Origin of Halloween (12)
hasagoodheart: As we prepare for Halloween, thought I would contribute something about the origins of the night to start a discussion.
History
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. It was believed believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.
History of name
The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to November 1.
Symbols
The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.A thought for ye....
Moving Christian festivals alongside Pagans ones was a blatant attempt by Christians to compete head-on with the Pagans (Christmas Day & the Mid Winter Solstice, Easter and the Spring Equinvox, St Johns Eve and Mid-Summer).
But deep down I reckon there's a Pagan in all of us.
Yes, am half Pagan, half Christian myself !.
Peter
History
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. It was believed believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.
History of name
The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to November 1.
Symbols
The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.A thought for ye....
Moving Christian festivals alongside Pagans ones was a blatant attempt by Christians to compete head-on with the Pagans (Christmas Day & the Mid Winter Solstice, Easter and the Spring Equinvox, St Johns Eve and Mid-Summer).
But deep down I reckon there's a Pagan in all of us.
Yes, am half Pagan, half Christian myself !.
Peter
EXCELLENT! And thank you for this!
One leetle item I want to contradict here. I do it all the time, forgive me, but I just cannot abide the confusion that it causes in those who do not know about it........ Concerning the mention of Christianity incorporating Paganistic rituals. Christianity, per sé, has absolutely nothing to do with any of the pagan rituals. The organisation which incorporated the pagans was the Roman Catholic Church, who also incorporated the Christian belief, mixed them altogether, and proceeded to call themselves Christians. This move extended their power base.
True Christians, Followers of Christ, have no idols, do not revere the Day of the Sun (Sunday) or any one day over another, do not "confess their sins to any man", do not call any priests Father, do not revere the ordnances of "Holy Communion", do not partake of any of the paganistic rituals of Easter or Christmas or any of the other Catholic ritual "holidays". The Cross with a "dead Christ" belongs to the Catholic church, as does the Pope. The Christian Cross is a bare cross. They do not bend their knees in subjugation to any object.
Followers and Believers of Christ are simple people who follow Christs teachings - they do not "worship" Him.
All these pagan rites, rituals, merriments & frivolity are used for enjoyment, as everything on earth is considered "from God" and for our benefit. ( Evil is as evil does). The sun shines on everyone here. And everyone is judged by how they judge.
Now .... I`m going to carve a pumpkin for Halloween! ... and make my witches outfit!
smoky: EXCELLENT! And thank you for this!
One leetle item I want to contradict here. I do it all the time, forgive me, but I just cannot abide the confusion that it causes in those who do not know about it........ Concerning the mention of Christianity incorporating Paganistic rituals. Christianity, per sé, has absolutely nothing to do with any of the pagan rituals. The organisation which incorporated the pagans was the Roman Catholic Church, who also incorporated the Christian belief, mixed them altogether, and proceeded to call themselves Christians. This move extended their power base.
True Christians, Followers of Christ, have no idols, do not revere the Day of the Sun (Sunday) or any one day over another, do not "confess their sins to any man", do not call any priests Father, do not revere the ordnances of "Holy Communion", do not partake of any of the paganistic rituals of Easter or Christmas or any of the other Catholic ritual "holidays". The Cross with a "dead Christ" belongs to the Catholic church, as does the Pope. The Christian Cross is a bare cross. They do not bend their knees in subjugation to any object.
Followers and Believers of Christ are simple people who follow Christs teachings - they do not "worship" Him.
All these pagan rites, rituals, merriments & frivolity are used for enjoyment, as everything on earth is considered "from God" and for our benefit. ( Evil is as evil does). The sun shines on everyone here. And everyone is judged by how they judge.
Now .... I`m going to carve a pumpkin for Halloween! ... and make my witches outfit!
