Each year at this season . . .on the last day of the month . . .Roman October 31. . .millions of people enjoy 'fun' and 'games' on this night. Parties abound. School Districts in the land sponser HALLOWEEN CARNIVALS as a means of raising money for different school activities. The crowning of the 'king' and 'queen' on this night is a very popular ceremony.
The DRESSING UP in costumes that represent DEVILS, DEMONS, and WITCHES are all part of the 'TRADITION' that is Halloween. "Trick or Treat" is THE PHRASE for this night. . . along with 'childish pranks'.
'OF COURSE' this is all done for pleasure. . .and it is 'just for the children'. They NEED to have a nice time and enjoy life!
The celebration of halloween is an established custom in the United States, the British Commonwealth, and various Scandinavian Countries. . .BUT WHAT could all this 'FUN'. . .have to do with the the followers of Yahweh?
In the eariest accounts of HISTORY FROM THE BIBLE our father Abraham is instructed by Yahweh to REMOVE HIMSELF from his established CLAN and go to a place Yahweh instructed. . .
| Genesis 12:1-4. . ."Now Yahweh had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed. . .as Yahweh had spoken unto him. . ." |
Abram. . .whose name later was CHANGED TO ABRAHAM. . .OBEYED YAHWEH. Abraham WALKED WITH YAHWEH. . .and he TAUGHT HIS CHILDREN to DO AS YAHWEH SAID.
In the time of Abraham. . .as it is in this very day. . .there were many 'denominations and sects' of 'belief'. . .but there were ONLY A FEW PEOPLE THAT FOLLOWED YAHWEH. . .and at that time it was Abraham.
The WORSHIP of the heathen people was directed at the sun, the moon, the stars. . .demons, gods and spirits.
The land of UR. . .which is part of MESOPOTAMIA was where the ancestors of Abraham lived. Abrahams' ANCESTORS worshipped gods and demons. YAHWEH KNEW Abraham had to come out from under the POWERFUL INFLUENCE of his ancestors' WORSHIP. . .in order to grow. . .and learn to FOLLOW YAHWEH ONLY!
The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 5, Page 1521 tells us what DEMONS, DEMONOLOGY is. . .
| DEMONS, DEMONOLOGY. A demon is an evil spirit, or devil, in the ordinary English usage of the term. This definition is, however, only approximate. In polytheistic religions the line between gods and demons is a shifting one: there are both good demons and gods who do evil. In monotheistic systems, evil spirits may be accepted as servants of the one God, so that demonology is bound up with angelology and theology proper, or they may be elevated to the rank of opponents of God, in which case their status as diabolic powers differs from that of the demons of polytheism. Moreover, in none of the languages of the ancient Near East, including Hebrew, is there any one general term equivalent to English "demon." In general, the notion of a demon in the ancient Near East was of a being less powerful than a god and less endowed with individuality. Whereas the great gods are accorded regular public worship, demons are not; they are dealt with in magic rites in individual cases of human suffering, which is their particular sphere. |
Pages 1521, 1522 shows us the WORSHIP of the Ancient Near East. . .was the PACIFICATION OF GODS AND DEMONS!
| Demonology in the Ancient Near East. Defense against evil spirits was a concern in Mesopotamia from earliest times. In general features Canaanite demonology probably resembled that of Mesopotamia, to judge from the rather meager evidence preserved. In a mythological text from Ugarit, the father of the gods, El, is frightened almost to death by a demon "having two horns and a tail," like the devil in later representations. |
Collier's Encyclopedia, Vol 8, page 96 shows the intervention of spirits . . .gods and demons. . .was made possible by means of MAGIC!
| Magical Influence. The intervention of spirits in na- ture and in human affairs is made possible, according to demonology, by means of magic. Thus, magic is employed by primitive peoples to prevent drought, to produce rain, and to ward of disease or famine. By means of propitiation and spells, evil spirits may be diverted from their malevolent designs or pursuits. Among some primitive tribes, the path along which it is believed a demon will approach is barri- caded with thorns, brushwood, odors, fire, or other obstacles. Epileptic fits and other kinds of seizures are occasions for the medicine man to apply the rites of exorcism. To the primi- tive tribesman magic is the only available source of power whereby the attacks of demons may be averted or withstood. |
The same source and page shows us the TYPES OF SPIRITS that was influenced by MAGIC. . .
