Halloween, anyone? by Mari Howard (Clare Weiner)
Halloween seems bigger than ever, but in a secular, post-modern society, is it necessary? If so, how? What’s it about ? Why is it thought suitable for children ? Our ancient ancestors tamed scary things with myth and ritual. Halloween, with witches, ghosts, and the undead, is the festival of fear: of the unknown, of the different, as the long dark nights begin. If Halloween’s origins are from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain – a time to scare away ghosts and spirits – then why in a secular age has it become, and remained, so popular? So, is Halloween, with ghosts and hideous zombies or ‘the un-dead’ among the popular costumes, a festival about death? Until recently, everyone knew what death was about, because they saw it. The painter Munch (famous for The Scream ) was deeply affected by witnessing the deaths (from TB) of his mother and his beloved sister: he painted the scene several times, trying to make sense of it. Now, worldwide, there is a ...