The origins of Halloween and how we celebrate it

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Well my favorite holiday is coming up and I thought I would share what Halloween is like here in the US and then the meaning behind where Halloween came from.

halloween costumes


Here in the U.S. people get dressed up in some form of costume be it scary, funny, serious or other type, deciding a costume can be tiresome Witches, ghosts, aliens, princesses and batman are just some you are most likely to see every year...
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Yup that is me on the left with my twin sister. We were probably 4 at this time..lol but its one of my favorite Halloween costumes and cereals to this day

We dress up every year and dont really know why. Well from what I read in short...People would dress up like ghosts and gouls or other spirits to make themselves look like the spirits that visited them on this night and by doing this they wouldnt be bothered when they left their house by the spirits. They dress up for protection so that they wouldnt be recognized and would blend in with the spirits who returned on this night.


Spooky Yards/Haunted Houses

Many people also decorate their yards with scenes looking like cemeteries or pumpkin patches, they string lights like one would on Xmas, some put scarecrows in chairs to scare others. (I dont like it when you people dress like them and jump out at me though! Stop that! lol) People will go all out and set up their homes like haunted houses and invite neighborhoods over. The colors of Halloween are usually associated with black and orange, which I will talk about later.

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Yup I LOVE this house They did a great job! I have had homes look like this. I love it! I wish I was able to do it this year Also here is a site if you need some help on how to make a spooktaclular yard or home
Halloween Yards

This makes me think of leaving offerings out for the dead, now we leave out treats like candy. Back then they decorated their homes to make the departed loved ones feel welcomed and it was said that it helped them find their way home. This is why candles we left in windows and skeletons were left in the window sills to honor the deceased loved ones. Today its just become more commercial and trendy to do your yard up.



Mmmm treat choices

Then there is the candy choice do you get caramel or no caramel, name brand or not? Do you hand out toothbrushes or rolls of coins? I know many people who really think about what they are setting out, look at the candy aisle during Halloween time and you will see what I mean esp if you are in the US (other areas I am not so sure about). I remember getting toothpaste, toothbrushes, dollars, quarters, SOAP, canned goods and of course lots of candy! Oh and please STOP buying those bit-o-honeys, only about 1% of Halloweeners eat them, they usually get all gooey in the bag and then tossed..lol

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Mmmmm my favorite treat candy corn=pure sugar!!

This goes back to leaving out food and drink for the spirits now we just leave out candy.


Pumpkin carving

One of my favorites is the pumpkin carving and choosing of the pumpkin(s). Personally I like the ones I know nobody will buy, sort of like the charlie brown christmas tree.. I will usually get 3 big ones and a bunch of little ones. I carve the big ones and paint the little ones, they last forever! You can carve anything out of a pumpkin and many plan what to carve as well. I know I do! Gotta have the best pumpkin in the neighborhood

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My lair..errr, I mean favorite place, The Eiffel Tower

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My little grey guy smile its not so bad!


Here is some neat info I learned about the Jack-O-Lantern

The name jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer.[citation needed] He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk. In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had: a candle inside of a hollowed turnip.

Halloween

A traditional Irish halloween Jack-o'-lantern from the early 20th century:
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Now we carve pumpkins because they are easier to get in mass quantity and they are still part of the fall season.


These are all things people enjoy here in US while celebrating Halloween. There are costume parties and contests of all kinds for everything Halloween related. Many will go out and take their little ones trick or treating while all dressed up in their best costumes and then pass out later from a sugar coma I know I have! Many like to watch horror/slasher flicks and just scare themselves senseless, like me but do any of these people really know where Halloween came from? I doubt it, heck even I didnt really know until my BF told me about it, then I started looking into a little bit. So here is where Halloween comes from....and if I missed something please post it!

History

Halloween has origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain [pronounced: sow- wen] (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠaunʲ]; from the Old Irish samhain, possibly derived from Gaulish samonios).[5] The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes[6] regarded as the "Celtic New Year".[7] Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Celts believed that on October 31 the boundary between the world and the otherworld dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damage to crops. The festival frequently involved bonfires into which the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown.The wearing of costumes and masks at Halloween goes back to the Celtic traditions of attempting to copy the evil spirits or to placate them. In Scotland the dead were impersonated by young men with masked, veiled or blackened faces, while dressed in white.

