A jack o’ lantern represents many beliefs throughout time and place. Carving and cleaning out a pumpkin brings gratification by using personal creative energies.
As individuals we have chosen many roles throughout our lives. Some roles chosen are positive and others not so much. While our faces have changed with age an individual crafted purpose is revised. We look and see what we want to see. An individuals prerogative can be viewing a jack o’ lantern as a demonic symbol along with the representation of Halloween.
History shows us the origin of the useful joyful meanings of Halloween. Halloween was started in European countries (Ireland and Scotland) to honor ancestors that were deceased. These ancestors were honored each year during harvest time by carving vegetables and placing lit coal or candles in them. These vegetables (turnips, potatoes and beets) became known as jack o’ lanterns named after a ghost. In the marches a roaming negative ghost named Stingy Jack was often seen. According to ancient folklore, Jacks’ soul was rejected from entering heaven or hell. Jack was known as a mean man when living and he made deals to trick the devil. Jacks’ pay back was the purgatory of being stuck between the worlds. At that time Jacks’ spirit was believed to roam the earth carrying a flickering light. Jacks’ ghost was never at rest. The aberration of the flickering light would always burn out upon approach of villagers.Villagers believed that ghosts were a negative entity, a persons’ soul should be at rest in heaven or hell. A lighted jack o’ lantern was then used to serve as a deterrent to keep away walking ghosts/spirits at night. These lanterns were lit and placed in the windows of their home for the protection they felt was needed from roaming spirits.Positive spirits of ancestors were welcomed.
Viewing a jack o’ lantern as a positive light source goes along with Christian beliefs. Halloween was known as “All Souls Day” – souls that are on hold waiting in purgatory. “Hallows Eve” also known as Halloween is when the supernatural and physical worlds are believed to converge allowing magical happenings. “Saints Day” known as Halloween acknowledges” Religions Saints” in Heaven.
The belief of where there is light there is no darkness pertains to the energies of good verses evil. The light found within the pumpkin (jack o’ lantern) represents a humans light found within that is ignited upon the acceptance and “Love of Christ”. The light flickers bright when humans realize their own self worth. The pumpkins’ light is a reminder to honor and respect those that have lived and died before us as part of Gods’ plan.
