New Books/ Halloween

2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France the Celtic tribes observed the New Year on November 1 with the festival of Samhain. Marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter this time of year was associated with death, and the Celts believed that on the night before the new year the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory and in the course of the four hundred years that they ruled there, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebrations. First there was Feralia, a day in late October, when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. Second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees who's symbol is the apple, and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain may explain the tradition of "bobbing" for apples practiced today. As Christianity spread the celebration called All-hallowmas ( meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before, the night of Samhain, came to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Later, in A.D. 1000, the Catholic Church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes. So, this year, as you spend your share of the estimated 5 billion dollars spent in the US each year on Halloween costumes and tooth decaying snacks for your neighbor’s kids, go ahead, feel part of a very ancient tradition, because you are~ Laurie

The Lease Plan is sponsored by the Student Government Association.

NEW IN THE LIBRARY:

Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Seven Days of Rage by Paul La Rosa
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo
Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us! by Ralph Nader
A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve
Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates
The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson
Rough Country by John Sandford
The Defector by Daniel Silva
The Help by Kathryn Stockard
The Spire by Richard North Patterson
Hothouse Orchid by Stuart Woods
Hardball by Sara Peretsky
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls

Image: "Black Domestic Cat Silhouetted Against Sunset Sky, Eyes
Reflecting the Light, UK by Jane Burton