Halloween ..........

 Halloween .... a hauntingly crazy evening full of spooky fun and ghostly goings-on is fast approaching. But what are the origins of this festival, an occasion which has grown in popularity over the years and which is celebrated across the globe, not solely in Christian countries as many seem to think. Halloween is indeed a time not just of celebration but of superstition, marking the closing of the door on autumn and the opening of the door to winter. Many believe it has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, bringing the harvest to a close and heralding the onset of the dark winter months. This was seen as a time when spirits could enter our world with ease, a time when they were at their most active. It was said that souls of the dead came to revisit their earthly homes, and feasts were held at which these souls, spirits of dead family members, were invited to attend. A place would be set at the table for these ghostly beings to "partake" of the meal. Many people would dress up and light bonfires in the belief that these actions would ward off roaming ghosts. The 8th century saw Pope Gregory III designate November 1st as a holiday to honour the memory of all saints and martyrs - All Saints Day - and many of the traditions of Samhain were incorporated into this festival. The night before became known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, a name originating from the Scottish dialect. As the centuries passed, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event associated with child-friendly activities. Trick-or-treat, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, apple bobbing, creepy stories, dressing up .... all are now popular as darkness falls and the witching hour approaches.

I recently came across the legend surrounding jack-o-lanterns, an interesting little tale. Travelling home after a night of drinking, a somewhat tipsy rogue called Jack encountered the devil. This satanic inmate from the fiery depths of hell tricked Jack into climbing a tree. Why? No idea. But a quick-thinking Jack, despite his intoxication, carved the sign of the cross into the bark of the tree, thus trapping the devil. Crafty Jack then struck a deal with Satan, making him promise that he would never capture or claim his soul. Then Jack went on his way convinced he was safe for all eternity. However, after a debauched life of sin, drink and mendacity poor old Jack was refused entry into heaven, the pearly gates well and truly slammed in his face. Keeping his promise, the devil likewise refused Jack entry into hell, throwing a live coal straight from the fires of his kingdom at the hapless Jack. It was a cold night, so Jack placed the burning coal into a hollowed-out turnip to stop it going out. And from that day onwards Jack has roamed the earth with his lantern, looking for a place to rest. Impressed? Thought you would be. So keep your eyes peeled for a flickering flame drifting across the fields ......

Off you go, all you witches and wizards, ghosts, skeletons, vampires, werewolves, black cats and other assorted monsters. Bring out your bats, search out your spiders, cotton wool your cobwebs and bound along on your broomsticks. But beware the churchyard, the gravestones cold and grey in the moonlight, piercing red eyes peering out through the darkness. Oh yes, people, feel a breeze where there is no wind, a touch on the shoulder from an unseen hand, shadows falling where no person stands, whispers in the darkness, the hoot of an owl, the spine-tingling howl of a wolf lurking in the shelter of the woods. 'Tis Halloween, not for the faint-hearted, the nervous, the unbelievers ....... Bob your apples, paint your faces, carve your pumpkins, sit around the fire recounting tales to send shivers down the spine as smoke wends its way eerily into the night sky. For this is no ordinary evening. IT IS HALLOWEEN!!