31st October for most people is known as Halloween day, seen as a time for good parties, for kids and also for adults. But that is just commercialized version of this festive, it.s original version and purpose were different.
This time of year, end of October and beginning of November, is time of season changes and is celebrated in different religions.
As we know, religions are much older than science and their purpose was/is to give some structure and explanations about the world around us and help adjust to cyclic changes in nature, including life-death cycle. That is why those festivities are dedicated to the ancestors; during this time, we face the death and our own mortality, while keeping the memory of our lost ones. Different rituals performed during those festivities help people to bond by sharing their fears, doubts, sadness and other emotions, in a way that might not be in line with social conventions in regular circumstances. Purpose of this rituals is to help cope with and embrace inevitable changes, in nature and our lives.
Samhain is a Gaelic festival which marks the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or darker half of the year. It is held on 1st November, but with celebrations beginning on the evening of 31st October. It is also the most important Wiccan holiday that inspired modern Halloween.
Photo: taken during last year.s celebration; no, I don.t consider myself as a Wiccan or witch :) but appreciate much their respect for the mother Nature
Dia de los muertos is known to be celebrated in Mexico but also in other Spanish-speaking countries. Unlike Halloween, which has diversity of costumes, representing all kind of “monsters” (unnatural beings) main motive of DdlM are calavera (the skull) and skeletons.
Zadusnice is (Serbian) Orthodox festive dedicated to the souls of deceased and there are four of them during the year. Autumn zadusnice are some days close to Halloween, which day will be is different every year since they are movable holiday. This year that date is 7th November.
Most people will celebrate this day differently than before due to preventive measures, towns and cities that are under curfew will be Ghost towns, literally :(
What ever imaginary monsters come up tonight, they will be gone very soon.
Problem are real monsters, those who are out there 24/7, making decisions that affect all our lives, destroying everything on their way, from humans to planet itself. Those who carry out tyranny, induce wars, sell their own countries and people. Those who, without a shred of hesitation, destroy the land they walk on, the air they breathe, the water they drink...
Although, they can afford life with avoidance of all said, leaving it all for us, common people.
Yeah, you know who I am talking about ;)
How are you going to spend this day/night? :)