by Suzanne Wiley, volunteer contributor
It
is widely believed that our tradition of Halloween originates from the ancient
Gaelic festival of Samhain (pronounced SAH-win). Samhain, beginning on October
31 marked the end of summer for the ancient Irish people. This time was the end
of harvest and when people prepared for the long winter ahead—a season often
referred to as the “darker half.” It was during these few days the Celts
believed the line between the two worlds of the living and the dead blurred and
ghosts and witches roamed freely in the world of the living. To them, this
night of spirits was not particularly scary or malevolent like we tend to thing
of the supernatural. In fact, those who celebrated Samhain would set places at
the dinner table or around the fire to welcome the ghosts of dead loved ones.
At night, they would light candles and bonfires and feast. Since then,
throughout history, cultures all around Europe continued the tradition of a
feasting around harvest time and light fires in order to guide the ghosts as
they roamed.
As
Christianity spread, religious leaders tried to do away with pagan rituals and
traditions, Samhain being one of them. In attempt to replace Samhain, Catholic
leaders declared November 1 the day of the feast of All Saints. When that
didn’t work, the Catholic Church declared November 2 as All Souls Day, a day to
pray for those who had died, thinking that perhaps it would appease the Celts.
All Saints Day—also known as All Hallows Eve—is where we get the name
Halloween. To this day, October 31 is celebrated by recognizing all things
creepy such as ghosts, witches, ghouls, and goblins.
Many
of our modern day Halloween traditions are deep-rooted from the ancient
festival of Samhain and the traditions picked up along the way. We dress up in
costume as some did to confuse the spirits, we trick or treat- a tradition
starting in the Middle Ages where people would entertain others in return for
food. Many of our symbols stem from this ancient harvest festival as well- corn
stalks, pumpkins and scare crows.
Though
costumes range the span of superheroes and Disney characters, the most popular
costumes for adults are scary like witches, vampires, skeletons or other bloody
character. The paranormal still dominates Halloween despite all the silly and
“sexy” costumes. We decorate our homes with fake gravestones, body parts and
spooky lighting. We serve hot dogs made to look like severed fingers and red
cocktails served over dry ice to mimic drinking blood. Halloween allows us to
be morbid and seek out that which frightens us. Though there is no record of
Samhain being a night of frights, we Americans sure have made turned into that.
Indeed, we also know we aren’t going to starve during winter.
Unlike
our other major holidays, there is not one thing Americans will agree on that
we are actually celebrating on Halloween. Are we celebrating the dead? The
undead? That seems morbid. Do dentists feast because they know we’re keeping
them in business? As the second most profitable holiday in America, what
exactly IS Halloween?
If
it is the night spirits walk around in our world, we sure have stretched the
imagination of what the other world consists of, haven’t we? The Celts welcomed
and warded off spirits, fairies and witches. Besides those, we also have to
ward off vampires, werewolves, zombies, headless horseman and dead or undead
manic serial killers who just won’t die. Ever. Boy, Halloween is a busy
night for America’s underworld. After the candy is eaten and the Jack O’Lantern
candle is blown out and the witching hour is nigh, I have a suggestion on what
you need to be prepared instead of scared.
For
$45, The American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Starter Kit has every thing you need to get through these next few days of the dead.
Flashlight
and batteries-If you have watched one episode of Ghost Adventures or Ghost
Hunters, you know that ghosts really only like the dark.
Am/FM
Radio- Listening to your favorite station will drown out the howls from coming
outside your bedroom window. In addition, you won’t miss any emergency
broadcast in case the zombie apocalypse begins or aliens attack.
Reflective
blanket-Bloody Mary-free!
First
aid kit- You will want to wrap sterile gauze around those two bite marks you
got on your neck.
Food
packs- Fighting ghouls takes energy.
Toiletries
such as toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap-Zombies don’t have the best hygiene!
Breathing
mask-Rotting flesh doesn’t smell anywhere close to roses
Rain
poncho-Drape this over your head to disguise yourself as one of the ghosts to
confuse them.
Whistle-As
one of the most practical items in the kit, use your whistle to let others
(living others) know you need help.
Water-
Water in a preparedness kit should be self-explanatory. You can only go about
100 hours without drinking water. Without this, you will join the ranks of the
dead.
Without
a kit, I can only wish you good luck and Godspeed!
Halloween
is all good and fun, but remember to stay safe. Children are four more times
likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year.
Trick or Treat in groups, with at least one adult to supervise. Start out early
to avoid running around in the dark, walk only on the sidewalk and cross the
street at designated crosswalks. Carry flashlights, glow sticks, wear a
blinking light, or attach reflective tape to children’s costumes. And remember,
if they look like a zombie, act like a zombie and smell like a zombie, they
probably are a zombie.
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