Halloween
our link to the past
By Pat Regan
The actual festival of Halloween was originally called 'SAMHAIN,' which comes
from the Gaelic/Celtic meaning for ‘November’ and ‘Summer’s end’.
The original Celtic settlers arrived here in around 600 BC, fetching with them
their own 'Nature Based' polytheistic form of spiritual belief systems. SAMHAIN
marked the beginning of the long cold winter, a time when the cattle had to be
herded into sheltered quarters as a defensive measure against expected harsh
snow-fall, frost, and blizzard. It was also a cheerless period for numerous
Celts, as the winter’s chill could always prove too much for many elderly, sick,
or loved ones badly injured in battle.
Samhain, because of its association with the 'Dark Half' of the year, was then
regarded as the "Festival of the Dead," and a time when the barrier betwixt the
living and their beloved ancestors was at the thinnest degree. This had nothing
to do with evil of any kind. Such ridiculous notions were only promoted later on
by the intolerant Church in order to win the populace ‘away’ from its
indigenous, heathen spiritual ethos. Today's Halloween party games i.e.: Trick
or treat, Apple-bobbing etc. all stem from ancient Celtic customs/traditions.
Samhain, although often an extremely solemn affair to the Elders, was in
addition a last chance for the younger hearts in the clan to ‘let off steam’
before the cold blanket of winter settled in. For many years Christianity and
Paganism coexisted quite well. Then’ in the year 601 AD, 'Pope Gregory'
instructed his missionary St Augustine to: ‘Destroy all Pagan Idols and cleanse
the native temples’ in order to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity).
The Iron-fist of 'Monotheistic - Absolutism' was to open up the floodgates of
Cultural Spiritual Terrorism for the unsuspecting Pagan folk of these green
Isles. Many Pre-Christian festivals had by this time been hijacked by the
new-fangled ‘One – God’ religion from the East. Nevertheless, Samhain with its
inexplicable blend of reflection, sadness, magic and joy proved the hardest nut
for the obsessive missionaries to crack. The Celtic 'Horned God’ Cernunnos,
Herne, or Belatucadros (to mention but a few of his titles), is a deity
representing the vital masculine fertilising aspects inherent in nature. The
Greek Pan and Roman Faunus also fill similar 'Horned God' roles.
The Pagan Celts did not believe in the Christian conception of evil (Satan),
however in order to denigrate the old native religions the Christian Church
invented the destructive myth that indigenous horned deities, like the above,
were all different faces of the 'Devil'. Intolerant absolutist moralisers are
‘still’ to this day using this preposterous Christian falsehood; deviously
linking our rich Pagan birthright with ecclesiastically -perceived evil.
Halloween then is essentially an ancient celebration of love for life, our
mysterious affiliation with the earth and intimate respect for the dearly
departed. No amount of modern pious, anti-Halloween based, propaganda from
sanctimonious religious activists will ever change that!
Pat Regan
Local Southport Pagan Author
Latest work - The New Pagan Handbook (Lear
Publishers)
Nevertheless, journalists etc who prefer
the usual biased anti-Halloween rubbish, rather than truth, may like to consider
the following – ho ho ho …
‘CATS KILL SATANISTS AT HALLOWEEN’
Locals Barricade Their Doors in Fear
http://www.saff.ukhq.co.uk/catkillssatanist.htm
Do you know what 'your' pussy is up to tonight?