Samhain ~ Halloween... my rant for the day...

[RoadRaven]

Hiya... late for Samhain/Halloween

I have read the couple of threads here and it certainly sounds like some of you had a really fun time. We've just "had it" over here in little old NZ and it really bugs me that we have. So my gripe here is with my own country and how we "do" this... not with any others... k?

Advertisers started to adopt the American interpretation of Halloween about 15-18 years ago and now it is huge. The sad thing is that very few people over here have the remotest clue why they are buying costumes and getting their kids to go trick or treating. Devout and evangelical Christians even get into it dressing as witches and such when on every other day they would probably burn me at the stake for my beliefs! Do they realise this is simialr to what Christians would perceive as a "Holy Day" to some?

Its crazy... its hypcritical... its ignorant.

Besides... in the Southern Hemisphere summer is beginning, we should not be observing winter festivals... we should be looking to and celebrating spring and summer. Its Beltane here... but do we celebrate that? Oh no... we adopt aspects of one of the oldest belief systems, we bastardise it with shallow money-making and we give no thought as to why we 'buy' (literally) into it.

*rolls eyes*
We should have just recently celebrated Easter here (Ostara) which before Christians overlayed the observance of the death and 'rebirth' of Jesus, was a celebration of new life - finally the winter was over (hence all the eggs and baby animals). But no, this crazy little mixed up country celebrates the new life and birth in Autumn, just as we head into winter...

We are still a young country... somehow we need to get over the parochial, wannabe-like-the-old-country mentality that colonistion brought and realise we can make our own rituals and festivals...

And guess what - on November the 5th - this weekend - we get to let off fireworks and hundreds of children and animals will be injured because of careless use, and many fires will be started (in fact that begins the moment those things go on sale to the public) and why?
Because a chap called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the British Parliament - unsucessfully - in 1606
So, for the sake of money (what else is in it except the huge profits made by shops) we remember a terrorist who has nothing whatsoever to do with this country - European settlers had not even found this haven then!!!

Well... when I am in charge of this country... *wanders away muttering to herself...*

[IFjane]

RoadRaven I am ashamed to say I am from that country that has managed to commercialize every holiday there is, and when they got tired of that they created some more - bosses day, administrative assistant's day, yada yada yada. As long as $$ makes the world go round I am afraid there will be no changing it. The rest of us can rant and commiserate with one another. Glad to "meet" you!

[tattiefritter]

Hadn't realised we'd exported Guy Fawkes night - seems a bit pointless anywhere else but Britain (and in Britain too).

I know what you mean about the Americanisation of Halloween, where I grew up in Scotland it was normal to dress up in costumes of your own making, carve turnip lanterns (no pumpkins) and go "Guising" to all your neighbours where you then had to sing/dance/tell a joke to earn some money or sweets. Then it was back home to dook for apples. My mum did it as a child in the fifties as well. I'm not sure if it was a Scottish tradition or not as my grandparents were Irish and I know it is definitely an Irish tradition.

I've since moved down to England and Halloween seems to have been hijacked a bit - its all "trick or treat", pumpkins and nobody making their own costumes any more. The expectation is to be given sweets rather than earn it. There also seems to be a fair amount of older kids spoiling it by trying to get money. My boyfriend never went "guising" so only has the imported American traditions to go on.

As for fireworks...I can hear them going off now and they will do until the weekend. Again as a kid it never used to be like that, we had a neighbourhood bonfire that we collected stuff for, a guy and some fireworks. It obviously makes more sense standing round a bonfire on a cold Novembers night at the start of winter rather than a warm one at the start of summer!


Help, I'm sounding like my mother!

[Bad JuJu]

It's all about co-opting something for other, often-nefarious purposes. Several centuries ago, the Catholic church co-opted Samhain and turned it into All Saint's Day in an attempt to silence pagan celebrations and lure people into the church. In our own time, capitalist interests have taken over pretty much every holiday there is in (successful) attempts to make money from them.

I'll admit that I'm pretty caught up in capitalism--you almost can't live in most Western cultures and NOT be--but enough is enough already!

