The Importance of Halloween

There are many theories about the origins of Halloween, and we're not in the mood to debate whether or not it was started by the Catholic Church to keep dead spirits from haunting the living or to get into the whole "Hallmark Holiday" thing. (Of course it's another way for them to make money.) Instead, we just want to give a big shout-out to this weird holiday and tell you why we think Halloween is important!

Life is hard. There is a lot of stress and pressure and sorrow, not to mention zillions of annoying "adult responsibilities" that we must tackle every day. And we feel that everyone deserves one day to be silly and eat lots of candy -- not just the kids. We all need an excuse to break away from the monotony of life for a day, let our hair down and act like a child -- especially since November and December are filled with holidays that are really stressful and require us to deal with presents, parents, plane tickets, in-laws, food, more food, and more presents (that we give more often than we receive -- waaaahh).

Halloween is a cheerful way to kick off the fall season with some good, old-fashioned child-like fun. We say, go ahead and eat that candy! Many of us try really hard all year to avoid vending machines and the colorful candy aisles in gas stations and mini-marts, so we feel that October is the right time to eat the miniature versions of all of our favorite candy bars. For some strange reason, we think the mini Snickers and Milky Way's, the tiny boxes of DOTS, and those teeny packets with like five M&M's in them taste way better than the giant ones. Maybe it's because in October we get to tell ourselves that if we're getting our oil changed or in a long-ass line at the grocery store or having a dispute at the bank, we really deserve to reach into that orange pumpkin bowl and indulge in a free mini-treat.

We also think that the whole "dressing up" thing is very important. We know it can be expensive and a giant pain to come up with a unique costume, but we also know that it's really hard to be in a bad mood when you're dressed up as something silly, scary or sexy. (It's kind like eating an ice cream cone. No matter what age you are, it's really hard to be pissed off or stressed out when you're licking an ice cream cone. If you don't believe us, try it.) So if you can break out of your routine for one night, put your responsibilities on hold and spend a little time being silly, you might actually have fun! It can turn a normal, boring Wednesday night into something much more interesting.

And don't worry if you weren't invited to some cool Halloween party or if you don't have any cute little kids to take trick-or-treating. You can just dress up for your husband or girlfriend or with your friends or co-workers, or have a little impromptu Halloween get-together at your house. You don't have to bob for apples or spread fake spider webs all over the place -- just invite a few close friends over, eat some candy, dress up and catch up. It will be way more fun than watching America's Next Top Model and rushing around to pay bills, do laundry and make dinner. So (just this once) let's take some notes from the kids and get excited about Halloween, because it's important for us adults to treat ourselves to something...well...completely unimportant.

Comments

[Ksenia]

I think it is perfect for any nation to have such hollydays: for example the Slavs still are celebrating Ivan Kupala Day - a bright example of ancient pagan high-day - in spite of the fact the most people are Christians.

[Crowhaul]

The christians struggle with this most heathen of holidays because they haven't quite succeeded in labeling it a christian holiday (All Saints Day doesn't even come close).

The christians have been somewhat more successful with their subversion of the annual Yule celebration, as well as Eostre, but they still fail with their subversion of All Hallows E'en.

[BlackJAC]

Actually, All Saints' Day is November 1, which was a day off at my Catholic high school. Apparently the purpose of Halloween is to scare off all the evil spirts so the good ones can have a hassle-free day on Earth.

[DavidHealy]

Actually Halloween is a defeat of Catholicism as it harkens back to the four half-quarter celebrations of the Celts.

[Norge]

Start early in teaching the children the ways of extortion. Treat or trick. Pay me or I will burn down your business.(Mafia) Treat me well or I will psy. brutalize you and yours.

Trick or treat, you have only one choice, if you do not give me what I demand, you will suffer the consequences.

Every society needs such education of course for it's children. Those other societies out in the world which have not become so advanced with their one day a year training in extortion
really just are not as high standard as our America.

"Oh but it is all in good fun" said the thug from the mob.

[MrLion]

I wish we could add Saturnalia to the calendar.

[BlackJAC]

They did. You know it as "Christmas."

[IMHIowaO]

"Life is hard." What insight! Ladies there is enough commentary lacking substance on the Internet without your adding to it. The way kids respond to Halloween is all learned behavior, even the inappropriate things.

[mommadona]

It's a window.
It's a great time to view
the nightmare and the dream.
Because the window is open
for such a small time.

Say hello to yourself in the mirror.

[peonyharp]

Hello. ;)

One can learn so much from transitions if one is open to it -- as you said, an open window.
Explore the thresholds.
Honor your ancestors (your self) as the boundaries between life and death lessen during this seasonal transformation. Oidhche Shamhna for the Scots.

A wondrous, magical time.

[Gigantopithecus]

Good Post! And by the way, Cerina, you were great in Sasquatch Mountain.