Samhain

Halloween is a tradition that goes back to an old Celtic festival called Samuin, which is the practice of wearing costumes in celebration of the end of the year as they celebrated a new year on November first. During Samuin people dressed up to impersonate the evil spirits. The Celtics believed that the end of the year which is October 31st, the living and dead world would overlap. This resulted in the dead having access to roam earth again. So by people dressing up in costumes they were trying…

The Wiccan calendar and holidays are a little different from our own. Azilyn explained that her New Year starts at Shaman (that is October 31st) and runs through October 30th of the next calendar year. Wiccans also celebrate their greater and lesser sun holidays (more accurately Sabbats) according to an eight-spoked wheel, which corresponds with cycles of nature and symbolizes the belief in the birth, death, and rebirth cycle. Azilyn told me a beautiful story that incorporates some of the Greek…

While Halloween might have once had its basis in religion, it's now a time where people dress up to scare each other. Children dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat around their neighborhood. Adults and teenagers might visit Halloween attractions like haunted houses, Halloween parades and haunted hayrides. In most cases, the attractions start around the beginning of October. Haunted Trails A haunted trail usually happens in the forest or woods. It can also happen in an empty theme park. The…

The Hopi Snake Dance is performed by Hopis which is a First Nation tribe which lives in the northeast part of Arizona. The Hopi Snake Dance is used on the last day of a 16 day celebration which happens in August or early September. Many people call this dance the “Rain Dance” because it is a dance to pray for the rain. The origin of the Hopi Snake Dance also comes from this story. A long time back, there lived a father and a son in one of the Hopi villages. Whenever there were offerings were…

Different Views on the Same Time Period Both feast days Halloween and All Souls’ Day come from one Celtic habit when it was celebrated the beginning of second part of the year. Since the Celts knew only two seasons, namely the darker half of the year and the brighter half of the year. Under the name of Halloween is this feast recognised in English speaking countries, especially in the USA, Canada and the British Isles whereas All Souls’ Day is celebrated in Christian countries. However, the…

Ringing in the New Year in Europe Each European country greatly varies from others and everyone has their own New Year’s Eve traditions. Here is a look at some European countries and how you can expect to celebrate New Year’s Eve if you would travel there. Amsterdam, The Netherlands In The Netherlands people celebrate Oudejaarsayond or New Year’s Eve with plenty of champagne and oliebollen (deep-fried pieces of dough with apples and raisins). The day before the celebrations begin plenty of…

Hollywood Forever’s 15th annual Dia de Los Muertos festival will be held on Saturday, November 1st at the renowned cemetery location in Los Angeles. Started by Tyler Cassity and Deisy Marquez, the event serves as a platform for the ancient Mexican holiday in “remembering the departed spirits of our lives.” “Home to the oldest memorial park in Hollywood dating back to 1899, Hollywood Forever is the only cemetery in the country which opens its gates and welcomes its surrounding community to…

Each year, Americans spend over $3.9 billion on candy during Halloween, with each trick-or-treater receiving an average of 250 pieces of sweet treats during the night. Candy wasn't always given out on Halloween, however. Children today may be surprised how trick-or-treating has changed throughout the years. Early Halloween Treats During the Medieval time period through the 1930s, England children would go door-to-door on Halloween offering prayers for the souls of the household in exchange for…

October 31st was the start of it all. It was the Halloween I will never forget for as long as I live. My crazy experience started with one abandoned house on a street known as Ravine Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights. It was the most beautiful Halloween that ever comes across my mind with the beautiful colors of the leaves falling, the cool breeze, and the rustling sounds of the winds. The air was crisp when we arrived at 329 Ravine Ave and entered what was known as the “Death Trap of Hasbrouck…

Today is Ganesha Chaturthi, also known as the birthday of Lord Ganesha! This holiday can fall anytime between August and September and the festival itself is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. The date varies only because the start of the celebration begins on the fourth day of the waxing moon period. The waxing moon is important because this is when the moon begins to grow into the full moon, bringing a time for new beginnings, positive change, and good luck! It is important to remember not to look…