One leetle item I want to contradict here. I do it all the time, forgive me, but I just cannot abide the confusion that it causes in those who do not know about it........ Concerning the mention of Christianity incorporating Paganistic rituals. Christianity, per sé, has absolutely nothing to do with any of the pagan rituals. The organisation which incorporated the pagans was the Roman Catholic Church, who also incorporated the Christian belief, mixed them altogether, and proceeded to call themselves Christians. This move extended their power base.
True Christians, Followers of Christ, have no idols, do not revere the Day of the Sun (Sunday) or any one day over another, do not "confess their sins to any man", do not call any priests Father, do not revere the ordnances of "Holy Communion", do not partake of any of the paganistic rituals of Easter or Christmas or any of the other Catholic ritual "holidays". The Cross with a "dead Christ" belongs to the Catholic church, as does the Pope. The Christian Cross is a bare cross. They do not bend their knees in subjugation to any object.
Followers and Believers of Christ are simple people who follow Christs teachings - they do not "worship" Him.
All these pagan rites, rituals, merriments & frivolity are used for enjoyment, as everything on earth is considered "from God" and for our benefit. ( Evil is as evil does). The sun shines on everyone here. And everyone is judged by how they judge.
Now .... I`m going to carve a pumpkin for Halloween! ... and make my witches outfit!
Ah! Wot a relief! I saw Sir Conrad had replied to my epistle - and in dread I scrolled down expecting a lambasting of facts and figures, and instead I find a simple little 3 thumbs up! Whew, what a relief! Sometimes I get out of control with all this writing......I enjoy partaking of the Turnip Lights Festival to welcome in winter, I put up Halloween decorations in the garden, I like to dress up like a scary witch and scare the bejasus out of little kids who come begging for sweets - I even give them sweets!
I do the Christmassy things too.
I watch the parents do the chocolate easter bunny eggs things. I enjoy it when the kids ask me how does a bunny lay an egg when he/she is a mammal (they learn this in school obviously) - or how does Father Christmas get down the chimney when we always got a fire going? And HOW THE HECK does he get his fat body down the chimney?! and doesnt he get very dirty?! And howcome the Father Christmas they meet up on the Gnall here (another swiss tradition) is wearing the same shoes and pants as one of their teachers and talking in the same voice?
The older one is now learning how much absolute rubbish us adults have been beguiling him with all these years, and is looking pretty disgusted at having to perpetuate this farce. Maybe because I am cynical and sardonical - he asked me if his parents would be disappointed about him not believing in all this?
The littlest one does`nt care if its real or not - as long as the goodies just keep coming!
smoky: Ah! Wot a relief! I saw Sir Conrad had replied to my epistle - and in dread I scrolled down expecting a lambasting of facts and figures, and instead I find a simple little 3 thumbs up! Whew, what a relief! Sometimes I get out of control with all this writing......
I enjoy partaking of the Turnip Lights Festival to welcome in winter, I put up Halloween decorations in the garden, I like to dress up like a scary witch and scare the bejasus out of little kids who come begging for sweets - I even give them sweets!
I do the Christmassy things too.
I watch the parents do the chocolate easter bunny eggs things. I enjoy it when the kids ask me how does a bunny lay an egg when he/she is a mammal (they learn this in school obviously) - or how does Father Christmas get down the chimney when we always got a fire going? And HOW THE HECK does he get his fat body down the chimney?! and doesnt he get very dirty?! And howcome the Father Christmas they meet up on the Gnall here (another swiss tradition) is wearing the same shoes and pants as one of their teachers and talking in the same voice?
The older one is now learning how much absolute rubbish us adults have been beguiling him with all these years, and is looking pretty disgusted at having to perpetuate this farce. Maybe because I am cynical and sardonical - he asked me if his parents would be disappointed about him not believing in all this?
The littlest one does`nt care if its real or not - as long as the goodies just keep coming!
I enjoy partaking of the Turnip Lights Festival to welcome in winter, I put up Halloween decorations in the garden, I like to dress up like a scary witch and scare the bejasus out of little kids who come begging for sweets - I even give them sweets!