| Types of Spirits. Among the spirits most familiar to students of demonology are the spirits of vegetation, water spirits, domestic spirits, ancestral spirits, and dream demons. Ancestral Spirits. Belief in ancestral spirits and the practice of ancestor worship are widely prevalent. In its cruder forms, this phase of demonology stresses the malignancy of the souls of suicides, of those who die by violence, and of women who died in childbirth. Demons of the unburied are feared more than ordinary ghosts. The worship of ancestral spirits, either as gods or as surviving souls of departed members of the family, reflects belief in immortality and the almost uni- versal belief that death does not dissolve an individual's relation to the group. The postmortal status of the indi- vidual corresponds to that during his mortal existence. For this reason spirits of the departed are accorded the respect, love, or fear shown them during their earthly state. Although all dead are held in awe, those who lived evil lives or died by violence are dreaded because, in the former instance, they are freer to work harm and, in the latter instance, may be intent upon revenge. It follows that the living must safe- guard themselves against dangerous spirits or demons. Hence, exorcism and charms are superlatively important wherever this form of domonology prevails. |
In the later accounts of the HISTORY in the Scripture the Children of Israel eventually sojourned in the LAND OF EGYPT. . .to remain there for 430 years before they were REDEEMED BY YAHWEH through Moses.
The heathen worship there. . . ALSO . . . was directed at the SAME GODS in the SAME MANNERS AND CUSTOMS that their father ABRAHAM was witness to.
These PEOPLE. . .CHOSEN OF YAHWEH were delivered out of that LAND DEFILED by the worship of every god and demon!
The CHOSEN PEOPLE were TAUGHT BY MOSES in the wilderness. Moses was NOT IGNORANT of the enticement of PAGAN, BAAL WORSHIP. . .but MOSES KNEW THE ONLY WAY Yahweh wanted to be WORSHIPPED was in YAHWEH'S WAY. . .Moses was instructed BY YAHWEH . . . to TELL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. . .
| Deuteronomy 18:9-12. . . ."When thou art come into the land which Yahweh thy Heavenly Father giveth thee, Thou shalt not learn to do. . . after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one who offers as a sarifice his son or his daughter. . . nor a fortune-teller nor anyone who practice magic or is a wizard. Nor a caster of spells, nor a consulter of spirits nor anyone that inquiries of the dead. For all that do these things are an abonina- tion unto Yahweh and because of these abomina- tions Yahweh thy Heavenly Father doth drive them out from before thee." |
The encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 5, pages 1522, 1523 says. . .
| Demonology in the Bible. Israel's official religion contrasts sharply with comtemporary polytheisms in the role assigned to demons, which in the Bible is practically nil. Magic was prohibited among the Israelites from very early times, for already the oldest collection of laws, the Book of the Covenant, contains the command: "You shall not tolerate a sorceress" (Ex. 22:17 [Eng.22:18]: cf. Deut. 18:10-12), and Saul put the practitioners of necromancy out of the land (1 Sam.28:3). Since much of pagan magic was protective - intended to keep demons away or to expel them - obviously Israel's religion aimed at a very radical extirpation of traffic with demons. |
The Bible says . . .it was BECAUSE of these very ABOMINATIONS LISTED. . .that Yahweh would drive out the heathen nations from before the children of Israel!
The LAWS, STATUTES and JUDGMENTS were not given just to be IGNORED! Moses was not ignorant of the worship of the pagan nations. They worshipped demons. . .which are LED BY SATAN THE DEVIL.
The WORSHIP of these DEMONS were practices of APPEASMENT. . . these 'gods' had to be 'fed'. . . during licentious feasts of lust and sexual excess.
These gods also had to be fed. . .the lives of the own children!
Moses KNEW. . .because Yahweh instructed him. . .NO ONE could serve YAHWEH. . . and serve 'GODS" at the same time. . . and IF THEY DID. . .they would UTTERLY PERISH. . .
| Deuteronomy 4:24-26. . ."For Yahweh thy Heavenly Father is a consuming fire, even a jealous Heavenly Father. When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall CORRUPT YOURSELVES and MAKE A GRAVEN IMAGE. . . or the LIKENESS OF ANY THINGS. . . and shall DO EVIL IN THE SPIRIT OF Yahweh thy Heavenly Father to PROVOKE HIM TO ANGER; I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO WITNESS AGAINST YOU THIS DAY. . .THAT YE SHALL SOON UTTERLY PERISH FROM OFF THE LAND whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it: ye shall not prolong your days upon it. . . BUT SHALL UTTERLY BE DESTROYED." |
The ONLY WAY OF WORSHIP Yahweh would ACCEPT. . .is the WAY OF WORSHIP Yahweh INSTRUCTED THEM TO DO!
