Happy Samhain /Halloween!

[Suicide Junkie]

A Protoss for Halloween? *That* would be a pretty cool costume. Unfortunately, only about 0.01% of the populace would have even a chance at understanding it...

If they have to ask, just tell 'em you're an alien

[geoschmo]

"Protoss"? Are we talking about Starcraft? Or something else?

[rockman]

Just had bizzare experience Last night. Some kids came to my door dressed as monsters and asked for treats. Hadn't realised it was Halloween and didn't have anything to give them - bit embarassing really. First time I have ever had someone come to my door - the grasp of American culture grows stronger! Where does all this Halloween stuff originate from - I always thought it was just an American thing?

[Ragnarok]

NVM, I take that back...

[ October 31, 2002, 19:57: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

[tokche]

happy halloween indeed!

[Ragnarok]

Hey Rockman, here's the answer regarding your question as to where Halloween started.

HALLOWEEN got its name from the old English term All Hallows E'en, the eve of all the holy ones' day, or All Saints' Day, which falls on November 1 in the Church Calendar.

Where Halloween Got Started

Under the heading "Halloween," the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" says: "Oct. 31 was also the eve of the new year in both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon times and one of the ancient fire festivals. . . . Since November ushers in the darkest and most barren half of the year, the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, fairies and demons of all kinds roaming abroad."

The festival was held in honor of Samhain, the Celtic lord of the dead, who it was believed, allowed the souls of those who died in the preceding year to return home that evening. Festivities included building huge bonfires to chase away the witches and demons. Sacrifices of crops, animals and even humans were made to appease the souls of the deceased. The people also engaged in fortune-telling and wore costumes made of animal heads and skins.

The Romans also contributed some of their pagan rituals to the customs of the Celts whom they conquered. One of their autumn festivals held in honor of Pomona, the goddess of trees and fruits, probably accounted for the prominent use of apples in Halloween festivities-apple-bobbing and apple-on-a-string, for example.

That should be it. Hope that helps.

[rockman]

Cheers for that. Seems strange that it was an old english festival but it is not celebrated in England (or in Nw Zealand which follows most English festivals). Feel a bit ripped off - I nevergot a chance to go trick-or treating when I was a kid! Of course I have seen it in movies and TV about how popular it is in the US.
We have a more obscure celebration in New Zealand this time of year. On november 5th is Guy Fawkes night when we celebrate the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the English parliament, his subsequent arrest, torture and execution, by letting off fire crackers and drinking lots of beer. We even make a effigy of "Guy" and burn him on the fire - pretty subversive stuff especially in the current climate of terrorism. It used to be the highlight of the year until the authorities Banned all the dangerous fire crackers for being too dangerous!