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Port Erin Bonfire Night |
Each and every year we the Celts celebrate Samhain ,the Celtic New Year, or Summer's End... some in the old ways and some in the Hallow's Eve way. Originally, Celts celebrated the beginning of the "Long Night" , which is associated in fact to the Winter Season, or the 'darker half' of the year. 'All Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', a special moment when the veil that separates us from the Otherworld vanishes, when the dead revisited the mortal world. Thus bonfires are lit to keep evil spirits away, but as it oftenly happens, Catholic Church "sanctified" this "pagan" wide spread rituals, so the night before was known as 'All Hallows Eve' becoming known by its contraction form as 'Halloween'. Additional names for this celebration in Ireland are called “Oíche Shamhna” or “Samhain Night”.
Continuing my series of posts regarding this first and most important Fire Festival, let us know a little bit more this year about the Hallowe'en traditions in the Isle of Man.
Both the Celts and Norsemen, before the introduction of Christianity,
held high festival at the beginning of summer and winter, the mid-winter
and mid-summer feasts being more especially of Scandinavian origin.
When Christianity was introduced, its ministers, unable to do away with
these feasts, wisely adopted their periods as Christian festivals, and
so they have continued semi-pagan in form till the present day.
The October's 31st eve , Hallowe’en in English, is called Oie houiney in Manx, and is still kept in the Isle of Man on the 11th of November. The day itself is called Sauin, Souin or yn Tauin, corresponding with the Irish and Scotch Samhain, though the English "Holland-tide" is the name now usually given to the season and to the fair held on the 12th of November. Presently it is also known as 'Hop-tu-naa'. The etymology of 'Hop-tu-naa' is uncertain, some sources speculating that it comes from Manx Gaelic Shogh ta’n Oie, meaning "this is the night", though there are a number of origins suggested for the similar Hogmanay", which is the Scottish New Year.
This day was formerly the first day of the first month of winter, and
also the first day of the Celtic year. A tradition to the effect that
it was the first day of the year still obtains among the Manx, who are
accustomed to predict the weather for the ensuing year from that on the
12th of November, and this is emphasised by the fact that, as we shall
see later, the ceremonies now practised on New Year's Eve, were, within
living memory, practised on the 11th of November.
According to the ancient Irish, Samhain Eve was the proper
occasion for prophecies and unveiling mysteries. In Wales, within almost
recent times, women congregated in the parish churches on this eve to
learn their fortune from the flame of the candle each one held in her
hand, and to hear the names or see the coffins of the parishioners
destined to die in the course of the year. The Scotch believed that all
the Warlocks and Witches assembled in force at this season, and
perpetrated all sorts of atrocities. Similar beliefs to the above
prevailed in the Isle of Man.
It was, therefore, very necessary to
propitiate the Fairies, who alone were amenable to such attentions, on
this night in particular. The leavings of the supper of the family were
consequently not removed, and crocks of fresh water were placed on the
table, so that 'the little People' might refresh themselves. Professor
Rhys says that the reason why this night was regarded as "the Saturnalia
of all that was hideous and uncanny in the world of spirits" was
because "it had been fixed upon as the time of all others when the
Sun-God, whose power had been gradually falling off since the great
feast associated with him on the first of August, succumbed to his
enemies, the powers of darkness and winter. It was their first hour of
triumph after an interval of subjection, and the popular imagination
pictured them stalking abroad with more than ordinary insolence and
aggressiveness."
It was, in fact, the time when the result of the combat which took
place in May was reversed; then the powers of light gained the
ascendency, now the powers of darkness. Bonfires were lit on Oie Houiney, as on Oie Voaldyn, and for the same reason.
MAN especially has a treasury of fairy tradition, Celtic and Norse
combined. Manx fairies too dwell in the middle world, since they are fit
for neither heaven nor hell. Even now Manx people think they see
circles of light in the late October midnight, and little folk dancing
within.
Longest of all in Man was Sauin (Samhain) considered New Year's Day.
According to the old style of reckoning time it came on November 12.