By the DECEIT OF SATAN some of these children of Israel had FORSAKEN YAHWEH. . .and served BAAL-PEOR. . .
| Numbers 25:1-5. . ."And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to COMMIT 'WHOREDOM' (GOD- WORSHIP) with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the 'SACRIFICES' of their gods. . .and the people did eat, and BOWED DOWN TO THEIR GODS. And Israel joined himself UNTO BAAL-PEOR; and the ANGER OF YAHWEH was kindled against Israel. And Yahweh said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before Yahweh against the sin, that the fierce anger of Yahweh may be burned away from Israel. and Moses said unto the judges of Israel. . .Slay ye everyone his men that were joined unto BAAL- PEOR." |
| Psalm 106:28. . ."They JOINED THEMSELVES UNTO BAAL-PEOR. . .AND ATE THE SACRIFICES OF THE DEAD." |
The Ancient Babylonians had a GOD. . .CALLED 'SAMAS'. . .as The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 5, page 1020 says. . .
| for example, before going out to battle with the Babylonian king Kastilias, the Assyrian king accuses the latter of betrayal and violation of the treaty between them, and as proof he reads the treaty in a loud voice before the god Samas. |
The Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 14, page 719 says, ". . .from the Amorite period the
major name for SATAN was SAMAEL. . .
| SAMAEL, from the amoraic period onward the major name of Satan in Judaism. |
Jewish legend says "SAMAEL-SAMIEL' is the ANGEL OF DEATH. . .and the HEAD OF THE DEVILS!
The GREEK RENDERING of the word, "SAMAEL'. . .is 'SAMMANE'!
| includes the name, although not in the most inportant place, in the list of the leaders of the angels who rebelled against God. |
The Standard Encyclopedia of Folklore, Mythology and Legend, pages 968-969, tells US. . .what SAMAIN IS. . .
| Samain (pronounced sovan or sowan) The festival of the beginning of winter, celebrated on or about No- vember 1 in Ireland and Gaelic Scotland and of very great antiquity. The word means "end of summer." One of the oldest Irish sagas states that the barrows where the fairies dwelt were open about Samain, and in Scot- land a demon who stole babies at this time was called a samhanaeh. Another old saga relates that for three days before and three days after November 1 the warriors of Ulster assembled for eating, drinking, and boasting of the men they had killed, producing the tips of their tongues as evidence. According to Keating, in heathen times the druids of Ireland assembled to sacrifice to the gods and burn their victims on Samain eve. All other fires were to be extinguished, to be rekindled only from that fire. This custom still lingers on, without the sacri- fices, in parts of Ireland and Scotland. The peat fires are extinguished in the cottages on Halloween and are relighted from the bonfires which burn on the hilltops. In the Highlands families used to circumambulate the fields sunwise, holding fir torches. At Waterford groups of country lads, headed by horn-blowers, visited the farmers' houses and collected pence and provisions for the ensuing celebration. In parts of County Cork the procession was led by a man called the White Mare, wearing a white robe and the semblance of a horse's head, while in other parts the lads dressed as mummers and professed to be the messengers of the Muck Olla, a boar slain by one of the Geraldines. Until about 1850 the inhabitants of the Isle of Lewis used to assemble on the same night, bringing ale and provisions, repeat a paternoster (though mostly Protestants), and walk down to the sea. One of them waded into the water, poured out a cup of ale, and cried out: "Shoney, I give this cup of ale to you, hoping that you'll be so kind as to send us plenty of sea-ware to enrich our ground for the coming year." The group then went to the church, stood silent for a while, and then adjourned to the fields for drinking, dancing, and singing. MacCulloch in 1911 mentioned the license permitted to youths on Samain Eve in the quietest townships of the West Highlands. Vallancey in the 18th century recorded the Irish maid- ens observed the festival by sowing hemp seed and be- lieved that if they looked back they would see the apparition of their future spouse, or they would hang a smock before the cottage fire, convinced that his ap- parition would come down the chimney and turn the smock. Roger S. Loomis |
SAMAIN is the DRUIDIC ASSEMBLY ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 31. . .TO SACRIFICE TO THEIR GODS. . .AND BURN THEIR VICTIMS!
The Standard Encyclopedia of Folklore, Mythology and Legend, Vol A-1, page 263 tells US. . .MORE ABOUT this SACRIFICE OF THE DEAD. . .
