halloween
October 24, 2005 – 4:24 pm
the history of halloween is interesting. not least as its ancient roots - derived from ancient celtic traditions - are lost in the mist somewhere.
the pre-christian europeans had four major pagan festivals: candlemas, beltane, lammas and samhain. Samhain which was celebrated on the 31st of october ( or around at that time!) was a fire festival, and represented the end of the year- the final harvest - and the onset of winter. the belief was that during this night, the portal which separates the living from the dead opened and released all sorts of spirits for that one night.
samhain means literally ’summer’s end.’
7 Responses to “halloween”
The true origins of Halloween are not important. What is important about this festival is the way it subsumes in itself the everlasting epistemological quest towards greater inner knowledge, which can only come if we can dare to confront the ghosts that live deep inside all of us. Halloween is all about confronting the inner ghosts. Anyone who does not understand that is a moron and also a communist.
By AV on Oct 25, 2005
Classic yaar - brilliant - please continue to provide first class entertainment.
By sonia on Oct 25, 2005
Pretty damn articulate, yaar, for a woman. Scary.
By Avinash on Oct 25, 2005
One more thing, never mind. Great blog
By avi on Oct 25, 2005
why thank you. ill try not to respond to the ‘..for a woman’ bit! which i think normally acts as a bait.
By sonia on Oct 25, 2005
“the pre-christian europeans”
The pre-christian Celts, surely?
By Ibn-Battuta on Oct 27, 2005
yes, or course, as it says when you read the post properly. you have to remember not all people are going to know we’re continent we’re referring to.
By sonia on Oct 28, 2005