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Show BULK Page 8 TtP TMMtCS October 31. 1975 mm through the skies on their broomsticks, for the idea that there were women who had sold themselves to the Devil was prevalent among the Druids. On Halloween, these witches were said to dance on the hilltops with goblins and imps, while the Devil himself played the bagpipes or castanets made from dead men's bones. . This was the night of the full yellow moon, when black cats, bats, elves, and fairies were abroad. Frustrated ghosts were supposed to play tricks on human beings and to cause supernatural happenings. A. alloween, meaning "hol or halloaed evening." comes on Oct. 31. It was so named because il was the evening before All Hallows or All Saints" Day . on No After the spread of Christianity, a chapel was consecrated in the Seventh Century at St. Peters in Rome to honor all saints (both known and unknown) on All . I Da. However, the rites on the preceding evening, now a Christian observance, really stem from an eary pagan festival. U was cmy rvaUiTa vhal some of ihc Saints heathen customs became attached to the Halloween celebration. The Celts who occupied north ern and western Europe (France and the British Isles) had Drui-disas their religion. These priests noted two important feasts Beltane or the Rite of Spring 1, and the of Spring on Ma autumn festival. Samhain, on the last day of October. Coming after the harvests had been gathered, this holiday meant the end of summer and the beginning of m winter. Their new year began on Nov. I; thus Halloween was their New Year's Eve. Druid priests were nature worshippers, and performed mystic ceremonies to the sun god at such places as a circle near Chartres. France, and at Stonehenge in England. supernatural element was part of the autumn festival, for the Druids tried to placate the Lord of Death. It was believed that he allowed the spirits of those who had died during the past twelve months to return to their homes that evening. One of the important rites in connection with the ancient observance of Halloween was the lighting of great bonfires on hilltops to honor the sun god and to frighten away those evil spirits who had been released on lhal A the people celebrated that night around the massive bonfires, they talked of mysterious sights or weird sounds they had encountered no doubt, the forerunner of our custom of relating ghost stories on Halloween. Our modern Halloween also has some elements that originated in the ancient Roman feast hons oring Pomona, goddess of fruits. After the Romans had conquered Britain, some of their customs were added to those of the Druids. Since the Roman festival also occurred after harvest, todav at Halloween we feature fruit centerpieces, apples, and nuts. Apples are bobbed in tubs of water and cider is a popular drink that day. When settlers First arrived in the New World, no notice was taken of Halloween. But after many Gaelic immigrants came, they brought old customs with them, such ;as building bonfires and meeting at homes for harvest suppers.- - American pumpkins were found to be excellent for making and soon became a popular Halloween symbol. It is said that this idea originated because a stingy Irishman, named Jack, loved to play pranks on the Devil. Therefore, he was condemned to wander around the world, going neither to heaven or hell, carrying a lantern to light him on his wav. Jack-o'-lantern- oday when children wear chost costumes, false faces. or witches' hats, carry pumpkin lanterns, and use black cats, bats, witches, corn candles, etc., as decorations at their Halloween parties, they are following some very ancient customs. Our Halloween, a time of fun and gaiety here in the United States, is really a combination of Druid practices and classic and other religious beliefs. Its long history as a time of merriment continues in today's celebrations as well. INTERNATIONAL wom i:n s y i: A R special night. This was the time, too. when it was believed that witches rode 1975 cnnnn r200 oo IW MARTIN BROS. (O) QUICK! MINUTE SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE Comploto Car Chassis Lubo 5 Qts. of Quaker State Oil $f s, From Oil Filter Free Vacuum, Windows Washed frfl Chassis 1 Inspection -, - ..... ,i i i j- - in ii il riiT'aii'fiiirriwPWT THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS! |