Halloween

Halloween was originally a Pagan party. When Christianity came along, the Powers That Were thought the best way to convert the Pagans was to assign saints to all the Pagan festivals. The one that happened on the 31st of October was a biggie, involving the thinning of the "veil" between this world and the other, and, consequently, the possible passage of spirits and other creatures of the Otherworld into this one. So, the early Church made November 1st All Hallow's (Saints) Day, which made the night before, All Hallow's E'en. Is this starting to sound familiar?

Dressing up in a costume hid you from the "goblins and ghoulies," and dressing up in a creepy one just might scare them off.

Creatures of the Otherworld were well known as tricksters and mischevious practical jokers that could be appeased with treats. Folklore is rife with stories such as the one about the cobbler and the elves, in which the cobbler has to leave cream out for the little guys. When he did, the elves filled all his shoe orders. When he forgot, they tore up his workshop. So, as long as we are pretending to be goblins and ghosts, we might as well act like them, right? A little sugar extortion episode once a year is allowed, isn't it?

Where I grew up, Halloween weather was frequently inclement. Parties were quite popular, as a way to minimize the pneumonia factor. We actually did bob for apples (breaking the ice on the water tub to do so), and eat caramel apples and popcorn balls. Mom would let her hair down, and creep about in candlelight, cackling gleefully. Spookiness abounded.

My grandson likes me to tell him ghost stories. I'd better go and brush up, because he'll be expecting one tomorrow. Maybe he will remember, and someday tell someone, "My grandmother used to tell me ghost stories at Halloween." And maybe he'll have someone who will listen to his.