[mary9761]

I'm wishing the Brightest of Blessings albeit belatedly for Samhain and the new year. I noticed much activity in the last several days and weeks so indeed the veil was thin. As the wheel turns, I am wishing for renewed/improved health for many of us.
Blessed Be,
Mary

[Cassandra_Cain]

I find it really sad about halloween RR - both in America, and from having lived in Europe.

What should be the ultimate DIY celebration of creativity, individuality, and a subtle challenge at the establisment, is nothing more than just another bonanza for the corporations and comercialization.

I even remember, way WAY back it seems now, when we'd go around all the neighborhoods, just the kids. Now you are more apt to see kids in America trotting inside some shopping mall.

Must everything be transformed into a mere commodity to be bought and sold?

[light_sabe_r]

Luckily, We haven't reached the proportions New Zealand has... mainly because Melbourne Cup day is next Tuesday and most of us workers are busy getting Lunches (and drinks) organised for that.

I hadn't even heard of 5th November celebrations... Until I saw V FOR VENDETTA...

Australia was a "convict" settlement though. So I guess that means we saved up all our old world holidays for Christmas and Easter in the 1800s thus why none have been big over the last couple of years...

Road Raven, You guys Celebrate ANZAC Day right? that's by FAR the biggest Holiday we have over here from a non-religious, non-commercial point of view.

For the Northern Hemispherians, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day, The day when thousands of our fledgling army-men fought and died on Gallipoli's shores because Britain wanted us too! First World War It's the day we remember all the soldiers and honour those still serving our country. A non-denominational dawn service is held, usually on beaches or at the war memorials, under the big Jacuranda trees next to the war memorial, the last post is played many times that day, there's military parades and most people do go out to see the old soldiers and military nurses march. Then there's the Traditional Aussie customs of having barbequed Seafood, (and LAMB) and playing 2 up. Or going down to the local RETIRED SERVICES LEAGUE for a nice counter lunch.

[Quillfred]

Parts of Mexico have been able to retain traditions in El Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead. I have been privileged in the past to participate in this holy holiday time in Oaxaca City - one of the southern states with large indiginous populations.

http://www.mexonline.com/features/daydead-oaxaca.htm

http://oaxacalive.com/muertos.htm

It is a family holiday that is very poignant, where families celebrate their deceased loved ones by building altars of remembrance decorated with pictures of the deceased, crosses, flowers, mezcal/tequila, food, etc.

The holidays start on the 31st up to the 2nd. Families clean and decorate gravesites in a similar fashion and stay up all night reminiscing and celebrating the memories of loved ones. One night is dedicated to infants.

Stores and houses are decorated for the holiday. There are impromptu plays in the street. Small groups of musicians play songs and encourage merriment and dance. There are bands playing in the town square in the evening.

It might sound macabre but it really isn't. Death is grieved, mocked, and laughed at. It is quite a refreshing change to our cultural relationship to death.

May justice and peace return to Oaxaca soon.

[RoadRaven]

As long as $$ makes the world go round I am afraid there will be no changing it. The rest of us can rant and commiserate with one another. Glad to "meet" you!

Must everything be transformed into a mere commodity to be bought and sold?

Greetings from DownUnder, IF and Cassandra
Yes, you have hit the nail on the head of course... money money money... its just I feel so disappointed that families who can ill-afford to "buy into" it do... a waste of money - it reminds me of that episode on the Simpsons - was it "Love Day" - a manufacturers wet-dream bought into by people having no idea why they do who then chuck out all the rubbish - that that episode was a point well-made!

[RoadRaven]

I'm not sure if it was a Scottish tradition or not as my grandparents were Irish and I know it is definitely an Irish tradition.

It is definately part of Gaelic pre-Christian tradition - think stories around Avalon, Morgaine and so forth... this time and these myths and stories are why my first name, Raven, has been chosen both for me and by me.
I am mostly Scottish if you "read" my genes and I have always felt drawn to parts of the UK - even before I was able to identify that I didn't think like so many around me. I look forward to visiting and walking in some of these places and breathing the air and feeling the touch of the magick that is undoubtedly still in the air.

The expectation is to be given sweets rather than earn it. There also seems to be a fair amount of older kids spoiling it by trying to get money. My boyfriend never went "guising" so only has the imported American traditions to go on.

