Quote:
Originally Posted by mithrandir
Halloween predates the USA. They just turned it into a sales opportunity.
Quote:
Halloween has origins in the ancient festival known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in or sau-an), which may be derived from Old Irish and may mean roughly "summer's end", but see also Samhain. This was a Gaelic festival celebrated mainly in Ireland and Scotland. However, similar festivals were held by other Celts - for example the festival of Calan Gaeaf (pronounced kalan-geyf) which may similarly have been held by the ancient Britons.
The festival of Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year".
And:
A time of pagan festivities, Popes Gregory III (731-741) and Gregory IV (827-844) tried to supplant [Halloween] with the Christian holiday (All Saints' Day) by moving [All Saint's Day] from May 13 to November 1.
|
Yeah, you are absolutely right.
That is exactly why I said "
In OUR southern hemisphere, we should out and celebrating the coming of summer, where the winter chills are forgotten, and we can all be out in the open air, enjoying our skies and country."
However, my grip is that the Americans who have wantonly commercialised it! We never celebrated Halloween in Australia because we are not going to the darkside, nor do we need "stand between the candle and the flame". We are really rapidly approach the light!
In the southern hemisphere, we should be dancing 'round the maypole, not celebrating the misery of the coming of winter. Really dressing up in black as if we are ready for a funeral, when the world around me is buzzing with life and energy.
We should join with colourful Flora, and NOT with those bloodsucking Vampires !
Forget Halloween. let's do something else and something original, like those Irish and Celts, but do it the Australian Way and not copycat others.
As for the Celts…. I think I'll celebrate playing some music by Enya or Clannad the rest of the day!!
Note: You remind me of the beautiful Enya song "Once You Had Gold". The lyrics in the second chorus is;
"Now you can see
Spring becomes autumn,
Leaves become gold
Falling from view.
Ever and always.
Always and ever.
No-one can promise a dream come true,
Time gave both darkness and dreams to You."
TisMO. Cheers!
(i still need a Bex!!
)