Welcome to October by Linda Mahood
As we all know, the month of October is best known for Halloween. However, other things happen in October that you might not be aware of. Such as:
- ADHD Awareness Month
- LGBTQ+ History Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness
- National Book Month
- Black History Month
- National Poetry Day
- National Curry Week
These are just a few of the various days people across the UK take part in. October is deemed the second month of Autumn and as the clocks go back on the 30th to mark the end of British Summer, we gain an extra hour in bed.
The 31st of October is, of course, Halloween and if you are anything like me, you will love the decorating and scary costumes. I always say it’s the only night I can legally scare other people’s children.
In the UK, Halloween is seen as a scary night when children dress up and go out “guising”.
Halloween in Scotland comes from the word “All-Hallows-Eve” and has roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhuinn which was a night marking the end of summer and the coming of winter; the dying of the light and the coming of the dark. “Guising” comes from the word disguise, as children and adults alike dress up turning into someone or something else.
The ancient Scottish tribes known as Clans believed Samhain marked the weakening of the barrier between our world and the spirit world. They believed this posed a very real threat of ghosts and demons to people and their land.
Orange and black are prominent colours of Halloween; orange being the symbol of life and the warmth of harvest season, while black represents the bitter cold winter and death of the land.
DID YOU KNOW?
Scottish Traditions at Halloween
In the past, Scottish people would light large bonfires on the boundary of their land as they believed this would keep away evil spirits. People who did not have any land would carve out a turnip (neep) with a grotesque face and burn a lump of coal inside to keep demons from the door and ghouls from wandering in the witching hours. Thanks to America we now carve pumpkins, which are much easier to carve than neeps!
A tradition described in the Burns poem “Halloween” details an engaged couple each placing a nut on a fire. If the nut burned quietly then the marriage would be happy, if the nut spat and hissed then the marriage would be stormy.
People on Hallows Eve would wait until dark, go into their gardens and pull the stalks of the kale plant. It had to be dark outside, and your eyes had to be closed. The idea was that if you pulled out a long straight stalk, this would indicate how long and problem free your future would be. If the stalk has soil on the root, this indicated wealth. It was also a custom to pick a cabbage, turn it three times and then stare at it to see the face of your future husband or wife! Or if a girl walked down the stairs with a dim candle, she would see her future husband in the mirror.
Dooking for Apples – this is an ancient Celtic tradition. Apples are placed in a bucket of water and people have to try and grab the apples with their gnashers (teeth). This is a firm favourite at Halloween parties, just watch your make up!
Hinging Treacle Scones – Baked scones would be dipped in treacle then hung in a line with string. Without using your hands, you had to take as many bites as you could while someone counted to 20.
“Guising”– Children would dress in ghost, demon, witch or spirit costumes and people believed the children would blend in with the real spirits and ghouls. The children would chap the door and the occupants would open the door to the children dancing, singing, or telling a joke. They would then give the children a sweet treat and shoo them away.
Scottish Halloween Cake (Soul Cake) – This cake would be eaten in a group and was made to predict the future of the people eating it. Hidden inside the cake would be three items; a button, a coin, and a ring. Whoever got the coin would see great riches and good fortune, the ring would mean you would be the first to wed, the button would mean you would never marry.
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Here are some pumpkin carving ideas from pumpkins I carved last year; you can get various carving tools cheaply in supermarkets. I drew them freehand, however you can trace the pictures and transfer onto your pumpkin. Most supermarkets and online shops have them or you can get free printable stencils online.
Here are some Makaton signs for Halloween
Although Halloween traditions are different all over the world, they all seem to represent the same thing; helping spirits and ghosts get to a better place or keeping evil away from your home. Either way, Halloween can be great fun for all the family. I may get to scare you all sooooooooonnnnn!
Here are some Halloween links to add fright to your night!
115 Easy DIY and Homemade Halloween Costumes
65+ Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas
