20/10/2024
Old Irish Traditions and Games at Halloween.
As I've discussed in a recent letter, Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "Sow-an" - where "sow" rhymes with "how"). This was a time when the veil between our world and the Otherworld was believed to be at its thinnest, allowing spirits to cross over more easily. But Samhain wasn't just about ghostly encounters - it was also a time for gatherings, feasts, and games - many of which had a touch of magic about them. Given the "thinning of the veil" between our world and the Otherworld, many Halloween games had an element of gazing into the future - as you will see in some of the examples that I share below.
Snap-Apple: A Test of Skill and Patience.
One of the most popular Halloween games in Ireland is Snap-Apple, known as 'Bob-Apple' in some parts. A cross-stick is suspended from the ceiling with a short length of string tied at each end. An apple is then tied to one end and a lighted candle to the other. The stick is then spun, and players must try to take a bite of the apple without getting singed by the candle! As you might imagine, the candle has been eliminated in many safety-conscious households these days! This game requires quick reflexes and no small amount of courage. Manys the Halloween party in Ireland has been filled with the laughter (and occasional yelps) of players trying their luck at Snap-Apple.
Your Future in a Cake: The Barmbrack.
Another food-based Halloween divination centres around the barmbrack, a fruity bread traditionally baked at Halloween. Various items are baked into the bread, each with its own meaning:
A pea: The person would not marry that year
A stick: An unhappy marriage or continual disputes
A cloth or rag: Bad luck or poverty
A coin: Good fortune or riches
A ring: Marriage within the year
Each person at the table would take a slice of the brack, and whatever item you found in your portion was said to foretell your future for the coming year. It was always great fun to see who got what - though I remember my grandmother always making sure there were enough rings to go around for any young ladies at the table! Even today, you can buy barmbrack in Irish shops around Halloween, often with a little ring wrapped in greaseproof paper hidden inside.
Burning Nuts and Blindfolded Cabbage Picking!
For those curious about their romantic future, the burning of nuts was a popular divination practice. Two nuts (often hazelnuts) would be placed on the hearth, each representing one of a pair of potential lovers. If the nuts burned together, it foretold a good match. But if one nut burst or jumped away, it meant the relationship was not meant to be. I remember my mother telling me how she and her four sisters would giggle and blush as they watched the nuts crackling in the fire, each hoping for a sign about their future sweetheart.
Another variation of the Divination game involved blindfold cabbage picking. In this game, blindfolded players would be led to a pile of cabbages brought in from the garden. The shape and size of the cabbage the player picked was said to indicate the shape and stature of their future spouse. If there was clay stuck to the roots, it meant wealth was coming your way.
For an extra bit of divination, the cabbage stalk would be hung over the door. The first person to enter after it was hung was said to have the same first name as your future spouse!
The Bonfire: Heart of the Celebration.
While not a game per se, the Halloween bonfire was central to many Irish Halloween traditions. People would gather around the fire to share stories, play games, and perform various rituals. Young people would leap through the flames for good luck, and the ashes from the fire were scattered over the fields to ensure a good harvest in the coming year.
Many of these games and practices continue in Ireland today, though perhaps not as widely as in years past. However, there's been a renewed interest in recent years in reviving some of these old traditions. Many Irish communities now host Halloween festivals that feature these games, allowing a new generation to experience the magic and mystery of a traditional Irish Samhain.
As you celebrate Halloween this year, why not try your hand at some of these old Irish games? Bake a barmbrack, play a round of Snap-Apple, or tell fortunes with nuts on the fire. You'll be carrying on traditions that stretch back hundreds (if not thousands) of years, connecting you to the spirit of Samhain and the countless generations who have celebrated this magical time of year.
