Once upon a time not that long ago, the end of October brought celebrations of gratitude, reverence and honoring: the harvest was in, plants and planets that sustained life were thanked, and people readied themselves for the coming darkness and quiet of winter while acknowledging the dead and their part in the natural order of things.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Now this time of year in the US means more plastic junk, too much sugar, ghoulish décor and wacky outfits.
How Did We Get Here?
What began as a ceremonial, earth-based, spiritual time with bonfires, harvest foods, and communing with the dead, has become a ghoulish, commercialized observance.
Here’s what happened (in a very simplified form):
Ancient Celts celebrated the end of summer, the harvest, and the threshold between light (summer) and dark (winter) with their Samhain fire festival. Happening over 3 days - October 31st–Nov 2nd – spirits of the dead were believed to be more visible and approachable during this liminal time.
Catholic popes attempted to “Christianize” Samhain. This was done in an attempt to spread their religion and wipe out pagan traditions. Nov. 1st became All Saints Day, aka All Hallows Day, making October 31st All Hallows Eve. Nov. 2nd became All Souls Day. Note that the word pagan comes from the Latin ‘paganus’ which means villager or rustic, ie. a country dweller. The Church moved the meaning to heathen.
Romans had their own fall festival which included honoring Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees. There’s where our bobbing for apples at Halloween parties came from!
Irish immigrants in mid-19th century left the potato famine to come to the US, bringing many of the familiar Halloween traditions that we see today, including Jack-o-lanterns. The early carvings, however, were out of beets, turnips and potatoes.
From Bonfires to Billions
Trick or Treating was popularized in the States in the 1950’s, beginning the rise to the celebration’s big revenue producer that it is today: More than 179 million people celebrate Halloween in the US, spending $10.6 BILLION. Yes, billion with a B.
Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash
What Happened to Remembering the Dead?
By disrespecting our dead and death itself with our Halloween traditions, we have fueled our fear of death. With the dead portrayed as gruesome, gory monsters and zombies, who wouldn't be scared of talking about death and dying?
In her wonderful book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May states it perfectly:
“Our contemporary celebrations forget the dead altogether…We are, after all, a society that has done all it can to erase death…the idea that we might be intimate with death is now some kind of a gothic joke. Today’s Halloween simply reflects what we secretly think – that death is a surrender to decay that makes us monsters.”
Who Wouldn’t Be Afraid of Death?
I feel that in disrespecting our dead - and death itself - with our Halloween traditions, has fueled our fear of death. With the dead portrayed as gruesome, gory monsters and zombies, who wouldn’t be scared of talking about death and dying?
Photo © Heather Michet
Mexico Saves the Day
Thankfully, one culture’s practice of celebrating and honoring the dead is thriving: Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos. It is colorful, respectful, bright and meaning-filled, taking place on November 1st and 2nd.
I love this holiday!
Photo © Heather Michet
The best way to learn more about this festival is to attend a celebration in your community.
If that’s not an option, watch the film Coco, one of my absolute favorite movies. The story portrays the practices and meaning of this holiday beautifully.
You can also read about the rituals I include at this time of year here.
You Can Be a Meaning Maker
Talk with your children, grandchildren and other adults about the true meaning behind Halloween.
It will make a difference in their lives and in our world.
Heather Michet is an impassioned healing artist, educator and Ceremonial Songstress who weaves lyrical, a cappella vocals throughout a wide array of ceremonies in a myriad of settings. From weddings in the woods, graveside memorials, and ashes scatterings at the shore, her Celtic style voice embraces the heart and stirs the spirit of all who gather honoring life events. You can connect with Heather and her work in any (or all!) of these ways:
Learn about her wellness tools (including Fresh Air Fare) and services rooted in nature at Iris Healing Arts
Listen to her music on YouTube
Read about her Ceremonial Songstress work at Purple Crow Sings
Facebook – Heather Facebook – Purple Crow Sings Facebook – Iris Healing Arts
Instagram - @heathermichet