And this is what happens when you don't give the kids the 'full' story - or at least one of the interpretations of why they might say trick or treat... for example; one of the stories says that if the Druids came to your door asking for a child for initiation (though Priests told people that Druids used children for blood sacrifice) then you would not be favoured by the Druids (or, the Priests would say, the druids would put an evil curse/spell on you). So the child was the treat - the dis-favour was the trick.
If children do not have understanding, then I guess it is inevitable in the capitalised West that it becomes "all bout me and what I can get"

Parts of Mexico have been able to retain traditions in El Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead. I have been privileged in the past to participate in this holy holiday time in Oaxaca City - one of the southern states with large indiginous populations.

Ah… and this is it… something is celebrated in all cultures I can think of to acknowledge the start or moiddle of winter, it usually incorporates reverence for the dead… so why forget our past in the flurry of commercialistation – for where is the future without that – and why turn either death, or the rythym of the world (our seasons) into a commercial enterprise?? It is always wonderful to hear people celebrating in old ways, and even incorporating it into new ways (when I think Mexico, I think a high Christian population – and yet old ways are not lost simply because of new ways). In this country, when missionaries brought Christianity, the old Goddesses and Gods of this land were not forsaken by Maori, and in fact are still acknowledged without conflict beside Christianity

[RoadRaven]

Hadn't realised we'd exported Guy Fawkes night - seems a bit pointless anywhere else but Britain (and in Britain too).

I hadn't even heard of 5th November celebrations... Until I saw V FOR VENDETTA...
Australia was a "convict" settlement though. So I guess that means we saved up all our old world holidays for Christmas and Easter in the 1800s thus why none have been big over the last couple of years...

Well, an left over of our colonial past and one of the last "jewels" in the crown. I think UK immigrants to Oz had a definate advantage in extablishing their identity.

In NZ people longed for and missed the "old country" and even our radio and tv announcers as recently as 15 years ago had to talk with plums in their mouths.

Newcomers from the UK to Oz were pleased to leave the Old country behind - so many having being treated shabbily, so made there own identity.

The way these two countries have evolved despite being settled at the same time is quite different and I think we are getting more and more different culturally. With family here and in Oz I find it fascinating.

And yes, Tattie, ANZAC Day is big here - though for a while it seemed to lose support as the old people died, but in recent years the number of young ones (my children's age) turning up on for the Dawn Parade and remembering not only the old soldiers, but also the pointlessness of so many wars.

[RoadRaven]

I'm wishing the Brightest of Blessings albeit belatedly for Samhain and the new year.

My last post in this series of relpies...

Yes, blessings for Samhain for those in the north, and for Beltane for those in the south…

Well met, those of you for whom this thread carries meaning

~Raven~

[Dogmama]

they created some more - bosses day, administrative assistant's day, yada yada yada.

Brought to you by Hallmark.

I briefly watched a piece on the History channel about witches. They failed to say that women were the doctors and had the healing powers which led (in part) to their demonization by the male Christian leadership.

They also failed to note that after the infamous witch burning, Europe was beset by the plague - caused by burning the cats that caught the rats that spread the plague.

It's the rule of three in action.

[Bad JuJu]

[COLOR="darkorchid"]It is definately part of Gaelic pre-Christian tradition - think stories around Avalon, Morgaine and so forth... this time and these myths and stories are why my first name, Raven, has been chosen both for me and by me.

Very interesting! The Raven in native Alaskan legends is a trickster figure--shape-changer, world-changer, always making some mischief. Is the Raven in Celtic legend similar?

And I find ravens themselves fascinating--their intelligence and their voices are remarkable.

[Geonz]

RoadRaven I am ashamed to say I am from that country that has managed to commercialize every holiday there is, and when they got tired of that they created some more - bosses day, administrative assistant's day, yada yada yada. As long as $$ makes the world go round I am afraid there will be no changing it. The rest of us can rant and commiserate with one another. Glad to "meet" you!

IFJane, where do you ride in Madison County? You've got me pining for boulders and hills (I lived in Culpeper for a few years, and have been sneaking up to our cabins in Madison County since I was a wee baby, though I'm lucky to get there once a year now that I'm out on the prairie) Side roads, or mountain biking, or...? (Please pardon hijacking of post...)