We truly adore Halloween — the costumes, the decorations, the spooky atmosphere. It introduces a childlike playfulness into our adult lives, keeping us engaged during a season that is already dark and cold, allowing us to explore and play with reality.
A decade ago in Poland, it would have been a bold statement to say this, as Halloween had long been viewed here as pagan entertainment, highly disdained due to the influence of the Catholic Church imposed on our nation. But there is something about Halloween that made us always stay true to who we are. Our souls, having spent significant time in America, have always felt a deep sympathy for Halloween celebrations, longing for the splendor that only Americans, with their tendency for grandiosity, can bring.
While the nostalgia for the American grandeur of decoration will probably stay in our hearts forever, we find ourselves now in a totally new chapter of our lives—a chapter in which we have discovered that Halloween is so much more than just carving pumpkins and painting our bodies with fake blood. It’s highly probable that we had to be born in Poland to fully see, appreciate, and share it with you.
WHEN THE DEAD COMES TO MEET THE ALIVE
Nothing is a coincidence. We celebrate Halloween on a day when the veil between the worlds of the dead and the living is the thinnest, which makes us feel the presence of various kinds of ghosts more intensely. For some of us who are particularly sensitive, this can be a disturbing time. We are taught from a young age that the two worlds—of the dead and the living—are separated for good, and the idea that ghosts could literally be around is unsettling. This is one of the difficult truths we must face as adults—words of the seen and unseen intervene, and Halloween is the official season when they blend the most.
AS OLD AS OUR CIVILIZATION, AS COLORFUL AS A WARM INVITE
Halloween traces its origins back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago. For the Celts, Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time often associated with darkness and decay. November 1 is recognized in Catholicism as All Saints’ Day, a day dedicated to remembering the saints of the Catholic tradition. To prepare for this sacred day, the evening before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows’ Eve. Over time, many pagan Samhain rituals intertwined with Christian customs.
In Mexico, November 2 is celebrated as Día de los Muertos, or All Souls’ Day, also known as the Day of the Dead. During this time, many people create altars, or “ofrendas,” in their homes to honor their deceased loved ones. Each ofrenda incorporates the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. Water is provided in a pitcher for the spirits to quench their thirst, while papel picado—traditional paper banners—symbolizes the wind. Food, particularly bread, represents earth, and candles are often arranged in the shape of a cross to indicate the cardinal directions, guiding the spirits back home.
The vibrant use of color is intentional, too. Intense yellow and orange marigolds, commonly used for decorations during this season, aim to attract the attention of souls and assist them in finding their way to their relatives on Earth.
From October 31 to November 2, people worldwide celebrate the arrival of their loved ones from the underworld.
In old times, they would leave the tables uncleaned after the celebratory dinner, allowing visiting souls to consume whatever was left. Additionally, they refrained from making loud noises, believing such sounds could scare away the spirits. To counter malevolent ghosts, bonfires were lit, and scary masks were worn or displayed.
HALLOWEEN NOWADAYS
RECONNECTING WITH THE ONES THAT PASSED AWAY
Just as our ancestors did during Halloween, we can focus on our connection to loved ones who have passed away. They often have messages for us that can provide reassurance and guidance. If we pay close attention, we will notice many signs they send our way to let us know that they are still near and have our backs. Laura Lynne Jackson beautifully discusses this in her book, Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe, where she depicts dozens of moving stories of people who experienced the presence of deceased relatives and how this has changed their lives forever.
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR LITTLE DEATHS
Halloween can be more than just a moment to acknowledge the life that exists on the other side; it can also serve as a time to recognize the deaths present in our own lives.
What has died in me this year? What relationships, situations, habits, or opinions do I consider dead? Seeing this with clarity helps us move forward without second thoughts and unnecessary regrets. As we all know, it’s easy to give up on ourselves and return to things and people from our past, as well as situations we have outgrown. But what’s dead cannot be made alive — at least not in this lifetime.
CELEBRATING
Let’s put up the decorations and help all the dear souls find us. Let’s buy the sweets for the treats, and let’s promise ourselves that all that is malevolent will never trick us.
Lastly, let’s all raise a Halloween toast to all the deaths that have shaped our lives and made us who we are today—a little bit stronger, a little bit more conscious, and a little bit more of who we truly are.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
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