Reclaiming Halloween

 October is around the corner, and that means Halloween will be upon us soon. At this time of year evangelical and fundamentalist Protestants send out stern warnings that no one should participate in this "Satanic holiday." Members of the Vatican II sect (and even some Traditionalists) will say that there's nothing wrong with Halloween celebrations at all. So who is right? In this case, I happen to believe both to be wrong. As Traditionalists, we know that Halloween is a contraction of the words "All Hallow's Eve" or the day/evening before the great feast of All Saints Day on November 1, a Holy Day of Obligation in many countries, including the United States.

Here is the terse, yet excellent background to the celebration of All Saints Day taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913:

In the early days the Christians were accustomed to solemnize the anniversary of a martyr's death for Christ at the place of martyrdom. In the fourth century, neighboring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast; as is shown by the invitation of St. Basil of Caesarea (379) to the bishops of the province of Pontus. Frequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration. In the persecution of Diocletian the number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each. But the Church, feeling that every martyr should be venerated, appointed a common day for all. The first trace of this we find in Antioch on the Sunday after Pentecost. We also find mention of a common day in a sermon of St. Ephrem the Syrian (373), and in the 74th homily of St. John Chrysostom (407). At first only martyrs and St. John the Baptist were honored by a special day. Other saints were added gradually, and increased in number when a regular process of canonization was established; still, as early as 411 there is in the Chaldean Calendar a "Commemoratio Confessorum" for the Friday after Easter. In the West Boniface IV, 13 May, 609, or 610, consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary. Gregory III (731-741) consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and fixed the anniversary for 1 November. A basilica of the Apostles already existed in Rome, and its dedication was annually remembered on 1 May. Gregory IV (827-844) extended the celebration on 1 November to the entire Church. The vigil seems to have been held as early as the feast itself. The octave was added by Sixtus IV (1471-84).

What about the day before; our current Halloween? Is it Satanic? Harmless and good fun? This post will examine the controversy surrounding the celebration of Halloween and my thoughts on what we, as Traditionalists, should do.

Satanic Origin Or Guilt By Association?

It is generally agreed that, in Church history, Halloween took the place of a special day celebrated by the ancient Druids, who were the learned or "priestly class" of the Celtic religion. The Celts were the first Aryan people who came from Asia to settle in Europe. In fact, we can see certain similarities between Druidism and the religion of India: "Celtic religion, presided over by the Druids (the priestly order) presents beliefs in various nature deities and certain ceremonies and practices that are similar to those in Indian religion. The insular Celts and the people of India also shared certain similarities of language and culture, thus indicating a common heritage." (See Celtic Religion, Encyclopedia Britannica, Macropedia, vol. 3). 

According to Ronald Hutton in The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain, Samhain referred to Celtic Halloween and its customs all the way up until the 19th century ([1996], p. 369). The powerful Druid priests were deemed kings of the occult practitioners, and were known for worshiping evil spirits and sacrificing humans to their demon gods. The Celts celebrated the day of death (i.e., Samhain) in anticipation of the dark, cold winter months. The eve of Samhain marked the special time of the year when the Druids taught that demons, souls and gods were unleashed on the world to bring blessing or wreak havoc and destruction on unsuspecting souls. Samhain therefore begins on the evening of October 31 and ends in the evening of November 1st. Interestingly, many credible sources cite the phenomenon of "crop circles" as overwhelmingly happening (some say over 90%) within the geographical proximity of the ancient and possibly druidic ruins of Stonehenge. Some of these phenomena are considered to be of supernatural origin. (See, e.g., Jeremy Northcote of Edith Cowan University,Australia; file:///C:/Users/Guest1/Downloads/Northcote06.pdf)

Druid priests began their New Year on November 1, which marked the beginning of Winter. They apparently believed that on October 31, the night before their New Year, and the last day of the old year, the Lord of Death gathered the souls of the evil dead who had been condemned to enter the bodies of animals. He then decided what animal form they would take for the next year. (Like the Hindu pagans, the Celtic pagans believed in reincarnation. The souls of the so-called good dead were said to be reincarnated as humans.) The Druids also believed that the punishment of the evil dead could be lightened by sacrifices, prayers and gifts to the Lord of Death.

