History Tuesday/Halloween

Hello everyone well since Friday is the 31^st and for some that means Halloween (not me) I thought I would write a tad about the history of Halloween.

Now most people probably know that Halloween comes from the words “All Hallows Eve” which means it is the evening before “All Hallows Day”, this is also known by some as All Saints Day. In the Catholic Church, All Saints Day celebrates those who have gone to heaven, screw those who have gone to hell, it is followed by All Souls Day which is on the 2^nd November which is for those who have died but not gone to heaven yet.

Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition, it is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ware of roaming ghosts. It was in the eight century that Pope Gregory 111 designated the 1^st of November as a time to honour all saints and martyrs. The holiday of All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain and the night before became known as All Hallows Eve than Halloween.

Trick-or-treating partly comes from the English medieval practice of “souling” when poor people would go from door to door offering prayers for All Souls Day in exchange for food. Over time Halloween evolved into what it is now a community-based event characterised by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating.

Halloween is becoming more popular in Australia just not with me or my family but with many including schools and such and you do see children going trick-or-treating through local streets. Although for many years it was just an excuse to watch scary movies.

Many older Australians still do not get involved in Halloween including me this is because for me it has little relevance to Australian culture, it is also considered by some to be an unwanted American influence this is because despite the history of Halloween dating back to Celtic/European origins it is generally through American tv shows and movies that Halloween has become known here in Australia. There are those who say that Halloween is not entirely American but rather Celtic and there is no different than embracing other cultural traditions such as Saint Patrick’s Day and that may be the case but not for me.

I have nothing against Halloween but since it wasn’t an event in this country till the last 10-15 years I can’t help but thing of it as a way companies see to make more money, so I don’t do Halloween for me the 31^st is just my baby brothers birthday.

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