By Carol Tannenhauser
According to the Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the areas that are now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, the night before their new year on November 1st was a night when the boundary between the realms of the living and the dead blurred, and ghosts could sneak through and cause all kinds of trouble, including destroying crops. People wore masks and costumes to scare them away.
The moral is, keep your eyes and ears open on the night of the 31st, wear a costume, and watch your crops.
This story was based on information gleaned from History.com, which offers an overview of Halloween and its traditions.
And the Jack O’Lantern – faces once carved in turnips, gourds, and even beets, were used to scare malicious spirits away on Samhain – considered the start of the New Year.
As part of the ancient Celtic traditions, Jack O’Lanterns were used to fend of evil and protect the home.
I treasure my Celtic heritage. 😉
Well written again
Halloween is a fun holiday.
All enjoy Ghouls and Gowls which may haunt old neighborhoods of the upper West Side.
Booo
Freudenberg Arts Foundation