| |
| |
|
Spirituality Information |
|
|
|
Halloween Rites
For some of us, EVERY DAY IS HALLOWEEN!!! If you want to be unusual dress up as a nurse, secretary, grocery clerk or bank teller this year. Gypsy, vampires and shaman wanna-bes are everywhere already! Or you could get all Martha Stewart about it and practice the following festive rites, which find their origins in the British Isles and Europe for that "authentic" Halloween experience. The first thing you might want to do is convince your church pastor to ring the church bell all night to ward off evil spirits as was the custom in 4th century England. If you're feeling particularly ambitious you could also dig up your dead loved ones and dress them up in long robes as was the custom in 2nd century Naples. The cadavers would be placed in niches in stone church walls ready to be visited by their relatives who of course were not appalled at all to see their familiar faces. The second thing you want to do is build a big bonfire built from barrels full of tar and dance around it with wild abandon. I guess the 21st century equivalent would be to gather with the other townsfolk around the local "tire fire." It was also the custom back then to gather every stick of spare wood you could find and throw it on the fire, despite the fact that winter was coming. The key word associated with Halloween back then was "foolhardy." In Britain, in the 4th century, people would also visit the graves of their kinfolk and throw holy water or milk on the graves to "feed the dead." This custom later mutated into the practice of giving children or the poor money or a baked good called a "soul cake" in exchange for prayers for the souls of the dearly departed who were often thought to be stuck in purgatory. The ancient recipe for soul cakes is not unlike shortbread, so if you want to be authentic, give the little visitors some shortbread at the door. Watch them scream and run away, however as you bend over and gently ask them to pray for the soul of your dead uncle who is burning in the flames of hell!!! In England in the 16th century, Halloween was also known as the "Night of Shaming" in which people dressed up as a mock government or court and allowed powerful figures, such as the mayor, or the Sherriff and sometimes the local wife-beater to be humiliated verbally or physically. So its a good night to perform an intervention, have the boss over to dinner or practice some kind of S & M that takes the most arrogant person down a notch. At the end of these rituals it was customary to throw the offending authoritarian into a body of water to cleanse them, so Halloween is the perfect night for a pool party. By the way, the traditional Halloween supper to serve that night would be either something called "champ" (mashed potatoes with milk butter and leeks) or "colcannon" (mashed potatoes with cabbage.) It was also customary to read the leaves of the cooked cabbage or apple peelings to see if the first initial of a future husband or wife could be revealed. Sometimes rings or coins would be hidden in the mashed potatoes, possibly causing an uncomfortable trip to the barber later to have a cracked tooth pulled. Fire and torches are also burned on Halloween to drive the demons and devils out, but if you want to be truly authentic, put your candle inside a hollow turnip. If you really want to be fashionable about it, carry this turnip with you door to door while bumming subway fare. Also recite, as the poor did back in Cheshire England "My clothes are very ragged/My shoes are very thin/I've got a little pocket/ To put three pence in/ And I'll never come a souling/ Until another year". Another way to connect with your ancestors would be to take your turnip lanterns at the hour of midnight and run all over the hills (the highway meridians) yelling "Spirits and demons Begone!". A holiday very much associated with love and death, Halloween is also an important night to do divinations or portend omens. Want to dream of your future husband? Try placing a sprig of rosemary or a sixpence under your pillow that night. Worried about your health? Crack an egg into a glass of water. If the shape of shroud forms in the water, start shopping for a plot in a nice cemetery. (Ed. Note: or ask Samantha how to change your destiny via an email reading. J) Wondering if that lover of yours is faithful? Throw a couple of nuts into the fire. If the two nuts stay together in the flames, he is faithful. If they fly apart, so will the two of you. Also if you want to be truly traditional, you can put away the broom and mop on Halloween. People in Ireland did not throw water or sweep the floor that night for fear of offending the imps and fairies. In fact, it is a very good night to lie on the couch and watch horror movies. If you really want to keep bad spirits away, turn on the television. Demons and spirits hate it. It is one way to keep bad energy away. Have fun this Halloween, and don't do anything I wouldn't do! Samantha Steven's articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. If you wish to buy Samantha's books about metaphysics click here http://www.insomniacpress.com/author.php?id=110 You can meet Samantha Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Spirituality - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Bellyful of Mindfulness Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad campaign focusing on the slogan, "Get full." The commercials show people ecstatically announcing that they are full--thanks, of course, to the huge value meals now available at Taco Bell. Heaven Bound: Win The Race! Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."Nothing is out of reach when you put your heart into it. Choosing Our Parents There's a Native American belief that before we are born, we choose our parents. It actually ties in pretty nicely with the reincarnation idea that we prearrange certain circumstances before each life so as to learn different lessons. A Celebration of Life As human beings it is inherent to want to self-actualize and build lives of deep profound meaning. This is what each of us came here to do. De-materialization #1 Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you might say. Eastern philosophy tells us there are seven layers of manifest physicality and spirituality. De-Materialization #2 My lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of the great privateer 'Black Jack' just as thousands of miles away in Ottawa (We met in Las Vegas.) a cousin of my sister-in-law who was about to come work for my family's company was living. Spirituality: Impersonating Jed McKenna "No man is a prophet in his own country."That line keeps running through my mind as I sit over lunch with my sister who I haven't seen in several years. Elvis Left the Building and Moved in with Me! Years ago no matter where I lived, whether a house was new or not, I'd experience doors opening and closing by themselves, items disappearing only to be found later in the strangest places, seeing people others didn't and being touched by unseen hands. Not only was this unnerving; it was also really frustrating! Each time I moved I'd think "Here we go again! What surprises are in store for me this time?"As luck would have it I eventually learned several, priceless techniques on how to 'cleanse' my homes on an energy level. People Fail in Life Because They Do Not Plan Life is growth. For many people life is like a merry go round. God Is Waiting To Bless Me In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip to Guatemala with Wycliffe Bible Translators. It was a weeklong trip where we were able to see the results of the Bible translation work in Guatemala. Resisting Temptation - The JESUS Way One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When He cured someone, it was with a touch. God's Message to You As I sat down today to write this article, I went through my usual routine of sitting still and listening to that voice that comes from inside of me. I do this all the time when I sit down to write an article, or before I give a speech, or before I answer an email or before I coach someone, or before I do anything basically. Just Do It! "It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown. Interesting? (but unnecessary) At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the open space of awareness. Sometimes there are inner 'things' occurring; a fleeting thought, a welling up of an emotion, a physical sensation. The Meaning of Life Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond". This particular episode was about a life long question we all ask. Games to Play With Tarot Cards The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using this deck of uniquely peculiar cards. These range from the highly complex to those a four-year-old can play. Will Science Get Closer To God Than Religion Has? A subject of debate for thousands of years, spirituality will no doubt spark much debate for another thousand years. That is how it should be. What Can You Do In One Day For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Do Good Luck Symbols, Charms, & Talismans Really Work? Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture and religion that has evolved on Earth. They are deeply ingrained in the way of our life itself. Is There More To This Life? I often ask myself this question. Not in the times of prosperity or when everything is going great.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
.jpg)