On this night, evil or frustrated ghosts were also supposed to play tricks on humans and to cause supernatural manifestations. As part of the celebration, people donned grotesque masks and danced around the great bonfires often pretending they were being pursued by evil spirits. And while these bonfires were lit to scare away evil spirits, food was put out to make the ghosts or souls of the good dead that Samhain had released feel welcome and at home.

Because Samhain marked the beginning of a new year, an interest in divination and fortune-telling became an important part of this holiday. For example, the Druids believed that the particular shape of various fruits and vegetables could divine the future. Victims of human sacrifice were used for the same purpose. When the Romans conquered Britain, some of their customs were added to those of the Druids while others, such as human sacrifice, were banned. (See Robert J. Myers, Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays , [1972], p. 259; See also, Becky Stevens Cordello, Celebrations, [1977], p. 112).

Today, Halloween is a truly occult holiday for many Celtic Neo-Pagans, Wiccans (witches) and Satan worshipers. Many who are involved in the occult view Halloween as a religious holiday and are acutely aware that it is rooted in pagan worship. (See Ronald Hutton, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy, [1991], pp. 327–341). According to Anton LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966 and authored The Satanic Bible in 1969, Halloween is the third highest day on the demonic calendar for Satanists. LaVey wrote in The Satanic Bible:
"After one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween." (See The Satanic Bible,  p. 96).

However, the question remains,does this make Halloween evil, pagan,and Satanic? The One True Church has often replaced days that were used for evil with feasts to celebrate the holy. The most recent example, of which I can remember, is May 1st. It is the second highest day for Satanists, and was "May Day" for the atheistic Communists to show their military might for use against all those who opposed its tyranny. Pope Pius XII  replaced the feast of Sts. Philip and James on May 1st with the Feast of St. Joseph the Workman. (May is also dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary). The holy Pontiff wanted the true Christian meaning of labor, as exemplified by St. Joseph, to be celebrated against and in place of  the false and evil system of Communism. 

Let us also not forget the aforementioned Roman Pantheon mentioned in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia cited above. The Roman Pantheon is the most preserved and influential building of ancient Rome. It was a Roman temple dedicated to all the false "gods" of pagan Rome. As the brick stamps on the side of the building reveal, it was built and dedicated between A.D 118 and 125. Pope Boniface IV converted it into a Catholic Church and consecrated it to St. Mary and the Martyrs on May 13, 609. (Some sources say the year was 610 A.D.). This idea of Halloween being evil because the day has been associated with evil is no different from Jehovah's Witnesses who claim celebrating your birthday is wrong because when the Pharaoh and King Herod celebrated their birthdays, they murdered someone. I do not believe Halloween is evil per se. 

How Halloween Has Become Evil and How Traditionalists Can Reclaim It 

In my opinion, one of the worst things that happened to Christmas was Santa Claus. This is a ploy by the enemies of Christ to take away from the Christian meaning of Christmas. It requires parents to  lie to their children about the existence of a mythical creature with God-like characteristics (he knows who's good and bad, can be everywhere in the world in one night, etc), and when the kids realize their mother and father lied about it, it lessens their belief in other things their parents tell them; like the existence of God. Such was my own personal experience as a child. Telling the children about St. Nicholas, and being truthful with presents, is a very Traditional Catholic way to celebrate the birth of Our Lord.  In like manner, the true meaning of Easter has been obfuscated by eggs, rabbits, and candy; the Resurrection of Jesus Christ has, for many children, no real connection to Easter.

Now, consider modern day Halloween.  Since the emergence of the Vatican II sect, how many children understand what it means in relation to All Saints Day? As a matter of fact, the sect has eliminated the precept of attending their Novus Bogus "mass" on November 1st. It is abolished whenever the day falls on Saturday or Monday. In Hawaii, their "bishop," with approval of the Modernist Vatican, eliminated all Holy Days of Obligation except the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) and Christmas. Far worse is the revival of pagan customs. These will be described below and Traditionalist substitutions recommended.

1. Dressed to Kill?

There is nothing wrong with getting dressed up in costumes, but it does matter if evil is celebrated thereby. I've heard V2 sect apologists for immoral and evil costumes say "it's a way to mock evil." Dressing up as something evil thereby "mocks" it? To children, it will be less of a "mockery" and instead be seen as  a glorification of things they should not be contemplating in their young and impressionable minds. Below are some of the most popular costumes from last year. Can any parent worthy of the title "Traditionalist Catholic" read the list and think there's nothing wrong with these costumes? 