| Cromm Cruac A huge idol which stood on the plain of Mag Sleact (the plain of adoration or prostrations) in County Cavan, in Ulster, near the present village of Ballymagauran: also called rig-iodal h-Eireann, the king idol of Ireland. "Around him were twelve idols made of stone but he was of gold" and to him the early Irish sacrificed one third of their children on Samain (Nov. 1) in return for "milk and corn" and the good weather which insured the fertility of cattle and crops. The idol and the sacrifices are mentioned in the 6th century Dinnsenchus in the Book of Leinster. Cromm Cruac was held in horror for his terrible exactions; it was dangerous even to worship him, for the worshipers themselves often perished in the act of worship. A pre-Christian king named Tigernmus is said to have introduced the worship of Cromm Cruac to Ireland and to have been destroyed himself with three fourths of his people one Samain night during the prostrations. The twelve lesser idols encircling the golden image have led to the assumption that Cromm Cruac was a solar deity; certainly he was a fertile god. But he has not been identified with any ancient Irish god. Dagda, in his agricultural aspect, has been suggested for this role, but no identity can be substantiated. The Dinnsenchus names the idol Cromm Cruac (bloody crescent or bloody bent one); it is referred to as Cenn Cruaic (bloody head) in the Tripartite Life of Patrick. Legend says that Patrick cursed and destroyed it. The Dinnsenchus story tells how Patrick peached to the people on Mag Dleact against the burning of milk-cows and their first-born progeny. Cromm Dub's Sunday In Irish folklore, the first Sun- day in August; anniversary of the destruction of the famous idol known as Cromm Dub. On this date flowers were still offered at his place on Mt. Callan in County Clare, as late as the mid-19th century. For this reason the day is also called Garland Sunday. The flower offerings were reminiscent of a time when more bloody sacrifices were prepared. |
The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols, Part 1, pages 200-201 TELLS US. . .
| BELTANE (BALTEIN, BEALTU- INN, BELTAINE, BELTAN) An ancient Celtic festival mark- ing the opening of summer and honoring the sun. One of the quarter days. Celebrated on May 1 of the old calendar with bonfires and other rites. Druids drove cattle between two need- fires to which miraculous vir- tues were ascribed to prevent the murrain; dances were performed, and the day was filled with gaiety, which culminated in the sacrifice by fire of a man representing the oak king. Parallels the fire- cleansing ceremonies of ancient Babylonians. |
BELTANE. . .is the DRUIDIC ASSEMBLY marking the OPENING OF SUMMER. . . marked by HUMAN SACRIFICE!
This excerpt OPENLY ADMITS the Pagan, Celtic WORSHIP PARALLELS THE Ancient Fire Cleansing Ceremonies. . . OF ANCIENT BABYLON. . .from which IT CAME! In Celtic legendary history Partholon and his people arrived in Ireland on a Beltane or May Day.
PARTHIA. . .designates the great Empire the Parthians built up after conquering ancient BABYLON. . .who also worshipped the god. . .BEL! These Ancient Parthians brought the WORSHIP OF BEL to the Celts. . .complete with WORSHIP OF THE DEAD. . . AND HUMAN SACRIFICE!
Parthains are persians!
A Dictionary of Non-Christian Religions by Geoffrey Parrinder, 1971, page 42 says. . .
| Bel. God of the earth in Babylonian religion whose worship was centered at Nippur. With the growth of the cult of Marduk (q.v.), tutelary god of Babylon, he came to be identified with Bel, as 'the lord' over all. The name means the same as Baal (q.v.). The apocryphal book of Bel and the Dragon or Snake says that Cyrus the Persian worshipped the Babylonian idol called Bel, but Daniel overthrew it and a serpent which was also worshipped. Belenos. A sun god of Celtic myth- ology, from belos, 'bright'. His worship was widespread in Gaul, and perhaps in Britain too, and the Romans identified him with Apollo. Images have been found of a nameless god who has a wheel, often a symbol of the sun, and this may be Belenos. Geoffrey of Monmouth in his History said that the ashes of Belenos were preserved at Billingsgate in London, so named after him. |
A Dictionary of Non-Christian Religions, page 242 says. . .
| Sanhain, Samuin. Ancient Celtic feast, held at the end of October and beginning of November. In Ireland it was celebrated on the shores of lakes. Samhain marked the beginning of winter, as Beltane (q.v.) marked the onset of summer. Samhain meant 'summer end', and bonfires were lit to strengthen the powers of the waning sun. These are perpetuated in the bonfires of November 5, still popular in Britain. In the Christian calendar Samhain was merged into All Saints' Day on November 1. |
The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols, Part 2, page 1393 SAYS. . .
| SAMHAIN (SAMAIN, SAMAN, SAMHAN) Literally, summer's end. Celtic winter solstice festi- val celebrated about November 1. The entrance to burial caves were left open to allow the spir- its to come out for an airing. On oidhche Shamhna omen for the future were extracted from the fairies. The Fomors first oppressed the people of Nemed with their terrible tax on this day, and on it the Mag-Tured battles were fought, thus the day on which winter giants expelled the fertility gods. On the Isle of Man called Sauin, in Wales called Nos Galan-gaeof (Night of the winter calends). Corre- sponds to Halloween. Samhanach. Goblins which come out on Samhain in Scotland. |
The Druids, it is believed, lighted fires at their stone altars on Samhain, perhaps in the belief that fire would chase evil spirits away.
The Yearbook of English Festivals, by Dorothy Gladys Spicer, 1954, pages 153-157 are displayed . . .showing US the Ancient MEANING OF HALLOWEEN. . .ALL SAINTS. . .and ALL SOULS DAYS. . .all PART. . .of the Ancient SACRIFICES. . .OF THE DEAD!
