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Turnips for Samhain
The jack o lantern has become the most familiar and friendly symbol of Halloween. We all know that the ancient Irish "invented" Halloween, which was originally the festival of Samhain. But the ancient Celts had no pumpkins! Their jack o lanterns were hollowed out turnips with a light kindled inside.
The turnip is sacred to Egres, a Finnish vegetation and fertility god, who is the personification of the turnip. A carved turnip in your window or door on Samhain protets. Light a candle in it if you want spirits to find their way. Or if you want to repel unwanted ghouls. Why a turnip? We can only guess. In the folklore of the Ozarks, whose ancestors were mainly of Celtic descent, this root vegetable represents the most earthy and real side of life. It is an illusion-breaker. This is illustrated by the belief that turnips can drive away nightmares (whether they occur while sleeping or waking!) as well as discourage unwanted advances from a would-be lover. So it makes sense, I think, that a turnip with a light in it would make a good lantern for keeping the house safe from wandering spirits on Samhain night. It may also be useful to carry a turnip with you when visiting the local singles bar, if you want to avoid the geeks and freaks and meet your true match. (Is that a turnip in your pocket or are you just glad to see me? LOL ) |
Courtyard
~ Table of Contents ~
Feverfew
Lavender Ladybugs Thyme Bay Laurel Mint Answers to Spring Equinox Quix Dandelion for Spring Tonic Fiddleheads Nettles for Spring Daffodil Quiz Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: THE SACRED OAK Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: VERVAIN Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: MARIGOLDS AND MAIDENS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: THE CHARM OF IVY Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: GREEN WHEAT EARS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: FLAX BLOSSOMS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08 - GARLIC Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: EGLANTINE Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Magical Fern Seeds Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: BOX SPRIGS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: APPLE Holly Crocus Brighid's Imbolc Garden Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Hawthorn Cure for Fairy Stroke Cure for ElfShot Cure for Flea Infestation Cure for Giggling Fits Hemorrhoid Remedy Flatulence Itching Love Spell Cure Warts & Carbuncles |
