Page 9 - 200710 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - October 2007

Happy Halloween ! 9 9 Happy Halloween ! HAPPY HALLOWEEN HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!! EVERYONE!!!!! History of Halloween, like any other festival's history is inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. We follow them mostly as did our dads and grandpas. And as this process goes on, much of their originality get distorted with newer additions and alterations. It happens so gradually, spanning over so many ages, that we hardly come to know about these distortions. At one point of time it leaves us puzzled, with its multicolored faces. Digging into its history helps sieve out the facts from the fantasies which caught us unaware. Yet, doubts still lurk deep in our soul, especially when the reality differs from what has taken a deep seated root into our beliefs. The history of Halloween Day, as culled from the net, is being depicted here in this light. This is to help out those who are interested in washing off the superficial hues to reach the core and know things as they truly are. 'Trick or treat' may be an innocent fun to relish on the Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, elves and animal sacrifices associated with it. They are no more innocent. Are these stories a myth or there is a blend of some reality? Come and plunge into the halloween history to unfurl yourself the age-old veil of in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the functions. * Make sure you set a time that they mysticism draped around it. close of harvest and the initiation of the winter should be home by. Make sure they know how Behind the name... Halloween, or the season, lasting till May, during which troops Hallow E'en as they call it in Ireland , means All (esp. the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were important it is for them to be home on time. * Explain to children the difference Hallows Eve, or the night before the 'All imagined as particularly active at this season. between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at Hallows', also called 'All Hallowmas', or 'All From it the half year is reckoned. also called a house may seem like fun but they need to Saints', or 'All Souls' Day, observed on Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess). November 1. (1) The Scottish Gaelis Dictionary know the other side of the coin as well, clean up In old English the word 'Hallow' meant defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All and damages can ruin Halloween. If they are 'sanctify'. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer." caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made. Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to (2) Contrary to the information * Explain to your kids that animal honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. published by many organizations, there is no They used to consider it with all solemnity as archaeological or literary evidence to indicate cruelty is not acceptable. Kids may know this one of the most significant observances of the that Samhain was a deity. on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing. Make sure that they know that harming Church year. And Catholics, all and sundry, was The Celtic Gods of the dead were animals is not only morally wrong but obliged to attend Mass. The Romans observed Gwynn ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of punishable by law and will not be tolerated. [] peace to the departed. Participants made death" as such. Thus most of the customs HALLOWEEN JOKES AND GIGGLES sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up connected with the Day are remnants of the prayers for them, and made oblations to them. ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Q: Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the The festival was celebrated on February 21, the Druids and then transcended amongst the road? end of the Roman year. In the 7th century, Pope Roman Christians who conquered them. A: It had no guts... Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day to HALLOWEEN SAFETY replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was HALLOWEEN SAFETY Q: How do witches keep their hair in place observed on May 13. Later, Gregory III changed while flying? the date to November 1. HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR ADULTS A: With scare spray... The Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Despite this Parents of trick-or-treating kids can get Q: What did Dracula say when he kissed his connection with the Roman Church, the so caught up in the fun themselves that they vampire girlfriend? American version of Halloween Day might forget some simple safety ideas that could A: Ouch... celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre- save everyone some trouble. Having a fun and Christian) Druidic fire festival called safe Halloween will make it all worth while. Q: How do monsters tell their future? "Samhain", celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Below are just a few common sense tips A: They read their horrorscope... Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced that can help. "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow. In * Know the route your kids will be Q: What do you get when you cross a Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, or taking if you aren't going with them. werewolf and a vampire? La Samon, the Feast of the Sun. In Scotland, the * The best bet is to make sure that an A: A fur coat that fangs around your neck... celebration was known as Hallowe'en. In Welsh adult is going with them. If you can't take them, it's Nos Galen-gaeof (that is, the Night of the see if another parent or a teen aged sibling can Q: Do zombies eat popcorn with their Winter Calends. According to the Irish English go along. fingers? dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society: * Know what other activities a child A: No, they eat the fingers separately... "Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead may be attending, such as parties, school or mall