Are We Scared However?
I am not terrified of Halloween – But. However, I come across it confusing and disturbing to comprehend why Australians would continue this ‘celebration’ (?) – in Australia.
The background of this pagan ritual arrives from Celtic beliefs of the 16th Century, and the festival of Samhain, celebrating the conclude of the ‘lighter half’ of the yr (or Summer season) – and to ward off the threat posed by the beginning of the ‘darker half’ (or Autumn/Winter) of the annual cycle. So here is the initial anomaly – our seasons in Australia and the Southern hemisphere are the direct opposite of those seasoned by our Northern counterparts.
The sporting of costumes and masks were meant to ‘frighten off’ evil spirits that could curse and bring excellent harm (even wreck) to the supplies of grain and meat that had been very carefully harvested and stored for the coming Winter. Even branches from the burning bonfires had been employed to light household fires to bring goodfortune and protection to every loved ones – and often, two bonfires would be lit, so the folks could stroll between them, as a ritual that would cleanse them from hurt.
The carving of pumpkins with frightening ‘faces’ produced in America subsequent the Fantastic Famine in Ireland, and subsequent significant-scale immigration from that nation to the ‘New World’ of impoverished folks who had lost virtually anything – except their hopes and goals for a superior future. The custom of the carving alone, and the lit candle inside the pumpkin progressed from the Celtic custom of hollowing out significant turnips, carving faces, placing a lit candle inside of, and putting the turnips in their cottage windows to discourage – and even avoid – the darkish spirits that may otherwise have visited, and cursed the residence and the loved ones – and all its provisions created to get them by means of a bleak and unforgiving season forward.
Then there is the custom behind ‘trick or treat’ – wherever nowadays, young children go from door to door demanding sweets or cash – or else a ‘trick’ or mischief will be visited on the home owner. This ‘tradition’ dates back to medieval occasions when the poor would go begging for food – in return for prayers for the dead of each house. A later on growth was North American kids browsing nearby industrial and private premises and being ‘rewarded’ with nuts and candies for carrying out rhymes and songs.
How unusual then, the evolution to today’s ‘trick or treat’. My comprehending has constantly been that we adults –
· strongly discourage our children from begging (or threatening for reward) – if they have ANY capacity in any way to function for what they want, and
· strongly encourage honesty, and kind, compassionate and thoughtful behaviour in direction of other people at all times, and
· strongly forbid accepting sweets from strangers, and
· warn endlessly of ‘stranger danger’ and the want to look for the ‘SAFE HOUSE’ indicator in the window of a residence ahead of approaching it (except in the direst emergency, when none are offered shut by)
It really is evident there is a huge monetary bonus to be produced from the marketing and advertising of all the required paraphernalia. Just check out the range at any keep – it would seem to enhance virtually exponentially every yr. It’s also an intriguing exercise to examine out the place of manufacture of most (if not all) of these goods. Why are we not surprised to that ‘Proudly Australian’ is lacking from the labels?
And any of the historically ‘Celtic’ international locations – even America? Puzzling!?!
Of course, it will be argued that we celebrate Christmas in Australia every single year, with a majority following European traditions from centuries back – in a single way or an additional. This is true. BUT – Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ who taught ussuch moral and gorgeous ‘attributes’ as Love and Kindness, Sacrifice and Charity, Hope and Empathy – to name just a handful of. The record is limitless of the ‘greatest aspects’ of humanity that His start and Lifestyle taught us.
I hold waiting for the ‘sour’ be aware – but I come across practically nothing to fault or concern from this original premise and educating and promise. What Man has turned it into in several situations, is yet another story. Incredible similarity to what has occurred to Halloween – or so it appears to me.
Perhaps now, you recognize the bewilderment – and in reality, concern – I feel about Australians embracing this particular custom. It is foreign to our ethics, our local weather and seasons – in reality, our really way of Life. To me, Halloween represents nothing of who we Really are as Australians.
© 2010 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved
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