Tonight
October 31, 2011 (Friday)
Halloween. Maybe I don’t remember everything from my youth as well as I should, but I do not recall Halloween being a very “big deal” back then. It was pretty much confined to one day, some masks or constumes, maybe trick or treat and a few parties at school or at a kid’s house. Halloween decoration today rivals Christmas decoration in some quarters. Yards are decorated lavishly for a month or so.
Some say Halloween has its roots in Irish, Welsh and Scottish folklore and festivals that celebrated the end of summer. The word, “Halloween” means the eve before “All Hallows Day.” It was first used in the 16th century. The meaning varies with different parts of the world and theological beliefs, but in one way or another involves the souls of the dead. Consequently, traditions have arisen that have to do with ghosts, death, evil, the occult and monsters.
For some, all this is just good fun and has no real meaning. For others, however, it represents real evil and is considered dangerous. The middle ground — religious observance — seems weak and lacks publicity. There does not seem to be any way to reconcile these ideas.
After tonight, it’s over for another year, and we can concentrate on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not only do those holidays have deeper spiritual meaning, but the food is better.
