Every October 31st is Halloween. Halloween or Hallowe’en, also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saint’s Eve honors the Evening of the Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day that begins the 3 day observance of Allhallowtide in which the dead people are remembered including saints(hallows) and martyrs.
Halloween, the Christian holiday, is completely intertwined by the ancient Celtic harvest festival of Samhain. The Celts saw that day as signaling the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. In winter, a most of the rich abundance of the lands and forests, seem to die until next spring. The Celts believed the start of winter is when spirits of the dead would emerge. This belief is especially reinforced by people and animals that would die in extreme winter cold as well as being trapped to death in snow avalanches.
As time merged on, the idea of wearing bizarre; grotesque; frightening costumes came as a way of making people think the costume wearers are the undead; spirits who have returned to haunt the living with mischief. But, for a tribute, as a small amount of candy, cookies, or other food the undead creatures would leave the people in alone in peace. Saying “trick or treat” is the customary phrase used.
Of course, people began to learn the undead spirit beings were flesh and blood individuals simply wearing strange, unnerving costumes and people would pass out treats all in good will gestures and respect during the special time of the year.
On Halloween, witches and warlocks especially found Halloween night the most opportune for casting spells and for performing their rituals. People who engage in séances to try to communicate with the dead see Halloween night as a specially favorable time for such communication. Those who peer into the future by occult means believe Halloween night increases the opportunity with its mystical influences.
In many parts of the world, Christians on All Hallows’ Eve attend church services and light candles on the graves of the deceased.
There are people who put the Jack O’ Lantern on display near their windows. The Jack O’ Lantern is a large pumpkin that the inside was taken out (eaten or to be eaten later).
Then what appears as 2 eyes and a mouth area carved out of the pumpkin. A lighted candle is placed inside. The carved pumpkin was popularly used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits, witches, and warlocks during Halloween.
In any case Halloween has expanded into one of the most exciting and fun times of the year.
What once was a celebration of deceased family members has grown into a world wide marking scheme that generates billion of dollars per year, and oh what fun we mortals have!
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