The Roots of Hallowe’en: Is it possible to observe a pre-commercialized version?
Christopher Nyerges, PasadenaWeekly.com, 10/31/24 edited by Wisdom Quarterly
Written by ghost, author's late wife |
My circle of friends attempted to answer these questions. We determined that we’d need to dig up whatever historical facts [like Sir Frazer's The Golden Bough] we could find that show how this day was commemorated before the Year 1700, more or less.
- The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (retitled The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion in its second edition, gutenberg.org)
Also by the author: Wild Edible Plants of N. America |
It is believed that the ancient Celts observed something called a “Samhain festival” toward the end of October. The World Book Encyclopedia states: “The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time.”
During Samhain (pronounced \sao-in\), the living could visit with the dead. Elements of the customs can be traced to a Druid ceremony in pre-Christian times.
The Celts had festivals for two major gods — a sun god and a god of the dead (called Samhain), whose festival was held on Nov. 1st, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. More: The Roots of Hallowe’en
The Origins of Halloween
- The Origins of Halloween - 0:00, Halloween - 0:13, Samhain - 0:34, Pumpkins - 1:00, Jack-o'-Lanterns - 1:16, Stingy Jack O'Lantern - 1:20, Trick-or-Treating - 1:37, Souling - 1:40, Mischief Night - 2:34, Candy - 2:51, Costumes - 3:04, Masks - 3:21, Halloween Decorations - 3:45, Halloween Parties - 4:04, Bobbing for Apples - 4:22, The Witching Hour - 4:39, Séance - 4:56, Harry Houdini - 5:15, Haunted Houses - 5:43, Tombstones - 6:01, Candles - 6:23, Witches - 6:41, Ghosts - 6:57, Scarecrows - 7:11, Black Cats - 7:28, Bats - 7:52, Ouija Board - 8:05
Is it all the doing of disgruntled Christians?
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