{"id":5905,"date":"2011-10-01T01:10:24","date_gmt":"2011-10-01T06:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=6050"},"modified":"2011-09-26T17:42:02","modified_gmt":"2011-09-26T22:42:02","slug":"paranormal-path-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2011\/10\/01\/paranormal-path-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Paranormal Path"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Thin Veil<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Towards the end of October it seems that everyone has ghosts on their mind with Halloween just around the corner.\u00a0 There are many traditions and superstitions that have carried over many years.\u00a0 Some we have barely modified and some have taken on a life of their own.\u00a0 Many carry on these old traditions without knowing how or why they came to be.\u00a0 Even for those who do not believe in the paranormal, Halloween turns almost everyone superstitious for one night.<\/p>\n

The holiday we celebrate today is a large blend of different beliefs, religions and folklore that accumulated over the years. \u00a0\u00a0The Celtic belief, over 2,000 years ago, was the night before their new year, November 1st<\/sup>, the veil between the living and the dead was very thin.\u00a0 On October 31st<\/sup> they celebrated Samhain .\u00a0 The Celts believed that on this night the dead would return to earth and potentially damage their crops.\u00a0 There was also the belief that druids would return and share knowledge about the future.\u00a0 To celebrate, the Celts would build huge bonfires and dress up in animal skins.<\/p>\n

Later around 43 AD the Romans combined their festivals with the Celtic celebrations.\u00a0 One Roman festival was to honor the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees Pomona, whose symbol was the apple.\u00a0 This is one explanation for the tradition of bobbing for apples that is performed at many Halloween parties today.<\/p>\n

Depending on the culture and traditions, this Holiday as always been about either communicating with or warding off spirits.\u00a0 The belief that this is the best time for spirit interaction has stayed strong for thousands of years.<\/p>\n

Not until the second half of the nineteenth century, many immigrants came over to America and helped to popularize Halloween, mixing many Irish and English traditions.<\/p>\n

Since many believed ghosts walked among us on this night, they would go out disguised as spirits to blend in.\u00a0 The tradition of trick or treating was also brought over.\u00a0 During the All Souls Day celebration in England, poor citizens would beg for food and money.\u00a0 Families would give them pastries called \u201cSoul Cakes\u201d in exchange for a promise they would pray for their dead relatives.\u00a0 This practice was more welcomed by the Church than the older tradition of leaving wine and food out for roaming spirits.<\/p>\n

The belief of the dead returning was so strong, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for people to set the dinner table in hopes of welcoming back a deceased family member.\u00a0 Food and candles were left on doorsteps and along the roads for the spirit to find its way. \u00a0Many forms of divination were performed on this night as well, since the veil was so thin many hoped for a glimpse of their future.<\/p>\n

There was a belief many years ago that a young woman should name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, and then toss them one by one into the fire.\u00a0 The nut that completely burned to ashes, without popping or exploding was the one named for her future husband.\u00a0 Young women would also peel apples and toss the peel over their shoulder to reveal the initials of their true love.\u00a0 Scrying was also popular on Halloween night.\u00a0 Many would drop egg yolks into a bowl of water and peer into it, or stand in front of a mirror in a dark room holding a candle.\u00a0 Staring long enough into the mirror would bring the vision of a face over your shoulder.<\/p>\n

Many Pagans still celebrate Samhain and honor the old ways.\u00a0 We who practice the Craft and Magic understand this history and keep it alive.\u00a0 The Witches New Year will soon be upon us and for one night many people of many different backgrounds will celebrate.\u00a0 This holiday is centered greatly on spirits and superstitions but it is also a symbol that wherever there is death there is always new life.\u00a0 The circle will always continue.<\/p>\n

