For thousands of years, we have celebrated the lengthening nights of winter with festivals of light to chase the darkness away. In England, Halloween was suppressed by the Puritans, but the bonfires and fireworks live on in Guy Fawkes Night, the latest iteration of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Teutonic Christmas tree was lit with candles, which Prince Albert brought to Britain and America. Elsewhere in the world, we have Diwali, Hanukkah and Loy Krathong. So, in celebration of all these festivals, I am lighting a few candles of my own!
© Peter Sealy, 2012-2024; all rights reserved.