According to LiveScience, the origin of Halloween is still up for debate. In the article “History of Halloween”, the author writes:
Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, can be traced back about 2,000 years to a pre-Christian Celtic festival held around Nov. 1 called Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), which means “summer’s end” in Gaelic, according to the Indo-European Etymological Dictionaries. [13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained]
Because ancient records are sparse and fragmentary, the exact nature of Samhain is not fully understood, but it was an annual communal meeting at the end of the harvest year, a time to gather resources for the winter months and bring animals back from the pastures. Samhain is also thought to have been a time of communing with the dead, according to folklorist John Santino.
“There was a belief that it was a day when spirits of the dead would cross over into the other world,” Santino told Live Science. Such moments of transition in the year have always been thought to be special and supernatural, he added.
Halloween provides a safe way to play with the concept of death, Santino said. People dress up as the living dead, and fake gravestones adorn front lawns — activities that wouldn’t be tolerated at other times of the year, he said.
But according to Nicholas Rogers, a history professor at York University in Toronto and author of “Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night” (Oxford University Press, 2003), “there is no hard evidence that Samhain was specifically devoted to the dead or to ancestor worship.
Beyond the debate of Halloween’s origin, there is also the concern by some on the focus of evil. Furthermore, on my homepage blog, I discuss another potential apprehension of falling into treats and sugar addiction, which you can read here.
However, the focus on the days of treats and tricks doesn’t have focus on either side of the food extremes of avoidance or binging. Furthermore, there is more to reflect upon than scary and evil games. Chopra
Center lists six reasons. These include: getting outdoors, community involvement, embracing creativity, treats (and how to get healthful trades), celebrating giving and receiving, and captivating imagination!
I love the ending to this blog, it states:
In the end, just remember not to make your parenting feel like policing of their loot. Teaching them to learn their own healthy habits is more empowering than having them strictly follow your candy rules. And talking about it opens great dialogue about health and balance.
A night of costumes, candy, and children doesn’t have to be a nightmare. It is all in your perspective.
Some Tasty Treats for Happy, Healthy, Little Tummies and Adult Bellies
Here’s an oily resource for you on essential oils that support a healthy blood sugar level. Some oils that have been studied include lavender, cinnamon, Korean pine, lemon balm, as well as others. This is just in case a bite or two of sugar does pass those healthy lips!
What to Do if You Can’t Stop the Hand-to-Mouth Shoveling?
(1) Here’s a list of resources for educating yourself on food addiction.
(2) Here are some simple tips from my blog on Natural Path:
- Know if You’re a “Moderator” or “Abstainer”
- Exercise
- Use Stress Reduction and Mindfulness
- Support Brain Balance (balance the different areas of the brain by using specific nutrients to target imbalances and support neurotransmitter balance through hormonal modulation, microbiome health, blood sugar balance).
- Modulate Mood and Emotions with Essential Oils
- (I also just wrote a blog on how aroma modulates appetite and hunger)
Click here to read more
You can also watch the two part video with Dr. Amen on my homepage
Have a safe, happy, and healthy Halloween everyone!! Thanks for being a “treat” in my world in so many ways!!
Disclaimer:
This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin.
This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.