A Thin Veil<\/strong> <\/strong> Towards the end of October it seems that everyone has ghosts on their mind with Halloween just around the corner.\u00a0 There are many traditions and superstitions that have carried over many years.\u00a0 Some we have barely modified and some have taken on a life of their own.\u00a0 Many carry on these old traditions without knowing how or why they came to be.\u00a0 Even for those who do not believe in the paranormal, Halloween turns almost everyone superstitious for one night. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The holiday we celebrate today is a large blend of different beliefs, religions and folklore that accumulated over the years. \u00a0\u00a0The Celtic belief, over 2,000 years ago, was the night before their new year, November 1st<\/sup>, the veil between the living and the dead was very thin.\u00a0 On October 31st<\/sup> they celebrated Samhain .\u00a0 The Celts believed that on this night the dead would return to earth and potentially damage their crops.\u00a0 There was also the belief that druids would return and share knowledge about the future.\u00a0 To celebrate, the Celts would build huge bonfires and dress up in animal skins. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Later around 43 AD the Romans combined their festivals with the Celtic celebrations.\u00a0 One Roman festival was to honor the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees Pomona, whose symbol was the apple.\u00a0 This is one explanation for the tradition of bobbing for apples that is performed at many Halloween parties today. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Depending on the culture and traditions, this Holiday as always been about either communicating with or warding off spirits.\u00a0 The belief that this is the best time for spirit interaction has stayed strong for thousands of years.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not until the second half of the nineteenth century, many immigrants came over to America and helped to popularize Halloween, mixing many Irish and English traditions. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since many believed ghosts walked among us on this night, they would go out disguised as spirits to blend in.\u00a0 The tradition of trick or treating was also brought over.\u00a0 During the All Souls Day celebration in England, poor citizens would beg for food and money.\u00a0 Families would give them pastries called \u201cSoul Cakes\u201d in exchange for a promise they would pray for their dead relatives.\u00a0 This practice was more welcomed by the Church than the older tradition of leaving wine and food out for roaming spirits. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The belief of the dead returning was so strong, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for people to set the dinner table in hopes of welcoming back a deceased family member.\u00a0 Food and candles were left on doorsteps and alo<\/var>ng the roads for the spirit to find its way. \u00a0Many forms of divination were performed on this night as well, since the veil was so thin many hoped for a glimpse of their future. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There was a belief many years ago that a young woman should name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, and then toss them one by one into the fire.\u00a0 The nut that completely burned to ashes, without popping or exploding was the one named for her future husband.\u00a0 Young women would also peel apples and toss the peel over their shoulder to reveal the initials of their true love.\u00a0 Scrying was also popular on Halloween night.\u00a0 Many would drop egg yolks into a bowl of water and peer into it, or stand in front of a mirror in a dark room holding a candle.\u00a0 Staring long enough into the mirror would bring the vision of a face over your shoulder.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many Pagans still celebrate Samhain and honor the old ways.\u00a0 We who practice the Craft and Magic understand this history and keep it alive.\u00a0 The Witches New Year will soon be upon us and for one night many people of many different backgrounds will celebrate.\u00a0 This holiday is centered greatly on spirits and superstitions but it is also a symbol that wherever there is death there is always new life.\u00a0 The circle will always continue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Thin Veil Towards the end of October it seems that everyone has ghosts on their mind with Halloween just around the corner.\u00a0 There are many traditions and superstitions that have carried over many years.\u00a0 Some we have barely modified and some have taken on a life of their own.\u00a0 Many carry on these old traditions without knowing how or why they came to be.\u00a0 Even for those who do not believe in the paranormal, Halloween turns almost everyone superstitious for one night. The holiday we celebrate today is a large blend of different beliefs, religions and folklore that accumulated over the years. \u00a0\u00a0The Celtic belief, over 2,000 years ago, was the night before their new year, November 1st, the veil between the living and the dead was very thin.\u00a0 On October 31st they celebrated Samhain .\u00a0 The Celts believed that on this night the dead would return to earth and potentially damage their crops.\u00a0 There was also the belief that druids would return and share knowledge about the future.\u00a0 To celebrate, the Celts would build huge bonfires and dress up in animal skins. Later around 43 AD the Romans combined their festivals with the Celtic celebrations.\u00a0 One Roman festival was to honor the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees Pomona, whose symbol was the apple.\u00a0 This is one explanation for the tradition of bobbing for apples that is performed at many Halloween parties today. Depending on the culture and traditions, this Holiday as always been about either communicating with or warding off spirits.\u00a0 The belief that this is the best time for spirit interaction has stayed strong for thousands of years. Not until the second half of the nineteenth century, many immigrants came over to America and helped to popularize Halloween, mixing many Irish and English traditions. Since many believed ghosts walked among us on this night, they would go out disguised as spirits to blend in.\u00a0 The tradition of trick or treating was also brought over.