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a unique American version of Halloween tub without using their hands. Today we cient fears of those menacing spirits who
began to emerge, with customs and themes know this game as “bobbing for apples.” walk among us.
borrowed from several different nations.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Hal- The religious elements of this time of year
During the late 1800s, a movement started loween lost most of its religious overtones, may have disappeared from many gen-
to mold Halloween into a holiday that is though some superstitions – such as fears eral celebrations, but the Christian church
more about community, with neighbors of bad luck being brought on by black cats, still celebrates the lives of the faithfully
gathering for food, music, games and the broken mirrors, walking under ladders or departed as it has for centuries. The Ro-
sharing of spooky stories. Costumes were spilling salt – still remained. Today, the man Catholic Church continues to cel-
worn by both adults and children, and holiday is largely celebrated at parties host- ebrate Allhallowtide from Oct. 31 to Nov.
community leaders encouraged parents to ed by friends, neighbors, local businesses, 2. Nov. 1 (All Saints’ Day) is dedicated to
remove anything frightening or grotesque churches and other community organiza- honoring the saints, while Nov. 2 (All Souls’
from Halloween celebrations. “Fortune tell- tions. Of course, for the folks who like to Day) honors deceased family and friends,
ing” games provided innocent thrills, with frighten themselves to death, professional as well as all faithful Christians regardless
young women gathering in dark rooms, organizers create elaborate haunted places of their standing in the church. In heavily
hoping to see their future husband’s face out of abandoned (but safe and profession- Cajun areas, these days are often marked
in the reflection of a candle-lit mirror. In a ally evaluated) buildings. Zombies, chain- by processions through burial grounds,
group of friends, one could determine who saw killers, werewolves, Frankenstein’s during which the dead are blessed and
would marry first by seeing who could suc- monster and Freddy Krueger jump out graves are decorated.
cessfully pluck an apple from a water-filled unexpectedly at the unaware, evoking an-
Continued on the next page
Above: Members of the Clover Leaf Club in Breckenridge, Texas, celebrating Halloween in 1923. Image courtesy of The
University of Texas at Arlington Libraries
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG OCTOBER 2016 SUNRAYS | 35
