Ah, I love my traditional Scottish Halloween, the changing of the seasons and a buzz of excitement in the air. How I miss the old Scottish traditions from childhood, in Canberra the weather can still be cold on Halloween, and just like back home, it can rain too.
The season is reversed in Australia but the fun is still there, the start of the new season always has a buzz of excitement ( it carries the fresh energy vibration of the earth waking up or going back to sleep for the year) and a new season to enjoy. I love to see children happy and enjoying the seasonal activities, it’s all part of the tapestry of life and creating joyful memories.
I wish children today would revive the old traditions and not follow the American version of Halloween. The true meaning has been lost due to misunderstanding of the Celtic culture and over commercialisation of the seasonal traditions. Parents should take the time to research the history of the Celtic tradition and share it with their children if they are going to encourage Halloween, otherwise all meaning is lost and a culture is destroyed.
It is a celebration after all that is unique to Celtic people. We love that it’s shared though and it is something to enjoy for everyone.
I remember a little verse that children used to recite as they came to our door; back in Scotland, although I doubt that it still continues. The Guiser's (children) would knock on the door and say, “The sky is blue, the grass is green, please can I have my Halloween”. Then the household would welcome the children into the lounge room and the children would recite a poem, sing a song or tell a joke. The householder would then give the children nuts, sweets and sometimes an apple or orange. I was a shy child so I didn’t go guising other than visiting my grandparents some years and get dressed up in a Guising costume that I made. Back in the old days people didn’t buy a ready made costume, they made them at home. That was all part of the fun of the evening as our parents were busy preparing the house for the evening.
I remember toffee apples at halloween and at halloween parties playing bobbing for apples, or as we call it in Scotland; dooking for apples. Late afternoon was when the fun started and arranging costumes, what games to play etc. Some people used to have treacle scones pinned up high on a long string as a party game. Children would have their hands behind their backs and have to try and bite the treacle scones without using their hands. I can still see the dishes of shelled nuts and sultanas we used to enjoy, I would really pig out on the peanuts. I loved cracking open the shells of hazelnuts which is one of my favourite nuts to this day.
Not to forget the lead up to the following week where it was Guy Fawkes night on the 5th of November. With the cold night air and the smell of fireworks in the air and bonfires, the entire season building up to Christmas and New Year celebrations.
In Australia, Halloween wasn’t really celebrated until the late 1980’s onwards depending on wherever you lived, in modern times it has certainly taken off. Guy Fawkes night was always remembered though and seen by some as the lead up to Christmas. Australia traditionally held firework night in winter over the Queen’s birthday celebrations, and in Canberra it would be freezing cold, just perfect for a traditional fireworks display.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating Halloween and stays safe wherever you are celebrating.
