Voices: This Norfolk Life

Halloween The History ............................................

The history of Halloween in Scotland begins with the ancient Celtic religious celebration of Samhain (summer's end). One of the two greatest annual Druidic festivals (Beltane is the other), Samhain marked the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half. Samhain is the Celtic new year celebration. Beginning on the evening of October 31 (the Celts counted their days from sunset to sunset, just as the bible does), the festival would last three days (perhaps longer).

However, the name 'Halloween' has distinct Christian origins. The Roman Catholic Church incorporated the festival into the Christian calendar, as a way to try and stop what were perceived at the time as non-Christian celebrations. On 1 November 731 AD, All Saints' Day (All Hallow's Day) was declared . Therefore, October 31 became All Hallow's Eve. This became shortened shortened in time to Halloween, and has been celebrated ever since. Certain traditions - such as pumpkins - have been imported from the USA. Can you believe that our earliest version of the jack-o'-lantern (Pumpkin) was created using the humble turnip! It has been suggested by some that Trick or Treating is linked to Celtic folklore, but others are addament that it derieved as a way to control young people's nighttime pranks at Halloween.

My self have herd that the reson behind the pumkins was to let the old ones spirts back in the the world for one night only. The eyes of the pumpkins lit up is the eyes of the old spirts. The food was made so the Old ones would have some thing to eat and this was passed around the village hence trick or treats origens.

Its not about Devil worship or any thing like that its about one season passing and the celabration of that. May Wiccas, Drids, Pagen Religion Celabrate this.......... It has its roots in many religions Christaninty is one of them. A lot of celabration Such as Easter and Chritmas is Pagen....

Although people have there fun ........ It means more the a tacky costume and hyper little kids to some people.

Thanks to halloween party.com and a Scotish history.

M.E (Myalgic Encephalopathy) Myalgic means pain in muscels, Encephalophay means diseases that affect the function of the brain.

M.E is now classed as an Neurological Disorder by the World Health Organastion. Some doctors still don't belive in M.E but the Facts and Evidence are out there.

I became ill just before my 18th birthday. I had what they class as a brain virus that left me week and unable to remember much. After that and with Exams i just put it done to stress. I felt tired, got every bug going. Could not concentate on the most simple tasks. I got pain in my joints and mucsles then took days or weeks to go away.

When i told my doctor about the balck outs and vacants i was having he said it was eplispy. With out any tests he put me on Eplim, witch i no now, course fits in people who dose not have Eplispy. I stated having fits and more and more i became ill.

I had my Little Girl in 1996 and also the next year had viral menigitus. This but more starin on my body but no doctor could give me an answer. The drugs i had for the fits i stopped my slef and i had no more. This as made me forget a time in my past i can no longer remeber, like getting married i have no Knowlegde of this or a lot of my little girls gorwing up i just don't remember, just what i have been told.

I had PND realy bad it led to all sorts of things in my past i don't want to repeat on here. but the deprestion as been linked to the M.E.

In 1999 i searched for a job it led me to Norfolk. I Hurt my back at work doing Hospital Portering at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital as then was. I never got any comapsation do to them loosing the accident book. I went to see a Neroloagist Doctor Dick who told me it was in my head. I had no Test and i told them i had to condtions my back and my other symptopms but he would not lsiten. I was attmited to hospital where they would not medicate me, or help me in any way to wash and dress. The said they had done blood tets but non was done, they took me to a Pscyatrist but they said i had a 'Real' Problem, there words not mine. Doctor Dick would still not belive them.

After all this i was in pain with my back. Had muclse pain, non consetration, spent ages in bed, headached. IBS, can't read books. I got fed up and went privert. First i went to a GP at Bupa who Diagnosed M.E i was re-ferd by my new GP and was diagnosed after meny years. I then Wnet to Doctor Tucker the best Orthopeadic doctor in the country. He Said i had back problems and that they made me ver disabled. ITs amazing what money can do.

If any ones out there reading this i just want to say fight for your rights becuse doctors DO get in WRONG.

AS a person i can't read books any more. I can't do cross stitch. Spend many days in bed. They say they understand my family but i don't think they do.

I can't talk on the phone long as it tired me out, and i can't think, i just get told i am not lsitening or that i don't want to talk to people. Belive me i do but it takes consentation and enrgy to talk belive me.

I love watching my dvds, and i love Baby Centre where i have made some good friends. I feel some days i am lcoked in a prison. I have my 2 girls and thats what keeps me going, there the best things in my life. Yes you have good and bad days. People do think i can sleep and then i would be ok Lol if only. My brain dose not go in the right sleep states so i dont have refreshed sleep. I wish i could go out and party some times lol

No way as this illness made me idel i have a diploma and a foundation degree yes it is hard but i got there. I have a great doctor who nos what i need and feel becuse her son as it. I have a Great M.E clinc near by i am one of the lucky ones.

I guess what i am saying is yes there hard days but mostleyi get on with it. M.E lives with me not the other way around.

xxxxx