Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween's Scary Presidential Candidates

Happy Halloween to all you faithful Bonez readers. Halloween is probably the oldest holiday celebrated. It is second only to Christmas in the holiday popularity. Most people celebrate Halloween without knowing it's origins so I am taking it upon myself to continue your Bonezification and ordination training and enlighten you with a few facts. Contrary to what many Christians will have you think, most of the world celebrates Halloween without any reference to the occult or pagan ritual at all. It is just a fun time to dress up and exchange gifts or treats. In fact, in many people's hearts it is but another way to celebrate life, in general, and an excuse to have some fun.

Halloween is the last day of the Celtic calendar. Hey, who knew the Celts even had a frakkin' calendar?!? Originally, Halloween was a pagan (read "non-christian") holiday honoring the dead. It was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back more than two thousand years. Yes, that means it is older than Christianity itself, so put that in your pipes and smoke it, ya' fanatical evangelical fundamentalist Christians.

The Halloween "culture" can be traced back to the time of the Druids in the Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. The feast of Samhain or Summer's End was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires and dancing. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the Earth at night. Since some spirits were considered to be not so friendly the practice of leaving gifts and treats outside to pacify them became the norm. This done in hopes of keeping the spirits happy thus ensuring a bountiful harvest of crops in the coming year. Obviously, this is what evolved into today's trick or treating ritual practiced by many.

Ah, what does all of this historical Halloween origin babbling have to do with Presidential elections and comedy? Nothing nada zilch. Just my way of taking life a bit easier and putting the silliness of it all into perspective.

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet, Give me something Good to Eat!

[Thanks DoodFace for suggesting the funny video.]

3 comments:

EuroYank - Virginia Hoge said...

Halloween for me is the best time to celebrate the writing of Edgar Allan Poe. Judging from the lack of comments many of your American readers must still be stuffing their faces ... So for those of you not drunk or stuffed to the brim, I suggest Edgar Allan Poe

Ole Blue The Heretic said...

Halloween...Just another word for CANDY DAY!

Bonez said...

EuroYank, you are correct that Edgar Allan Poe still does Halloween stories the best. I don't think Bonez readers don't respond because of alcohol and chocolate... but because they are ... well... stand offish or something. Scared or bored. Grinning.

Blue, I think Halloween is just as good an excuse as any to over eat chocolate.