I do the Christmassy things too.
I watch the parents do the chocolate easter bunny eggs things. I enjoy it when the kids ask me how does a bunny lay an egg when he/she is a mammal (they learn this in school obviously) - or how does Father Christmas get down the chimney when we always got a fire going? And HOW THE HECK does he get his fat body down the chimney?! and doesnt he get very dirty?! And howcome the Father Christmas they meet up on the Gnall here (another swiss tradition) is wearing the same shoes and pants as one of their teachers and talking in the same voice?
The older one is now learning how much absolute rubbish us adults have been beguiling him with all these years, and is looking pretty disgusted at having to perpetuate this farce. Maybe because I am cynical and sardonical - he asked me if his parents would be disappointed about him not believing in all this?
The littlest one does`nt care if its real or not - as long as the goodies just keep coming!
yea, Hasagoodheart, people forget where all comes from.....seems we both have been reading the same web page
smoky: EXCELLENT! And thank you for this!
One leetle item I want to contradict here. I do it all the time, forgive me, but I just cannot abide the confusion that it causes in those who do not know about it........ Concerning the mention of Christianity incorporating Paganistic rituals. Christianity, per sé, has absolutely nothing to do with any of the pagan rituals. The organisation which incorporated the pagans was the Roman Catholic Church, who also incorporated the Christian belief, mixed them altogether, and proceeded to call themselves Christians. This move extended their power base.
True Christians, Followers of Christ, have no idols, do not revere the Day of the Sun (Sunday) or any one day over another, do not "confess their sins to any man", do not call any priests Father, do not revere the ordnances of "Holy Communion", do not partake of any of the paganistic rituals of Easter or Christmas or any of the other Catholic ritual "holidays". The Cross with a "dead Christ" belongs to the Catholic church, as does the Pope. The Christian Cross is a bare cross. They do not bend their knees in subjugation to any object.
Followers and Believers of Christ are simple people who follow Christs teachings - they do not "worship" Him.
All these pagan rites, rituals, merriments & frivolity are used for enjoyment, as everything on earth is considered "from God" and for our benefit. ( Evil is as evil does). The sun shines on everyone here. And everyone is judged by how they judge.
Now .... I`m going to carve a pumpkin for Halloween! ... and make my witches outfit!
One leetle item I want to contradict here. I do it all the time, forgive me, but I just cannot abide the confusion that it causes in those who do not know about it........ Concerning the mention of Christianity incorporating Paganistic rituals. Christianity, per sé, has absolutely nothing to do with any of the pagan rituals. The organisation which incorporated the pagans was the Roman Catholic Church, who also incorporated the Christian belief, mixed them altogether, and proceeded to call themselves Christians. This move extended their power base.
True Christians, Followers of Christ, have no idols, do not revere the Day of the Sun (Sunday) or any one day over another, do not "confess their sins to any man", do not call any priests Father, do not revere the ordnances of "Holy Communion", do not partake of any of the paganistic rituals of Easter or Christmas or any of the other Catholic ritual "holidays". The Cross with a "dead Christ" belongs to the Catholic church, as does the Pope. The Christian Cross is a bare cross. They do not bend their knees in subjugation to any object.
Followers and Believers of Christ are simple people who follow Christs teachings - they do not "worship" Him.
All these pagan rites, rituals, merriments & frivolity are used for enjoyment, as everything on earth is considered "from God" and for our benefit. ( Evil is as evil does). The sun shines on everyone here. And everyone is judged by how they judge.
Now .... I`m going to carve a pumpkin for Halloween! ... and make my witches outfit!
Hi Smoky
Interesting though isnt it how except for a very few Christian congregations, almost all Christian churches/ denominations/ congregations still onbserve Christmas Day and Easter Day being celebrated on the same day that the Pagans celebrate Pagan festivals ...............................................
Great post Peter, thank you!!
hasagoodheart: As we prepare for Halloween,
Yes, am half Pagan, half Christian myself !.