Hogunnaa!"
--Mummers' Song.
As in Scotland the servants' year end with October. New Year tests for finding out the future were tried on Sauin. To
hear her sweetheart's name a girl took a mouthful of water and two
handfuls of salt, and sat down at a door. The first name she heard
mentioned was the wished-for one. The three dishes proclaimed the fate
of the blindfolded seeker as in Scotland. Each was blindfolded and
touched one of several significant objects--meal for prosperity, earth
for death, a net for tangled fortunes.
Before retiring each filled a thimble with salt, and emptied it out
in a little mound on a plate, remembering his own. If any heap were
found fallen over by morning, the person it represented was destined to
die in a year. The Manx looked for prints in the smooth-strewn ashes on
the hearth, as the Scotch did, and gave the same interpretation.
A cake is made which is called Soddag Valloo or Dumb Cake, because it was made and eaten in silence. Young women and girls all had a hand in baking it on the red embers of the hearth, first helping to mix the ingredients, flour, eggs, eggshells, soot and salt, and kneading the dough. The cake was divided up and eaten in silence and, still without speaking, all who had eaten it went to bed, walking backwards, expecting and hoping to see their future husband in a dream or vision.
Another means of divination was to steal a salt herring from a neighbour, roast it over the fire, eat it in silence and retire to bed.
The future husband was expected to appear in the dream and offer a drink of water
As fruit to Pomona, so berries were devoted to fairies. They would
not let any one cut a blackthorn shoot on Hallowe'en. In Cornwall sloes
and blackberries were considered unfit to eat after the fairies had
passed by, because all the goodness was extracted. So they were eaten to
heart's content on October 31st, and avoided thereafter. Hazels,
because they were thought to contain wisdom and knowledge, were also
sacred.
Besides leaving berries for the "Little People," food was set out for
them on Hallowe'en, and on other occasions. They rewarded this
hospitality by doing an extra-ordinary amount of work.
To earn his cream-bowl duly set,
When in one night, ere glimpse of morn,
His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn
That ten day-laborers could not end.
Then lies him down the lubbar fiend,
And strecht out all the chimney's length
Basks at the fire his hairy strength."
--MILTON: L' Allegro.
Such sprites did not scruple to pull away the chair as one was about
to sit down, to pinch, or even to steal children and leave changelings
in their places. The first hint of dawn drove them back to their haunts.
Away we fling;
And babes new borne steal as we go,
And elfe in bed
We leave instead,
And wend us laughing, ho, ho, ho!"
--JONSON: Robin Goodfellow.
In the north of England Hallowe'en was called "nut-crack" and
"snap-apple night." It was celebrated by "young people and sweethearts."
A variation of the nut test is, naming two for four lovers before
they are put before the fire to roast. The unfaithful lover's nut cracks
and jumps away, the loyal burns with a steady ardent flame to ashes.
And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name.
This with the loudest bounce me sore amaz'd,
That in a flame of brightest color blaz'd;
As blaz'd the nut, so may thy passion grow,
For 't was thy nut that did so brightly glow."
--GAY: The Spell.
If they jump toward each other, they will be rivals. If one of the
nuts has been named for the girl and burns quietly with a lover's nut,
they will live happily together. If they are restless, there is trouble
ahead.
Of what in human life we view;
The ill-matched couple fret and fume,
And thus in strife themselves consume,
Or from each other wildly start
And with a noise forever part.
But see the happy, happy pair
Of genuine love and truth sincere;
With mutual fondness, while they burn
Still to each other kindly turn:
And as the vital sparks decay,
Together gently sink away.
Till, life's fierce ordeal being past,
Their mingled ashes rest at last."
-=GRAYDON: On Nuts Burning, Allhallows Eve.
Sometimes peas on a hot shovel are used instead.
Down the centuries from the Druid tree-worship comes the spell of the
walnut-tree. It is circled thrice, with the invocation: "Let her that
is to be my true-love bring me some walnuts;" and directly a spirit will
be seen in the tree gathering nuts.
