The True Origins of Christmas and Halloween

Samhain - Yule - History - Folklore

De: R. G. West

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Enter a world where the veil grows thin…
…and the creatures are stirring.....

The True Origins of Christmas and Halloween is two books in one, an epic journey into the dark, enchanted roots of the year's most magical and mysterious winter festivals. From the shadowed rites of ancient Samhain to the blazing Yule fires of midwinter, travel through time and myth: from ancient Britain and Ireland to the Roman Empire, medieval Europe, and colonial America. Uncover a world of forgotten customs and fearsome folklore, where Gods and monsters walked among mortals.

In Book One, learn all about Halloween, Samhain, the Gods of Death and Rebirth, the Druids and human sacrifice, Roman Days of the dead, All Souls Day, the origin of the Jack o' Lantern, and how the Plague changed Europe's view of death and the macabre.

In Book Two, learn all about the traditions of Christmas and Yule, Rome's midwinter festivals, the origins of Santa, St. Nicholas, Woden and the Wild Hunt, Old Man Winter, Father Christmas, Krampus, child-snatching crones and Christmas scarecrows, and many other dark spirits that prove Christmas is by far the darker of the two festivals.

Excellent Overview of the Two Fall / Winter Holidays

R.G. West wrote an excellent volume on the origins of both Halloween & Christmas and how the two holidays intersect. For anyone interested in the cultural and religious histories of these two historical celebrations/ observations, this book is for you. I am more than happy to recommend it.