ALL HALLOWS' EVE
October 31
All Hallows' Eve or All Hallow E'en, with its tradition of witches, ghosts, hobgoblins and sprites, its games and incantations, still is a gay time for pranks and parties in many North Country homes. Fun-loving Americans have borrowed from their British ancestors many Hallow E'en games, such as apple-bobbing, nut roasting and tossing of apple parings. Transplanted to New World soil, the old practices have become revitalized and currently are observed with more enthusiasm than in the country of their birth.
To ancient Druids the end of October commemorated the festival of the waning year, when the sun began his downward course and ripened grain was garnered from fields. Samhain, or "Summer's End," as this feast to the dying sun was called, was celebrated with human sacrifice, augury and prayer; for at this season spirits walked and evil had power over souls of men.
Not until the fourth century did the pagan vigil for the god of light give way to All Hallows, the mass for Chrisitan saints; and not until the tenth, did the Druids' death feast become All Souls', the day of prayer for souls that had entered rest. Cakes for the dead were substituted for human sacrifice, fortune-telling for heathen augury, lighted candles for the Baal fires.
| Fortune Telling- - -AUGURY au' gu-ry, n.; pl. au' gu-ries, [L.augurium. divination, from augur, an augur] 1. the art or practice of foretelling events by signs or omens. 2. that which forebodes; that from which a prediction is drawn; an omen; portent. 3. a formal ceremony conducted by an augur. au' gur, v.i.; augured (-gurd). pt., pp.; augur- ing. ppr. to guess, to conjecture by signs or omens; to prognosticate. au'gur, v.i. 1. to predict or foretell. 2. to be an omen of; as , to augur ill success. |
Gradually, the last night of October - first a Druid feast, then a Christian holy day - emerged as a night of gaiety, when young people played games and read fortunes from simple objects, such as apples, cabbages, or nuts.
Indeed, nuts became a favorite means of divination, that All Hallow E'en was known as "Nutcrack Night." Girls and Boys placed nuts side by side in the dying embers. If the nuts flew apart, quarrels and disaster were sure to follow. But if they burned brightly side by side, a peaceful married life was foretold.
Next to nuts, apples feature in All Hallow E'en divinations. Apple-bobbing still as popular in the North Country as in rural America. Even pips and parings come in for their share of attention. This old rhyme accompanies the swinging of a paring, to learn the loved one's initials:
Though many old Hallow E'en customs have disappeared survivals of All Souls' (November 2), as will be seen, still exist in many communities. Soulers, not unlike American Halloween mummers, still make village rounds and beg for "soul cakes," instead of "something for Halloween."
ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS'
November 1 and 2
The early English Church called All Saints', the feast to commemorate all the saints, All Hallow E'en, All Saints' and All Souls' (October 31, November 1 and 2, respectively) share a common tradition. The three festivals concern remembrance of departed souls. Hallow E'en, as already noted, is celebrated with games and divination rites, since people once believed spirits of the dead walked abroad on this night. All Saints' and All Souls', on the other hand, are popularly observed with "souling" customs and plays. Originally, these demonstrations were intended to honor the faithful departed and to ease the pain of the bereaved.
"Souling," or "Soul-caking," is the custom descended from pre-Reformation times, of going about on All Saints' or All Souls' and begging for cakes, in remembrance of the dead. The Soulers, singing verses inherited from a remote past, are rewarded with "soul cakes." Originally these were buns, rich with eggs and milk, spices and saffron. Although the cakes varied a good deal from county to county, they were generally oval or round in shape, and rather flat.
Once soulers of certain villages began their rounds with services in the perish church. The cakes householders gave were in exchange for prayers for the dead, a "charity" for the departed. In other words, soul cakes were intended as a bread dole to the community poor. Bonfires, "to light souls out of purgatory," and the ringing of church bells, also characterized old-time observances.
In the Book of Festival Holidays, 1964, by Marguerite Ickis, pages 123, 125 show US. . . the ORIGIN and the MEANING BEHIND. . .the TRADITIONS of HALLOWEEN!
