Returning to Tradition
Oct. 29th, 2005 12:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
soc_puppetSo, everyone knows that Hallowe'en is on Monday. Not everyone knows that Hallowe'en is what we call a Cross-Quarter day, a day that falls exactly half-way between an equinox and a solstice. (There are four of these. The other three are Groundhog's Day on Febuary 2nd, May Day on May 1st, and what is called Lammas Day on August 1st, a day that I know nothing about. It is, of course, now on my 'to research' list.) To quote this site, Long ago, "the Celts of the British Isles used cross-quarter days to mark the beginnings of seasons," says John Mosley of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. "Winter began with Halloween, [or as they called it, 'Samhain']. Halloween marked the transition between summer and winter, light and dark -- and life and death."
"On that one night, according to folklore, those who had died during the previous year returned for a final visit to their former homes. People set out food and lit fires to aid them on their journey -- but remained on guard for mischief the spirits might do."
One of the traditions that has changed over the years is pumpkin carving. The tradition actually originated with turnips. People would hollow them out and put candles in them to light the way for those who had passed on.
How is this relevant, you ask? Well, Dad has a garden in the back yard. (Several, actually, but we're only focusing on the vegitable garden at the moment.) An entire section of this garden is dedicated to Food For Hamilton. Hamilton (the family's green iguana) eats collard greens, mustard greens, squash pieces, anything red or orange he can get his teeth on, and turnip greens. Therefore, we have more than a few turnips conveniently growing right in our back yard. I now have one picked and hollowed out and ready to set out front. It is mounted on a spare bamboo chopstick, and yes, has eye holes ^_^; What can I say? I'm a sucker for combining traditions. Turnip-san will be going out front shortly, so I can set him up to scare the kiddies ^_^ Isn't it great to revive the old ways sometimes?
In other news, spoons are great for hollowing root vegitables out.
In other other news, scanlations for chapters 200 and 201 are finally up at BleachPortal ^_^ (If you want/need, let me know?)
"On that one night, according to folklore, those who had died during the previous year returned for a final visit to their former homes. People set out food and lit fires to aid them on their journey -- but remained on guard for mischief the spirits might do."
One of the traditions that has changed over the years is pumpkin carving. The tradition actually originated with turnips. People would hollow them out and put candles in them to light the way for those who had passed on.
How is this relevant, you ask? Well, Dad has a garden in the back yard. (Several, actually, but we're only focusing on the vegitable garden at the moment.) An entire section of this garden is dedicated to Food For Hamilton. Hamilton (the family's green iguana) eats collard greens, mustard greens, squash pieces, anything red or orange he can get his teeth on, and turnip greens. Therefore, we have more than a few turnips conveniently growing right in our back yard. I now have one picked and hollowed out and ready to set out front. It is mounted on a spare bamboo chopstick, and yes, has eye holes ^_^; What can I say? I'm a sucker for combining traditions. Turnip-san will be going out front shortly, so I can set him up to scare the kiddies ^_^ Isn't it great to revive the old ways sometimes?
In other news, spoons are great for hollowing root vegitables out.
In other other news, scanlations for chapters 200 and 201 are finally up at BleachPortal ^_^ (If you want/need, let me know?)
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no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 09:54 pm (UTC)Was the first time I've ever done that and it was really funny when we kept making jokes the entire time XD
(Did, however, spend the rest of the night watching a HunterxHunter musical with him. Neechan, if you ever get into the fandom that is HunterxHunter, you should reming me to get the musicals to you. They are much fun :3)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 04:31 am (UTC)(I'll let you know if I do ^_~)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 08:01 am (UTC)On the other hand, the kids dress up in late February for -- Ah, we call it "Fastelavn" here, but I'm not sure you guys have a word for it -- and then walks around in the streets andget money from people. It's pretty much like Halloween, except for the lack of spooky-ness, candy and Jack-O-Lanterns ^.^;a
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 10:23 pm (UTC)Huh. I don't think we even have that one. I'll have to find out more about it now. *addicted to culture*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-31 05:48 am (UTC)Actually, I think I knew a bit about Halloween before ever watching it for the first time, because I can remember being sad about the shops not selling any Halloween "stuff".
--Of course, getting Halloween decorations and stuff like that has become easier over the years ^.^
If you're really interrested in culture, you should try and find out something about the Danish Christmas. We've been keeping pretty much the same traditions since the age of the Vikings, so if you're interrested, feel free to ask ^.~