Samhain or Happy Halloween

Today, let's all have some fun!  Here is the story of Samhain or Halloween (as you might know it):
Samhain was a Celtic holiday (the Celtic New Year) that included celebrations, bonfires, guising, divination, and represents the final harvest of the year.  It also marks the end of Summer (the season of Light) and is the beginning of Winter (the season of Darkness).  The eve of Samhain (Oct 31st) was the time where the souls of Purgatory walked between realities.  A table setting was placed for the deceased of families at the tables; candles were burnt in windows so the souls should find their way home and food was put out so souls who had no home should have food while they continued their journey to heaven.    The Catholics joined the partywagon around the 8th century and called the holiday All Saint's Day (later All Soul's Day); membership was low and this attracted more pagans into the Church...Bonfires and festivals marked the holiday of Samhain.  Bonfires symbolized the 'light in the dark' and also served as part of a cleansing festival to mark the New Year.  The custom of costumes and masks came from the peasants attempts to emulate the evil spirits, and drive them out (give 'em a bit of their own medicine!).  Large turnips were hollowed out and evil looking faces carved to scare the evil spirits away.  In the 16th century, children dressed in masks and costumes and went from door to door offering songs and entertainment in return for food, treats and coins (hence...trick or treat!).  Fruits of the harvest (mainly apples) and nuts were used to determine a future spouse or the future of a marriage. Egg whites were used to determine the number of children to be born in a family.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  No matter what you do for Halloween, have fun and don't eat too much candy!!  I'm off to Salem to play games, sing songs and talk to toads, so there will be no blog tomorrow.  Happy Halloween, Happy Samhain, and if you see any dead people, be nice to them!