The Book of Hallowe'en – Origin, Practices & Beliefs (Illustrated Edition). Ruth Edna Kelley

death on Samhain. On both occasions there were prayers: the pagan petitions to the lord of death for a pleasant dwelling-place for the souls of departed friends; and the Christian for their speedy deliverance from torture. They have in common the celebrating of death: the one, of the sun; the other, of mortals: of harvest: the one, of crops; the other, of sacred memories. They are kept by revelry and joy: first, to cheer men and make them forget the malign influences abroad; second, because as the saints in heaven rejoice over one repentant sinner, we should rejoice over those who, after struggles and sufferings past, have entered into everlasting glory.

      "Mother, my Mother, Mother-Country,

       Yet were the fields in bud.

       And the harvest—when shall it rise again

       Up through the fire and flood?

      * * * * *

      "Mother, my Mother, Mother-Country,

       Was it not all to save

       Harvest of bread?—Harvest of men?

       And the bright years, wave on wave?

      "Search not, search not, my way-worn; Search neither weald nor wave. One is their heavy reaping-time To the earth, that is one wide grave."

      Marks: All Souls' Eve.

      CHAPTER VI

       ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF HALLOWE'EN OMENS

       Table of Contents

      The custom of making tests to learn the future comes from the old system of augury from sacrifice. Who sees in the nuts thrown into the fire, turning in the heat, blazing and growing black, the writhing victim of an old-time sacrifice to an idol?

      Many superstitions and charms were believed to be active at any time, but all those and numerous special ones worked best on November Eve. All the tests of all the Celtic festivals have been allotted to Hallowe'en. Cakes from the May Eve fire, hemp-seed and prophetic dreams from Midsummer, games and sports from Lugnasad have survived in varied forms.

      Tests are very often tried blindfold, so that the seeker may be guided by fate. Many are mystic—to evoke apparitions from the past or future. Others are tried with harvest grains and fruits. Because skill and undivided attention is needed to carry them through successfully, many have degenerated into mere contests of skill, have lost their meaning, and become rough games.

      Answers are sought to questions about one's future career; chiefly to: when and whom shall I marry? what will be my profession and degree of wealth, and when shall I die?

       In Hallowe'en Time.