| Harvest festivals come at a time of year when the last warmth of Indian summer is gone, and bleak winds and gray skies begin to appear. It is the time of year when barns are made snug, the last of the apples and vegetables are stored away in bins and people sit in front of a roaring fire to relax from their long sum- mer's work. In short, it is a rejoicing over earth's gifts. The custom of holding a festival at harvesttime goes back over two thousand years. The last day of the year on the old pagan calendar, October 31, served the triple purpose of bidding good- by to summer, welcoming winter and remembering the dead. The Irish built tremendous bonfires on hilltops to offer encourage- ment to the waning sun and to provide a warm welcome for visit- ing sprites and ghosts that walked about in the night. People of the British Isles had the quaint custom of tossing objects, such as stones, vegetables and nuts, into a bonfire to frighten away any "spooks" that might be near. These symbolic sacrifices were also fortunetelling props, still widely used at Hal- loween parties today. If a pebble a man flung into the fire at night was no longer visible the following morning, people clucked sympathetically, believing the man wouldn't survive another year. If the nuts tossed by young lovers exploded in the flames, theirs would be a quarrelsome marriage, etc. More fearful of spooks than spouses, folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare evil spirits from the house. Why was the result called a "jack-o'- lantern?" Tradition says that an Irish Jack, too wicked for heaven and expelled from hell for playing tricks on the devil, was con- demned to walk to earth with a lantern forever. It was the Irish, too, who initiated the "trick or treat" system hundreds of years ago. Groups of Irish farmers would go from house to house soliciting food for the village Halloween festivities in the name of no less a personage than Muck Olla (ancient god of Irish clergy). Prosperity was promised to cheerful givers and threats made against tightfisted donors. It was the custom for English children to dress up in each other's clothes (boys donning girls' outfits and vice versa) and, wearing masks, to go begging from door to door for "soul cakes." Surprisingly, Halloween was scarcely observed in the United States until the last half of the nineteenth century. It is thought the large-scale Irish immigration had much to do with the pop- ularizing of the holiday. Rather than threaten vengence for youthful Halloween pranks, more and more communities and neighborhoods have been forestalling them with organized treasure hunts, block parties and other forms of entertainment. Just the same, any prudent person on Halloween will see that his car is locked in the garage, porch furniture is stored away and there are plenty of treats, in the form of apples, candies and pennies, to hand out when the doorbell rings and the children shout "Anything for goblins?" |
The Book of Holidays. 1958, by J Walker McSpadden, pages 149-153 is displayed . . .
| Halloween, in spite of the fact that it takes its name from a Christian festival (All Hallows or All Saints' Day), comes from pagan times and has never taken on a Christian significance. There were two different festivals in the early world at this time of year, and they are both rep- resented in our own Halloween activities. When you duck for apples, or throw an apple paring over your shoulder to see what initial it makes on the floor, you are doing as the Romans did - honoring Pomona, the Roman goddess of orchards and especially of apple orchards. And when you light a candle inside the jeering pumpkin face, you are in a small way im- itating the Celtic Druids of northern Britain (de- scribed in the chapter on St. Patrick's Day), who lit a fire to scare away winter and the evil spirits who were willing to come rushing in when summer was over. On that night between October and November, the Druids kindled great fires on the hills as a barrier against the evil to come. (These Halloween fires still burn every year in many places, but especially in Scotland and Wales.) By waving burning wisps of plaited straw aloft on pitchforks, people tried to frighten off demons and witches, but just in case this didn't work, they also put on grotesque and terrifying costumes. For if you dressed in a horrible enough fashion and went trooping around with the spirits all night, they would think you were one of them and do you no harm. This is where the persistent Halloween custom of "dressing up" and wearing masks originated; and among the children who come to the door on Halloween, Calling "trick ot treat," the most alarming costumes are still considered the best. Other northern people in the Germanic and Scandinavian countries also lived in terror of "the raging rout," as they called the evil spirits whom they believed to be led by the great god Odin. Halloween weather was of the greatest importance to these people, for the day was prophetic: if the rout came in on a soft wind, the next year would be easy and good: but if the rout came raging in, the year would be full of bitter woe and warfare. The night being so filled with supernatural powers, it was usually possible for individuals to catch some premonitions of their own futures. Especially among the Celts there was a custom - which still continues - to try to learn what the future holds, especially in matrimonial matters. There is a wistful line in an old Scotch song, "But I don't know whom I'll marry." Well, Halloween is the time to find out. And if you can't get some kind of a hint at least, you must have no Celtic blood at all. There are so many ways that there should be one for everybody. For instance, a girl puts three nuts on the grate. Then she names one nut for herself, and two for possible husbands of her acquaintance. He who cracks or jumps will be unfaithful, but he who starts to burn likes her and will be a good mate. If the girls nut and one of the others burn together, then the wedding is certain. Also, there is an interesting method of looking into a mirror. But, of course, a girl must be eating an apple while doing it. Then, if she "gets a sight" - sees a boy peeping over her shoulder - the boy she sees will be the one she will marry. There are also the Three Luggies, or dishes, which Robert Burns mentions in his poem, "Halloween." This is for boys instead of girls. One dish holds clean water, one dirty water, and one is empty. The boy is blindfolded, and dips his finger into the first dish he feels. Clean water, as you can guess, means he will wed a maiden, dirty water a widow, and if the dish is empty, he stays single. Boys being never so eager to marry as girls are, the empty dish is probably a great relief to them. Nuts and apples are the invariable attendants upon all Halloween feasts, both then and now. In fact, in the north of England Halloween is often called "Nutcrack Night." And in Penzance and St. Ives, in Cornwall, the Saturday nearest Halloween is known as "Allen Day," after the big red apples of the region - apples from ancient orchards which have supplied many generations of Halloween be- lievers. "Trick or Treat" means of course that the young Halloween visitors who come to your door will play no tricks on you if you will "treat" them - ask them in for cookies or cider, maybe, and help fill their bags with fruit, nuts, cake, candy, or anything else you think they might like. But in the earlier days of our American Halloween, before "Tricks or treats" became popular, the night of October 31 was a nervous time for householders. People who had such things as birdbaths, gates, and lawn chairs learned to stow them away somewhere before dusk arrived and the "raging rout" of children, dressed as demons, ghosts, and witches started to lug away and hide every movable thing they could find. That mischief making is almost entirely over and the "evil spirits" are turned into just a lot of friendly neighborhood children by the ancient Halloween magic of apples, nuts, and general merriment. We wish the Druids and the Romans and the Norse could have found as simple a way out. |
This BOOK STATES, "we wish the Druids and Romans and the Norse could have found as simple a way out."
