Sunday, October 31, 2021

"Halloween": The Faithful Departed



Just as Christmas was taken over by 'Santa Claus' and his 'elves', "Halloween" has been co-opted by 'witches' and 'ghouls' on October 31, the eve of  'All Hallows' Day', originally dedicated to remembering 'the faithful departed':


Halloween activities include 'trick-or-treating', 'guising'...


...attending costume parties, carving pumpkins into 'jack-o'-lanterns'...


...lighting bonfires, apple bobbing...


...divination games, playing pranks...


...visiting haunted attractions and watching horror films.


The word 'trick' implies a threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property...


...if no treat is given...


....said to have roots in the medieval practices of actors 'mumming' through the streets...


...as well as the practice of 'souling'.


In souling a small round cake was traditionally made for All Hallows' Eve. 


The cakes, often referred to as 'souls'...


...were handed out out to 'soulers', including children and the poor...


...who went from door to door during the days of Allhallowtide...


...singing prayers for the souls of the givers and their friends.


In North America, some churches, during Halloween...


...invite people to receive sweets from them...


...offering to pray for the souls of their friends...


...relatives and pets...


Click the images to enlarge...