On Wednesday I began Bible study at the county jail as I always do by asking the women gathered in the program room the question, “How’s the weather in your soul?” It’s a great way to gage the energy in the group. Will it be a sunny or stormy session? Last Wednesday I added another question. What was your favorite Halloween costume for either you or one of your kids? That really got them talking to each other.
They had so many Halloween stories. Stories of dressing up their kids as Lego pieces, princesses, or Marvel characters. Stories of dressing up themselves as witches, ghosts and more. One woman got us all laughing as she recounted how much she hated it when her mom made her be little orphan Annie. Her name was Ann.
The sharing of stories is an important part of Halloween. The women also were intrigued by the origin of Halloween. I shared with them that it was part of the Celtic/Druid tradition known as the Festival of Samhain. The Celts celebrated November 1 as their New Year and so on the night before they would gather together.
They would gather around communal bonfires and share stories. The stories weren’t scary stories, but the memories of those they loved who had died that year. They would dress in the clothing of the people who had died, hence our costumes. Vegetable sacrifices were offered, that’s why we carve pumpkins.
At sunrise they would each take a coal from the communal fire to start their own fire in their hearths at home. They began their new year sustained by the memories of the people they loved. It truly was a hallow or sacred evening.
I think the Celts understood the thinness in this time of year. The veil between the living and the dead does seem more sheer. In the naked trees, the leaves that crunch beneath our feet we see, hear, and smell the transient nature of life.
The Druids felt Autumn’s endings and yet they trusted there would be more, a New Year. The Christian church adapted their holy day and made it All Saints Day. We too trust that there is more beyond this shedding of leaves and life. Let us light our fires against the darkness. Together we create circles of light sharing our stories, our hopes, and laughter. Let us keep asking one another how is the weather in your soul?
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