By Rosie Moore
Autumn and Hallowe’en is a synthesis of a combination of parts to form a whole in October, Autumn, at the beginning of the month, and Hallowe’en at the end of the month. Believe it or not, Hallowe’en dates back to 2,000 years go in the area that is now Ireland, England, and Northern France. It also marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. The Celts at that time believed the night before November 1st, the worlds of the living and dead became blurred and that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
When did costumes and sweets enter the picture? That also started with the Celts. They wore ghoulish costumes so that the wandering spirits would mistake them for one of their own and leave them alone. Others offered sweets to the spirits to appease them.
As time went on, of course, things, as usual, started to change, along with the costumes and sweets. When I went to school, we could walk to school wearing our Hallowe’en costume and have parties in the classroom. But, not any more. The sad thing is times have not changed for the better. On the other hand, there are still parties for children in churches, in peoples’ homes, and other places that cater to having fun with proper escorts. And most parents go with their children to help them Trick or Treat from door to door.
Now, let’s go to beautiful Autumn. For me, there’s only one way to describe it, by listening to that beautiful song, “Autumn Leaves.”
The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold,
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold.
Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song.
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall.
Thought for the day: “Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run.” John Keats–”In Autumn”
Send comments to: rosemerrie@att.net. Thank you.
