Oct
Halloween
Tomorrow is Halloween. It has become a very big holiday here in the USA. The day focuses on costumes, ghosts and monsters. There is also trick-or-treating, wherein costumed children go door to door asking for candy.
Halloween was nowhere near as popular when I was a child. There were costumes and trick or treating, but nothing extravagant.
The night before Halloween was known as Mischief Night. That was a night for flour socks, chalking up the neighborhood, throwing eggs, etc. Mischief Night was also a night for revenge. For example, our neighborhood had a spiteful old bag who earned the ill intentions of children and adults. During Mischief Night, her house would be chalked, floured, egged, etc. Perhaps Mischief Night is Loki’s holiday.
For Wiccans and many other Pagans, Halloween is known by its Irish Celtic name, Samhain. It is their day of the dead, when they feel the “veil” between this world and the next is at its thinnest. Wiccans count it as one of their major seasonal holidays, known as Sabbats.
Heathens generally include the reverence of the departed with our Yule celebration. Calendar wise, the nearest holiday we have to Halloween is Summer’s Ending / Winter Beginning, which is mid-October. This does not double as our day of the dead. Yule is when we see the worlds being closest to one another.
A few Heathens have asked what they should do if Pagan friends invite them to join them for Samhain. To reply, there is no “should.” If you want to join them, all well and good. If you prefer not to join them, that is also acceptable. Joining in a Wiccan event does not offend the Gods or anyone else. Do as you feel is right.
Because our beliefs are not dogmatic, and as we do not have restrictive theological doctrines, we can participate with others in their celebrations. Doing so does not make us less Heathen. It certainly does not make us bad Heathens.
Decide for yourself if you want to accept their invitation or not.
Remember that their invitation to join their celebration is a gift. If you choose to participate, be a good guest. A good Heathen is always a good guest. Have a good time!
