Halloween

[Gods]

It's come from nowhere, well the USA I suppose, to effectively bury Guy Fawkes night.

In the end you can just do so much more with Halloween.

You can sex it up with the ghosts and ghouls in a way you can't with a story about lobbing some bloke who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament on a bonfire.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2023 7:48:14 GMT Gods said:

It's come from nowhere, well the USA I suppose, to effectively bury Guy Fawkes night.

In the end you can just do so much more with Halloween.

You can sex it up with the ghosts and ghouls in a way you can't with a story about lobbing some bloke who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament on a bonfire.

I’ve always felt that Guy Fawkes night was more about a bonfire and fireworks. I don’t know why you would do that (the latter at least) for Halloween.

I suppose you could “sex it up a bit” by selling skimpy old timey outfits that may have been worn in the HoC at that time?

Ottery St Mary does the best celebration I’ve been to:

[Rednwhitenblue]

We've always 'celebrated' Halloween to some extent but I'm trying to remember if there were trick or treaters when we were kids in the 70s and 80s? Not as many that's for sure, but I think there were some.

I can remember carving swedes, no pumpkins back then. They were rock hard too and stank when a candle was place inside.

I don't mind it - the kids round here are generally decent and it's mainly just the little 'uns which is fair enough. All done by about 8, which, again, seems entirely reasonable.

[Chewbacca the Wookie]

Oct 31, 2023 12:02:36 GMT Rednwhitenblue said:

We've always 'celebrated' Halloween to some extent but I'm trying to remember if there were trick or treaters when we were kids in the 70s and 80s? Not as many that's for sure, but I think there were some.

I can remember carving swedes, no pumpkins back then. They were rock hard too and stank when a candle was place inside.

I don't mind it - the kids round here are generally decent and it's mainly just the little 'uns which is fair enough. All done by about 8, which, again, seems entirely reasonable.

And that’s how it should be. It should be something where the young go around with parents and very good natured.

Unfortunately you’ll get some of the older ones who look on it as an excuse to cause carnage.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Why?

Thousands of people enjoy both

[somersetstokie]

The Americans tend to commercialise everything, but Halloween has been with us for ever. Nearly every culture in the world strangely has a similar celebration at around the same time, loosely based on a time of death and dying, such as the end of Harvest, Autumn decay or the advent of dark nights and the Winter season.


Many ethnic groups, such as North American Indians for example, believed this was the most auspicious time to contact dead relatives and so on, as the walls between the living world and the realm of the dead were at their thinnest, and entities from the spirit world could cross over most easily. That is basically why we have Zombies, which were originally a phenomenon most usually associated with Voodoo cults.

Halloween is one of the 8 major Sabbats of the year, as celebrated by Witches, and October 31st also marks the Pagan festival of Samhain, which relates to the beginning of the dark half of the year, and the end of Harvest.


So although many people like to celebrate Halloween as a time to party and have fun, at the same time it is, for alternative relgions, perhaps the most significant, and sinister, festivals of the year.

[Northy]

Oct 31, 2023 13:28:43 GMT Chewbacca the Wookie said:

Oct 31, 2023 12:02:36 GMT Rednwhitenblue said:

We've always 'celebrated' Halloween to some extent but I'm trying to remember if there were trick or treaters when we were kids in the 70s and 80s? Not as many that's for sure, but I think there were some.

I can remember carving swedes, no pumpkins back then. They were rock hard too and stank when a candle was place inside.

I don't mind it - the kids round here are generally decent and it's mainly just the little 'uns which is fair enough. All done by about 8, which, again, seems entirely reasonable.

And that’s how it should be. It should be something where the young go around with parents and very good natured.

Unfortunately you’ll get some of the older ones who look on it as an excuse to cause carnage.

they had to take buses off the streets in Liverpool last night as the scum started 'mischief night' early

[jesusmcmuffin]

Oct 31, 2023 7:48:14 GMT Gods said:

It's come from nowhere, well the USA I suppose, to effectively bury Guy Fawkes night.

In the end you can just do so much more with Halloween.

You can sex it up with the ghosts and ghouls in a way you can't with a story about lobbing some bloke who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament on a bonfire.

