The Meaning of Halloween

If you thought Halloween was a time for children dressed in cute costumes of witches goblins, ghosts or devils to knock at your door calling, "TRICK OR TREAT", you had better wise up! There is more to Halloween.... much more!

Did you know that Halloween is a day "witches" celebrate above all other days? Witches have 8 major festivals throughout the year. The major witchcraft festival is October 31 or better known as Halloween.

Witchcraft is not child's play. It is an abomination in the eye's of God. From 1575 to the 1700's many people were burned at the stake for their real or suspected involvement in witchcraft. Yet, today witchcraft has gained acceptability by many people. Even the IRS has given tax exempt status to the church of Wicca (the official church of witchcraft). There is no difference in the eye's of the U.S.Government between tithing to the church of Wicca, and tithing to the Church of Jesus Christ.

The Halloween Witch The Halloween Witch is a strange-looking female in black cloak and a peaked hat riding a broomstick along with her symbolic cat. Her name is derived from the Saxon word Wicca, which means 'wise one.' The broomstick, originally made from a stalk of the broom plant with a bunch of leaves at the head, was said to be used by poor witches who went on foot. The broom or pole was used to vault over brooks, streams or thorny patches. Due to its use as an indoor cleaning supply, the broom became the symbol of women. The black of a witch's cloak reminds us that Halloween is a 'festival of the dead'

The Seventh Century All Saints' Day(All Souls Day), a day the seventh century church set aside in memory of early Christians who died for their beliefs. It was first celebrated in the month of May. (By the year 900 the date had been changed to November 1.)

Another name for All Saints' Day was All Hallows. October 31 was known as All Hallows' Eve,which was later shortened to Halloween.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, England, set punishments for "those who goeth about in the masque of a stag of a bull-calf ...those who by their craft raise storms... sacrifice to demons...consulteth soothsayers who divine by birds." The people described by the Archbishop worshipped a horned god. This god usually was a goat, bull or ram, but sometimes a man or woman wearing skins and the head of an animal.

During their magical rites they would dance about in a circle, barking and howling.At midnight, using a bronze sickle, they would gather herbs. Spells were cast or enemies bewitched by sticking thorns into a wax model of the person.They also brewed love potions and concocted poisons.The skins of snakes and the saliva and intestines of animals were dropped into their cauldrons. The wings and entrails of bats also went into their brews. At the end of the ceremony they sacrificed and ate the animal god. Their rites and ceremonies expressed their closeness to all animal life, and their desire to help it grow.

The Tenth Century

In the tenth century,King Edgar of England admitted that witchcraft was more popular than Christianity. It was then that it's followers became known as witches.

While All Hallows' Eve originally had been a strictly Christian holiday, the pagan influences from earlier traditions gradually crept in. Soon Halloween became a secular observance, and many customs and practices developed.

Druids

The earliest celebrations of Halloween began among the Celts, who lived more than 2,000 years ago. Celtic countries celebrated the Vigil of Samhain in honor of their god, Samhain lord of the dead. In order to please Samhain, the Druids held cruel fire rites . Prisoners of war, criminals, or animals were burned alive in odd- shaped baskets. By observing the way they died, the Druids saw omens of the future, good and bad. The Druids also put on grotesque and terrifying costumes. They believed that if you dressed in a horrible enough fashion and went trooping around with the spirits all night, they would think you were one of them and do you no harm.

The Celts believed that when these spirits came to your house, if you did not TREAT them, they would TRICK you.

Customs

Not all 'dressing up' on Halloween comes from pagan rituals. It also has it origins in the Roman Catholic Church, The main church of Ireland. On All Hallows, many churches staged plays called pageants for the benefit of their members. Each participant dressed up as a patron saint. Those who did not play the part of a 'holy one' played the part of devils. Soon, nearly all of Ireland thought of October 31 as a night for dressing up in costumes.

Gradually, Halloween costumes changed from the traditional horses, saints, and devils to witches, ghosts, and goblins. To some, the costumes were believed to scare away the real demons.

In time, the custom of dressing up in costume and the custom of going from house to house in search of "treats" combined.

Just as people once offered gifts of food to the spirits, people today offer treats to the children who represent them. In reality, the lighted Jack-O-Laterns the children carry are really a symbol of the fires and torches of former Halloweens and of the ancient Samhain.

If you would like to know more about Halloween, go to nextPage.

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