Days Similar to Halloween?
I'm aware that Halloween was originally a pagan holiday in which people believed that the veil separating the human world from the spirit world was at it's thinnest, and how there are other, similar holidays celebrated by various cultures. Can I get some specific examples and explanations? It would be a hug help.
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You're talking about the pagan belief that places and times that exist at a point of transition encompass the qualities of both before and after. Samhain is a point of transition because the year is changing from light to dark. Other points of transition are caves and natural springs and lakes and in Western culture the hour of midnight..
You're correct. Halloween grew out of All Hollow's Eve, which was an attempt to Christianize Samhain, which was the end of the Celtic circle of the year. Samhain, for the Clets, was the time when the veil between worlds became thin, allowing the spirits of the departed to cross over, and also potentially allowing other things to cross over, as well. Much of the ritual of trick or treating, for example, can be found in the attempt to protect one's self from evil spirits that might have crossed the veil.
The other similar celebration and belief can be found in Mexico's Day of the Dead, which is celebrated at the same time of the year. It also revolves around honoring the departed and the spirits of loved ones who have passed.
There may be other cultures with similar ideas, but none leap to mind at the moment.
Good question!
Valentines Day
Easter
Thanksgiving
Christmas
ALL have Pagan Roots
""All Saints Day Eve aka Halloween is a pagan holiday? Where did you hear that? Its a catholic day to honor all the saints""
Sorry..but your catholic celebration has pagan roots...
Samhain is a Gaelic pagan festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. It is celebrated from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November, which is nearly halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Along with Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh it makes up the four Gaelic seasonal festivals. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Kindred festivals were held at the same time of year in other Celtic lands; for example the Brythonic Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall) and Kalan Goañv (in Brittany).
All Saints Day Eve aka Halloween is a pagan holiday? Where did you hear that? Its a catholic day to honor all the saints.
Ghost Festival in China
Day of the Dead in Mexico