MASQUERADE BALL

By: Cynthia Litman



Pearl of the Day: Novelty No More

Throughout our lives we wear many guises, masks, hats, armor if you will and as Colette’s pearl says “there is nothing that gives more assurance than a mask”. So are we really hiding, playing or is there a function to this rather peculiar form?

I love Halloween because it’s the only day of the year (sans Purim) where you can fully morph into another character and the more you do, the better it is. It’s a global masquerade ball. But who invented it and what were they on???

Many cultures recognized some form of Harvest festival and all seem to have a common thread of food festivities and honoring the dead. “The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the ‘otherworld’ became thin on Samhain (their version of All Hallows Eve), allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honored and invited home while harmful spirits were warded off.’ (Wikipedia)

This is making some sense of a dream I had the other night make sense. I was in my grandmother’s kitchen sitting down having tea and fruit cake with her and her girlfriends who have all passed over. So I will definitely be saying a prayer and lighting a candle for my ancestors this all Hallows Eve and may be passing out nuts, cake and fruit!

With honoring your deceased loved ones spirits and the lighter being inevitably begs the question – what about the other, darker more evil spirits? (cue spooky music) Well, this is what the costumes and masks are for. It is believed that to “disguise oneself as a harmful spirit by wearing a mask or costume will help you avoid harm.” (love Wikipedia)The creepier the better!

I never so much cared for the dark costumes, I mean, I dressed up as God one year. Nor will you find me in a Sex on Wheels costume. This year I am embracing my inner Wicked Witch of the West for my sister’s mega Halloween ‘Wizard of Oz” party, and we’ll see which witch spirit comes through the witch “Wicked” or the traditional Oz version. Although, I’m toying with the idea of being the Wicked Witch of the East that got crushed by Dorothy’s house…

I kind of remember a thought process like “I get free candy” when I first truly discovered trick or treating. I mean it was the only time of year where I could eat tons of Sugar Daddy’s!! I just had to be home before dark because that’s when the ‘big bad kids’ went out with shaving cream and eggs and it wasn’t safe. I didn’t so much care as long as enough candy passed my mom’s inspection.

The tradition of trick or treating may derive from the practice of “souling” where the poor went house to house singing and saying prayers for the dead in exchange for “soul cake”. In that case, I best collect some dark chocolate for my grandmother and starbursts for my grandpa this year!

Turnips may be the original stand ins for today’s pumpkins and were carved and lit with candles to commemorate the souls in purgatory and yes, to ward off evil spirits.

While the undead may rise from the grave on Halloween there’s nothing like seeing thousands of people in full costume regalia raiding the streets of New York’s West Village. Halloween in NYC is unlike anything else. Freaky? Definitely. Fun? Beyond. Whether you watch the annual parade on NY 1 or just people watch on the street, I’d wager that it’s better than New Year’s Eve!

One of my favorite parties of all time was my sister and I’s combined Halloween birthday party. Guests were ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED to be in costume, and they were. The costumes were so hilarious, creative and fun. My grandparents were Indians and my grandpa had a plastic container which he used as a tom tom drum. My law school friend and boyfriend came as Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, wardrobe malfunction and all! Melissa and her hubby were fully Kissed out and it took everyone a solid half an hour to recognize them under their makeup. (Melissa is still salty she didn’t win a best costume prize.) My friends still talk about that party and I can’t wait until my 40th, I’m thinking full scale Victorian Masquerade Ball ala European Court style.

While my numbers keep piling on, my love for Halloween, All Hallows Eve and the magical days that follow – All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2 – aka Day of the Dead, aka ‘my birthday’ - but more on that next week) never dies.

Now, I love sharing it with my children and seeing their spirit come alive. We’ve been busy staging the house with decorations and they both knew exactly what costumes they wanted for this year. My daughter wanted the one princess outfit I didn’t have for her (of course), I guess to ward off those evil sea creatures, and my son wanted, surprise, surprise, a Star Wars costume, so he can totally take on the Emperor. After last year it took my son a week or so to realize that trick or treating wasn’t a daily routine, but it’s all good.

As Halloween is not just a novelty holiday, this year take note of who is dressing up and just what spirits they seem to be attracting or repelling.

BEWARE!!!

Copyright 2010 Cynthia Litman d/b/a Tigris Imprints. All rights reserved.