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Health & Fitness

We will NOT be Scared of Death

Halloween that speaks to the Soul

Samhain, (SAH-ween) the ancient festival marking the end of the old Celtic year, now know as Halloween, originated they say, in Meath, Ireland, more than 2,000 years ago!

Halloween speaks to the soul. Perhaps it is the connection to the harvest season, with its autumn leaves and pumpkins; perhaps it is the thrill of being outside at night, in the cool air; and disguises.

Perhaps it is because for once we are allowed to confront our taboos: Death. Halloween was not always fun and games.

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Mexico and some European countries view the importation of the American style of celebration with alarm as a form of economic and cultural imperialism.

Death, like the harvest, is part of life. Death is fearsome, to be sure, but not to be feared. And yet in a reductionist / scientific era; if we cannot prove something, we often find it fearful or dismiss it altogether. Thus, in our ignorance, we pridefully hold onto youth as the paradigm of life.

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The harvest sustains life, and we are all a part of this process, part of the cycle, part of nature. Thousands of years ago, people regarded November 1st as the start of  winter. They called it “Summer’s End”.

People believed there was a sort of war between winter, with its cold and darkness, and summer, with its bright, long days and pleasant greenery. And they felt that at summer’s end, the “army” of winter (ghosts, goblins, witches, and other evil creatures—grew very strong).

So, the night before Summer’s End, October 31st, was a frightening time!  People were sure that all the wicked creatures would be out celebrating, and might attack them!

To protect themselves, people held special ceremonies and created elections; so as to draw out the subterranean creatures.

They built big bonfires on hilltops to light up the night. They put on masks and animal skins so that they looked frightening. They hoped that their “costumes” would keep the evil creatures from knowing who they were...

In many parts of the world, people observe another holiday that falls near Halloween:  the Day of the Dead.  This holiday is celebrated on Nov 1st.

November 2nd is All Soul’s Day, which is observed by Catholics and other Christians. In Puerto Rico and Mexico and many European countries, this is a High Holy Day.

On Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Nov. 1st), people visit the graves of their dead loved ones.  They decorate the gravesite with flowers, especially marigolds, used as a token of love.  Food is brought to the grave.  It is believed that the dead eat the spirit of the food, but then, the living enjoys the delicious food that is left.

This is their mark of respect for those past on…..after prayers, people dance, feast and party and celebrate the pleasure of being alive.

The Day of the Dead is both a serious religious holiday and a fun non-religious one.  Most of all it is a time when people say that Death is part of life.  And death gives life meaning—prompts us to act. We often cry out to God, “why death?!” but if we were cursed to live this same existence for thousands of years; we would, indeed, cry out, “WHY LIFE?!” We will not be scared of death.

As Tolkien wrote; death is the gift of men.

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