TheHistoryOfHalloween

In 58 B.C. Julius Ceasar annexed the warlike Celts to Britian and Ireland because they had finally gotten the upper hand with the strong and aggressive Celts. Ceasar was disenchanted with their strong clans and how they banned together as a comunal family,

The Celts practiced all sorts of supernatural beliefs and were able to demonstrate amazing power. Divination, mysticism, sorcery, talking with the dead, water witching and witch craft, these skills they kept secret and was privy only to the Celts.

Some Understood Practices: Devination: To forsee and fortell the future, usually a negative future not good to keep a person coming back. the pigeon is then willing to pay more to hear a more favorable future. To be told that large sums of money was forth coming could get costly.

Water Witching: A practice to find underground gold, gems, and water in dry areas with little rain fall. The tool used was simple a tree twig or branch in the shape of a -Y-or-L- would lead the medium to discover what they were looking for. Some mediums boasted of not needing an instrument to locate what they were looking for.

Sorcery and Witch craft: Practice burning an effigee, a piece of clothing, collecting fingernails, hair, sweat, or even waste. This intimidating practice persisted until the 15 th century in England. Finally on three different acts of parliment laws were passed, 1542, 1563, and 1604 parliment deemed witch craft was dangerous to society. Anyone caught practicing witch craft would be punished by burning at the stake. America followed the same course witches were hunted down and burned. History has revealed that some innocent women were executed

Celt worship: The Druids were the priest. They worshiped the divine power of nature and the natural world. Example: Hills, mountains, rivers, springs, were believed to be inhabited by guardian spirits these spirits were usually female. ( mother nature ) The language spoken by the Celts was Celtic which was spoken by the Bretons: Cornish, Britons, Guals, Highland Scotish, Irish, and Welsh. ( webster college dictionary)

Samhain: 1 day November marked the beginning of the Celts new year celebrated in England and Ireland. The souls of the dead were believed to visit their homes and homes of friends on 31 October the eve of Samhain. Goblins, Gouls, witches and their black cats roamed freely on this night showing familiarity with people and frightning the sense out of them. People took to wearing black clothes on this night so the spirits would not notice them.

A new year was believed to start a new beginning. This day marked a chance to make improvements in their lives. Realistic thoughts were given to behavior, marriage, money, life, and death. Serious vows were made for the new year... Gentlemen of means were known to wager large sums of money between one another. Betting that they would keep their resolve. The bank or a trusted neutral person were responsible to hold the money. As soon as one of the men broke their resolution they lost their money to the other.

Harvest End 1600: For a farm field to reap bountifully, it takes back breaking braun and brains. All year long skilled patient farming. Harvesting is a happy time even a festival or party rewards hard work. Clear fields pack and store with a view, next year to produce more.

September ended the summer where the women canned their best fruits, roots, and vegetables. Basements and pantries were stocked full. Long shelves and tables displayed a bounty brightly colored jars of canned goods a source of real pride. Fruits, herbs, nuts, were stored in the cider house to dry. A happy harvest end kept their family secure and well fed through the winter months.

A special time in many ways prospective couples cheerfully became engaged. Marriage for men young and old who wanted a wife now saw their way clear. The Young were around helping in every way to show their strength and good stock.

Harvest Moon: Autumnal Equinox 22-23 September. This big silver moon could light up like the setting sun, traditionally a good calendar night to propose marriage. The All-Hallows Eve festival 31 October will be celebrated the evening before Hallow-Mass or All-Hallows day 1 November. Eventually All-Hallows Eve Became Halloween.

Halloween: Large festival and parties were celebrated through out the villages. Bon fires gave light as the sun went down. People danced on straw laden ground betwix the barn and the old apple cider shed. Gost, Goblins, Witches and black cats were thought to be seen as the night grew on. Some guests believed they saw the wee-little-people, dragging of a cup of wiskey.

This Holiday Halloween was not celebrated in America until the 1850's but still celebrated with evil spirits of a different kind. Children dressed up as Ghosts, Goblins, and witches roamed to different homes shyly saying, " trick or treat " recieving candy or other gifts.

Americans were completely against the evil associated with Halloween. It should be just a day for the young and the young at heart to have fun, most ladies would say. Over a century halloween has been excepted as an American national holiday. A day for costumes and dress up parties for everyone.

Quick Costume: Any age any gender.

The Grim-Reaper:

Buy two flat twin bed size sheets, or regular sheets depending on your size. Buy heavy black rope or cord. If you cannot find black, paint with acrylic craft paint. This can be purchased at Michael's or any craft store. Make your own sicle out of several pieces of wire shaped and twisted together.

Assemble costume: Drape first sheet around body covering shoulders and arms in a semi-mummy fashion, allow room to walk. With long black rope tie around waist and allow to hang below knees. Take other sheet drape loosely over head and continue to drap around your neck. Pull the sheet loosely from forehead almost covering your face. Wear yellow-white make up on face with purple or black lipstick. Paint teeth black with lipstick. Wear sandals paint feet and hands same color as your face. Wear long false finger and toenails. If you can't find false toe nails, false fingernails will do. Paint finger and toenails black or white. This costume can be a winner depending on your creativity.