QOTW: What is October 31st to you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
QOTW: What is October 31st to you?
27
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 2:31pm

October 31st may be one of the most controversial days on the calendar.  Different cultures and religions view it very differently, even calling it by different names.  Some revere it; some abhore it.  Tell us what this day it to you:  what do you call it?  what does it mean to you?  how will you celebrate it?


 




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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 3:35pm

It's both a fun day as Halloween as well as a spiritual Sabbat, the Wiccan New Year. For me it's a time to cleanse and shift energy in my house, re-establish protection wards and spellwork, a time of reflection of lessons learned in the past year, things I want to let go of, and think about goals for the future. I also remember dead friends & family and my animal companions. There is ritual and divination and re-blessing of my home. This year is extra special as DD & I will join the Pagan Circle from the UU church. We are really looking forward to being with other Pagans, as well as our own Sabbat rituals. ;))

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2005
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 5:15pm
I've never really given Halloween any true thought to be honest with you.
5yrssm 
Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 5:42pm
It is a secular holiday for me. An escape to innocence.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 7:13pm
For me, it's just a fun day for the kids,
dressing up; getting candies.

~*~ slowly shopping for Christmas (wink!).... ~*~



~*~ Aloha to all .... ~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2006
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 7:26pm
I have never really given much thought to it.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2005
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 8:14pm

Personally I don't celebrate it at all. To me its just another day of the week. The only I notice it that the weather changes dramtically if it hasn't already.



 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-29-2004
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 9:08pm

To me it's just Halloween, a fun time to dress up, get free candy lol or pass out candy, carve pumpkins, decorate, etc. I love Halloween, it's my favorite holiday!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 9:57pm

Great question!


I love Halloween for its fun and whimsy. It has the ability to bring out the child in us


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 10-22-2006 - 10:23pm

No controversy here. I do not attach any spiritual significance to it one way or the other. It is just a fun day to welcome the little kiddies to my door and admire their costumes. I have never decorated much for it or made much of a fuss about it.


When we were growing up we did not observe Halloween at all because we lived way out in the country and no one went trick-or-treating out there.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2001
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 4:17am

In Asia, October 31st is just another day with no special significance at all. Having lived in countries that have had a strong Catholic influence, October 31st is All Saints' Eve. All Saints' Day is still a holiday in many countries in Europe. I do like the idea of Samhain, though. If I were living in Europe I'd probably do something in the line of Samhain. Even though it's not part of my culture, it's paying respect to the changing of the seasons. Right now for me, living so near to the equator means that the sun sets and rises more or less at the same time all year long, so there's no celebration that is linked to the beginning of winter. When I'm here I observe the local customs and traditions... when I remember!


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