day. However, while the Catholic Church tried
very hard to wipe out paganism, folk traditions weren't so easy
to get rid of and these Irish still followed the tradition of
going door to door to get donations for the New Year's feast.
Those who were penny-pinching were cursed or pranked. When these
pranks went from harmless to malicious in the 1920s, the Boy
Scouts of America encouraged well-behaved children to solicit
treats from businesses in an attempt to calm the growing criminal
reputation of the night.
Even with the inherent pagan undertones, Halloween has become
a night loved by many and hated by few. Almost everyone gets
into the act, no matter their religious persuasion. This may
be partly because, like so many holidays in America, it has become
very secularized. Much as Santa Claus has almost overtaken Christmas,
making it possible for those who really aren't Christian to celebrate,
Halloween has become a day for everyone. Other than the potentially
negative PR it can cause for the Wiccan community it is, in large,
a night for fun and to let off some steam. As long as everyone
is safe and responsible about it, this seems alright to me.
|