Halloween didn't come from the USA 🤬

[somersetstokie]

Oct 31, 2023 16:19:53 GMT Northy said:

Oct 31, 2023 13:28:43 GMT Chewbacca the Wookie said:

And that’s how it should be. It should be something where the young go around with parents and very good natured.

Unfortunately you’ll get some of the older ones who look on it as an excuse to cause carnage.

they had to take buses off the streets in Liverpool last night as the scum started 'mischief night' early

[/b]



Clearly the spawn of Satan!

[salopstick]

its rubbish, i never let my kids go trick or treating.

however if on the estate little uns with their mums are knocking on doors then im not miserable about it. as long as they dont bother me

they didnt knock on my door but there again i turned the lights off and stayed upstairs

nov 1st. 2 months of fire works now ffs

[salopstick]

im ok with anyone celebrating what they want i just wish they taught the history to go with it

i imagine most of the kids wanting fire works for "bonfire night" know nothing about guy fawkes

[Eggybread]

Nov 1, 2023 14:42:49 GMT salopstick said:

im ok with anyone celebrating what they want i just wish they taught the history to go with it

i imagine most of the kids wanting fire works for "bonfire night" know nothing about guy fawkes

No one cares like Halloween its just fun for kids, nothing else, lighten up.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Oct 31, 2023 7:48:14 GMT Gods said:

It's come from nowhere, well the USA I suppose, to effectively bury Guy Fawkes night.

In the end you can just do so much more with Halloween.

You can sex it up with the ghosts and ghouls in a way you can't with a story about lobbing some bloke who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament on a bonfire.

Halloween existed before the USA did

An Irish celebration but they used Turnips instead of Pumpkins. Irish immigrants to America started to use pumpkins due to the availability...no one was ever scared away by an carved turnip I guess. Were to ward off evil spirits from your house.

[satoshi]

We’re all historically pagans, some people just have a hard time admitting it

[musik]

In Sweden Halloween started more or less in 2003. Some rumours says it could have started in 1980 but the evidence is weak.

However, it started in Ireland a loooong time ago, even though most people think it comes from USA.

Halloween has almost always collided with our All Saints Weekend here in Sweden where we go to our families graves and decorate them, pray and sing hymns. The most silent weekend of the year. Noone is partying.

I have never celebrated Halloween.

[marylandstoke]

[thehartshillbadger]

Let’s be honest, what’s the point?

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2023 22:07:45 GMT thehartshillbadger said:

Let’s be honest, what’s the point?

Community?

[jesusmcmuffin]

Nov 1, 2023 22:07:45 GMT thehartshillbadger said:

Let’s be honest, what’s the point?

Ghosts and stuff

[colderpotter]

Had a Hallowe'en themed spam email from Water Butts Direct. The world's gone completely barmy.

Next will be the black Friday offers on everything from apples to savlon.

[mtrstudent]

Love Halloween. Great partying, fun for families. What's not to like?

They're pushing it a bit with pre-made "sexy crayon" and "slutty clownfish" costumes for $40 in those popup shops though.

Been impressed with what some of the locals did to their houses.

[jesusmcmuffin]

Nov 1, 2023 16:04:04 GMT musik said:

In Sweden Halloween started more or less in 2003. Some rumours says it could have started in 1980 but the evidence is weak.

However, it started in Ireland a loooong time ago, even though most people think it comes from USA.

Halloween has almost always collided with our All Saints Weekend here in Sweden where we go to our families graves and decorate them, pray and sing hymns. The most silent weekend of the year. Noone is partying.

I have never celebrated Halloween.

Do they uses swedes instead of pumpkins?

In Ireland they originally used potatoes and turnips and carved faces in them. Was Irish immigrants to New England who then started to use Pumpkins.

Do they believe in the Great Pumpkin like Linus over there ?

[musik]

Nov 2, 2023 8:09:44 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Nov 1, 2023 16:04:04 GMT musik said:

In Sweden Halloween started more or less in 2003. Some rumours says it could have started in 1980 but the evidence is weak.

However, it started in Ireland a loooong time ago, even though most people think it comes from USA.

Halloween has almost always collided with our All Saints Weekend here in Sweden where we go to our families graves and decorate them, pray and sing hymns. The most silent weekend of the year. Noone is partying.

