Halloween is the modern name of the Irish and Scottish holiday originally called Samhain (pronounced Sow-win); Samhain is the Celtic-Gaelic word meaning “summers-end”. It begins at dusk on October 31, and marks the doorway to the dark half of the Celtic year, the opening of a new cycle.
The early Gaels believed that the border between this world and the otherworld became thin on Samhain, and so spirits of the dead could visit the living.
The early Gaels believed that the border between this world and the otherworld became thin on Samhain, and so spirits of the dead could visit the living.
1. Plan a costume:
Originally, folks probably dressed in costumes and masks at Samhain to scare off any spirits that were bad. Now we do it because it's fun!
2. Carve a pumpkin:
Pumpkins didn't grow in Ireland or Scotland, but early Celts carved the images of spirit-guardians onto turnips and set these jacko'lanterns before their doors to keep out the unwelcome visitors from the otherworld.
Originally, folks probably dressed in costumes and masks at Samhain to scare off any spirits that were bad. Now we do it because it's fun!
2. Carve a pumpkin:
Pumpkins didn't grow in Ireland or Scotland, but early Celts carved the images of spirit-guardians onto turnips and set these jacko'lanterns before their doors to keep out the unwelcome visitors from the otherworld.
3. Make Soul Cakes:
It was also a custom in Britain and Ireland to go ‘a-souling’ on Samhain- go door to door, singing and saying prayers for the dead; this is the origin of trick-or-treating! These people were called Soulers, and folks gave them Soul Cakes. Each cake eaten represented a soul freed from suffering.
Ingredients:
- 2-3/4 c. white flour
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. each ground cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg
- 3/4 c. butter
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1- Thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, and spices. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
2- Add in a beaten egg and the white wine vinegar and mix with a wooden spoon until firm (I had to add a little water to get it to hold together); cover and put in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
3- Preheat the oven to 375ºF and grease 2 cookie sheets. Flour a board and roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thick.
4. Cut into rounds with a coffee cup dipped in flour. Press the handle of a wooden spoon into each cake to make a cross on the top.
5. Place cakes on the pans and bake 15-20 minutes until slightly brown.
4. Dunk for apples:
No comments:
Post a Comment