COLUMN: Grey Matters – Is Halloween good for us?

“Life best lived is lived as a series of losses, a series of deaths. Death is not meant to be a one-time event at the end of life but, rather, a daily experience by which we learn to continually embrace the unknown, step into mystery, and release the need to control.” – Christopher L. Heuertz

Halloween is the ‘grey matter’ that we will take a look at this week. Halloween has Christian origins that have become muddled. When I was in high school (SRSS) the student council decided to put on a Halloween event. As we were making a maze of straw bales in a rented semi-trailer a Christian friend came by and was dismayed that we would commemorate this pagan holiday. It didn’t matter to him that Christmas, Epiphany and even Easter had pagan origins, Halloween was too much.

Twelve centuries ago the whole church celebrated All Saints’ Day to honor saints. The evening before, Oct. 31, became known as “All Hallows’ Eve,” which eventually was shortened to “Halloween”. Later it was expanded to remember those who have gone before us. I wonder if some of us have not held on to this sacred holiday because it reminds us too much of death? In our society we don’t talk about death, and are less prepared when it comes.

Maybe it is time to take another look at Halloween? Halloween can provide a safe setting of “playing with death” as it provides a way to engage with our fears of mortality in a controlled, social, and playful environment. Done well, it could also psychologically and spiritually prepare us for real-life and the after-life. The main purpose around Halloween used to be as a solemn time to honour those who have lived holy lives, to grieve as a community, and to remind the faithful of their connection to those in heaven. Wouldn’t it be good to bring some of that back?

Regardless, may everyone stay safe this Friday, whether you are at home gifting the little ones that come by or going out on the streets with your own children. I close with another quote from author Christopher L Heuertz and a poem: “As we learn to practice death by way of contemplation, death at the end of life is no longer a fear, but is received as the next logical step. Death is no longer an unknown for us because we already know that life comes through the process of death. We will have lived that reality each day.”

All Around Us

It is all around us. Again and again.

The seasons moving from spring to winter every

single year.

Monthly the moon glows and shows us how to wane.

Daily the sun rises, reclines and fades so we can rest.

Many trees growing in the forest, and almost as many

falling.

Every year, leaves and snow – falling, falling.

Fearsome bears – 25 years

Fearful deers – 20 years

Favourite pets – 15 years

Friendly Robins – 10 years

Far-flung Frogs – 5 years

Fearless Insects – 20 days

Fervent Mayflies – 1 day

And still we don’t discern.

Gary Dyck is a chaplain and spiritual care provider at a hospital and personal care home in the Southeast.