Happy Halloween

October 31, celebrated in the United States, Canada, and the British Isles by children going door to door while wearing costumes and begging treats and playing pranks.

"Jingle bells,
Batman smells,
Robin laid an egg."
Trick or Treat!

The custom of 'trick or treat' probably has several origins, mostly Irish. An old Irish peasant practice called for going door to door to collect money, bread cake, cheese, eggs, butter, nuts, apples, etc., in preparation for the festival of St. Columbus Kill. Yet another custom was the begging for soul cakes, or offerings for one's self - particularly in exchange for promises of prosperity or protection against bad luck. It is with this custom the concept of the fairies came to be incorporated as people used to go door to door begging for treats. Failure to supply the treats would usually result in practical jokes being visited on the owner of the house.

Since the fairies were abroad on this night, an offering of food or milk was frequently left for them on the steps of the house, so the houseowner could gain the blessings of the "good folk" for the coming year. Many of the households would also leave out a "dumb supper" for the spirits of the departed. More

Who says evolution is false? Even Halloween has evolved a from a 'Ghostly' occasion to a 'Heroic' one. This year, the hippest Halloween costume for boys is ... Spiderman!

(NB: My girl insists the honour should go to Harry Porter)

Have fun … Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg. Trick or Treat!

Next: Halloween & Christianity