Happy Halloween

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Happy Halloween

Leaves have fallen from the trees, a cool autumn breeze is in the air, pumpkins,
candy and ghosts abound – these are all sure signs that Halloween is near.
This October 31st holiday began over 2000 years ago in what is now Ireland and
Europe. It grew out of a Celtic celebration called Samhain (pronounced sow-en). This
pagan holiday combined the Celt’s harvest and New Year festivals. Time, order and
structure were abolished, and chaos was encouraged to reign d uring the three-day
festival.
The day before Samhain was considered the last day of summer (or of the old year)
and the day after Samhain was the first day of winter (or of the new year). It was
associated with the seasonal cycles of life and death as the last crops were
harvested and livestock were brought in for winter or for slaughter.
Being between seasons or years, Samhain was considered a magical and fearful
time. The barrier between the worlds of the liv ing and dead broke and spirits walked
on the Earth. People tried to make contact with friendly spirits of the dead, who were
often seen as sources of guidance. Many people wore masks made of animal heads
and skins to frighten off evil spirits. It was thought that the spirits of the dead required
food and drink. So, during the festival people would leave various articles of food
outside to appease the spirits. The sprits would go door-to-door demanding the best
food and wine. If none were given, a hungry and possibly irritated spirit might enter
the house and cause trouble for the home
At Samhain, our Pagan ancestors believed the souls of our dead came into our world
- and were appeased by offerings of food and drink. It's believed that trick or treating
evolved from a ritual where people dressed as ghosts and demons, performed
dances around a bonfire and received treats to appease the evil spirits.

In Scotland and other parts of Britain and Ireland, the tradition of guising, going
house to house at Halloween and putting on a small performance to be rewarded
with food or treats, goes back at least as far as the 16th century, as does the tradition
of people wearing costumes at Halloween.

The Jack-O’-Lantern is said to have come from this age-old practice of carrying home
embers in hollowed-out turnips. In an Irish folk tale, a man named Jack once
escaped the devil with a turnip lantern. When the Irish came to America, Jack’s turnip
was exchanged for the more easily carved pumpkin.
Christians tried to replace the pagan festival with a church-approved h oliday.
November 1st was designated All Saints’ Day to honor saints and martyrs, and
November 2nd became All Soul’s Day, a day to remember the departed and to pray
for their souls.
Together, All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day were called Hallowmas.
The night before, came to be called All-hallows Evening. After some time, t he name
was shortened to “Halloween.”

O halloween tem suas origens de um festival celta pré-cristão, chamado Samhain,


que marcava o fim do verão ou o fim da colheita.

BIG BUSINESS
 Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte

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