james150687
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A time to celebrate and reflect.
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There follows a very short (but educational :fear2: ) potted history
Samhain
Since ancient times in the Celtic culture, October 31st has been celebrated as a feast for the dead, and also the day that marks the new year. This time of the year marked the beginning of the cold, lean months to come; the flocks were brought in from the fields to live in sheds until spring. Some animals were slaughtered, and the meat preserved to provide food for winter. The last gathering of crops was known as "Harvest Home," celebrated with fairs and festivals.
In addition to its agricultural significance, the ancient Celts also saw Samhain as a very spiritual time. October 31 is exactly between the Autumnal Equinox [September 20] and the Winter Solstice [December 21], and was considedred a very potent time for magic and communion with spirits. The "veil between the worlds" of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest on this day; so the dead were invited to return to feast with their loved ones; welcomed in from the cold, much as the animals were brought inside. Extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died that year. Ancient customs range from such placing food out for dead ancestors, to performing rituals for communicating with those who had passed over.
All Saints' Day
In the 8th century Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st All Saints' Day to honour those saints that didn't have a special day of their own.
The Pope hoped to replace the pagan Celtic festival with a church-sponsored holiday.
Over the years these festivals combined, the mass held on All Saints' Day was called Allhallowmass - the mass of the Hallows. The night before was known as All Hallows' Eve which eventually became known as Halloween.
All Saints' Day is said to be the day when souls walked the Earth. In early Christian tradition souls were released from purgatory on All Hallow's Eve for 48 hours, and cakes and wine were left out for them.
Three hundred years later, in 1000 CE, the church created All Souls' Day.
May you night be fun and your God(ess) be with you.
Lounge Alert
There follows a very short (but educational :fear2: ) potted history
Samhain
Since ancient times in the Celtic culture, October 31st has been celebrated as a feast for the dead, and also the day that marks the new year. This time of the year marked the beginning of the cold, lean months to come; the flocks were brought in from the fields to live in sheds until spring. Some animals were slaughtered, and the meat preserved to provide food for winter. The last gathering of crops was known as "Harvest Home," celebrated with fairs and festivals.
In addition to its agricultural significance, the ancient Celts also saw Samhain as a very spiritual time. October 31 is exactly between the Autumnal Equinox [September 20] and the Winter Solstice [December 21], and was considedred a very potent time for magic and communion with spirits. The "veil between the worlds" of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest on this day; so the dead were invited to return to feast with their loved ones; welcomed in from the cold, much as the animals were brought inside. Extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died that year. Ancient customs range from such placing food out for dead ancestors, to performing rituals for communicating with those who had passed over.
All Saints' Day
In the 8th century Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st All Saints' Day to honour those saints that didn't have a special day of their own.
The Pope hoped to replace the pagan Celtic festival with a church-sponsored holiday.
Over the years these festivals combined, the mass held on All Saints' Day was called Allhallowmass - the mass of the Hallows. The night before was known as All Hallows' Eve which eventually became known as Halloween.
All Saints' Day is said to be the day when souls walked the Earth. In early Christian tradition souls were released from purgatory on All Hallow's Eve for 48 hours, and cakes and wine were left out for them.
Three hundred years later, in 1000 CE, the church created All Souls' Day.
May you night be fun and your God(ess) be with you.