General Chat

am I alone ?

Good morning Mel,

does nothing for me !

mornin Chris ~ I think that people don't really understand it ~ they do alsorts "for the kids" but none of em have took to time to think of the truth that lies beneath

Not alone although I don't hate it just can't be bothered with it

I like it

flies off on broomstick then >>>>

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠaunʲ]; from the Old Irish samain)

The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year" Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.


The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to 1st November. In the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Liturgically, the Church traditionally celebrated that day as the Vigil of All Saints, and, until 1970, a day of fasting as well. Like other vigils, it was celebrated on the previous day if it fell on a Sunday, although secular celebrations of the holiday remained on the 31st. The Vigil was suppressed in 1955, but was later restored in the post-Vatican II calendar.

I wonder how many have sat their children down and told them that !!!!!!!!!?

Probably in them days loads..
But that is the reason behind halloween.

I have never really bothered with Halloween, but I know lots of families do have fun that evening and we always make sure we have some sweets for the few trick or treaters that will call later on.

As they know me from working at the school I can hardly be horrible to them can I? LOL

Well love it or hate it...it certainly seems to have gained momentum in the UK in the last few years. I dont remember hearing much about it growing up but this past few weeks supermarkets and other shops have ranged a wide range of confectionery and fancy dress outfits themed around Halloween. Mind you Guy Fawkes Day seems to be dwindling but looking at the price of fireworks thats hardly surprising

The problem today like everything else its become more "americanised" round here everyone is trying to outdo everyone else with decorations, treats and costumes

I work at the local school also and I NEVER give treats I put up a poster saying if 'anyone knocks my door tonight they will find theirselves in detention on monday' ~ Works for me!

Are you a teacher then Mel?

no scary ~ Im a Teaching Assistant for SEN ~ are you Kitty?

Me too..................I can't give detentions, so wondered how you could:)

Mind you, we don't have detentions in our junior school.

I work in a high school Kitty ~ I very rarely give detentions

Its become a big marketing plo hasnt it. We used to dress up but with homemade outfits and had just as much fun! I'm busy making things for our village Halloween party tomorrow. We have an entertainer who frightened the kids silly last year but apparently they are all coming back. Forget its history just have fun!

I don't hate Halloween..........but I do find the commercial side of it rather galling these days.

It could be argued ,regarding "trick or treat " that it started off as an English tradition ( Mischief Night ) that crossed "the pond" and re-appeared here in it's present form.

Love it or loath it , Halloween isn't going to go away , it's been being celebrated in one form or another for over 2000 years.Christianity couldn't put a stop to it.........a lot of the old Pagen ways still survive today ( hidden under the guise of Christian festivals).

Watch out for the Bogie men and witches tonight......lol

I did notice that the supermarkets and shops are being left with a lot of Halloween stock so maybe people are not buying it this year.

Ann
Glos

I hope not Ann arf the kids round ere ar scary enuff without all that expensive junk

I reckon" Mel" has got the Hump,Because she,s been "Grounded" and is not allowed to fly on her" GT Broomstick". Never mind Mel, you can always fly on mine as I pass through tonight.**M**.:o))))>.pmsl.xx.