Well, my favorite month has come and gone. I love and adore Halloween... the first smells of fall, pumpkins, and leaves. I could hardly contain myself this year and ended up decorating close to the 3rd week of September. I walked around the house tonight and was very sad that I was going to have to take all this hard work down. Trick or Treat went great this year. I will say, that we skipped out on giving candy because one of us always missing out on seeing the kids have fun getting candy. This was Aubrey's first year of real trick or treating and she wasn't to impressed. Her "fave" is for sure suckers, however she opens them all and takes one lick...then it is over. All over the carpet that is. I love and adore all these special moments that I get to spend with my children and husband. These are memories that I will never forget. It feels like yesterday I was walking through the streets of old Huntington, WV trick or treating until what felt like the wee hours of the night. Rain, Slush or Snow my mom and dad never missed a beat when it came to getting that candy. They really aided in the memories that I remember of Halloween. My mother, the crafty one always made my costumes. I can honestly say I never had a store bought costume. Not just any costume either, she would go to great lengths to make these costumes real and life like. I was always the talk to the school Halloween parties.
After sitting for awhile wondering why I love Halloween so much, I started researching online what the true meaning of it is and how it became what it is now. Here is what I found. Happy Halloween all and cheers to November.
Ancient Celts
Centuries ago, people believed in spirits, both good and evil. They believed that spirits sometimes helped and hurt people. Some of those people who lived long ago were known as the Celts. They lived in what are now England, France and Ireland. The Halloween story begins when these people spent all spring and summer growing food to last them through the winter. When it was time to harvest all the food, the Celts held a festival to thank the good spirits for their help. This festival was called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). It was held on the day that marked the end of warm light weather and the beginning of dark cold weather-November 1. As part of the celebration, people wore costumes, told fortunes and ate plenty of good food. They also made sacrifices to keep bad spirits away.
Centuries ago, people believed in spirits, both good and evil. They believed that spirits sometimes helped and hurt people. Some of those people who lived long ago were known as the Celts. They lived in what are now England, France and Ireland. The Halloween story begins when these people spent all spring and summer growing food to last them through the winter. When it was time to harvest all the food, the Celts held a festival to thank the good spirits for their help. This festival was called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). It was held on the day that marked the end of warm light weather and the beginning of dark cold weather-November 1. As part of the celebration, people wore costumes, told fortunes and ate plenty of good food. They also made sacrifices to keep bad spirits away.
All Saint's Day
Several hundred years later, other beliefs and religions spread to the Celtic lands. The new religion, Christianity, believed that November 1 was a day to honor people who died for their religion. Celtic people understood how November 1 was a good day to honor good spirits-they had been doing it for centuries. The day became known as "All Saint's Day" or "All-hallowmas." The night before the festival day, October 31, became known as "All-hallows Eve" or "Hallowe'en."
Several hundred years later, other beliefs and religions spread to the Celtic lands. The new religion, Christianity, believed that November 1 was a day to honor people who died for their religion. Celtic people understood how November 1 was a good day to honor good spirits-they had been doing it for centuries. The day became known as "All Saint's Day" or "All-hallowmas." The night before the festival day, October 31, became known as "All-hallows Eve" or "Hallowe'en."
Early Halloween
Because November 1 was a day for good spirits and souls, the night before was thought to be the time for bad spirits to roam free. Halloween turned into a scary time for people who believed that evil spirits would wander the earth to do mischief and cause trouble. To feel safe, people began to put lanterns in their windows and in front of their doors to scare away spirits. They made lanterns out of carved turnips and other vegetables and, in general, did not consider the time a happy Halloween.
Because November 1 was a day for good spirits and souls, the night before was thought to be the time for bad spirits to roam free. Halloween turned into a scary time for people who believed that evil spirits would wander the earth to do mischief and cause trouble. To feel safe, people began to put lanterns in their windows and in front of their doors to scare away spirits. They made lanterns out of carved turnips and other vegetables and, in general, did not consider the time a happy Halloween.
Modern Halloween
Today's Halloween celebrations combine the joyous fun and food of the Samhain festivals of the Celts with the more creepy and spooky aspect of All Hallows Eve. Costumes, pumpkins and imaginary spooks all combine to make one of the more popular holidays in the United States where people wish each other a "Happy Halloween."
Today's Halloween celebrations combine the joyous fun and food of the Samhain festivals of the Celts with the more creepy and spooky aspect of All Hallows Eve. Costumes, pumpkins and imaginary spooks all combine to make one of the more popular holidays in the United States where people wish each other a "Happy Halloween."
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