On the eve of All Saints Day, one mystical and very mysterious holiday is celebrated - Halloween. His story began a very, very long time ago in northern Ireland, France and the United Kingdom. Halloween is celebrated not only in English-speaking countries, but also in Europe and the CIS. Moreover, every year it becomes more and more popular. In this article we will find out how many Halloween are celebrated in Russia and what is the history of this mystical holiday.
Last day of the year
The group of ancient nationalities that lived in Western Europe identified only two seasons: summer and winter. October was considered the last month of the summer, and after it, November 1, the New Year came. The Celts, as these ancient peoples were called, believed that on the last day of the outgoing year (Samhain), the fine line between the world of the living and the dead was erased. And then all the spirits and ghosts rose up and arranged magnificent celebrations. In order not to become their victim, the Celts dressed in animal skins, sacrificed animals and lit a sacred fire. All this was done in order to hide from evil forces. This happened around 800-700 BC. e. In addition, on this day the Celts predicted the future and made reserves for the winter. Samhain was also called the Day of the Dead.
Feast of All Saints
With the advent of our era, the Romans began to encroach on this territory. Having conquered the land, they brought their traditions and customs to it. So, the last day of the outgoing year at the Celts coincided with the Christian holiday All Saints Day - All Hallows' Eve. It is from this name that Halloween came to be - Halloween. No matter what number this holiday is celebrated, it is not considered an official holiday. It is also interesting that all its attributes are pagan. No matter how much the Catholic Church tries to uproot the traditions of the ancient Celts, nothing came of it. In general terms, we can say that All Saints Day and Halloween are united in one holiday, which is still celebrated by many countries. The Christian church never supported such festivities. However, on November 2, the Catholic world celebrates the day of all the departed.
What number is halloween
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that they celebrate it on the night of October 31 to November 1. It was at this time that on the streets of many cities you can meet dressed up and very scary kids and teenagers. They go home and beg for sweets. In English-speaking countries it is customary to knock on the door and say: “trick-or-treating”. Which is translated into Russian as "trick or treat." What else are they doing on Halloween? Whatever number it is celebrated, themed parties are organized in many cafes and bars on this day. Entrance there is allowed only in fancy dress. The halls themselves are decorated with holiday attributes.
Modern vision
And at present, some traditions of the holiday have been preserved, but in addition, many new ones have arisen. First of all, it is worth noting that the very meaning of the holiday is beginning to be forgotten. Almost everyone knows what Halloween number, but practically no one remembers that this day falls on the eve of All Saints Day. In addition, before the onset of Halloween terrified, because they believed that spirits and ghosts would rise to the earth. But nowadays it is customary to have fun and have fun on this day. So, we have already figured out what date Halloween is celebrated, and now we learn about some of its attributes and rites.
Jack lamp
Of course, pumpkin is the hallmark of Halloween. It is believed that this fruit helps souls get into purgatory. Of course, the date Halloween is celebrated and the story of Jack Lamp is virtually unrelated. But, despite this, this amazing legend has its own hidden meaning. In one Irish city lived a very cunning bizarre blacksmith Jack. Once he met the devil himself in a tavern and offered him a drink with him. When it was time to pay for the drink, Jack suggested that Satan turn into a coin. He did so, and the blacksmith quickly put the money in his pocket, where the cross was. Satan is trapped. Jack released him from there, provided that the devil would not touch him for a year and lay claim to his soul. So, the binge smith set many different traps for Satan. When he died, neither the forces of light nor darkness wanted to take his soul. Jack carved several holes in the pumpkin, put a smoldering ember there, and set off on his own to search for the path to purgatory.
This legend was so liked by many British and Irish that they began to make such lamps and put them at the entrance to the house. They sincerely believed that a pumpkin with a candle would protect their home from evil forces. In addition, they tried to carve a very, very scary face out of pumpkins. The more terrible it was, the more likely it was that Jack Lamp would protect them.
Trick or treat
In English-speaking countries, asking for sweets is a must-have for Halloween. What date is it celebrated? October 31, and a few days before this date, Americans are buying up all the sweets on store shelves. They lay them in large glass vases and look forward to knocking on the door. The very owners of the house very often dress up as angels and demons. For little children, funny animal costumes are also sewn.
On the night of October 31 to November 1, children dressed in scary costumes (from 7 to 14 years old) knock on every door and threaten: “Sweets or death!” The owners pretend that they are very, very scared, and give them a vase with refreshments. Each child takes a handful of sweets, and then the fun company goes to the next house. But is it possible that children are not given sweets? In fact, the Americans claim that such cases do not happen, but if you refuse to treat, then the children should avenge it. They can cover the door handle with glue or paint.
Not everyone has fun on this day.
Despite the fact that for many people this is an occasion to have fun and have fun, real sorcerers and magicians know what to do in Halloween. What date and month this holiday is celebrated is not a secret for them. Moreover, practicing magicians are sure that this is one of the most powerful and strong days of the year.
At this time, the fine line between the worlds of the dead and the living is erased. Ancestors visit their relatives to share strength, knowledge and wisdom with them. On this day, magicians and sorcerers will certainly honor the memory of their deceased relatives and conduct various rituals. In Halloween, powerful energy vortexes occur throughout the planet, thanks to which you can get answers to all questions. Of course, if you decide to join such rituals, you should think about your safety, because not only the spirits of relatives come to our world on this day.
Celebrations in Russia
With English-speaking countries, everything is more or less clear, but what about other states? We have already figured out what date Halloween is celebrated in Russia, and now we will find out exactly how it is celebrated. Of course, the preparations for this day in the United States and other English-speaking countries are significantly different from ours. So, in some American cities at the end of August, festive paraphernalia begins to appear in stores. In many cafes, delicious and very scary dishes are served during September and October. We can say that a sense of celebration arises much earlier than himself.
In Russia, as such, there is no preparation for this day. Halloween is not so popular with us yet. Most of all this holiday is widespread among teenagers and schoolchildren. In order to celebrate Halloween, in Russia, young people first choose a place of celebration. It can be either a bar or cafe, which is specially decorated by October 31 with ghosts, Jack's lamps, cobwebs and spiders, or someone else’s apartment. Of course, in the latter case, the participants themselves will be responsible for the interior design. Then the youth chooses suits for themselves. Here the choice is especially great. These are skeletons, and koshchei, and the dead, and persons of the scaly family, in general, the worse, the better. It’s customary to have fun on Halloween, so the guys, as a rule, hold various contests, scenes, play fun games. Everything that happens at the celebration should be terribly funny and scary.