Halloween History

here is another link,

The festival observed at this time was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

more info

This is my understanding of it:

.The origin of Halloween is the Celtic Festival of Samhain, lord of death and evil spirits. The celtics back then celebrated the new year around the 1st of Nov. It was considered the end of harvest and the beginning of the dark cold winter. This time was usually associated with death. It was believed that on the night of the 31st, All Hallow's Eve, Samhain gathered all the dead souls who were condemned to live in an animals body for the bad things they had done while living. On this night they would visit their loved ones and this was the one time of year these spirits were able to visit with loved ones. If offerings of food, drink and shelter werent there the spirits were said to leave curses and cause havoc on their loved ones. If these things were there they moved and didnt bother them. Doesnt this sound like modern day "trick or treat" if you dont leave a treat you will get tricked

Samhain further reading
Samhain

Some more information on the origins of Halloween
Halloween Origins

Here is a History channel show on the origins/history of Halloween.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5



Halloween has always been my favorite holiday over any other. I enjoy the spooky aspect of it and the dressing up and the haunted houses but I never really knew where it all started or even its real origins. Halloween has become so commercialized anymore that people dont even know why we celebrate it here. This holiday was later deemed evil by another religious group but I dont want to go there Not too familiar in that area. The celetics beliefs were consider evil since it dealt with the supernatural and beyond and they were forced over time to change their beliefs. Kind of sad if you ask me! Halloween from what I gather in origin is about death and the dead. It also seemed to be a time of celebration, beginning and endings. How are any of those evil?

[edit on 10/14/2009 by mblahnikluver]

[edit on 10/14/2009 by mblahnikluver]

[edit on 10/14/2009 by mblahnikluver]

cont....


If I have missed anything about the actual origins and history of Halloween please post! I havent really made any threads like this and it took a while to get it together so if I missed something please let me know I am not an expert in Halloween it's just always been my favorite holiday and wanted to let others know where it really started. Its kind of sad IMO that it's not celebrated the ancient way anymore. If it is, its not here in the US. We just like to make money off of things that were once sacred to others Just remember when you dress up what you are dressing up for!


Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN if you celebrate it and be safe!

Thanks for reading and thanks Slayer for the help with the color codes!

reply to post by mblahnikluver


A thread that made me smile.
S&F!!!
My son (he's 6) wants to go as a skeleton with an apron, chef's hat and a knife. His favorite channel? Food Network.

Halloween is a favorite in my house as well. My wife loves horror movies (I'm the sissy) and it's non-stop for the month of October.

This was a wonderful piece of research! Thank you for your effort... I'm sure many will appreciate the history... and who knows... maybe add a little more!

reply to post by mikerussellus


Thank You! I'm glad it made you smile

Aww that is too cute! My nephew who was barely 2 last year for Halloween was Jack Sparrow with wig and all and he got so mad when you took it off! He loved it! He wore it around for days...lol Kids are so cute!

Yup I am a horror fan 100% I love to freak myself out at night while alone. I watched "candyman" last night and even though its cheesey horror it still gave me the spooks in some parts.

I look forward to Halloween every year! I go all out in decorating my house and carving my pumpkins. I look forward to Halloween the way kids to Xmas!! I am sad that this year I am unable to do where I live but I will have some killer pumpkins



edit I cant get the first video code to work like the others. I did it the same but it wont work. I will look for another part 1. Sorry, it does work on YT though.

The picture of that house is awesome . Nothing better than stopping to enjoy some of the houses that are decorated as nicely as that, not too many people put that much time and effort into constructing yards like that anymore. Always enjoyed looking at all the creations people came up in beautifying their yard and or themselves ....also a fan of horror and spooky themes like that too, lovely time of the year.

Nice thread, not sure if it belongs in the conspiracy forum though.

Originally posted by mblahnikluver
If I have missed anything about the actual origins and history of Halloween please post!

Aside from being the trigger for the season's first batch of chili, Hallowe'en reminds me of how Europe and Britain used to be covered in primeval forests, with a thin scattering of humanity. These people lived in fear of the a world that was much larger and scarier than the one that we live in today. The pagan traditions that came to be Hallowe'en arose from their attempts to deal with the great unknown about them.

I enjoy the day as one of the few pagan rituals to survive the onslaught of Christianity...something that still connects us with our deep past.

'All Hallow's Eve' me arse!

reply to post by Whyhi

Thanks! Yeah I have done my house up like that before it's a lot of fun. I know I looked at that site as well and its got some good ideas on there!

I put it here because the true meaning of Halloween is so much more than what people are taught. The people who originally celebrated it were forced to change their ways over time. Their beliefs were thought of as evil because it dealt with supernatural things and death. I am sure someone on here will bring it up and I hope they do. I would like to discuss it with some people. Halloween's real history is gone and is now just some money making machine for corporate America I have been reading about Halloween all day and the original meaning makes so much more sense esp when I see how we still subtly do things in the same way. What is so wrong with people keeping traditions alive? These people welcomed this time of year why should we forget that and cheapen it?...ok sorry I'm starting to ramble on lol

reply to post by JohnnyCanuck



Yup I didnt really go there with the christian interference with Halloween. I did read about it though but wasnt too sure how to put it in the thread. Well, I read that they were the ones who saw "Samhain" later known as Halloween as evil and made them change the belief of it over time. I have really enjoyed reading about where Halloween really came from. I knew a little but not as much as I have read today. I think I might do some old rituals just for old times sake, since its the real reason we celebrate it. I realized just some of the little things I do already are part of how is was originally celebrated.

Mmmmm chili sounds good to me for Halloween dinner this year..lol I might have to make that.

THIS IS a great thread Mblah s and f!
As a aussie we dont celebrate it much, do this has helped me understand how it all came about.

