All Hallows' Eve
On 31st October, the eve of All Saints Day, the people of England celebrate
Hallowe'en, or All Hallows' (meaning hallowed or holy) Eve.
In ancient Britain this date was the pre-Christian eve of the New Year and
Celtic Harvest Festival, when the souls of the dead were thought to revisit
their homes to eat and drink. People left refreshments on the table and
unlocked their doors before retiring for the night, then bells were rung,
fires lit to guide the returning souls back to earth and animals were
brought in for the winter.
After Hallowe'en became a Christian festival, supernatural associations
continued to thrive. It was believed that witches were abroad and that it
was possible for certain people to perform magic and summon up spirits.
Torches (made from cabbage stalks and bundles of dried heather dipped in
grease) were carried and spells were chanted, in the hope that souls
condemned to purgatory (from Purgatory Field, Poulton & Purgatory Farm at
Weston, Lancashire) would find some relief.
Excerpt from full article at:
http://www.allinfoaboutenglishculture.com/halloween.html
Source:
©
Paula Bardell,
2000
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