As the leaves begin their fall across the southern states of Australia, as fogs roll in and frosts deepen, and as the liminal time of Samhain approaches, let’s explore the fun customs and games that shaped the evolution of Samhain and Halloween.
I love this! And, as someone who spent my childhood years growing up in the northern hemisphere, I have always felt a little discombobulated by the 'upside down, inside out' nature of celebrating the seasons in Australia - spring and autumn, in particular, seem back to front to me. On another note - I remember bobbing for apples as one of my favourite memories of Hallowe'en in my chidlhood. There was no trick or treating, but we would build a bonfire at home - perhaps a remnant of the fire from which all the community's hearths were lit, who knows, and there were special treats to eat and share as we spent the evening in its warm glow. I still like to set a place at the table for loved ones who have gone, and, in the spirit of getting it right, will do so both at the end of April, and again at the end of October. There is something special about these celebrations as we step between the seasons. (Interestingly, though, the poem you quoted about the goose getting fat was reserved for Christmas! Funny, isn't it, how small things are different between different communities, and, yet, so much the same?!)
Oh what lovely memories. I'm so glad to know someone else will be setting a place at the table for their loved ones this Samhain. Beltaine (Oct/Nov - when everyone celebrates Halloween in Oz) is also a powerfully liminal time so it seems fitting for you to do it twice a year. You're also right about the quote. I researched it some more (initially found it on an Irish tourism website) it seems to be a Christmas rhyme that has started to be used for trick or treating at Hallowe'en.
I love this! And, as someone who spent my childhood years growing up in the northern hemisphere, I have always felt a little discombobulated by the 'upside down, inside out' nature of celebrating the seasons in Australia - spring and autumn, in particular, seem back to front to me. On another note - I remember bobbing for apples as one of my favourite memories of Hallowe'en in my chidlhood. There was no trick or treating, but we would build a bonfire at home - perhaps a remnant of the fire from which all the community's hearths were lit, who knows, and there were special treats to eat and share as we spent the evening in its warm glow. I still like to set a place at the table for loved ones who have gone, and, in the spirit of getting it right, will do so both at the end of April, and again at the end of October. There is something special about these celebrations as we step between the seasons. (Interestingly, though, the poem you quoted about the goose getting fat was reserved for Christmas! Funny, isn't it, how small things are different between different communities, and, yet, so much the same?!)
Oh what lovely memories. I'm so glad to know someone else will be setting a place at the table for their loved ones this Samhain. Beltaine (Oct/Nov - when everyone celebrates Halloween in Oz) is also a powerfully liminal time so it seems fitting for you to do it twice a year. You're also right about the quote. I researched it some more (initially found it on an Irish tourism website) it seems to be a Christmas rhyme that has started to be used for trick or treating at Hallowe'en.