When one studies the ORIGINS of the CUSTOMS OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION . . .one comes to the conclusion. . . THE PAGAN WORSHIP WAS NOT BANISHED FROM THE WORLD. . . THE STRONGEST PAGAN RELIGIONS. . .
The book, Strange Stories, Amazing Facts, 1980, by Readers' Digest Association . . .corroborates this conclusion!
| Christmas and Easter, although the great- est festivals in the Christian calendar, are celebrated with customs that origi- nated in superstition and heathen rites hun- dreds of years before Christ was born. Even the dates owe more to pagan practices than to the birth and resurrection of Jesus. It was not until the fourth century that December 25 was fixed arbitrarily as the anniversary of the Nativity - because the pagan festivals from which so many Christmas customs spring were held around that time. And Easter, still a movable feast despite much pressure to allot it a specific date, falls according to the phase of the moon that the pagans long ago decided was the appropriate time to venerate their gods. Although Christianity has swept the world in a relatively short time, as the histories of great religions go, the early missionaries faced an uphill task. The pagans were reluctant to give up their false gods and ancient practices. So the missionaries, unable to convert them easily to an entirely new mode of worship, did the next best thing. They took the pagan festivals as they were and gradually grafted the observances of the new faith onto these festivals and the rites and customs surrounding them. Like Christmas and Easter, the festival of Halloween originated in a pagan cele- bration, even though its name derives from the Christian festival of All Hallows' or All Saints' Eve. It was introduced in the seventh century to commemorate all those saints and martyrs who had no special day to themselves and was held on May 13. But in the eighth century All Hallows' Day was moved to November 1, to counteract the pagan celebrations held on that date. October 31, the eve of November 1, was the last night of the year in the ancient Celtic calendar and was celebrated as the end of summer and its fruitfulness. It was a festival that the Celts of northern Europe marked with bonfires, to help the sun through the winter. Winter also called to mind the chill and blackness of the grave, and so it was a time when ghosts would walk, and supernatural spirits, warlocks, and witches would hold their revels. Only since the late 18th and early 19th centuries has Halloween developed into a fes- tive time for children, with costumes, lanterns, and games. Before then it was regarded as a night of fear, and wise men, resoectful of hob- goblins and wandering demons, stayed indoors. In the 17th and 18th centuries, however, it was customary for "guisers" - people in weird masks and costumes - to go from house to house, singing and dancing to keep evil at bay, or to go about as representatives of the ghosts and goblins of the night. Trick or treat. This custom has survived today in many parts of the world, as a children's masquerade. In the United States costumed children go from door to door in a ritual known as trick or treat. They usually carry a sack and threaten to play a trick on householders if they are not given a "treat," in the form of candy or cookies. The Halloween lantern, made from a hol- lowed-out pumpkin or turnip with a candle inside it, is a relic from the days when food offerings were made to the spirits of the dead. |
| Leviticus 19:31. . ."regard not them that have familiar spirits. . .neither. . .seek after wizards. . . to be defiled by them: I am Yahweh your heavenly Father." |
| Leviticus 20:6. . ."and the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits. . .and after wizards. . .to go a whoring with them. . .I will even set My face against that soul. . .and will cut him off from among his people. |
| Deuteronomy 18:10,11. . ."There shall not be found among you. . .any one who offers as a sacrifice his son or daughter. . .nor a fortune teller. . .nor anyone who practices magic. . .or is a wizard. Nor a caster of spells. . .nor a consulter of spirits. . .nor anyone that inquires of the dead. |
The Tradition of Halloween is steeped in just the ABOMINATIONS. . .Yahweh told us. . .not to 'whore' after!
