[Horse Shoe Pumpkin, Photography]
Every year, people get upset about Halloween. I hear yipping about devil worship and satanic influences. I have three words for these folks.
All. Hallow’s. Eve.
Hallow – Holy. As in ‘Hallowed be thy name.’
Eve – The night before. As in Christmas Eve.
Therefore, Halloween is the evening before All Saint’s Day.
Want to complain that Halloween has lost its true meaning? Fine. Wanna lament the commercialization of Halloween? Fine. At least acknowledge Halloween as a religious holiday. It’s right there in the name.
I know this is a lost cause. Up there with Advent starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, not December 1, regardless of what the advent calendars say. Or Christmas season being after Christmas, which I tried to stay with but eventually gave up. “I can stomp my feet all I want.” [Looking Back], [Reference]
It appears that other countries are more Day of the Dead, less Fear The Walking Dead, NPR: How Halloween is celebrated around the world, Heyward, 2022.
Don’t take my word for it. “In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.” History.com: Halloween 2023
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Fascinating.
The links
Are
Time sinks.
Thank you.
Joan
Me too! I keep telling people that! If you don’t mind, I’d like to print out your words and pass them on to the next a-hole who keeps ranting about satanism. If there is a Satan I’m sure he/she/it is gloating at getting his dirty little fingers in this pie.
Samhain has nothing to do with satan, the modern concept of it is not a part of Celtic belief. Samhain has to do with the change of the year, summer to winter, light to dark. Not so much celebrated as acknowledged. Winter solstice is a celebration, a welcoming back the light. Yes, it’s still going to be cold, but each day is a tiny bit longer.
Many Christian holidays were selected because the dates fell on the same date as polytheistic celebrations. Except Christmas. They’re a bit off in their timing there.
More time sink. Grunge: The Biggest Halloween Myths You’ve Been Believing, Robins, Oct. 11, 2023. Among other things, “Satanism as a religion didn’t even exist until 1966” ibid