History of Halloween
Since the eight century Christians have celebrated the festival of Halloween otherwise known as All Saints Day. Through the ages of time the history of Halloween has changed from generation to generation. The celebration of "All Saints Day" is the tradition associated with Hallow's Eve known today as Halloween When we break down the word, "Hallows" meaning "saints" or "holy one" just as the quote in the prayer of "Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name," and eve being the night before such as Christmas Eve. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe "All Hallows Day" aka "All Saints Day" to honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. On this particular Day all were required to attend mass.
The Romans observed the holiday as Feralia, which was intended to give rest and peace to all of the dearly departed. Sacrifices were made in honor of the dead along with prayers for them. This festival was originally celebrated on February 21st. However back in the 7th century, Pope Boniface the forth introduced All Saints' Day to be May 13th to replace the pagan festival of the dead. Later, King Gregory the third changed the date to November 1. The Greek Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
The traditional Halloween Supper consisted of mashed potatoes and leeks mixed with buttermilk also known as "champ" or a meal called "colacannon" which was basically cabbage and mashed potatoes. For a single person it was also a custom to watch the cabbage as it cooked to possibly see the initial of a future mate.
On Halloween night if you wanted to dream of a future wife or husband you would place a string of rosemary under your pillows. Whether that holds water or not I couldn't say for sure. Speaking of water if you were worried about your health, you would crack an egg into a tall glass of water and see if the shape would change. If it would you were in trouble.
If you were already married and wanted to know whether your mate was faithful or if you would stay together you would toss a few peanuts into a fire. If the peanuts stayed in tact then your relationship was solid and your partner was faithful. If not you would separate just like the peanuts.
On halloween night it was also costomary to light fires and torches to drive devils and demons away. They would also put a lit candle in a hollow turnip. History of Halloween has it that our ancestors would run up and down hills with their lit turnips shouting "spirits begone, demons begone!" They would also place the lit turnip on their porch or front window to keep the spirits and demons away. Which is how the jack-o-latern exists today.
As we recongise Halloween today it is about dressing up and going out door to door, "Trick or Treating" the gathering candy, chips and other treats. But when we really look back at the history of Halloween it was originated by the pagans. Did you know that in the time of Our Lord Jesus Christ, after he was crusified his desciples went and preached about the word of God and Jesus Christ our saviour who died on the cross for us, for our sins, and on the third day he rose again. The deciples of Jesus, preached to many pagans who later became Christian and that is how it was adopted into the Christian Church.
These days halloween is big business. Halloween parties and dances with men and women dressing in sexy halloween costumes. Children in their princess, dora the explorer costume, Darth Vader, Spiderman or Superman costumes. They even have halloween costumes for pets. Lolypops, chips, chocolate bars, toffee and more they all add up to be the second biggest holiday cash grabber by many retailers next the Christmas