October 2008

Samhain - Our Time Honored Traditions
by Heather Maureen Millott

All Hallow's eve is upon us once again and this month I would like to share with you some of our family traditions.

On Halloween we observe the ancient Celtic new year known as Samhain. This Festival marks our end of summer, and the winter months to come. Ancient history teaches us that this is also a time when the veil between the land of the living and the land of the dead is at its thinnest. No matter what traditions or religious sect you follow, Halloween is still a festival of the dead.

The American version of "trick-or-treating" dates back to early England. Poor people would beg for food and families would give them soul cakes - in return they would pray for the family's dead. The church coined the term "souling" and adopted it as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food for wandering spirits. Children then began going door to door for food and ale. Today this is now known as modern trick or treating. People believed that if you dressed in costume or masks, the dead souls wandering the night would not mistake you as living but one of their own.

Our home is lit up for Halloween, not just indoors but outside as well. The walk-ways and deck are lined with lanterns and carved pumpkins so the traveling dead can find their way through the dark of night. These lights burn brightly until dawn. We also leave offerings of soul cakes for the departed on plates outdoors.

My kids spend the afternoon getting dressed up for traditional trick or treating, it's all about the candy for them. When we return home is when the festivities start. We have our annual party, decked out with all the trimmings. Invitations have been sent out the weeks before and guests are encouraged to dress up. We usually play parlor games reminiscent of the Victorian era or ones matching the theme for the evening. Ghost stories are told around the fireside. I always schedule time for a scary old black and white movie, one of the classics.

My party goers look forward to me cooking my annual chili placed in bread bowls (something that once they had in a previous year, they decided they should have every year!). It does make for a hearty meal on a chilly autumn night.

When we sit down to eat we observe what is known as the "dumb supper". The traditional purpose of the "Dumb Supper" was to honor our deceased loved ones. To communicate with the deceased person and receive messages of comfort and wisdom from them. I think most of all it helps to honor their death in our lives and help the living cope with their loss while remembering. The entire meal is eaten in complete silence in order to encourage our deceased to make contact. It is also a sign of respect. Guests will bring photos of loved ones who have passed in previous years, and a table setting will be made from them. We light a candle for each loved one.

I always make goodie bags for my guests upon departing with a little extra something just for each individual. The house in the twilight hour is now silent again. I hope that no matter how you celebrate your Hallow's eve, that it is a merry one!

Till next time,
Heather

About the Author:
Heather Millott is a Halloween artist who admits to being shamelessly addicted to primitive folk and vintage Halloween art. Each month she plans to bring us another "Curious Good.." column. If you have a story suggestion for her, feel free to email her. Visit Heather here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at www.witchhollowprimitives.com.