By By Michelle Blaylock, Mom’s Corner
It’s finally beginning to feel more like fall. Personally, I’m ready for it. I’ve had several people this week ask me if I was going to write a column about the history of Halloween. One person asked me if I could find out whether or not it was evil. Well, ummm, well.
So let’s look at Halloween. Its ancient origin actually begins with the Celtics, who lived about 2000 years ago in what is now Ireland. They celebrated the end of the Celtic Summer with a holiday called “Samhain” (sow-hen) on Oct. 31.
They also believed on this night that the spirit world could intermix with the living world allowing those who had died the year before to “possess” a living body. Naturally, since the living didn’t want to be possessed they did things to scare away the spirits; such as, costumes, making noise, big bonfires, and creating general mischief.
When the Romans conquered the Celtics they adopted the ways of the Celtics and included them into their own holidays. When the influence of Christianity reached the Celtics, the Pope, probably in hopes of replacing the Pagan festivals of the time, designated Nov. 1st “All Saints’ Day.” It was a time to honor Saints and martyrs. In the Middle English language, the name of the festival was “Al-hallowmas.” Therefore, the night before was called, “Al-hallows Eve” that eventually changed to Halloween.
When the Irish and English immigrated to America, they brought with them their customs. One, of which, was Halloween. In the 1800s and early 1900s Halloween was more of a community event. It was a time that adults even dressed in costumes and there were often community get togethers. However, vandalism — by adults— became a problem, so communities began to change the focus of Halloween to children. Trick-or-treating was revived as a way for the community to participate in the celebration.
The origins of trick-or-treating start with the “All Saints’ Days.” During the parades honoring saints, poor citizens would beg for pastries called “soul cakes.” The poor would promise to pray for dead family members of the people who gave them cakes. (A little after the fact if you ask me.)
So how did things like witches and warlocks get involved in Halloween? I’m not honestly sure. That’s a lot of help, huh? I did do some research and what I discovered was that in Europe it was once believed that witches and warlocks met twice a year to party with the devil. One time was the night before May Day and, yep, you guessed it the other was Halloween. One thing I did find interesting was that according to legend, if you wanted to meet a witch you had to wear your clothes inside out and walk backward on Halloween night. My question is: “You would want to meet a witch —— why??” To me, this seems more like advice on how not to meet a witch!
Of course, one of the first things I think about concerning Halloween is pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns. I knew there was some legend that went with them, but I couldn’t remember what it was. Internet to the rescue!
It is from an Irish legend that we get Jack-O-Lanterns. As the story goes Jack was a terrible man who drank too much and enjoyed playing tricks on everyone. Well, somehow Jack tricked Satan into climbing a tree and then Jack carved a cross on the tree trapping Satan. Jack made Satan promise to never tempt him again in order to get out of the tree.
Eventually Jack dies but can’t get into Heaven and Satan wouldn’t let him into Hell; so poor Jack was cursed to wander around in the darkness with a single ember to guide him. Jack put the ember in a hollowed out turnip to protect it and make it last longer. The Irish actually used turnips and potatoes for their Jack-O-Lanterns until they immigrated to America. They found pumpkins to be more plentiful than turnips in their new country so they switched.
I also read a wonderful story using a pumpkin as the illustration for what it means to be a Christian. You see Our Heavenly Father takes us in when we are dirty from sin. He washes us clean, cleans all the nasty stuff out of us, gives us a new face and puts His light in us.
As for carving a pumpkin, personally, I love the pumpkin carving kits. They are a lot safer than the “knife” method. We bought a kit several years ago and I just store it with our other Halloween things. Therefore, it’s ready for use year after year.
I also enjoy the pumpkin carving patterns. Granted, this may be “cheating” just a little, but for those of us who are not creative carvers the patterns are life savers. I’ve found a great website by “Pumpkin Masters” which has wonderful tips on carving, keeping the pumpkin fresh, different types of illumination, among other things. The website is www.pumpkinmasters.com. Another web site that has terrific tips for carving, preserving, and lighting pumpkins is “Walt’s Pumpkin Carving Tips” at wls.wwco.com/garden/pumpkin. This site also has some great ideas for “special effects,” such as black lights, blinker bulbs, or using motion sensors in jack-o-lanterns. Walt’s also has many more ideas and links to other great sites.
To preserve a Jack-O-Lanterns these web sites suggest using a little bleach mixed with water to keep the mold down, keep the Jack-O-Lantern in the refrigerator when not on display, and soak a shriveling pumpkin in water to revive it. Unfortunately, no where did I run across how to keep our dogs from playing with the Jack-O-Lanterns. There are also many sites that have free patterns to download one site; pumpkinglow.com has some great ideas for Christian themed Jack-O-Lantern designs.
Not into the “carving” thing? You can still make a jack-o-lantern of sorts by using acrylic paint to paint the face or design on your pumpkin. Glow in the dark paint can be fun to use as well.
Of course, pumpkins aren’t just for Jack-O-Lanterns. This year I have seen many great ideas in magazines and on the internet for using pumpkins in decorating. One that I really loved was using small pumpkins to spell out the word “welcome” with each pumpkin having a different letter painted in acrylic paint. Another idea I liked was hollowing out the pumpkin and putting a vase filled with an autumn bouquet inside. This would look great on a Thanksgiving table or hollowing out the tiny pumpkins and using them for candleholders.
I’ve often noticed that pumpkins in magazines have such a brilliant shine and wondered how they got that look. Well, this year I stumbled on the answer, but I can’t remember the magazine that I found it in! Luckily, I do remember the answer. They shine them with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. (If someone knows where this came from, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. Thanks.)
The last question put to me was, “Do I think Halloween is evil?” No, not really. I think it can be made that way. I’m sure some misguided people worship the devil on Halloween, but we don’t. I’m just as sure those same people worship the devil at other times as well, not just Halloween. Here’s the way I’ve always put it to my children when they are picking out costumes for Halloween, “How would you feel if Jesus were to come back tonight? Could you look at Jesus and explain to him why you’re dressed like (whatever)? Would you be ashamed to face him?”
Before you ask, “Yes, I’ve often heard the cry of, ‘But Mom, so-and-so gets to wear a witche’s, devil, or other ‘evil’ type costume. Why can’t I?’ My response, “If so and so were my child he/she wouldn’t be wearing it. It’s not my business to worry about how someone else raises their child. I have enough of my own.”
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