Consulting these 'abominations' IS WORSHIP!
| 1 Corinthians 10:20-22. . ."On the contrary I say. . .that the THINGS which the Gentiles SACRIFICE. . .they SACRI- FICE TO DEMONS . . .AND NOT TO YAHWEH: and I would not that ye should have FELLOWSHIP WITH DEMONS. YE CANNOT DRINK OF THE CUP OF YAHWEH. . .AND. . . THE CUP OF DEMONS: ye cannot be partakers of YAHWEH'S TABLE. . .AND. . . OF THE TABLE OF DEMONS. Do we provoke YAHWEH TO JEALOUSY? ARE WE STRONGER THAN HE?" |
ALL THOSE 'ONES' of the Children of Israel. . .who had FORSAKEN YAHWEH to serve BAAL-PEOR. . .and ATE THE SACRIFICES OF THE DEAD in Numbers 25:1-5. . .
| Deuteronomy 4:3. . ."Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of BAAL-PEOR: for all the men that FOLLOWED BAAL-PEOR, Yahweh thy Heavenly Father HATH DESTROYED THEM FROM AMONG YOU." |
ALL. . .of the 'customs' of this PAGAN CELEBRATION CALLED HALLOWEEN. . .which have come down to this SIN-SICK WORLD as 'fun' and 'games'. . .
YAHWEH ALSO SAYS TO US. . .
| Deuteronomy 4:1,2. . ."Now therefore hearken O Israel. . .unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you for to do them. . .that ye may live. . , and go in and possess the land which Yahweh thy Heavenly Father of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you. . .neither shall ye diminish aught from it. . .that ye keep the commandments of Yahweh you Heavenly Father. . .which I command you." |
We realize many Halloween articles appear in different newspapers around the United States. . .but in each article their conclusion is. . .somehow all this pagan worship has now been 'accepted' by the Creator. . .and since it is now 'only in fun'. . .there is little or 'no harm' in re-enacting these 'traditions'.
BUT. . .to coin an old phrase. . .'a rose by any other name is STILL a rose'.
To KNOW these 'traditions and customs' are the WORSHIP OF PAGAN GODS. . .and then TO STILL PARTICIPATE IN THEM. . .is actually worse than not 'knowing' at all! It is classified as an abominable sin. . .TO YAHWEH. . .
| Hebrews 10:26. . ."For if we SIN WILLFULLY. . . After. . .that we have received the knowledge of the truth. . .there remaineth NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SIN." |
The Worldly Preachers. . .claiming to 'follow the Scriptures'. . .are afraid to CONDEMN THESE PAGAN PRACTICES! They are 'AFRAID' to rock the big boat that brings them so much wealth. . .yet. . .there is no Scripture that CONDONES THESE PRACTICES! Search the Bible from Genesis through Revelation and you will only find the WARNING. . .TO COME OUT FROM AMONG IT!
| Revelation 18:4, ". . .COME OUT FROM HER. . .MY PEOPLE. . .that ye be NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS. . . and that ye receive not of HER PLAGUES." |
Yahweh commands us to follow his instruction. . .not adding to it. . .nor diminishing from it. . . that we may live. . . Deuteronomy 4:2
Yahweh said to live. . .by every Word of Yahweh. . .
| Matthew 4:4, . . ."Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahweh." |
| Revelation 22:14. . ."Blessed are they. . .that do His Commandments that they may have right to the tree of life. . .and may enter in through the gates into the city." |
There is no blessing from Yahweh for the practice of this pagan worship! Yahweh DOES pronounce many CURSES for those worshippers. . .Deuteronomy 28:16-68.
Preachers today condemn the LAWS of Yahweh. . .while they condone these pagan practices!
The Apostle Paul. . .answers that question in. . .
| Romans 6:16. . ."Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey. . .his servants ye are. . .whom ye obey. . .whether of sin - - - unto death, or of obedience - - - unto righteousness." |
Yahshua WARNED US. . .over and over. . .about false preachers who would teach AGAINST The Laws of Yahweh. . .while they SERVED SATAN. He said you can know them by their 'fruits'. . .
| Matthew 7:16-20. . ."Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so. . .every righteous tree bringeth forth right- eous fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. every tree that bringeth not forth righteous fruits. . . is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits. . .ye shall know them." |
CAN YOU. . .follow these False Preachers who TEACH THIS PAGAN GOD WORSHIP?
Can YOU. . .ANY MORE. . .ACCEPT THE WAYS OF BAAL. . .now that YOU KNOW THIS WAY is so CONDEMNED by the Word of Yahweh. . .YOUR GUIDE TO ETERNAL LIFE?
