Halloween to most of us means candy, costumes and trick-or-treating. For New Yorkers, it means one of the biggest parades of the year. Hundreds of thousands of people congregate in Greenwich Village in elaborate costumes and millions come to watch. This year, I am going to participate with my friend and colleague Mama Donna in her Blessing Band. Our blessing band opens the parade and offers grounding and blessings to everyone in the parade, in NYC and in the planet. If you want to participate contact Donna Henes at cityshaman@aol.com 718-857-1343
Hallows or Hallomas started out as a festival to honor the Crone – the wise grandmother. Over the years it has been transformed into wicked old witches flying on broomsticks with black cats. Even the cauldron has changed meaning, as it represented the womb of the Goddess – a symbol of rebirth. The idea of going from door to door to ask for candy and sweets actually comes from a British custom of asking for money for the poor.
When the Christian Church took over the holiday, they renamed it Halloween (hallowed eve). The Celtic name is Samhain (summers end) and is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. Hallowed means holy and this is a sacred time for honoring the ancestors. For many cultures this is a time when the ancestors return to visit and communicate with the living. In Latin America, El Dia del los Muertos is celebrated at the cemetery. Families sweep the graves, bring food, create altars and celebrate their ancestors. In Ireland, people believe that the fairy people come out on this special night as the veil is lifted. Christians all over the world celebrate All Souls Day and All Saints Day (November 1st and 2nd)
In the true spirit of Halloween let us take some time to honor our ancestors and to share their gifts with our children. Make this Halloween a time to honor our elders. Send them a card, take them out to dinner or just say, “I love you”. Collect money, toys and food and give it to those who are less fortunate as we count our blessings.
Watch my video on the real meaning of Halloween by clicking the pic below.
The post The Real Meaning of Halloween appeared first on Barbara Biziou.