I was never a huge fan of Halloween. Maybe it was because I grew up in the mountains + trick or treating just wasn’t a thing.
That said - over the years, Halloween has turned into a date of significance in our lives.
What does that have to do with cake? Hang tight + I’ll explain.
Meanwhile - if you haven’t already subscribed to The LIFT, please DO! A new issue comes out every Sunday + when you subscribe, I can make sure it shows up in your inbox.
SPOOKY CYCLES
It’s so weird how life cycles. I notice this more + more - especially after 10+ years on Facebook. Looking at my memories there, shows how much of a pattern we live in.
It’s scary sometimes.
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve said something like - “Let’s make enchiladas tonight. We haven’t had those since…FOREVER!” So, we make them. And then, the next day, I see in my Facebook memories that it was exactly one year ago today that we made enchiladas.
It’s crazy how that happens. You think you’re being spontaneous. But, if you zoom out, you can see the patterns.
LOVE AT FIRST FRIGHT
It was on this day, October 31, 1990 (31 years ago) that my husband + I got engaged.
Ever since then, Halloween has been a special time for us. For some reason, we’ve had a lot of life milestones on this day.
We moved into our first home on Halloween many years ago. And, subsequently spent many Halloween nights trick or treating with our girls + all of the neighborhood kids there.
Two years ago, we downsized + moved into a high rise on Halloween. That was a big shift in our lives.
It’s also ironic that we happen to be moving back into our building this Halloween after being displaced when our building flooded in September.
Halloween is when we shake things up at our house + make fresh starts.
SPOOKY TRADITIONS
The Celtics celebrated New Year’s on November 1. So, Halloween is essentially New Year’s Eve when you look at it that way.
We certainly seem to see it that way at our house. For us, Halloween is a special time to take pause. Notice changes in our lives. Look at the patterns. Adjust + update our traditions. Reflect on the past. Look ahead at the future.
I used to love watching the kids come to our door in their costumes on Halloween. Every year they got a little taller, a little scarier. We would sit in our driveway, drinking hot toddies, chatting with neighbors + giving candy to all the ghosts + goblins.
This year, I get to watch my daughter + her family establish their own Halloween traditions after buying their home + getting married earlier this year.
Seeing their home + neighborhood all decorated for Halloween brings back lots of great memories. It’s pretty cool to think about the memories they will create during this time in their lives in their new community.
SPOOKY SOULS
It’s fun looking at the history of Halloween + its traditions. Trick or treating stemmed in part from a community tradition during the Celtic holiday Samhain:
The first trick-or-treaters were poor children in medieval Europe, who would go door-to-door begging for food and money during the Celtic holiday Samhain - celebrated on October 31. In exchange, they would offer to pray for the souls of their neighbors’ recently departed loved ones.
They called this tradition ‘souling’ + it became common practice for people to bake ‘soul cakes’ to give to the poor who came begging in exchange for their prayers.
I really love this tradition. It makes me see trick or treating a little differently - as more of an offering + exchange.
When I look back over this past year - the losses are profound + far reaching.
Think back to where you were last Halloween. It’s been a scary year, right?
As I think of our larger global community, I can’t help but take pause to appreciate all that I am blessed with right now. At this time in my life, I am fortunate to be one of those standing inside my home giving out ‘soul cakes’ - rather than one of the poor begging for food + offering prayers.
Of course, we all know - things can change in an instant. We can quickly find ourselves on the other side of the door. I could just as easily be one of the beggars offering prayers in exchange for food.
If we live long enough, we each have our turn on both sides of the door. And, no matter which side we are on, we each have something to offer to LIFT each other up - a soul cake or a prayer.
Which side of the door do you find yourself standing on this year? Inside or outside? Baking or praying?
YOUR MISSION:
Tonight, as you celebrate Halloween, I challenge you to take pause to reflect on your community + your place in it. To appreciate your good fortune. And to honor those who have recently lost so much.
Let each of those treats you hand out serve as a symbol of your good fortune. Use them to recommit yourself to generosity + the greater good.
And, if you find yourself feeling like you’re on the outside right now needing support - offer up a prayer + allow a little ‘soul cake’ to find you.
Use your Halloween celebration to LIFT your spirits + feed your soul.
RESOURCES:
READ: Trick-or-treating dates back to medieval Europe — here's the fascinating history behind the Halloween tradition | Business Insider
MAKE: Traditional Soul Cake Recipe | Cooking Journey
WATCH: Soul Cakes & Trick or Treating | Tasting History
IN SUMMARY:
A lot of our traditions have been disrupted over the last two years in the midst of the pandemic. Holiday celebrations. Birthday parties. Weddings. Things like Halloween were very different this past year as we all kept to our small pods.
It’s going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out over time. How these traditions will both change + re-establish themselves.
As we dip into the fall season + all of the holidays ahead, it’s a good time to think about a refresh. Rather than just jumping back into the fray + trying to reassemble days gone by - How can we bring more meaning, purpose + connection to those special days?
This is our chance to pivot or reset our traditions for years to come. I’m going to start putting some intention into this. How about you? Let’s support each other + share ideas as we go along.
See you next week?
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the button below. And, if you’d like to stay in touch in real time during the week, you can find me on Instagram @redefiningkaren or on Facebook @cleanbeautyadvocate.
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In the meantime, tell your friends!
Started my "baking tonite! Brought it over to my neighbors....making new friends, it's going to be such a better year! One of growing, new memories, and loving others
Another great article Karen. I learned much as usual. And did not realize you were engaged and all the moves were on Halloween. Significant for sure. Time flies by so fast recalling many good family memories. I recall the day TK called and shared you were engaged. Also, a new take on history of Halloween and the blessings on our lives to charge with others. Don’t be too spooky on 🎃 Halloween!!!