Halloween In Oz

This is the first Halloween I have had in Australia.

I will be comparing the differences of how such "holidays" are celebrated, for some time to come.

But, tonight is Halloween. All Hallows' Eve. No one has knocked on the door. No children are walking around the street, dressed as ghouls and witches.

People are aware that it is Halloween, but usually only as a passing acknowledgement. People tend to comment that it is "American", or that it is in some way a celebration of evil.

Australia is missing out on what could be a magical and fun time, that only occurs once a year.

Halloween had changed over recent years in the UK too. The trend for kids to go "trick or treating" has changed, to more organised parties, where the kids can be supervised, and be in the company of people they know. It is a sign of the times. People don't know their neighbours any more.

Halloween is not "American" in origin. It is a British holiday. It marks the end of summer. It is a celebration of the seasons changing and of the ebb and flow of nature's power. Traditionally, because of when Halloween is, certain foods became associated with the holiday, such as apples, associated with Harvest Time. This is why we dunk for apples.

It does have elements associated with it, of celebrating and remembering loved ones who had died. On this night, the barrier between the living and the dead is said to be easier to overcome. But, as good spirits can cross the great divide of death, so can those which are not so good. This is why people now dress up. People began wearing scary costumes, to fend off evil spirits. Some believed that they could fool evil spirits into leaving them alone, if they too looked like they were evil.

Halloween itself is not evil. It does not celebrate the devil. Film and media have used Halloween, and warped it's role in western culture.

It is a celebration of life, the life that produced a good crop, and the life that their now gone loved ones had had. Some people still place a candle in a window facing west, to remember their loved ones. This is connected to the now very competitive art of pumpkin carving.

It is indeed a time for remembering. All Saints Day is now celebrated on the first day of November. It used to, however, be celebrated on the same day as Halloween. On the first of November, people, mostly of the Catholic faith, remember and celebrate all known and unknown saints. The second of November, is a time to remember those people who have died, but are yet to be purified. This day is known as All Souls' Day.

These holidays, though differing slightly in emphasis and origin, have common themes of celebrating and remembering life.

I do feel the Australians are missing out by not realising how great Halloween could be. However, I believe Christmas is celebrated in a big way here. I love Christmas and am desperately looking forward to celebrating it in my shorts and t-shirt. It will be a very different Christmas for me, and a little strange as it will be my first since leaving the UK. I am sure it will be excellent.