Halloween: A British Pastime
by Brookes Murtagh
Nowadays, most people associate Halloween to 'dressing up', parties and holidays; however, it was much more significant in times gone by, a collaboration of the eve before the Western Christian feast of All Hallows with traditional Pagan celebrations. It's interesting how times and sentiments have changed, especially with something so inherent in British culture.
Scholars believe that Halloween originates from the Irish Celts, Scots and Anglo-Saxons in Britain and before the times of Christianity. It was originally called the Festival of Samhain. Celebrating the end of the Autumn season, it was a time of harvest and preparation for the hard, cold winter ahead. Celtic belief was that Samhain was also a time when the division between the world of the living and the word of the dead became very thin. For one night, ghosts and spirits were able to walk the earth as they pleased, often returning to places where they once lived to solve 'unfinished business'.
The festival was incorporated into the Christian calendar with All Hallows' Day (November 1st), otherwise known as All Saints' Day or Hallowmas. Christians used this day to celebrate those who died for their beliefs, honouring saints and praying for the recently departed. There isn't really much difference between the two celebrations, except that Christianity adopted the day after the traditional, Pagan Samhain festival, allowing people to continue their ancient traditions in a Christian age.
With religion aside, certain Halloween traditions, such as trick-or-treat, have since become popular and perhaps this is where the confusion with American origins lies. Trick-or-treat was mostly unknown in Britain until the 80's, when Hollywood films popularised it. Likewise, the carving of pumpkins is also another American tradition. However, it was actually Britain who came up with this idea first as they originally carved turnips to warn off evil spirits.
People nowadays really go out of their way to bring the spirit of Halloween to life. Haunted attractions and entertainment venues up and down the country really take to the event and it has almost become another public holiday for us (without the title of course). Perhaps the Christian values have since gone, but; nether-the-less, it is an occasion that brings together friends and family in the build-up to Christmas.
Private members' club Home House, of Portman Square in London, are opening their doors again this Halloween with a special "Torture and Tease Ball". The event is scheduled to take place at 8pm on Friday 26th October. Expect there to be a twisted sense of fun and frolics, where you can see burlesque beauties entertain, handsome rapscallions seduce and spy through peepholes and a naughty party band. You can even enjoy some cabaret with the cast of Chicago! Home House Halloween parties really have become notorious and this year is set to be the scariest and most outrageous celebration yet. Fancy dress is a must, with a maximum of five guest tickets per member and open doors until 4am.
Home House is a social hangout for people from all walks of life, which is part of its uniqueness. Quite unlike many other <a href="https://homehouse.co.uk/events/members-parties/Halloween-Party">Exclusive Clubs London</a>, Home House is a place to enjoy leisure time or the perfect spot for a working day. Home House is London's premier<a href="https://homehouse.co.uk/the-house/">halloween event</a>.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Halloween: A British Pastime
Author: Brookes Murtagh
Email: articles@ortegra.com
Keywords: Event Venues London, Exclusive Members Clubs, Exclusive Members Parties, Exclusive Parties London, historical venues london, London Bars, London Members Clubs, halloween events london, halloween parties london
Word Count: 490
Category: Hobbies
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