Halloween Trivia
Posted on July 7, 2007 - Filed Under Articles
The Hallowe’en Candles
The chief god of the Druids of ancient Britain was Baal, who made himself manifest to them as the sun. The Druids built fires at the various celebrations held in honor of Baal and kept these fires brightly burning. For years after the ceremonies of the Druids had become but a memory, the people still built bonfires upon Hallowe’en. Then it became the custom to collect candles and burn them while prayers were said for the dead. Today, candles, the relics of the sacred fires of the Druids, play an important part in the ceremonies of Hallowe’en.
The Origin of Jack O’ Lantern
From the tales of ancient Ireland comes this story of the origin of the Jack-o’-Lantern.
There lived in the country a man so stingy that he became noted for his lack of hospitality and because of this he was prohibited from ever entering Heaven. Finally, as a punishment for various mean deeds, he was condemned to wander about until the day of judgment with a lantern to light his way. This man’s name was Jack, and since Jack and his lantern were a frequent topic of conversation, it became the custom, as years passed, to carry lighted faces which might resemble old Jack of the lantern during the revels of Hallowe’en.
A still queerer story comes from the Teutons, who in the early centuries lived in the countries north of Gaul. They believed that Jack-o’-Lanterns were the spirits of people who had become murderers who could be seen walking the earth near the scenes of their crimes.
Cats, Bats and Owls
The cat was sacred to the Druids, the priests of ancient Britain; for that reason it was held in high regard by the early people; so much so that a man who killed a cat was sometimes put to death. The Teutons had a number of gods and goddesses whom they held in reverence, one of the leading goddesses being Freya, the goddess of beauty and love. Cats, bats and owls were sacred to her and were supposed to assist her in her supernatural undertakings. Since they thus became associated with mystic powers it was natural to associate the cats, bats and owls with the spells and charms of Hallowe’en.
