Spooks and Screams for Halloween!

For your reading pleasure and education, I shall tell you a historical tale about the origins of Halloween and I shall give you a poem. Learning is probably the best thing in the world. It is never ending and it is changeable.


When the Christians were trying to convert pagans, they decided to incorporate pagan festivals into Christianity. One of these festivals was Samhain (pronounced sow-in) which was a celebration of the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

It was said to be the time when the veil between worlds was thinnest and spirits could roam.

Bonfires were important to revitalize the earth. Some bonfires would be low enough that people could jump over them and, in some cases, two bonfires were made so that cattle could be herded between them.

I included this picture of Stonehenge because the stone circles are speculated to have been relevant to the solstices and possibly other celebrations. So much mystery surrounds these circles that who can say whether or not they were important parts of the past.

It became known as "All Hallows Eve" (Since Nov. 1 was All Saints Day) and then Halloween.

***

Shadows dance upon the wall,

like they’re at a fancy ball,

lightning flashes across the sky

thunder rumbles, the time is nigh.

The clouds must break and from them must fall

a rain droplet carnival.

What better friend to wind than rain

and without them both it’s not the same.

They are invited to the party too,

guess who’s next, I dare you to -

Although the moon cannot be seen

and from the clouds she can’t be gleaned,

she is invited, the stars as well

and some more straight from hell.

Ghosts and goblins, monsters plenty

all can come to Pandemonium City