Originally posted by zazzafrazz
THIS IS a great thread Mblah s and f!
As a aussie we dont celebrate it much, do this has helped me understand how it all came about.

Thanks Zazz and to be honest an Aussie I was chatting with in mutter this morning is why I started this thread..lol Thanks chadwickus! I didnt know it wasnt really celebrated down under and then it got me thinking about where it really started and why we celebrate it the way we do and who else doesnt really know about it..So I made a thread which took all day since I am way too critical of my own posts but I now know more about Halloween than ever before..Makes for great work conversation..lol

reply to post by mblahnikluver


Everyone knows Halloween is the devil's day, you must be in league with him.....

The blasphemy, you shall be inquisitioned!!


lol....of course I am just joking..



GREAT thread mblah, a classic ATS holiday thread IMHO, what a great effort by you to bring us this wonderfully presented, researched, and relevant thread a couple weeks before Halloween. I am partial to the Grey alien pumpkin myself, lol. Thanks for taking the time to make this for all of us, again, WELL DONE.

PS: Loved the pic of you and your sister, but shouldn't you be the one wearing the "Fruit Loops" box? lol....j/p

[edit on 10/14/2009 by jkrog08]

reply to post by jkrog08



Why thanks and you know how many times I almost said forget it and wanted to delete it! I am getting better at it I swear It would not have taken so long if I wasnt missing a vital key for spelling! kopy paste is annoying!

LOL!! Thanks Krog You know I have heard people say that before about the Fruit Loops box, you just never met my sister

I cant believe you didnt get the one picture lol Haa points for me!

reply to post by mblahnikluver

I cant believe you didnt get the one picture

lol Haa points for me!

LOL, points DENIED....I got it, just didn't say, but I'll let you keep the points though...


On a further note....I would like to hear your thoughts on the theory that Christianity has smeared Halloween into having somewhat of a bad wrap (although not so much anymore, but none-the-less)..

On one more side note....I can NOT believe this thread has not gotten more attention... Oh well, maybe you should have changed the title to "Halloween with the GFL and Reptoids: MUST SEE PROOF INSIDE!!"

LOL, j/p....





[edit on 10/15/2009 by jkrog08]

reply to post by jkrog08


LOL yeah if I added GLF or GFL whatever they are called it might have worked I was thinking of just making a thread in religion on Halloween being ruined by the earlier mentioned religion. I am still reading about it since I am not a bible/religion buff.

From what I have read their beliefs were thought of as evil and condemned by the church . I will have to look into it more though. From what I see of the origins of Halloween there is nothing wrong it, I actually like it.

reply to post by mblahnikluver


Flag!. Great thread, well researched and should be in ATS www.abovetopsecret.com...

Where you could get the stars this great thread deserves.


[edit on 15-10-2009 by whaaa]

reply to post by whaaa


Thanks whaaa I think I am going to make a separate thread on that issue so it will be on the ATS side not BTS. I am going to do a few more days of reading before I make the thread. I am not good with religion and its a topic I usually avoid but this is my favorite holiday and it was changed and seen as evil almost satanic and now has become some commercialized holiday. It sort of bothers me..I know will say its just Halloween but those are the ones who dont know where it comes from. I will hopefully be able to show this in my next thread. Thanks again!

Originally posted by JohnnyCanuck

Originally posted by mblahnikluver
If I have missed anything about the actual origins and history of Halloween please post!

Aside from being the trigger for the season's first batch of chili, Hallowe'en reminds me of how Europe and Britain used to be covered in primeval forests, with a thin scattering of humanity. These people lived in fear of the a world that was much larger and scarier than the one that we live in today. The pagan traditions that came to be Hallowe'en arose from their attempts to deal with the great unknown about them.

I enjoy the day as one of the few pagan rituals to survive the onslaught of Christianity...something that still connects us with our deep past.

'All Hallow's Eve' me arse!

ah..chili..already made it and ate it..no arse comments after that..
This year, I have decided not to celebrate it.
My kids don't need candy, especially when it comes from strangers.
I feel no desire to give out candy to the rotten little buggers that terrorize the neighborhood, and they'll be forewarned that I'll be fully loaded with my own stash of TP and eggs should the need arise.
My kids and I will be watching scary movies and baking our own treats this year.

Originally posted by AccessDenied
I feel no desire to give out candy to the rotten little buggers that terrorize the neighborhood, and they'll be forewarned that I'll be fully loaded with my own stash of TP and eggs should the need arise.

Ahh...but the best part of Hallowe'en is scaring the snot out of the little darlin's! I downloaded Haunted Corridors by Cinema Braille from cd baby, and I'm going to set the speakers under the porch...black lights hooked up...and enjoy the fear.

And give out candy.

[edit on 16-10-2009 by JohnnyCanuck]

reply to post by AccessDenied


LMAO Well I am usually not home when the little buggers come around and every year I buy candy I wind up keeping it..lol This year I am going the traditional Halloween, Samhain, celebration and meal. I will be at work but I will still be able to do it. Im gonna bring to food to work for the staff, they love when I make dinner Ill take pix too!