In hope my true Love's face that I might see;
Three times I called, three times I walked apace;
Then in the tree I saw my true Love's face."
--GAY: Pastorals.
The seeds of apples were used in many trials. Two stuck on cheeks or
eyelids indicated by the time they clung the faithfulness of the friends
named for them.
This on my cheek for Lubberkin is worn,
And Booby Clod on t'other side is borne;
But Booby Clod soon drops upon the ground,
A certain token that his love's unsound;
While Lubberkin sticks firmly to the last.
Oh! were his lips to mine but joined so fast."
--GAY: Pastorals.
In a tub float stemless apples, to be seized by the teeth of him
desirous of having his love returned. If he is successful in bringing up
the apple, his love-affair will end happily.
Upon the mimic sea--
'T is tricksy and elusive,
And glides away from me.
"One moment it is dreaming
Beneath the candle's glare,
Then over wave and eddy
It glances here and there.
"And when at last I capture
The prize with joy aglow,
I sigh, may I this sunshine
Of golden rapture know
"When I essay to gether
In all her witchery
Love's sweetest rosy apple
On Love's uncertain sea."
--MUNKITTRICK: Hallowe'en Wish.
An apple is peeled all in one piece, and the paring swung three times
round the head and dropped behind the left shoulder. If it does not
break, and is looked at over the shoulder it forms the initial of the
true sweetheart's name.
My sweetheart's name to flourish on the plain:
I fling the unbroken paring o'er my head.
A perfect 'L' upon the ground is read."
--GAY,John: Pastorals.
In the north of England was a unique custom, "the scadding of peas." A
pea-pod was slit, a bean pushed inside, and the opening closed again.
The full pods were boiled, and apportioned to be shelled and the peas
eaten with butter and salt. The one finding the bean on his plate would
be married first.
Gay records another test with peas which is like the final trial made with kale-stalks.
One that was closely filled with three times three;
Which when I crop'd, I safely home convey'd,
And o'er the door the spell in secret laid;--
The latch moved up, when who should first come in,
But in his proper person--Lubberkin."
--GAY: Pastorals.
Candles, relics of the sacred fire, play an important part everywhere
on Hallowe'en. In England too the lighted candle and the apple were
fastened to the stick, and as it whirled, each person in turn sprang up
and tried to bite the apple.
As with the taper it flew whizzing round."
This was a rough game, more suited to boys' frolic than the ghostly
divinations that preceded it. Those with energy to spare found material
to exercise it on. In an old book there is a picture of a youth sitting
on a stick placed across two stools. On one end of the stick is a
lighted candle from which he is trying to light another in his hand.
Beneath is a tub of water to receive him if he over-balances sideways.
These games grew later into practical jokes.
The use of a goblet may perhaps come from the story of "The Luck of
Edenhall," a glass stolen from the fairies, and holding ruin for the
House by whom it was stolen, if it should ever be broken. With ring and
goblet this charm was tried: the ring, symbol of marriage, was suspended
by a hair within a glass, and a name spelled out by beginning the
alphabet over each time the ring struck the glass.
When tired of activity and noise, the party gathered about a
story-teller, or passed a bundle of fagots from hand to hand, each
selecting one and reciting an installment of the tale till his stick
burned to ashes.
For it suiteth the spirit-eve."
--COXE: Hallowe'en.
Related Source:
"The Book of Hallowe'en" by Ruth Edna Kelley [1919] A.M. Lynn Public Library - Boston - Lothrop, Lee and Shepard CO. Published, August, 1919
"FOLK-LORE OF THE ISLE OF MAN" , Being An Account Of Its Myths, Legends, Superstisions, Customs, & Proverbs, - Collected from many sources; with a GENERAL INTRODUCTION; and with EXPLANATORY NOTES to each Chapter; BY A. W. MOOD E, M.A.; ISLE OF MAN: BROWN & SON, "Times" Buildings, Athol Street, Douglas. LONDON: D. NUTT, 270, Strand. [1891]
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