A Brief History of Halloween

Since ancient times the ending of summer and onset of the autumn has on a deep, archetypal level brought about thoughts of life and death.

Watching the harvest and the transition of the leaves of the trees in all their splendor and glory, to the stark, barren branches of winter, reminds us on a deep almost pre-conscious level of the cycles of life and therefore death.

Reminders of those we have loved and times we have enjoyed pushing their way into our consciousness.

This place in the cycle of life, this time between the plenty of the harvest and the drawing inward of winter as the light of the sun has already begun to fade from the sky, beckons with bittersweet memories. Often thoughts turn to those we have loved who are now dead.

This time in nature was believed by the ancient druids to thin the veil between life and death.

Ceremonies to contact the spirit world for guidance and divination were performed before bonfires meant to keep the people safe from the spirits of those who have passed over.

In various cultures, this time was seen as a time when contact could be made with the spirits of the dead. In Ireland and Spain, rituals developed to leave food for those who on this one night a year could walk between the worlds of life and death, spirit and matter.

This ancient tradition, in the Celtic culture called “Samhain” in Ireland spread throughout the Catholic world in the eighth century when Pope Gregory declared November 1 as All Saints Day. On the other hand, it also became known as the Day of the Dead in many cultures. The already established traditions of leaving food for the spirits and various acts of costumes and bonfires to protect one from the potential evils of wandering spirits became incorporated into a variety of cultures.

For some this time became a time to celebrate our continuity with loved ones we have lost to death. The richness of this tradition is best seen when Mexico, Spain and the Philippine’s celebrate with elaborate “Day of the Dead” rituals.

This day gives us the opportunity to carry our petitions to loved ones who have moved on and Saints whose intervention we seek, merged with our all too human fears of death and the world beyond.

Thus the blending of fear of the world of spirits and hope of help and guidance created the concept that this rare access to those who have gone before us into the mystery of death could result in good or ill; “trick or treat.”

Costumes to frighten the dead from us, bonfires to protect us, carved symbols of the recent harvest blazing forth with light all symbolize our desire to be protected and our fascination with the line between life and death.

Don’t worry, keep reading and I will share a short, simple meditation technique to help protect you energetically.

In more modern times, Halloween has become a favorite holiday and event.

In this more secular age, the petitioning of Saints has remained the purview of the Roman Catholic world, as Martin Luther and the widespread reformation eliminated the concept of the petitioning of Saints with a prayer from most Christian Denominations.

This ancient custom of Halloween October 31, and All Saints Day, also evolved a third time, All Souls Day. In all three of these celebrations is a focus on the issues with which all human beings must cope, those of life and death.

Mystics say that during this 3-day celebration the veil between the material world and the spiritual world is thinned.

Often Halloween focuses upon celebrating life within the shadow of inevitable death. Fear of death and fear of those who have died but reside as ghosts or restless spirits. This has transitioned into the wearing of costumes to scare away the spirits and help people face their fears about death.

The trick or treat tradition of giving candy to coax a spirit to not cause harm evolved from the Day of the Dead celebrations which involved leaving food and treats for loved ones who have passed from the world of the living into the spiritual realm.

On these three days, Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, I would like to offer some things for you to ponder and a meditation you can do to take advantage of this time of the thinning veils.

1.) First is the realization that Love is Eternal

On a deep preconscious level we know, not with our minds but deep in our hearts the truth of the words, love never ends.”
        ― Genevieve Gerard

2.) As promised, here is a simple meditation technique called the Wheel of Living Fire.

This is a short meditation and visualization you can use to conquer your fears at this time and to protect yourself energetically. Once you learn this meditation it can be placed around you within a second of thought and intention because you have already built (or constructed) the “thought form.”

Please note, whereas this energetic field serves as a purifying protection, your energy, your love, and your intention can move freely out from your heart into the world.

Namaste,

   Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!

P.S. Happy Halloween and a blessed All Saints and All Souls Day!

 

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  Cleansing Votex
  Use this to clear away the residuals of the negative energy of others and restore you to the peace and harmony of your centered self.

 

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