Happy Halloween - All Hallows Eve-Samhain

Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. I just love everything about it - including the commercialism. I wanted to share with my readers a little Halloween history.

- Halloween may also be known as Samhain, All Hallows, All Hallows Eve, or Hallow E' en. (I am sure there are other names, but these are the ones I have heard through out the years).

- It is the Celtic New Year. It is just not reserved for the Celts. Celebrating the Dead exists in many cultures, such as the Egyptians, and the many Hispanic cultures.

- On the wheel of the year it sits exactly opposite Beltane (The day to honor life and the beginning of summer. It is also called Mayday).

- It is the most magical day of the year. This night is a night of power where the veil between our world and the Other world is at it's thinnest. It marks the beginning of a new year. Because it is said that this night exists outside of time, it is the best night to be able to peer into the future.

- Because it is a celebration of the Dead, this was the night that the Dead, if they wished, could return to the land of the living to celebrate with their family. Family's often set extra places at the table for their Dead family members.

- Within Christianity, seeing into the future was not possible and was even considered evil. This day was not used as a celebration of all dead, but only a celebration for the blessed dead. This is where the Hallow part of Halloween evolved. The "hallowed" (made holy) were celebrated. This is also the meaning behind All Saints Day or All Souls Day.

- The Jack-O-Lantern (carved pumpkin) was said to have been used as a lantern by people who traveled the roads at night. It is either a Scottish or Irish tradition. Scary faces were carved into these lanterns to scare off spirits and Faeries that may want to lead you awry. These lanterns were also placed in front of homes and in windows to cast a spell of protection over the home.

- Bobbing for apples could be a left over remnant of the old Pagan religion. The Pagan baptism (Seining) involved dunking one's head into a water-filled tub. The tub was to represent the Cauldron of Regeneration. Most of this however is very unclear.

- Trick-O-Treating is Celtic in origin. Back in the day, both children and adults participated in dressing up in costumes. And in Scotland, cross-dressing was what most people did. It was the one night a year that you could be the opposite gender. Another thing to note is that generally the "treat" was usually alcoholic in nature. Groups of costumed and cross-dressed individuals would go from house to house singing carols. In return they would be provided with "spirits". It looked much like Yuletide wassiling. Historically, roaming from house to house and singing carols use to be done on all holidays not just Yule (Christmas).

So, that is a little Halloween history - I am sure there is plenty more that I have not added.

What will my clan be doing for All Hallow's Eve? Well, first I am off on the Great Pumpkin search. I waited to long to get pumpkins and now, it seems, none can be had. If I find those pumpkins then I will be carving them for tonight. I am also going to finish decorating the outside of the house. Bash's school is having a Halloween Party - so I will be attending that event. For the evening, it will happen much like most years. Skylar is taking Bash Trick-O-Treating. I will make witch's brew (an old family tradition), pass out candy, watch scary things on TV, and check candy. Dante has to work - I told him I would save him some witches brew. All in all, it will be perfect. I can't think of a better way to spend the start of a new year - with all of my loved ones around.