I have never celebrated Halloween.

Do they uses swedes instead of pumpkins?

In Ireland they originally used potatoes and turnips and carved faces in them. Was Irish immigrants to New England who then started to use Pumpkins.

Do they believe in the Great Pumpkin like Linus over there ?

They don't believe in anything.
They use pumpkins I guess, even though I haven't seen any in any shops this time. Halloween was two days ago on Tuesday (31st Oct).
This year's must have been the lamest ever. No horror movies on TV. I didn't see any people dressed up except a girl with a funny hat. The shops hardly had any special Halloween candy either. No kids going up the stairwell saying trick or treat?

Last year though I met a bunch of people on my way to work. I was impressed by the costumes, suits torn to pieces in a sort of organized way, and how they had painted themselves as ghosts or skeletons.

Halloween isn't a red day here, not even close. No bonus at work, an ordinary day and evening.

It usually collides with our All Saints weekend, All Saints Eve or All Saints Day, but not this time for some reason. All Saints Eve is tomorrow and All Saints Day (a red day) is on Saturday.

🎃👻☠️

[jesusmcmuffin]

Nov 2, 2023 9:11:15 GMT musik said:

Nov 2, 2023 8:09:44 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Do they uses swedes instead of pumpkins?

In Ireland they originally used potatoes and turnips and carved faces in them. Was Irish immigrants to New England who then started to use Pumpkins.

Do they believe in the Great Pumpkin like Linus over there ?

They don't believe in anything.
They use pumpkins I guess, even though I haven't seen any in any shops this time. Halloween was two days ago on Tuesday (31st Oct).
This year's must have been the lamest ever. No horror movies on TV. I didn't see any people dressed up except a girl with a funny hat. The shops hardly had any special Halloween candy either. No kids going up the stairwell saying trick or treat?

Last year though I met a bunch of people on my way to work. I was impressed by the costumes, suits torn to pieces in a sort of organized way, and how they had painted themselves as ghosts or skeletons.

Halloween isn't a red day here, not even close. No bonus at work, an ordinary day and evening.

It usually collides with our All Saints weekend, All Saints Eve or All Saints Day, but not this time for some reason. All Saints Eve is tomorrow and All Saints Day (a red day) is on Saturday.

🎃👻☠️

Halloween is meant to collide with All Saints and All Souls day.

[musik]

Nov 2, 2023 9:26:34 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Nov 2, 2023 9:11:15 GMT musik said:

They don't believe in anything.
They use pumpkins I guess, even though I haven't seen any in any shops this time. Halloween was two days ago on Tuesday (31st Oct).
This year's must have been the lamest ever. No horror movies on TV. I didn't see any people dressed up except a girl with a funny hat. The shops hardly had any special Halloween candy either. No kids going up the stairwell saying trick or treat?

Last year though I met a bunch of people on my way to work. I was impressed by the costumes, suits torn to pieces in a sort of organized way, and how they had painted themselves as ghosts or skeletons.

Halloween isn't a red day here, not even close. No bonus at work, an ordinary day and evening.

It usually collides with our All Saints weekend, All Saints Eve or All Saints Day, but not this time for some reason. All Saints Eve is tomorrow and All Saints Day (a red day) is on Saturday.

🎃👻☠️

Halloween is meant to collide with All Saints and All Souls day.

And it doesn't here this time, the same week yes but not the day before.
"Halloween is celebrated on October 31, the day before the Christian holiday of All Saints.
The word Halloween itself originally comes from the Catholic Church. It is a summary of All Hallows Eve, which is the night before All Saints' Day on November 1."

However, our All Saints' Day is on Saturday, Nov 4th this year.

🤠

[jesusmcmuffin]

Nov 2, 2023 9:45:31 GMT musik said:

Nov 2, 2023 9:26:34 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Halloween is meant to collide with All Saints and All Souls day.

And it doesn't here this time. Halloween is celebrated on October 31, the day before the Christian holiday of All Saints. Why is Halloween celebrated? The word Halloween itself originally comes from the Catholic Church. It is a summary of All Hallows Eve, which is the night before All Saints' Day on November 1.

However, our All Saints' Day is on Saturday, Nov 4th this year.

