Thoughts on Halloween 2024

    Just for fun, a thread for anyone to share thoughts on Halloween through the lens of Epicureanism/Epicurean-worldview...

    First off, a fun read on the history of Halloween:

    Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORY
    Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and is now a worldwide event. Learn more about Halloween's origins, traditions, interesting…
    www.history.com

    Halloween appears to be more popular than ever here in the US. And Halloween may, in round-about ways, re-inforce notions of superstition, religion, and beliefs (or hopes) that the soul survives death -- there are the dark/evil essences that accompany any soul surviving death and we need God to save us from those evil forces. And another aspect -- there are the sublimated "Jungian" symbols of evil (ghosts, goblins, witches, etc) -- consciousness rejects the dark aspects of the psyche and personal responsibility for making bad choices by blaming evil forces outside of themselves ("the devil made me do it").

    This year I feel like I can more easily ignore the whole cultural phenomenon, since I live rurally and no tricker-treaters will be coming to my door. So come October 31st, I plan on a quiet evening at home. Of course there are memories of past Halloweens in which I passed out candy to kids, and a few in which I dressed up (and one in which I went out to a winery with a friend).

    And I suppose everyone's Halloween can be very different depending on one's circumstances.

    Please post any thoughts, plans, activities?

    I'm going as Dionysus. I like the kaftan thawbs I got for the costume so much I have not stopped wearing one of them since they arrived. My wife thinks its just a phase, so she is not worried, but I think she may be wrong.

    Quote from Kalosyni

    Please post any thoughts, plans, activities?

    I thought about playing a benign trick on the kids – after all, who made the rule it has to be one-sided? To that end, I remembered someone wrapping Brussels sprouts in golden candy paper, and while I thought that was funny, most kids who will ring at my door bell live below the official poverty line, which just makes it mean…

    I'll probably do the same as every year: Mute the doorbell, write a letter to lost loved ones, and watch a heartwarming show with a side of comfort food. That doesn't perpetuate supernatural believes, and yet it doesn't leave unused a "special day", as I enjoy having the year structured, having recurring events, and self-chosen symbolic behaviours, and in that process, it often helps me to recycle dates that already exist: The stores get redecorated, society talks about the upcoming event, and even though for them these signs mean "hand out or collect candy" and for me they mean something else, even though that is the case, it still allows me to experience all the same anticipation – I enjoy that quite a bit! :) (With Easter, Christmas, New Year's and three other dates, I am happier to pretend they don't exist, happier to keep them out of my mind, as much as I possibly can.)

    Edited 2 times, last by Julia (October 23, 2024 at 4:48 PM).

    I've always enjoyed Halloween, and never considered the supernatural implications as anything more than silliness. This year, I've been thinking of it as a secular Dia de los Muertos: a time to remember and to honor our deceased loved ones. I've been thinking of making a display of photos to add a bit of ceremony....

    In that vein,

    Quote from Julia

    write a letter to lost loved ones

    sounds to me like an excellent practice!

    Pretty "bah, humbug" about halloween. Dislike the skelingtons everyone puts in their yards. Dislike the classist logic inherent in parents deciding where to go for free candy. Feels gross to me being of modest means, and I'd wish people would use the opportunity to meet people in their own neighborhoods rather than sally off to the richer neighborhoods or in a church parking lot for candy and some Jesus.

    Anyway, my neighbor and I have plotted for November 1st to be a big neighborhood party in our backyards. Inviting all these next door strangers over and get to know them better. I do have a cauldron I will be doing a vegetarian soup in and the Texas transplant 2 houses over will open his yard too for some sliders. It should be interesting and I hope it goes over well.

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