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is a night that exists outside of time and, hence, it may be used to view any other point in time. At no other holiday is a tarot card reading, crystal reading, or tealeaf reading so likely to succeed. A game that's still played, Puicini, involves a blindfolded person who is seated in front of a table on which several saucers are placed. The saucers are shuffled and the seated person then chooses one by touch. The contents of the saucer determine the person's life for the following year. A saucer containing earth means someone known to the player will die during the next year, a saucer containing water foretells travel, a coin means new wealth, a bean means poverty, etc.
Some of the methods used are ; Girls were told to place hazelnuts along the front of the firegrate, each one to symbolize one of her suitors. She could then divine her future husband by chanting, "If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die." Several methods used the apple, you should slice an apple through the middle (to reveal the five-pointed star within) and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror. Your future spouse will then appear over your shoulder. Or, peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long strand, reciting, "I pare this apple round and round again; / My sweetheart's name to flourish on the plain: / I fling the unbroken paring o'er my head, / My sweetheart's letter on the ground to read." Or, you might set a snail to crawl through the ashes of your hearth. The considerate little creature will then spell out the initial letter as it moves.
The jack-o'-lantern is a well known symbol of samhain. It's of celtic origin, when those who had to travel on all hallows eve carried lanterns with scary faces painted on them. These were meant to help scare away faires and dark spirits. These were also placed outside households, to help keep them safe from demonic forces that roamed that night. Nowadays, the Pumpkin seems to have taken its place.
The custom of dressing in costume and "trick-or-treating" is of Celtic origin. However, there are some important differences from the modern version. In the first place, the custom was not relegated to children, but was actively indulged in by adults as well. Also, the "treat" that was required was often one of spirits (the liquid variety). This has recently been revived by college students who go 'trick-or-drinking'. And in ancient times, the roving bands would sing seasonal carols from house-to-house, making the tradition
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Halloween has its roots in the Celtic Samhain Festival. Halloween is the oldest, most celebrated and most controversial
The History of Halloween
What is today a time to wear silly costumes and get candy from neighbors started with the ancient
Halloween's Beginnings
For when the last day of October rolls around with its aroma of crisp apples and fallen leaves we
by Alan Noonan
But as it fell out on last Halloween
When the seely court was riding by
The queen lighted down on a rowan bank
Not far frae
As fall approaches, stores fill their isles with candy, costumes and an array of black and orange frightful fun. This is
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The beginnings of Halloween
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