We all love the crisp Autumn weather, the bright orange pumpkins, clear blue skies, and crisp fall apples! But where did Halloween originate and is it a vegan holiday?
Halloween is a contraction of All Hallows’ evening, and is the
celebration observed on October 31, the evening before the Christian feast of
All Saints Day, November 1. This is the
liturgical time of the year dedicated to remembering the deceased, including
all saints, martyrs, and the faithful departed.
Many Halloween traditions have been influenced by harvest
festivals, particularly the ancient Celtic Harvest festival, Samhain. This Gaelic festival which originally had
pagan roots and was Christianized as All Hallows Day by the early Church.
Originally many Christians abstained from eating meat on All
Hallows’ Eve and chose instead certain vegetarian foods such as potato
pancakes, soul cakes and apples. These
soul cakes were traditionally given out to children who would go from door to
door and are the origins of the modern tradition of Trick or Treat. Every soul cake eaten was believed to
represent a soul freed from Purgatory - a place of purification or temporary
punishment for souls to be made ready for Heaven.
Trick or Treat For UNICEF, an idea started by the United Nations
Children’s Emergency Fund, is a way for children in the developed nations to
share their Halloween bounty with children in dire circumstances. It not only benefits children at risk but
also teaches the happy Trick or Treaters the important concept of sharing with
others who are in need.
There are recipes for
vegan soul cakes – in fact, I am publishing one in my next book. Pumpkin pie and other pumpkin treats can be
made vegan, and apples - a fall favorite - are always vegan! Enjoy your vegan Autumn and Halloween!
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