Appreciating Halloween (TY-13)

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year next to Christmas. I enjoy dressing up and all the spooky sights. I feel Halloween gives us permission to be a bit mischievous and a whole lot of playful.

I appreciate how Halloween comes at the end of October as the nights grow longer and the air a bit cooler, as it brings us closer to winter. We are going from a time of harvest and plenitude to a time of scarcity and reduction. Life is transitioning to death as we approach the end of another year. Of course, this is all geographically dependent to the northern hemisphere.

In the southern hemisphere, it is springtime transitioning to summer; and many of the Halloween traditions such as bonfires and Jack-o-Lanterns make no sense. However, I believe Halloween is also celebrated in various countries below the equator, where there is strong European and American influences. Halloween has quite a history…here is an excerpt from the History Channel:

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. (http://www.history.com/topics/halloween)

I would encourage you to read more about it from the aforementioned website; it is fascinating. Halloween is a fun time often filled with mystery and superstition. And, I for one appreciate it for both the lighthearted fun as well as a reminder that winter is approaching (in my part of the world).

 

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Welcoming Back the Light

I spent my morning at the dentist, which went very well. And, I am very grateful. Today is also a special day. It is the first day of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer for our brothers and sisters in the Southern Hemisphere. Today is also Yule or Yuletide, which is a festival of renewal and light. Yule has traditionally been celebrated for millenia in the Northern Hemisphere by the Norse people. It has been a time for feasting, merrymaking and sacrifice. The Celts,  the Romans, the Greeks and the Egyptians also had similar festivities in and around wintertime.

Customs such as the Yule log, the decorated tree, wreaths of holly and evergreens, wassailing (caroling), mistletoe, gift-giving, using the colors: red, green, white, gold and silver, cookies, cakes, fruits, nuts, cider, eggnog, turkey, pork (ham), feasting, and honoring a god (of agriculture) came from Yuletide and related celebrations. The Catholic church later sanctified these traditions and incorporated them into Christian traditions to win over non-Christians (with the Christmas celebration December 25). I find the overlap of the symbolism of the return of the light (and the Sun) and the return of Christ (the Son of God) to be remarkable. Yule is truly a wonderful celebration filled with rituals of renewal and joy for the return of longer days. You can learn more of Yule at:

History of Yule (About.com) 
All about Yule (About.com)
Yule in the Northern Isles
The Winter Solstice – Yule Lore
Yule

I feel it is important to understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of others. In this way we can truly bring back the light and be love for one another. Wishing you and yours a Joyous Winter Solstice and Yule Blessings and Peace; good-bye to darkness and hello to a very Merry Christmas.

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