It’s that time of year again when celebrating an event has a distinct meaning for different people. Some evangelical Christians have expressed concern that Halloween is somehow satanic because of its roots in pagan ritual, while for others, it’s a time of great fun. One thing is for sure, children across both spectrum look forward to the celebrations of Halloween.
Halloween is one of America’s favorite holiday, but what’s the real story behind the trick and treats?
Halloween evolved from Hallows’ Eve, which is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. Hallows’ Eve was celebrated on the eve of All Saints’ Day, which was a time to honor all saints and martyrs on November 1st. The tradition of dressing in costumes and trick-or-treating is associated with the practice of “mumming” and “guising,” in which people would disguise themselves and go door-to-door asking for food. Over time, Halloween has become commercialized and is now considered a secular, community-based event with child-friendly activities. It’s the time of year when little ghosts and goblins take to the streets, asking for candy and scaring one another silly.
Halloween has always been a holiday filled with mystery, magic, and superstition. But as the holiday became more widespread, it also became more commercialized and the true meaning of trick-or-treat got lost in the shuffle. Dressing up as ghosts or witches have become fashionable and the selection of disguises for kids and adults is now vast and have expanded beyond monsters to include everything from superheroes to princesses to politicians.
Celebrating Halloween is a preference and, for most people, is not viewed as participating in an evil holiday nor is it celebrated with any reference to pagan rituals or the occult.
Today, parents are using this time to teach their kids about moderation and the role of candy in a healthy, balanced lifestyle. In 2014 the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET)♦ launched a nation-wide campaign called the Teal Pumpkin Project, to help prevent kids with food allergies from being left out of the Halloween fun. The project aims to help create awareness so that all children may experience the joy and tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween and ensure that every child will go home with something they can enjoy on Halloween night.
“Haunt an old house.
Ask for a treat.
Laugh like a witch.
Lick something sweet.
Offer a trick.
Wander a maze.
Echo a boo.
Exclaim the phrase—
Normal’s unnatural on Halloween!”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!
To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Promoting inner health & outer beauty!
Helping you thrive, not just survive!!
PS. Inner Health & Outer Beauty Store: Health & Wellness with Althea♦
PPS. Did You Find This Helpful? If so, please feel free to share!! Leave a comment or contact me at althea@altheamcleish.com.
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