Happy Halloween: The Celebration and its Origins
Souling, souling, for cakes we go,
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Him who made us all.
If you haven't got a cake, an apple will do,
If you haven't got an apple, give a pear or two.
If you haven't got a pear, then God bless you.
- Middle Age trick-or-treat rhyme
Media has made it common knowledge that the origins of the gothic holiday, Halloween, are indeed Druid. On All Hallow's Eve, Druids would disguise themselves and perform dances to chase away evil spirits. Why the disguise? So they could not be recognized by the spirit on a later date. For if their identity was revealed, the wraith may seek vengance.
When Christianity was introduced to Druid communities, All Hallow's Eve did not disappear; but rather incarnated into a long lasting holiday people still enjoy today
The Halloween traditions we now celebrate go back many centuries, and have both pegan and Christian roots.
Trick-or-Treating
Called souling in the Middle Ages, children would travel from door to door to collect soul-cakes from the resident's occupants. The purpose of the cake? To be offerings to lost souls. If one did not supply a soul-cake or some other treat, the angry soul might play a trick on you.
Jack-o'-Lanterns
Lights were believed to attract good spirits and scare away evil ones. Gourds were hollowed out and carvings in the shape of faces were made to allow light to shine outward. Jack-o'-Lanterns were a must have on a night when lost souls wandered the earth.
Originally, Jack-o'-Lanterns were not made with pumpkins, but other gourds. Pumpkins were not known to Europe until after the discovery of America.
Apple Bobbing
Apple bobbing was originally a form of divination. Using whole apples, celebrators would carve the name of a desired mate on to the apple or simple assign the apple a name. If the bobber succeeds in biting the apple on the first try, then the love will thrive. If the the apple is caught on the second try, the love will exist only briefly. Success on the third chance means hate, not love. Four tries or more means no luck in love at all.
Nutcraking
Another form of romantic divination practiced on Halloween was nutcraking. A young man or woman ready to be married would place two whole walnuts or hazelnuts into glowing embers. In a few moments, the heated nuts would burst from their shells. If one or both nuts crackled loudly, that is proof of love. If the nuts just burn, then the human love will briefly flame but soon perish.
Crowdie
A crowdie is a sweet dish of whipped cream often served on Halloween. Six objects are dropped into the bowl: two rings, two marbles, and two coins. A group sets about to eat the crowdie, while being careful not to swallow the objects. The finders of the rings will soon be married, the finders of the coins will ever be rich, and the finders of the marbles will remain single for the rest of their life.
Apple Candlelight Procession
The closing of Halloween feasts were marked with an apple candlelight procession. Guests carried hollowed apple with candles stuck in the center around the hall three times. The lights must be left to burn for several minutes after the feast. This scared away evil spirits and brought cheer to good souls.
I hope you will feel informed this coming Halloween.