October in America tends to get associated with cozy vibes and spookiness.
The leaves are starting to change into warmer tones of orange, red and yellow and Dunkin’ donuts as well as Starbucks are selling their ever-so-popular pumpkin spiced lattes.
This time of year, there is an array of different festivities to choose—from seasonal shopping and trick-or-treating to harvest festivals with hayrides and pumpkin patches. Then there is the abundance of spooky themed décor found at local shops for individuals to decorate all year-round or just for Halloween.
Some might spend the month watching “scary” movies or rewatching Gilmore Girls.
Halloween maybe considered one of the more inclusive holidays observed in America when it comes to the array of activities for all ages to choose from; however, there are some who avoid October’s commercialized holiday all together: Halloween.
While the history of Halloween seems to have a myriad of accounts to its origin or deeper meaning, Samhain—Halloween’s predecessor—has been long practiced in Ireland, Scotland and some parts of the United Kingdom before arriving in America.
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) is observed from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1—the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice—marking the end of summer and harvest, welcoming the beginning of winter.
Samhain’s rich Gaelic roots and deep spiritual meaning have been lost to those who are unfamiliar with Vox in Rama’s long standing detrimental impact and the continuation of stacked negative views of “devil worshipping.”
On the eve of Nov. 1, it is believed that the veil between this world and the afterlife is at its thinnest — making communication with those who have left this world possible.
In modern day Wicca practice, Samhain is a time to honor those who have passed and often involves paying tribute to ancestors, family, friends and pets.
This is not unlike other cultural practices or customs for honoring the dead.
Halloween in America has become more of a consumer-driven holiday with overpriced cheaply made costumes, loads of candy, green skinned “witches” on broomsticks and internet trending 12-feet-tall front lawn skeletons; however, if one has the curiosity to learn more about Halloween or Samhain through research, a deeper understanding can illuminate its cultural significance as well as honoring the passing of loved ones.