By Kristy McCaffrey
Halloween is near, but it wasn’t always a one-day
celebration. It evolved from a triduum called Hallowtide (derived from halig, meaning saint, and tide, meaning season). While many cultures
celebrate the dead from October 31 to November 2, the most notable
contributions to our westernized celebration of Halloween come from the Roman
Catholics, the Mexicans, and the Celts.
In Catholic theology, November 1 is All Saints’ Day and
commemorates those who have reached perfect salvation. The following day,
November 2, is All Souls’ Day, devoted to those who have not reached a beatific
vision. It stands as a day of prayer for the dead, and lighting a fire or
lantern was often done to provide guidance to the souls of the dead. Public
worship, or liturgy, would begin on the eve of All Saints’ Day, thus making
Halloween All Saints’ Eve or Hallows Eve.
In Mexican culture, celebrations of the dead can be traced
back thousands of years. Giant skulls, sugar skulls, shrines, decorated
rabbits, poems and dancing with colorful costumes and devil masks in the town
center are all part of Day of the Dead (October 31 – November 2) celebrations,
and are thought to bring good luck and peace. It encompasses All Hallows’ Eve, when
spirits of dead children are welcomed with the presence of a children’s altar;
All Saints’ Day, when adult spirits are invited; and All Souls’ Day, when
families visit cemeteries.
In ancient Gaelic culture, the end of harvest season was
celebrated with the festival of Samhain, beginning at sunset on October 31 and
lasting until sunset on November 1. This is a liminal period for the spirits,
or aos sí, to
enter our world. Lighting bonfires served as protection from the spirits and
costumes were thought to help in appeasing them. Divination and feasting
rituals were also practiced.
Looking for a spooky and romantic read this October? Check
out these two historical western romance novellas with paranormal twists.
THE CROW AND THE COYOTE
In Arizona Territory, Hannah Dobbin travels through Cañon de Chelly, home to
the Navajo, in search of a sorcerer who murdered her pa. Only when she
retrieves the silver cross taken from her father's corpse will she be able to
free her pa's spirit, and allow him to be at peace.
Bounty hunter Jack Boggs—known as Crow—is on the trail of a
vile Mexican bandito when he discovers Hannah and her companion, a
superstitious old Navajo woman. He knows he must protect them, but with the
shadows of Hallowtide descending, more dark magic is at hand than any of them
know.
Available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited
THE CROW AND THE BEAR
Bounty hunter Callum Boggs—sometimes called Crow—arrives in
the mining town of Silverton on a cold October day in search of a man who has
committed unspeakable crimes. Skilled in the technique of dream scouting, Crow
has narrowed the location of the criminal to Silas Ravine. No normal man would
dare to venture into this region, where so many gruesome and unexplained
murders have taken place—a piece of land forever haunted where Death still
walks. But Crow is no normal man...
Jennie Livingstone knows her papa is in trouble. When none
of the local men will come to her aid, she must accept a newly-arrived
stranger—a half-Comanche bounty hunter—as her only ally. As they head into the
mountains to track Jennie’s father, she can hear more than the whispers of man.
The mines carry spirits, and her only hope in navigating the living and the
dead lies with the Crow.
But is Jennie prepared for the consequences of where her
fate with Callum Boggs may lead? And is she the woman who can hold fast to the
Crow’s heart after all his years alone? Bewitched by the beautiful young woman,
Callum must do everything he can to stay one step ahead of the spirits that
can’t rest—just to keep Jennie and himself alive.
Available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited
So many stories that come with this time of year. Harvest, spirits and weather change I think help contribute to the aura of Halloween. Loved the history and of course I love your stories. Doris
ReplyDeleteThank you, Doris!
DeleteKristy,
ReplyDeleteHalloween has so much fascinating history intertwined with legend and myth. Halloween activities were a big part of my childhood, and I passed down that tradition to my kids. Bonfires, star gazing, evening walks, and the annual 'moonlight' ride that our local saddle club hosted every year were such fun. And that October is the perfect time of year (in my humble opinion *wink*)just adds to my Halloween-season enjoyment.
The 2014 animated movie, "The Book of Life", and the upcoming animated movie (November 2017), "Coco", both have storylines involving the Day of the Dead traditions.
Kaye,
DeleteThat's exactly how I feel about October, too!! And thanks for the heads up on the animated movies.
I love Halloween with all the lights or lit jack-o-lanterns, the fun the children have, decorations, etc., and so enjoyed reading how and why the traditions grew way back when in your blog. Thank you. And wishing you much success with your stories. By way, the Happy Halloween--soon.
ReplyDelete