Where did "Halloween" come from?
From the MSC November 2007 Newsletter
The word, "Halloween" is a contraction of two words in the old Gaelic Brogue; "Hallowed Ea'n" which in modern English means "Hallowed Evening" or "Holy Night". You, see, in those days they believed that the veil between this world and the Other Side or Spirit was thinnest at this time of year and on this "New Year" date; thus, this was a holy time of year. So, they had feasts to honor the spirits of their dearly departed family members, even setting black plates at the dinner table for them, while those of this realm ate off of white plates. Some societies today, still go to their family shrine to commune with loved ones on this date.
The Jack O Lantern started out as carved turnips or other round winter vegetables, made in the likeness of honored dearly departed loved ones. When the Pilgrims came to the New World and found an abundance of pumpkins, their carving knives went to work on these larger likenesses and a new tradition was begun.
Before that, during festivities they used to jump over fires or candles to feel the warmth and enjoy the light as the days were getting shorter. And so, when the flame went into the pumpkin as a lantern, it became a "Jack O'lantern". Remember the saying: "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candle stick"?
And, the lit candle within the "head" of the pumpkin soon became a reminder to some of the light that resides within each one of us; alive at any level. You, too are a lantern or a guiding light to someone!
Out of these traditions, the Catholic Church began their "All Saints Day" on the day following Halloween, to honor dearly departed "saintly" souls. And, in Spanish cultures, they also celebrate "El Dia de los Muetos". Similar traditions exist in many cultures in Europe and the Americas and have for eons.
So why do we try to scare ourselves out of our skin at this time of year when this was a holy and festive occasion? It was never meant to be scarry or fearful. But times change and interpretations of life change as well and these days sensation and fear seem to rule our media. That will soon change!
And, of course, Halloween gives those of us on this side of the veil a chance to relive our favorite past lives by dressing up as some dearly departed former self ... or one that we desire to become.
By the way, I have it on good authority that, "The bad news is that none of us gets out of this life 'alive'. But, the good news is that we all get out of this life, quite alive and very well indeed, thank you! You see, life is really a Treat, after all, with no tricks other than what you play upon yourself."
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