(no subject)

[vivien]

No direct SPN spoilers here! As a Halloween historian, however, I must refute a long-held assumption that Samhain was the Lord of the Dead. There was no such thing, aside from Victorian imagination run amok.

In fact, as I stated in last year's Halloween countdown of facts and history:

Taken directly from Wikipedia:
Popular literature over the last century has given birth to the near universal assumption that Samhain/Hallowe'en was the "Celtic New Year". However, recent research by historians has begun to scrutinize the assertion. Historian Ronald Hutton, in his study of the folk calendar of the British Isles writes that there are no references which attest to this usage earlier than the 18th century, neither in church nor civic records.

A review of Hutton's book in which he explores this most interesting speculation is here

Um. Yes. I'll stop nitpicking now!

Also? SPN=GLEE OMG I LOVE THIS SEASON!

Comments

[spicedrum.livejournal.com]

Also? SPN=GLEE OMG I LOVE THIS SEASON!


ME TOO!!!

[sophistry]

1) Cannot find quoted text in linked Wikipedia article?

2) As historian historian, must refute implication that C18^th+ views on/attitudes towards(/etc.) Halloween = less valid/relevant in study of history of holiday because were 'wrong'. Must apparently also use early morning shorthand because brain =/= functional.

[furikku.livejournal.com]

I thought it was like one of those other Celtic celebrations I don't know how to pronounce. o_O;

[batyatoon]

See, that's what I thought (re: Samhain being the name of the holiday and not the name of a god associated with the holiday).