cmotherofpirl Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Halloween traces its origins to ancient pagan customs, although the name itself is derived from All Hallow’s Eve, an old English term signifying that the night is the vigil of the Feast of All Saints. Haloween originated chiefly among the Druids who were dominant in the lands of the ancient Celts, in particular in pre-Christian Gaul and Britain. The Britons paid tribute to the sun god by lighting bonfires in thanks for the light that made possible their harvests and also to mark the start of the winter. More significant was their homage to the Lord of Death who supposedly gathered together the souls of the dead from throughout the year on his night, called Samhain. Additionally, the night was believed to be a time when demons and foul spirits roamed the world to celebrate the return of the cold and dark. Poor mortals were tormented by the evil spirits and tried to buy their freedom by offering food and assorted treats. Samhain was thus marked by terrible noises, tricks, and pranks. Most of the common images of Halloween – the jack-o’-lantern, masked figures, bonfires, and the famous cry “trick-or-treat” all originated from these customs. The jack-o’-lantern probably began in Central Europe as a symbol of the cemetery caretakers and the lamps they carried. The Romans also had a festival that was celebrated around this time of year in honor of the goddess Pomona, patroness of orchards and gardens. Customarily, the event was celebrated by giving away fruit, especially apples. Halloween became a fixture in the United States in the 19th century, introduced by the waves of immigrants, most notably the Irish. It ceased its superstitious attributions in favor of a night of fun for children. A highly recommended variation on the holiday was adopted by many parishes during the middle part of the 20th century. Private, school, or parish Halloween parties were (and still are) organized in which children dressed as their favorite patron saints. Instead of trick-or-treat, children ask for “soul cakes” or “saint cakes,” and there was an emphasis on prayers and remembering the next day. The close proximity between Halloween and All Saints Day is actually a coincidence. As noted in a previous answer, All Saints Day is the feast that celebrates all of the Christian Saints. The earliest reference to it occurs in the writings of St. Ephrem of Syrus (d. 373), and St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) attached it to a specific day – the first Sunday after Pentecost. The assigning of a day in the Western Church was made at Rome in the 6th century, but it was not firmly established until Pope Boniface IV consecrated the ancient Pantheon in Rome to Christian use on May 13, 609 (or possibly 610). May 13 was the date for the feast until Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in the basilica of old St. Peter’s to “All the Saints.” Henceforth, the feast day was celebrated on Nov. 1, receiving universal appointment by Pope Gregory IV sometime before 844. The chief reason for the change was not to counteract Halloween (as is often claimed) but for the very practical need of pilgrims. The day was a popular among Christian faithful, and many pilgrims journeyed to Rome for the celebration. As the autumn harvest had just been held, there was more food available in the Eternal City at the start of November, and so it was easier to manage and feed the visitors than in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellenita Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Halloween originated chiefly among the Druids who were dominant in the lands of the ancient Celts, in particular in pre-Christian Gaul and Britain. Interestingly though it's not celebrated in the UK like it is in the US today. It is becoming more popular, but I don't remember ever taking part in 'Trick or treating' or Halloween parties when I was young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Gotta Love clowns with Teeth Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!! I HATE CLOWNS!!! Actually, there's a picture of me about 3 years old at a parade and a clown is bending down towards me and I'm looking at him with a look of terrifiedness (sp?). That's how young my hatred goes. THEY ARE WRONG! <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 me & my friends are gonna go as saints! that'll be a better expression of "All Saints Eve" :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundsheep Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 me & my friends are gonna go as saints! that'll be a better expression of "All Saints Eve" Dibs on St.Peter. Now where did I Leave that Giant Key? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundsheep Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 (edited) Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!!!! I HATE CLOWNS!!! Actually, there's a picture of me about 3 years old at a parade and a clown is bending down towards me and I'm looking at him with a look of terrifiedness (sp?). That's how young my hatred goes. THEY ARE WRONG! Give a Clown A chance :( Edited October 2, 2003 by foundsheep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 *twitches at the clown picture and hides behind something in fear* icky clown >.< anyways... Samhain probably the most impartant sabbat of the 8. It's more or less the celebration of spirits on the day that they are most active, it's all jsut in fun, there's nothing evil about it. I'm sure some satanist might tell you different, but I personally haven't really looked into satanism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 and u better not either! :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clover Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 Samhain is also the celebration of the last harvest and the death of the God, in Wicca. And Satanism=bad + stupid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Michael Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 Saint Cakes, eh? Maybe I oughta give out those Little Debbie mini-cakes for Halloween and tape a saint card to the wrapper. Voila - 21st century Saint Cakes! :D I love dressing up and going to a Halloween party. I would never dress up as a bloody corpse or a slasher-flick killer, though. The last three Halloweens, I was Angus the AC/DC guitarist, Mankind the wrestler, and Mario the video game hero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLAZEr Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 I saw a video a few years ago made by some former Satan worshipers who had become Christians. They were against Hallowing for the simple fact that on that night in some witch covens and among devil worshipers there is a lot of sexual abuse and physical abuse that goes on against children to give homage to the devil. He thought it was very un-Christian for Christians to celebrate this night as a party when the dark side of it is that its a feast day for those who honor the devil and that its a day where abuse of chilrdren is glorified. I celebrated Hallowing every year growing up. My parents even dressed up to give candy and the neighborhood kids were always scared to come to our door because my parents would scare the hell outta them. And that was my moms hope. With every bag of Candy she would put a little note: Halloween is make-believe but witches and demons are real. Good girls and boys have nothing to fear, by calling on the name of Jesus! It was her way to evangelize on Halloween night. I also remember that we used to have an "All Saints Party" with other Catholic families. We would dress up as our favorite saint or someone from the bible and have a little party with Cake and candy, and games . . . it was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 seriously, foundsheep, you have just *guaranteed* given me a nightmare for tonight!!!!! Clowns are horrible! and they are scary!!! And they are terrifying!!! *runs out crying* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundsheep Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 Saint Cakes, eh? Maybe I oughta give out those Little Debbie mini-cakes for Halloween and tape a saint card to the wrapper. Voila - 21st century Saint Cakes! :D That really isnt a bad idea :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foundsheep Posted October 2, 2003 Author Share Posted October 2, 2003 (edited) seriously, foundsheep, you have just *guaranteed* given me a nightmare for tonight!!!!! Clowns are horrible! and they are scary!!! And they are terrifying!!! *runs out crying* But I bet you dont mind eatin with this clown Edited October 2, 2003 by foundsheep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted October 2, 2003 Share Posted October 2, 2003 No I'm sorry, I hated him too. I know, it's sounds wrong, but I don't like Ronald McDonald. Okay, here's my thing on clowns. I feel that if you have to cover up what you look like and be a *happy* clown, you're hiding something. And as evidenced by the fact that I haven't liked clowns since I was three, it's not a cultural influenced thing. Foundsheep, BTW, I'm not trying to pick on you. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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