There’s a social gathering at a friends house, you are excited to go to it and dress up accordingly.  All of your friends are there, and a few new people as well.  There are drinks of apple cider and punch, harvest treats such as pumpkin shaped cookies, cheese and crackers, pumpkin bars and some delicious bread tinged with a hint of honey.

Everyone is smiling and laughing and having a good time.  The room is decorated with orange and black with lots of “harvest” items such as “Indian” corn, pumpkins, gourds, homemade brooms, apples, candles and dried wreaths.  Scents of spices, candle wax and cider fill the air.

You mingle with a plate of goodies in one hand and a glass of punch or cider in the other.  Some people talk about kids, some about work, and some about their personal beliefs and values.  It’s a great way to gather, meet new people and have conversations that don’t involve cartoon characters, sippy cups and trying to translate "goo-goo ga-ga" into meaningful dialogue. 

Sitting on a table is a large container filled with sand and on top of the sand are lots of white tea light candles.  Nearby is either a lighter or matches.  One at a time a person wanders over to the container, pauses a moment, and then lights a candle or two.  Each candle lit is representative to that person of a family member or close friend who has passed away in the past year.  The pause before lighting is to take a moment to pray or reflect on the person the candle is being lit for.  The flame represents that person’s spirit and the act of lighting the candle is symbolic of asking that their spirit go safely and peacefully to the “other side.”

Does this sound like something you might want to partake in?  A tradition you might want to start with your family and friends?

If you answer “YES” then know that you just took part in a traditional Pagan/Wiccan celebration for Halloween, or Samhain to use our terminology.

So tell me…what is so evil about this?

Tags: religion, halloween, samhain, pagan, wicca, wiccan, tradition, ritual, gathering, social

Add A Comment