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Pumpkins
Posted on 2024-04-25
Halloween History
October 31st is nearly here, and soon the streets will be filled with children eager to get their share of the free-flowing candy and other prizes handed out across the country. Year after year, trick-or-treaters dress up and take pail in hand to walk from house to house demanding a treat from those who answer the door. But have you ever wondered where this and other traditions began?
Halloween evolved from ancient Celtic festivals, such as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the dawn of winter. Celts were no longer spending long days in the pastures, and so they gathered in their homes to tell stories and wait out the winter. As Christianity spread, Halloween became intertwined with a feast day dedicated to the saints and deceased loved ones. “All Hallows Eve,” eventually got shortened to “Hallowe'en,” and then Halloween.
Though certain parts of Halloween history are common knowledge, there are interesting facts about this holiday that are less widely known. Halloween customs are actually a blend of Celtic, Catholic, and ancient Roman traditions. It is thought that the earliest celebrations date back to roughly 800 to 600 BC, with observances of the harvest season and nature before the arrival of winter. The Celtic festival of Samhain was a major influence on modern day Halloween.
On October 31, Celts thought the door to the underworld was opened and could let out spirits. Feasts were held and place-settings were left for deceased relatives, to return home for a visit. In addition to friendly spirits, mean spirits also could cross over and bonfires were lit to ward off these spirits. Extra candles would also be used in homes and churches to keep evil away.
The custom of wearing costumes also has its roots in keeping evil spirits at bay. Costumes and masks were worn to confuse bad spirits and frighten them so that they could not bring misfortune to their village. People wore masks and ventured out after dark so that envious ghosts who were cold would not recognize them as residents of warm and inviting homes.
Even trick-or-treating may have blended origins. Druids believed the dead would play tricks on mankind during Samhain, causing destruction and panic. To appease the spirits, people would give the dead food and other treats.
The early Christian custom called “souling” can be linked to Halloween as well. It was a day when they would go door-to-door begging for soul cakes, which were square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes a person received, the more prayers he or she would promise for the dead relatives of the cake donors.
Ireland is believed by many to be the birthplace of the jack-o'-lantern. The first jack-o'-lanterns were made from turnips and beets and were supposedly carried by those walking at night to frighten away evil spirits. It wasn't until Halloween was brought to North America that pumpkins were used for creating the jack-o'-lantern. Pumpkins are now carved and displayed as Halloween decorations.
Originally published in The Times Dispatch, October, 2015
by Vivian Heyl 1950-2024
Vivian Running Sound At Blues Fest
Vivian was editor at Delta Boogie since we started the site in 1996. She wrote almost all of our Delta Musicians section, the most popular area on Delta Boogie. She also wrote anything else on Delta Boogie that doesn't have a byline.
She also worked for the Times Dispatch in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, where she contributed many features and some reporting. Her work at the Times Dispatch regularly won awards from the Arkansas Press Association.
Writing was her passion. She wrote for her whole life. Much of it we still have in computer files. I am posting her work here as I find it.
by Larry Heyl
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Gretchen says:
Today we celebrate Vivian Heyl. Mom, Grandma, Viv. Whatever name you knew her by, I'm sure at some point in time she used her gift of nurturing on you. She was indeed a nurturer - of the mind, body and spirit. Her words of encouragement could only be outdone by her quick wit and, when needed, sharp tongue. She loved unconditionally, but she had no problem calling you on your crap. She welcomed ALL to her family - and about the only thing that would get you unwelcome was making someone else feel that way. Today we celebrate the life she lived, the example she set and the love she shared.
Many have asked what they can do for the family or in memory of Mom - I offer these suggestions:
Play a game with your family. There is nothing that would be a better gift than to share joy with your family and in memory of Mom.
Read a book (it can have pictures). Mom loved to go on adventures in books and she led us kids down the same path.
Encourage a kid (preferably one who no else even seems to notice). I promise that is the one Mom would spot first and immediately bring into the fold.
We would also love to hear your stories about Mom. We would love anyone who would like to share stories or memories to do so in the comment thread. Maybe you have a story where you realized, possibly even years later, that you had been molded by a momma's love in the form of Vivian Heyl.
If you would like to make a memorial gift, please consider the children and youth fund at Brookland UMC or the friends of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, the Lawrence County Library or your local library.
Lastly, just keep loving us! We are sad, but we are blessed.
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Words and Comments
Delta Boogie Newsletter/Gamer+ News - May 2024 - This One's For Vivian
https://gamerplus.org/@hairylarry/pages/1714661546292
My wife Vivian was the editor of Delta Boogie and a regular contributor to Gamer+. She helped me with everything I did including Blues Fest for 25 years, The Bandshell Project, Jonesboro Computer Services, The Jonesboro User Group, and so much more. I don't know what I'll do without her.
On April 18, 2024, Vivian passed on.
She was a writer all her life and I am collecting her writings here.
https://deltaboogie.net/words
She worked at The Times Dispatch in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, for years. Her features regularly won Awards from the Arkansas Press Association.
She wrote almost all of Delta Musicians, the most popular section on Delta Boogie, where she provided Delta Bluesmen with a place on the internet back in the nineties. She also wrote all of the articles on Delta Boogie that do not have a byline.
She played and ran fantasy RPGs with dice and miniatures at ASU Beebe in the early seventies before D&D was published.
We home schooled our children and she saw their love of D&D as an educational opportunity for reading, writing, history, the arts, and, of course, math.
She loved music and games and she raised a family of musicians and gamers.
We have five children and seven grandchildren. I had two boys before we married and she loved them like her own.
She saved my life and she gave me a good life. I love her still and always.
For her, I thank you all, for your continued support of Delta Boogie, Gamer+, Delta music, NEA gaming and whatever else it is that you do to make the world a little bit better.
Please take a minute and say a prayer.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry
https://gamerplus.org/@hairylarry
hairylarry@deltaboogie.com
Comment thread here.