• Ghostbusters. This is a girl's costume from the 2016 reboot of the 1984 mega-hit starring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. The protagonists travel through time and space to combat a host of demonic and supernatural threats using silly "science methods" to dispatch of these threats. All mention of exorcism or fighting evil in the name and by the power of Jesus Christ was excluded from the movie by Dan Akroyd.  Akroyd (b. 1952) was baptized in the True Church and wanted to be a priest until Vatican II came along, and he renounced Christianity in 1969 at the age of 17.  "It's well-documented that original Ghostbuster and screenwriter Dan Aykroyd doesn't just enjoy the paranormal, but is a full-fledged believer in parapsychology and comes from a long line of followers of spiritualism. His father, Peter H. Aykroyd, wrote a book all about it. Modern American Spiritualism is the formal way to describe followers of the Spiritualist Church, and it goes back to the mid-19th century, when a small group of people began the spiritualist movement and, with it, paranormal investigation." (See https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/real-life-science-based-religion-inspired-ghostbusters; Emphasis mine)

• Star Wars. Costumes of characters for both boys and girls. The entire Star Wars franchise is about a war in a galaxy "far, far, away." The Jedi Knights in this galaxy have practices that the first movie (now with the prequels it's renumbered the fourth movie; "A New Hope") that are directly referred to as "religion" no less than three times. A character named Tarkin states to Darth Vader, "The Jedi are extinct...you, my friend, are all that's left of their religion." The Force is an impersonal and universal energy field that permeates all things in the universe. It is neither good nor evil in itself, but it can be used for either purpose. While not omnipotent, it is the source of great power to perform feats that defy natural laws, such as gravity. All religions have an Ultimate of some kind. The Force is an omnipresent, supernatural power that surrounds all things and to which all things return. The Force is, therefore, the equivalent of God or a Supreme Being. Eastern pantheism and pagan practices permeate every movie

• Wonder Woman. A very immodest and immoral costume for girls. Extremely revealing and tight fitting, no young girl (especially young teens) of any decency should wear this costume.

• Deadpool. As one source accurately describes this anti-hero; "...[Deadpool] is neither good nor bad. He works on both sides, but is not loyal to either. He is a mercenary and assassin who would alter the world to bring down his target, for a price. Deadpool is a psychopath, a hero, a villain, and the most mysterious madman you could ever chance to encounter."(See https://www.quora.com/Is-Deadpool-a-good-guy-or-a-bad-guy)

Add to this list the horror movie characters of Jason and Freddie Krueger (both fictitious serial killers), and the evil supernatural characters of witches, vampires, and demons. What can be done? Have children dress up as a saint, and have your child learn all he can about this saint. These are the role models children should aspire to be. Does your son like things medieval? Dress up as King St. Louis IX! Want to be a lawyer? St. Thomas More will fit the role. For girls, there is the martyr of purity, St. Maria Goretti, and the equally brave St. Joan of Arc. Parents should take their kids trick-or-treating so they can explain the costume with their children to others who inquire.

Consider "All Saints Day" parties at home instead of trick-or-treating; have a parade of saints and fun in the house!

2. Give sanctity instead of sugar. When children come to the house for candy, give some money with a Holy Card. On the back, inscribe the Traditionalist Church or Chapel that is closest. You never know when curiosity upon finding this card will get some parent to go there. Instead of a "jack-o-lantern," carve some holy scene in the pumpkin or put a holy candle in the window.

3. Have a reading from the life of a saint to end the night and pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory before going to bed and attending Mass on November 1st. A child should be "wowed" by the fascinating life of one of the saints. Let them know they can and should become saints too, and then others will be celebrating them on November 1st. In anticipation of All Souls Day, say a decade of the Rosary together for the Poor Souls waiting entrance into Heaven. Remind them that going to Mass is the real highlight ending Halloween. 

Conclusion

Halloween has become the antithesis of what is was meant to be. Instead of detracting from paganism, the world, lead by the Vatican II sect, has made Halloween just as pagan as it once was by taking all emphasis off of the true meaning. Let a Traditionalist reclaiming of the day begin! Celebrate saints and things holy, not killers and the occult. Instead of sugar, give out a chance to read about a saint and attend a real Mass for those who come to your house. Do these things and make the day a Christian revival culminating in the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Do this, and one day, with God's grace, we may all celebrate November 1st as saints together in Heaven.