Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet Again

By Tamara J. Lesnar
Staff Writer

The wheel of life is turning and the Wiccan New Year will soon be upon us. Samhain, pronounced sow-en or sow-in with the ow similar to the pronunciation in the word now, is better known as Halloween.

Samhain is one of the Greater Sabbats for wiccans and enthusiastically celebrated with big feasts. It begins on the eve of October 31 and ends on the eve of November first. It is the time when the Goddess’s consort begins his journey into death to be reborn. The Goddess is in her Crone phase and wisdom is to the forefront. Therefore Samhain is an excellent time for divination. It is celebrated throughout the world and known by different names in different cultures. For instance, it is known as Ancestor Night and Night or Feast of the Dead in Britain and Viking settlements.

Samhain is a day to remember one’s ancestors. It is also the day when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, allowing our dead friends and family to roam the earthly plane. While roaming the earth, the dead spirits could find loved ones and send them a message about the future. Celebrators would leave empty seats at the dinner table and around the fireplace for those friends and ancestors who visited them.

It was not all good news, for some souls who walked the earth were also out to right wrongs or get revenge on those who had done them harm when they were alive. Because of this, the practice of dressing up began. People would dress up in costumes when they went out at night to fool the spirits. It allowed them to be incognito and walk the earth with spirits without consequence. The lively costumes of today are different then those practiced in early times where masks and dark robes were used.

Also because of the spirits out to exact revenge, the practice of trick or treating began. Ancient people believed if they left food and drink outside their doors (a treat), they could appease the spirits and the spirits would not wreak havoc on their crops, property and family (a trick).
Later in history, after many cultures influenced the ancient practices, people began pulling pranks on individuals—sometimes devastating ones.

The government began to influence the practices by suspending them in communities. People still celebrated the sabbat and the government, realizing that they could not stop it, began providing community celebrations that were geared towards children.

Today the practice of trick or treating continues but with a less spiritual connotation for most people, and when someone yells “trick or treat” we give them a piece of candy hoping that we can appease them and will not suffer the consequences of a trick.

Bobbing for apples became another tradition. Apples symbolized eternal life and fertility. So by catching an apple, you could increase the quality of your life. Apples were also used for divination. By throwing apple peels on the ground, a young unmarried woman would be able to see her future husband.

Today, Halloween is an approximately $6.8 billion dollar industry, a far cry from a spiritual celebration. It is my favorite day to celebrate. My annual party takes place and I will be contributing to that $6.8 billion dollar industry.

In the tradition of wiccan celebrations I will be celebrating with food and drink. My menu for this party is Mexican and we will be having: rajas, chicken tortilla soup, cheese enchiladas, a beef and chicken taco bar, pico de gallo, guacamole, rice and beans, flan, sopapillas, and pumpkin cream puffs. I’m already salivating.

The cream puffs are symbolic of the union of male and female. Wiccans celebrate the union of female and male at all sabbats. Without that union their could not be life, death and rebirth. I would love to share with you my cream puff recipe.

Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Pumpkin Mixture

1 can (15oz) of pumpkin puree
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp clove
1/8 tsp ginger

Mix pumpkin puree with sugar and spices in a small mixing bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Place bowl in refrigerator.

Whipped Cream. For 2 1/3 cups

1 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp confectioner’s sugar
3 tbsp of pumpkin mixture

In a chilled bowl beat cream at high speed until soft peaks form. Add confectioner’s sugar. Beat at high speed until stiff peaks form. Move cream to side and add pumpkin mixture in empty space. Fold cream into pumpkin mixture using whisk and then beat on high speed until you achieve a thicker consistency.

Pate a Choux

8 1/2 oz water
1/2 tsp salt
3 1/2 oz butter cut into small cubes to make sure it melts before boiling point.
5 oz of cake flour
4 to 5 eggs

In a large pot, combine the water, salt and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add the flour all at once. Mix with a spatula until thoroughly mixed. Put mixture back on the stove on high heat and keep mixing until it no longer sticks to the walls of the pan and to the spoon. Remove from heat and put in a stainless steel bowl. Add 2 eggs and incorporate thoroughly. Then add one egg at time to get a mixture that will slowly enclose upon itself when a finger is ran thru it. Pipe it out using a #12 tip and pastry bag on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Space about two inches apart. An egg wash can be used. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes. The pastries should be puffed, golden and look dry. Cool on racks. Once cooled, cut the tops off and remove insides. Add pumpkin whipped cream and replace tops. Serve immediately.

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