When the holidays turn into something to get through rather than something to celebrate, something is wrong. Holidays are supposed to be happy times, so why do so many people get depressed, frustrated and stressed out? People start wondering how will they avoid the Halloween candy, or how the heck they will cook a fabulous meal for 30 people at Thanksgiving, or if they can buy all the gifts they are supposed to, or if they will look great at the New Year’s Eve party. This can be daunting. Combine this with the reality for some of strained family relationships, not having a loved/special one, or money troubles and it can add to the distress. And then there is the FOOD. Daily my eating disorder clients exclaim things like….“How will I get through it all…. starting with Halloween candy in the store calling out to me for weeks, followed by the pumpkin scones at Starbucks, then all the food that goes with Thanksgiving, followed by the Christmas Holiday cookies, pies, cakes, tins of candied popcorn, seasoned nuts, See’s candy and of course Egg Nog. What am I going to do?”
Most people struggle with food issues during the holidays, but for those who struggle with eating disorders, the holidays pose additional anxieties and pressures to an already dysfunctional relationship with food. One key in helping my clients through this time is to take the focus of of the food. I try to make the holidays more meaningful by helping clients turn each holiday, and the whole season, into something special, more soulful. Nothing I teach is meant to take away from family or religious traditions but to add something new and interesting. I teach my clients the ancient roots of holidays and the meaning these holidays have had over the centuries in relationship to ancient people and the planet. Studying the roots of each holiday and how they relate to the planets’ seasons can help you to feel more in touch with your existence on the planet as well as your own changes or the “seasons” of your own life.
Lets look at Halloween……
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of
Samhain held on November 1st - which marked the end of summer and
the harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed this time of year
was associated with human death and that on the night before the new year,
October 31st, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the
dead became blurred. Celebrations were held during this night and the Celts
wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins. They also attempted
to tell each other's fortunes.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1st All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.
Knowing the origins of Halloween allows it to become a time of year for honoring those loved ones who have died or even those we don’t know who, from war or in poverty or sickness, have died. This can be a time for deep reflection on the two worlds of the living and dead. This could also be a time to honor and be grateful that you are among the living!
Stay tuned for part 2…Thanksgiving.
Carolyn Costin Clinical Director
Keesha Broome Assistant Clinical Director
Monte Nido Treatment Center
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