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photo: Lolín Menéndez rscj  | November 1st. 2004 Well, Halloween or Samhain was a lively night around here as I am sure it was in many other places throughout the country. The huge bonfires blazed away all around and on the surrounding hillsides. A strange sight it was to see the flames leaping heavenwards from pools of blackness, creating a kind of mysterious sense - and so elemental. As for the illegal fireworks; they were widespread and magnificent in form and colour and continued well into the night. I was glad to see that many children still dress-up, some in strange, unearthly costumes, and do the rounds for ‘trick or treat’ This set me thinking, and asking myself what it was all about. In fact, I believe that what I saw and heard was but a faint and modern expression of some very ancient customs and beliefs- and many of them not without some profound meaning.
Then I could hear my mother’s voice, very matter-of-factly saying, “You know, only a very thin veil separates us. They are all around us”. She was of course referring to those members of family, friends and neighbours who had gone – gone to some other world, but where was this world? This is what intrigues us, but I, like my mother before me do not try to analyse it to death. Neither had my mother the benefits of any great scholarly insights to enlighten her, nor did she need them. Hadn’t she her own experience and reliable ‘hearsay’ about strange, inexplicable happenings to convince her that there were other, inhabited worlds all around us. Her Uncle Jim wandered around the top field on the Mount Merrion estate all night and failed to find an exit until dawn. Who or what prevented his exit? Then there was Mrs McGlassion who lived in a little gate lodge on the Lower Kilmacud Road, and who regularly saw the Bean Sí at my grandmother’s gate and who was forever combing her hair. Isn’t that why you should never pick up a comb? Because it might be the Bean Sí’s, and God only knows what might happen to you! And what about one of Jolly’s horses who absolutely refused to pass Verschcoyle’s gate, on the same road, until he was led past with his head covered. Then there was the old ‘sceach’ up in the field near the bank, (where I thought all the money was) and which could never be cut down or interfered with and which grew into a weird and wonderful shape.
Besides this my mother had her tremendously strong Catholic faith, she was familiar with the gospels, and a strong believer in the mass and in the presence and love of God in our lives. She found comfort in the understanding heart and intercession of our Blessed Lady, and the angels and saints etc.etc. So, was there any contradiction in her beliefs? I believe not. We are surrounded by mystery, indeed we walk in mystery and only now and then we can make sense of bits of it.
Certainly, people like Seán Ó Duinn, O.S.B. and Dáithí Ó hÓgáin helps one to put some background and explanation to these things. In ancient Celtic times the year was traditionally divided into the dark half, which began on November first, and the light half, which began on May first. The darkness, thus symbolically giving way to the light. These two great feasts were the high points of the year and a time when the barriers between this world and the ‘otherworld’ were removed. Ordinary mortals and people from the otherworld both intermingled. Gates dividing properties were often left open to make way for such interchange. I guess our present-day farmers would not appreciate the revival of that custom! According to the mythology it was believed at that at these particular times, visitors from this otherworld returned and invited or enticed ordinary mortals away to their abode. It is interesting to note that this other abode was generally described as a happy, bright place, with plenty of feasting and music- and not at all undesirable it seems! Such beautiful places were variously located across a crystal lake, or over the sea. It might also be around the old sceach, which has already mentioned, or near a well or fort. However, some of these visitors tried to use the occasion to bring down bad luck on someone by way of settling an old score. So, good and bad mixed as well! Now to get back to the bonfires and fireworks, it would be explained that somehow or other, in an effort to stay the arrival of the dark days and the diminishing light bonfires would be lit and festivities take place around them. However, with the arrival of Christianity all these beliefs and customs take on an entirely new significance and meaning and we end up with two wonderful feasts, i.e. ‘All Saints’ day on November first, followed by ‘All Souls’ day on November second. In this context also there is a meeting between the two worlds. We actually invite people from the other world to help us - and not in vain it seems if one listens to the stories and inexplicable happenings in people’s lives. In this realm the people of the otherworld are our saints and they, I believe do break into our lives – and is it our prayers that remove the barriers? I believe that it is so. But I also believe that our close family members come into our world uninvited, because they love us and love never comes to an end. Did you ever feel them near?
And remembering the ancient Celtic description of the otherworld, as bright and beautiful, how might one set about describing this Christian otherworld? Well, save yourself the worry of trying to, because even the greatest mystics failed to do so, all we know is that there is room for us all. We have the assurance of a loving God on that one.
So, my mother was right after all; only a thin vale separates us. Now I am on my way to hand in the names for the Altar list for the dead, after that I will visit the graves. Sacred places, very sacred. Rita Kinch rscj
Province of Ireland - Scotland
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