It is that time of year again, when the rest of the (Western) world celebrates October 31st with people dressing up like idiots and going to wild parties, while I celebrate by playing the music of the true granddaddies of European power metal:
They did rather more than just that, though:
As for Halloween itself, it is worth pointing out something very important about this “holiday”:
This is the night that sees BY FAR the greatest amount of witchcraft, wizardry, occult rituals, and black magic practised in the West. If you are of a non-Christian persuasion, that will not make the slightest bit of sense to you – the very idea of witchcraft will seem absurd. I assure you, however, that such dark magicks are very real, and VERY potent. There is indeed a spiritual realm beyond the material one we inhabit – and the beings that move through it are incredibly old, and immensely powerful.
We meddle with and call out those beings at our own immense peril.
You might think it is all good fun for you to dress up as Dracula, and for your lady to dress up as Slutty Pocahontas (or whatever is the costume du jour) and go to a party to have fun with other people dressed up in silly outfits. And you may think it is all well and good for your kids to dress up as adorable little beasties and ghouls and go begging for candy.
To a certain extent, you are probably right. However, always keep in mind that there are far darker forces at work, which use the power of this night to engage in very serious interventions in the material plane.
For those of you who understand the dangers of magic and sorcery, you therefore understand why the original Biblical penalty for such activities was death. Meddling with those spiritual forces is extremely dangerous – that is how you end up with daemonic oppression, obsession, and eventually possession.
Fortunately, there is one Name that daemons fear – they tremble when they hear it. And it is the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
So, do not be afraid this night. Read your Bible, especially the passages showing Jesus casting out daemons simply by telling them to leave, and say a prayer or two. And, as the good book says:
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
— 1 Peter 8-10, English Standard Version
Actually, while you are at it, a good old-fashioned hymnal or antiphon should set things aright in a hurry:
For those who like their music a little more punchy – turns out, HELLOWEEN does some great God-squad songs too!
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Nov. 1 is All Saints Day, a celebration of all who are united with God in Heaven. The day after is All Souls Day, where we pray for those unfortunate souls not yet in Heaven. All Hallow’s Eve (or Halloween) was traditionally a day of fasting and abstinence in preparation for the two feast days that follow. It’s a time to remember the dead, first solemnly and then celebratory. Modern Halloween has of course twisted this, because of course it has.