A TRILOGY OF EVENTS: HALLOWEEN, ALL SAINTS DAY & ALL SOULS DAY (DIA DEL MUERTOS)
Contributed by Cheryl Watts
Many may think Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, is all about candy, carving pumpkins, costumes, ghosts, and ghouls. But there is, in fact, religious relevance. Halloween is part of a trilogy of celebrations.
Halloween has its origins in an ancient 3-day pagan festival, Samhain (SAH win) – meaning “summer’s end”, celebrated by Celtic people over 2000 years ago. The Celts believed Samhain was a time when the barriers between worlds were breachable, so they dressed as animals or monsters to avoid kidnapping to other worlds by faeries. Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought Samhain to the USA in the 1800s.
In the Catholic and many Christian religions, November 1 is All Saints Day or All Hallows’ Day. November 2nd is All Souls Day. October 31st, the evening before All Saints Day is a holy, or hallowed evening. The word Halloween is derived from “All Hallows” Eve, the day before All Hallows’ Day. Together, All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day make up All Hallowtide. For many people around the world, Halloween, and the days after mark a celebration of saints and a time to honor, pay respects, and pray for the dead.
In the Mexican culture, Dia de los Muertos (Translated Day of the Dead) is the comparable period to All Hallowtide from October 31st through November 2nd. These days are set aside for remembering the dearly and perhaps not so dearly departed, by visiting graves, bringing flowers, and spending time with family in prayer, merriment, and reminiscing. Dia de los Muerto welcomes the dead back to earth for an annual visit, even while mocking death itself.
As the end of October approaches, visions of masquerade parties, and costumes may fill our heads. Northerners look forward to leaf peeping drives in search of the changing autumn colors. Even the leaves masquerade, as they change colors and die off. Along the path, quaint towns call out, “Stop by and see how we have dressed up our town in the Spirit of Halloween!” Aficionados of Halloween can’t wait for their alter-egos to come forward with costumes and images of saints and sinners.