Monday, October 31, 2011

Thoughts from Cathy Halloween FUN!!!

Annas's Legacy     www.annaslegacy.com


Halloween is thought to have been heavily influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints' Day (also known as Hallowmas, All Hallows, and Hallowtide) and All Souls' Day. Falling on November 1st and 2nd respectively, collectively they were a time for honoring the Saints and praying for the recently departed who had yet to reach heaven. By the end of the 12th century they had become days of holy obligation across Europe and involved such traditions as ringing bells for the souls in purgatory and "souling", the custom of baking bread or soul cakes for "all crysten [ christened ] souls". It was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints Day, and All Hallow's Eve provided one last chance for the dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving onto the next world. To avoid being recognized by a soul, Christians would wear masques and costumes to disguise themselves, following the lighted candles set by others to guide their travel to  follow for worship the next day. Today, this practice has been perpetuated through trick-or-treating.

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