\u00a0 During the All Souls Day celebration in England, poor citizens would beg for food and money.\u00a0 Families would give them pastries called \u201cSoul Cakes\u201d in exchange for a promise they would pray for their dead relatives.\u00a0 This practice was more welcomed by the Church than the older tradition of leaving wine and food out for roaming spirits. The belief of the dead returning was so strong, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for people to set the dinner table in hopes of welcoming back a deceased family member.\u00a0 Food and candles were left on doorsteps and along the roads for the spirit to find its way. \u00a0Many forms of divination were performed on this night as well, since the veil was so thin many hoped for a glimpse of their future. There was a belief many years ago that a young woman should name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, and then toss them one by one into the fire.\u00a0 The nut that completely burned to ashes, without popping or exploding was the one named for her future husband.\u00a0 Young women would also peel apples and toss the peel over their shoulder to reveal the initials of their true love.\u00a0 Scrying was also popular on Halloween night.\u00a0 Many would drop egg yolks into a bowl of water and peer into it, or stand in front of a mirror in a dark room holding a candle.\u00a0 Staring long enough into the mirror would bring the vision of a face over your shoulder. Many Pagans still celebrate Samhain and honor the old ways.\u00a0 We who practice the Craft and Magic understand this history and keep it alive.\u00a0 The Witches New Year will soon be upon us and for one night many people of many different backgrounds will celebrate.\u00a0 This holiday is centered greatly on spirits and superstitions but it is also a symbol that wherever there is death there is always new life.\u00a0 The circle will always continue. A Thin Veil Towards the end of October it seems that everyone has ghosts on their mind with Halloween just around the corner.\u00a0 There are many traditions and superstitions that have carried over many years.\u00a0 Some we have barely modified and some have taken on a life of their own.\u00a0 Many carry on these old traditions without knowing how or why they came to be.\u00a0 Even for those who do not believe in the paranormal, Halloween turns almost everyone superstitious for one night. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The holiday we celebrate today is a large blend of different beliefs, religions and folklore that accumulated over the years. \u00a0\u00a0The Celtic belief, over 2,000 years ago, was the night before their new year, November 1st, the veil between the living and the dead was very thin.\u00a0 On October 31st they celebrated Samhain .\u00a0 The Celts believed that on this night the dead would return to earth and potentially damage their crops.\u00a0 There was also the belief that druids would return and share knowledge about the future.\u00a0 To celebrate, the Celts would build huge bonfires and dress up in animal skins. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Later around 43 AD the Romans combined their festivals with the Celtic celebrations.\u00a0 One Roman festival was to honor the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees Pomona, whose symbol was the apple.\u00a0 This is one explanation for the tradition of bobbing for apples that is performed at many Halloween parties today. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Depending on the culture and traditions, this Holiday as always been about either communicating with or warding off spirits.\u00a0 The belief that this is the best time for spirit interaction has stayed strong for thousands of years.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not until the second half of the nineteenth century, many immigrants came over to America and helped to popularize Halloween, mixing many Irish and English traditions. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since many believed ghosts walked among us on this night, they would go out disguised as spirits to blend in.\u00a0 The tradition of trick or treating was also brought over.\u00a0 During the All Souls Day celebration in England, poor citizens would beg for food and money.\u00a0 Families would give them pastries called \u201cSoul Cakes\u201d in exchange for a promise they would pray for their dead relatives.\u00a0 This practice was more welcomed by the Church than the older tradition of leaving wine and food out for roaming spirits. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The belief of the dead returning was so strong, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for people to set the dinner table in hopes of welcoming back a deceased family member.\u00a0 Food and candles were left on doorsteps and along the roads for the spirit to find its way. \u00a0Many forms of divination were performed on this night as well, since the veil was so thin many hoped for a glimpse of their future. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There was a belief many years ago that a young woman should name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, and then toss them one by one into the fire.\u00a0 The nut that completely burned to ashes, without popping or exploding was the one named for her future husband.\u00a0 Young women would also peel apples and toss the peel over their shoulder to reveal the initials of their true love.\u00a0 Scrying was also popular on Halloween night.\u00a0 Many would drop egg yolks into a bowl of water and peer into it, or stand in front of a mirror in a dark room holding a candle.\u00a0 Staring long enough into the mirror would bring the vision of a face over your shoulder.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many Pagans still celebrate Samhain and honor the old ways.\u00a0 We who practice the Craft and Magic understand this history and keep it alive.\u00a0 The Witches New Year will soon be upon us and for one night many people of many different backgrounds will celebrate.\u00a0 This holiday is centered greatly on spirits and superstitions but it is also a symbol that wherever there is death there is always new life.\u00a0 The circle will always continue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/77"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5905"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5905\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}