Spooky Scary Skeletons

 Halloween

"Halloween traditions in the West date back thousands of years to the festival of Samhain (pronounced 'Soo-when', 'So-ween' or 'Saw-wen'), the Celtic New Year's festival. The name means "summer's end", and the festival marked the close of the harvest season and the coming of winter. The Celts believed the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thinnest at this time and so the dead could return and walk where they had before. Further, those who died in the past year and who, for one reason or another, had not yet moved on, could do so at this time and might interact with the living in saying good-bye." -worldhistory.org

Halloween is by far my favorite Holiday. But, its not really about the holiday itself. It is more about the season. It is saying farewell to the heat of summer, those dry endless months where the sun rules. It is welcoming the cooler weather, the changing colors of the trees, chilly nights, pumpkins, squash, harvest fruits and vegetables, scary movies, scary books, and traditions. 

For me, the season begins in September, or right when school starts. This goes back to childhood, when we put the shorts away and donned our new school clothes. My fondest memories begin in fall. We would rack the leaves into the outline of a house, complete with living room, dining, kitchen, bedroom and bath. If we didn't like the layout we could always sweep them together and jump into the pile. 

September was about reconnecting with friends, getting back into the groove of school and starting new things. October was all about Halloween. This one simple day when you could honor those who passed on. It was also the one day you could dress as whoever you wanted to be and not worry about being judged. There was so much to love about this time of year.

Haunted houses. My first experience in a haunted house was one the ward put on. I loved haunted houses. Not the maze ones that are thrown together but ones that are done in actual buildings. In college, I went to one in an old Victorian three story house. It was the very best I have ever, EVER, been too. And I laughed all the way through it. One thing I have really missed since moving back to southern Utah is a good haunted houses.

Books and movies. Somewhere along the passage of time, I decided that during the month of October I would only read horror/scary books and watch only horror/thriller movies. Nothing else was allowed. (Light hearted Halloween themed movies like Nightmare Before Christmas, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus, to name a few, were okay because of the theme.) As time progressed and more and more books, movies were discovered, I extended the time line to the beginning of September.

When I got married to my husband, he tolerated my love for Halloween, helped me decorate, put on a party and go to costume parties. It was fine, a beginning. We were both working two jobs so we did what we could, but he didn't totally love the season like I did. But when I was with my partner, my wife Lou... oh the seasons and fun we had.

Lou and I started what we called "The Boo Crew." We would get together during the last two weeks of September and figure out when we were going to a haunted house, a haunted corn maze, an ACTUAL REAL haunted place, and a cemetery. We would come up with the theme for the Halloween party and set up a time to decorate. We would plan the big party.  And I will tell you this, our Halloween parties were epic. We had anywhere from thirty to one hundred plus attend. We had live music, or DJ's. They were so well attended that we had our favorite bar ask us to host the party at their place. We raised money every year at these parties for children in need. Lou and I always dressed as a star crossed lovers. Our last Halloween, we were Lady and the Tramp.

And now here it is ... the eve of Halloween. The magical moment between the realms. I plan on watching a  movie, passing out candy, and writing. I will cling to the decorations for a few days before shifting to simply autumn. I refuse to let that over-done, over-spent, cold holiday of Christmas step in before its time. Its autumn. Its back to school, Halloween, Thankful for friends, family and pets day, and the enjoyment of fall. Christmas can F-off. ;) Right now, tis the season of Halloween.