#scotishpride

[theredbaroness22]

Found my hat after a long day of packing my apartment. #irish #newsboyhat #cabbiehat #tartan #scotishpride #irishpride #scotchirish #scotish #corkcounty #galwaycounty #macbean #kinchyle #macelvain

[mel-wheelz]

What Pope Grergory III and I Have In Common

So before I begin this post, I’m going to suggest that anyone who is easily offended by religious conversation to find another post. By no means is this post meant to be offensive towards anyone’s belief system, (or lack-thereof), but I can’t control how you might feel. Haters gonna hate, but I’m gonna keep writing so if you’re still with me, great. If not, see you next time! 

If there’s anything I love most in this world (besides hockey, writing, and my family, not necessarily in that order). It’s mixing things together. For example, I’ve never grown out of having the ability to derive a great deal of pleasure out of mixing otherwise strange things together. In fact, I think to date, one of my greatest creations is the combination of barbecue chicken, rice with soy sauce, corn, and Ranch dressing. One of my most fantastic days at school came when: one day while taking an exam I realized that when I combined studying with listening to my favourite CD that I could trigger a memory of what I was studying when I listened to a particular song, by quietly humming the song during the exam. Lastly, anyone who has read my poetry extensively knows, I love stringing my love for science into my art. 

Needless to say, I was more than a little thrilled when, while doing some research for the spoken word piece at the end of this post; I found out there had been a Pope who shared my love for mixing two things together. I should probably say at this point, that I don’t really like the idea of defining myself as believing in one particular religion, or even as an incredibly religious person. This isn’t to say I have no interest in religion. In fact, I’m fascinated by it. But I find that too often, religion becomes a wall that divides rather than the stepping stone for unity and understanding between people; I believe it was meant to be. I digress though. 

As I said in my last post, which you can find here: http://mel-wheelz.tumblr.com/post/140890097356/3am 3AM is often known as the witching hour. A lot of Christians believe that 3AM is the precise hour of Jesus’ death on the cross (http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/3am-phenomena-and-biblical-numerology).This got me thinking about witches, and then by association how many died at the hands of these same Christians who believed witches were a product of Satan. It when was then, that I came across something awesome, the origins of Hallow e'en. 

  There are a few theories as to how Hallow e'en came to be, but my favourite is that it’s partly based on an old Celtic (ie: Pagan or Earth-based religion like modern Wicca) celebration of Samhain. Samhain was a celebration to recognize moving from the light season of modern spring/summer into the fall/winter harvest. While, according to some sources paying homage to their ancestors. In the interest of converting some Celts to Christianity our old friend Pope Gregory III declared modern day November 1 All Saints Day or (All Hallows Day) in order to allow Celts to continue to observe their own holiday in a “more acceptable” Christian way. The day prior to this became Hallow’s Eve which is why old spellings of Hallowe’en includes the apostrophe, a call back to its origins. (http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2010/10/halloween-putting-the-apostrophe-back.html)

Though it’s true that Pope Gregory is said to have used this as means to convert the Celts (something I’m not entirely fond of). I like it, because it is an example of a situation where a religious figure allowed a compromise between two peoples. An epic mix, (not unlike rice and Ranch) that inspired this poem. 

Hallowed be Thy Day

By: Melanie 

We tend to think of all witches as evil

But if we take some time

If you follow these rhymes. Peel back the skin flaps of time then we’ll find that witches are people. If this you won’t buy, with religious stakes you must peg me

Then I suggest you seek the words of a Pope they called Gregory. Who declared celebrating the deaths of Saints was just as important as their lives, building off the Celtic celebration from the light season to dark. And then, with a snap, Christians, and Witches were not so far apart. So what be the sin in celebrating Hallow’s Day Eve? Far too often religion is used to form a human divide. But pay attention to your history, your grammar even, and you too will see the value in one simple apostrophe

H.A.L.L.O.W, APOSTROPHE, E.N!

Is thought of as a day of the devil by conservatives, and though I respect you

The Bible is not the only place to find history true. Because just like those who hide behind masks; sometimes history hides.

  But seek, and ye shall find (Matthew 7.7)

T’ween both Pagans and Christians of old there is one less divide  

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