Merriam Webster’s Definition of hallow: “to make holy or set apart for holy use.” How did this word get stretched to represent scary, twisted, focus on the dead!? Apparently it emerged circa 1700’s from a conglomeration of “All Hallow Even (All Saints’ Eve).”
We will get to that later. Hard evidence for the precise origin of Halloween, (the progeny of hallow) is difficult to nail down. According to the RWV (Revised Willis Version), the present annual celebration morphed from a noble, even sacred ritual. It has become a riotous money machine; a candy-overloaded, community-consuming, costume coup. In many ways it exceeds Christmas and Easter in decoration doodad extravaganzas.
A cursory review suggests maybe the original hallowing of the deceased on All Saints Day, following All Hallows Eve enabled the transmigration; it conjured up images of graves, ghouls, ghosts, and skeletons. The Holy Ghost, nowadays referred to as The Holy Spirit, figures into this imagery. Turn such images over to hyperactive imaginations, and you eventually get—well, Horror Houses, ghosts, goblins— things, all scary frights for a thrill. Add to that, “Trick-or-treat” escapades gone wild (hopefully mostly of bygone days), well, you see the results.
Actually, I am a little sad that the COVID-19 Pandemic has put such a damper on this year’s trick-or-treat celebration. Although many churches had already toned down the creepy, scary elements of the celebration, replaced by “Trunk-or-treat” events flourishing in their parking lots. These chary events largely provide a safe environment, and hopefully, a more joyous, fun celebration for children.
This coming Sunday, on the Christian calendar, is All Saints Day. Most Christian churches will observe a solemn service. At a minimum, names of members who died since last All Saints Day will be read reverently; usually, followed by the toll of a bell. A candle of memory may be lighted. Additional moments of celebration may be included. Some churches afterwards, present to family members the candle, used for their loved one in the service.
I sincerely hope children in 2020 can have a joyous, fun—and SAFE Halloween. They need their fun. I think their fun is far enough separated from the Sacred events that they will not be confused. On another plane, I am thankful for the sacred essence of All Hallows Eve, and All Saints Day; that they maintain solid places in the liturgical calendar. It is ” …holy… set apart for holy use.”
For we, the remaining living, are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses; we need essential togetherness—all, family members, friends, and the dearly departed, embrace—emotionally, anyway— in our solemn, sacred memories. In these, our days of sheltering-in-place, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic—we relish a redeeming sense of togetherness. The All Saints Day service provides something of that togetherness—even as we celebrate using the technology of Zoom!