🤠

Beat me to it 😁

Was just about to post almost 100% the same,yep

Not sure why All Saints Day is that day as traditionally all 3 follow each other

[somersetstokie]

Nov 2, 2023 9:11:15 GMT musik said:

[quote source="/post/7945987

In Ireland they originally used potatoes and turnips and carved faces in them. Was Irish immigrants to New England who then started to use Pumpkins.
8-|was two days ago on Tuesday (31st Oct).
This year's must have been the lamest ever. No horror movies on TV. I didn't see any people dressed up except a girl with a funny hat. The shops hardly had any special Halloween candy either. No kids going up the stairwell saying trick or treat?

Last year though I met a bunch of people on my way to work. I was impressed by the costumes, suits torn to pieces in a sort of organized way, and how they had painted themselves as ghosts or skeletons.

Halloween isn't a red day here, not even close. No bonus at work, an ordinary day and evening.

It usually collides with our All Saints weekend, All Saints Eve or All Saints Day, but not this time for some reason. All Saints Eve is tomorrow and All Saints Day (a red day) is on Saturday.

🎃👻☠️

One year I met a bunch of people like that as I was walking through a Church yard. Damned realistic they were too, Strange thing was I turned around as they passed me and they had disappeared! Spooky.



Edit. A few minutes later I bumped into a young girl who said her name was Buffy.

[flea79]

some cracking bits of fanny out in fancy dress at the weekend though!

[jesusmcmuffin]

I was in Aspen years ago and the only person in the whole town I think not dressed up,. I knew they loved it but not that much.

It was snowing hard and a fella came into the pub , painted blue and dressed as a smurf. He didn't need to be painted blue to be fair. Got chatting to him and he was from Burnley and a big fan.

GF at the time dressed at Catwoman after insisting we bought costumes. I said no but I really enjoyed Halloween that day when she came back dressed up. ..

[musik]

Nov 2, 2023 9:55:10 GMT jesusmcmuffin said:

Nov 2, 2023 9:45:31 GMT musik said:

And it doesn't here this time. Halloween is celebrated on October 31, the day before the Christian holiday of All Saints. Why is Halloween celebrated? The word Halloween itself originally comes from the Catholic Church. It is a summary of All Hallows Eve, which is the night before All Saints' Day on November 1.

However, our All Saints' Day is on Saturday, Nov 4th this year.

🤠

Beat me to it 😁

Was just about to post almost 100% the same,yep

Not sure why All Saints Day is that day as traditionally all 3 follow each other

The Swedish Way

All Saints' Day and Halloween both pay attention to the dead, but they do so in very different ways.

Halloween comes from pre-Christian times
and is always celebrated on October 31 and consists of a single day. The celebration has its origins in pre-Christian times, when the Celts paid attention to the dead. Part of the celebration consisted of lighting fires and dressing up to scare away evil spirits.

We think of the saints and our dead relatives.
All Saints' Day consists of two days - All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. The Friday before All Saints' Day is sometimes called All Saints' Eve, but it is not a public holiday. I expect horror movies on Friday on tv, especially when there weren't any the night to Wednesday.

All Saints' Day always falls on a Saturday between October 31 and November 6. Then a tradition has emerged of visiting graves and lighting candles, but from the beginning it was a day when the saints were celebrated.

The priests were concerned about the belief in spirits.
The day after All Saints' Day, we currently celebrate All Souls' Day in the Church of Sweden. The calender says it's on Sunday Nov 12th, but I have just moved it one week back to follow what the church says.

The origin of All Souls' Day was a consequence of the long survival of the Celtic tradition, alongside Christianity. This worried the clergy of the church, as the tradition involved a belief that the dead could return in the form of spirits. The idea of ​​the new holiday was that people would then remember their dead relatives, pray and light candles for them. The hope was that the new celebration would replace the old Celtic celebration.

Today there are two celebrations.
In Sweden, the celebration of Halloween grew in the 1990s and especially from 2003. At the same time, All Saints' Day remains an important holiday in Sweden. It is the weekend when churches and especially cemeteries receive the most visits throughout the year.

In Summary
Tue 31st Oct Halloween
Fri 3rd Nov All Saints' Eve
Sat 4th Nov All Saints' Day
Sun 5th Nov All Souls Day