Alicia Loc: NYC

In time for the holiday. This is a very special and clever cat. I love its t***sition. Enjoy this smarty.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/07/04/cat-gets-caught-barking-and-resumes-meowing.aspx

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

PERFECT~~~~loved it

Warlock

Halloween is just another t***sition from a pagan festival too popular and spiritually important to early Celtic (That's with a hard K not S like the fruity basketball team!) society! The church adopted the rite of All saints day to replace the pagan Samhain festival! The change fro the harvest season to beginning of winter! Over the centuries it has evolved from a somber rite of seasonal passage to a playful romp thru child friendly playtime! Some interesting parallels exist The wearing of masks and costumes/ Early Celts thought that sprits could not find them if they wore masks and strange clothes! Giving candy and treats was evolved from the tradition of putting out food and special cakes to keep spirits from entering homes! (25% of all candy sales occur on this holiday!)Google Halloween ck history and related topics interesting stuff!

cesspool jones Loc: atlanta

that's my kitty! what i find intriguing about halloween iz it is the oldest religious holiday.

JimMe

Perhaps it's a "Dog-Whisperer"!?!

Zeno Loc: Omaha NE

Dear Alicia:Absolutely hi-larious!That cat was pulling a solid con until he or she was busted.And they are a perfect Halloween kitty.Zeno

Alicia Loc: NYC

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It is not the oldest religious holiday. Pagans also celebrate the soltices, changes of seasons such as the rite of Spring and Yule (around Christmas). I do believe that the Christmas date was chosen to coincide with Yule (Dec. 21 which is the shortest day of the year and announces the rebirth of the sun), which is still practiced in much of Europe. The Roman church chose the dates of almost all of the Christian holidays in order for them to coincide with the Pagan celebrations so that the Pagans would participate.

It is interesting to know that all of the large cathedrals as well as many, many churches were intentionally constructed on the sites of Pagan revered places at which their rites were honored so that the Pagans would, instead, use their churches.

Since the Pagans were the common folk and were the builders and artists, I found it interesting to actually see Pagan gods and symbols carved into an alter that someone had shipped from England to L.I., NY.

Alicia Loc: NYC

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Glad you recognized the con job. Cats are so doggon clever. The only dog I've ever found that can come close is the Borzoi. ;) ;) :wink:

Alicia Loc: NYC

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I tend to believe that the Pagan reason for Halloween is also to honor one's ancestors - similar to El Dia de los Muertes. That's what I do anyway.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

There's a little of what each one of you said in this recitation of All Hallows Eve or AllHalloween or All Saints day etc~

Thought you'd enjoy the read~~
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween#cite_note-mader-28

Alicia Loc: NYC

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Thanks. A whole lot to read so I plan to keep the site address and return to it each day. Have a great holiday, whichever one you subscribe to. :roll:

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Your Welcome Alicia...There is a lot, a lot more than I ever knew about this holiday from different perspectives I mean....Glad you like it~~I've done the same gone back and forth to it a couple of times now.. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Alicia Loc: NYC

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Back on L.I., my girlfriend and I set up a great Halloween reception for the kids. I had a beautiful lounging outfit (in black, of course) and she had a knockout kaftan from when she served with the Peace Corps. We both had long hair - hers blond and mine black - and that completed the outfits.

We bought a crate of apples and polished them all and set a few of them in a large Tupperware bowl with water (just 1/2" deep enough so some bobbing had to be done) and I banked the bowl with candles in black holders and then kept incense going.

There were three children who returned four times but wouldn't enter because their mother had told them not to. We offered them a "regular" apple but told them they would have to bob for a "magic" one.

Later that evening, my ex stopped by and got into the spirit. He pulled up his jacket over his head and lay in the corner looking like a dead body all curled up. After the kids bobbed, he moved an arm a bit and scared the living hell out of them. The evening ended with the same three children coming by again - with Mommy. They would not let her go to bed until she returned with them.

Thought you might enjoy one of my Halloween tales. :wink: :wink: ;) :D

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Oh I do and did..Love stories such as yours......My mother used to do bobbing for apples..fun, fun, fun it was..Then the world changed and people were made afraid of them, razors inside or the likes....Such a shame..

I like to play Halloween music and usually have someone that sticks their head or hands out of a window close to where the candy or cookies are..Loveeee to see their faces..

We have a street party too..All the kids and parents dress up, candles going all over, food everywhere...Kids done by 8-9 parents not till they fall down....lol..Lots of fun and good times with your neighbors..One could tell you a scary story that would give you chills...Miss those days.......