Peter
Yes, am half Pagan, half Christian myself !.
Peter
Yes i agree it's a great info...
Thanks Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater...
Now have to look for my witchy outfit as i'll be going to a halloween party on Friday night...
Hope i'll be ok as i'm feeling a cold on the way...
Thanks Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater...
Now have to look for my witchy outfit as i'll be going to a halloween party on Friday night...
Hope i'll be ok as i'm feeling a cold on the way...
You got mail!!
MARTI: Yes i agree it's a great info...
Thanks Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater...
Now have to look for my witchy outfit as i'll be going to a halloween party on Friday night...
Hope i'll be ok as i'm feeling a cold on the way...
Thanks Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater...
Now have to look for my witchy outfit as i'll be going to a halloween party on Friday night...
Hope i'll be ok as i'm feeling a cold on the way...
hasagoodheart: Hi Smoky
Interesting though isnt it how except for a very few Christian congregations, almost all Christian churches/ denominations/ congregations still onbserve Christmas Day and Easter Day being celebrated on the same day that the Pagans celebrate Pagan festivals ...............................................
Interesting though isnt it how except for a very few Christian congregations, almost all Christian churches/ denominations/ congregations still onbserve Christmas Day and Easter Day being celebrated on the same day that the Pagans celebrate Pagan festivals ...............................................
Interesting too, how these are considered pagan festivals when they weren't pagan as we know it today.
In Ireland before Roman Catholocism, (brought by St Patrick, under instruction by the English),we had hundreds of years of Gnostic Christianity, the festivals of which, are what are now considered pagan festivals. Anything outside of the roman Catholic Church back then, was considered pagan in those days, even if it was Gnostic Christianity brought directly from the East, as it was here.
Proof of this is to be found in the remains and relics of pre-St. Patrick, or early Roman Catholic Churches in Ireland, many of which can still be seen in Cork and Kerry and Donegal.
hasagoodheart: Hi Smoky
Interesting though isnt it how except for a very few Christian congregations, almost all Christian churches/ denominations/ congregations still onbserve Christmas Day and Easter Day being celebrated on the same day that the Pagans celebrate Pagan festivals ...............................................
Interesting though isnt it how except for a very few Christian congregations, almost all Christian churches/ denominations/ congregations still onbserve Christmas Day and Easter Day being celebrated on the same day that the Pagans celebrate Pagan festivals ...............................................
Yes, I agree with you. I think people all need something to celebrate, and this is what we use. Without yearly milestones life would be a drag - nothing to look forward to.
Personally I dont think it is all any different from any ancient "pagan" celebrations - we just give them new names - we dont do any of the scary stuff anymore, like cutting out hearts and livers and drinking blood and slaying virgins.
When one thinks about the St Nicholas (christmas time - Father Christmas/Santa Claus figure) story, wasn`t that about some rich guy who secretly took food to poor peoples homes on that night? Tis a pity that tradition got distorted into the gimme-gimme gifts and shopping hysteria it is now!
But still, it does sort-of get carried on, by societies collecting and distributing to the poor/needy at that time now. And the good-will invoked by the season.
And then at Easter time, some folk do actually listen to the sermons preached on Forgiveness and do something about it in their lives, so nothing is lost realy.......?
Ever watched a crowd of people waiting at a red traffic light?... then ONE person begins to walk against the light and the crowd just follow? .... Thats people ... they need leaders - whether right or wrong!
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History
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. It was believed believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.
History of name
The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to November 1.
Symbols
The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.
A thought for ye....
Moving Christian festivals alongside Pagans ones was a blatant attempt by Christians to compete head-on with the Pagans (Christmas Day & the Mid Winter Solstice, Easter and the Spring Equinvox, St Johns Eve and Mid-Summer).
But deep down I reckon there's a Pagan in all of us.
Yes, am half Pagan, half Christian myself !.
Peter