[Voice] Wan Shi Tong Asks You

[knowitowl]

[Bored Knowledge Spirit is bored. Today is the end of the month, and while before he had answered questions from others, today he has questions for everyone else! So those not too busy with other things will find the owl speaking at length about his chosen topic.]

Greetings Luceti.

While normally this would be the time for another session of 'Ask Wan Shi Tong', this time I have a question for you.

Before we were without a library, I have studied what literature was available on human customs, culture, and the like. Apparently in some versions of Earth, this day is considered a holiday. All Hallow's Eve, also known as Allhalloween, All Saint's Eve, or Halloween.

This holiday has religious origins but seems to have changed over the course of history. It seems that many cultures like to dress up their offspring in ridiculous costumes resembling spirits and demons, among other things. Then send them forth to collect pieces of condensed processed sugar which then result in dental problems. Plus it is also customary to hollow out and carve large rotund orange fruits.

Tell me, what are your thoughts, experiences, and opinions on this particular holiday? What is the point? Why do you humans find enjoyment in these activities?

And despite our current circumstances, please continue to send your questions for next month.

That is all.

[Action]

[Later on the that evening, anyone wandering around the village might see something unusual. A large 20 foot sheet ghost walking around. It will probably walk up to you and demand candy.

Also, once he is done with that phase of his Halloween research, he can be found near the shelter that Aang built for him. With a stash of any sugary sweets he managed to acquire. Plus a pumpkin he stole from the farmlands.]

Comments

[stilldontgotit]

Halloween was my favorite holiday as a kid. Something about getting to dress up as monsters and stuff myself was sweets was just too cool to pass up.

These days, I'm not as into it, but believe it or not, there's a world out there where it's Halloween every day. And it's filled with real monsters, skeletons, ghosts... You name it. Seriously, the place is actually called Halloween Town.

[knowitowl]

So then this is a custom that is merely beneficial for the children and then eventually outgrown?

Intriguing. Though wouldn't celebrating the same holiday every day be a bit... mundane

[stilldontgotit]

Well, some adults still dress up for the fun of it, but they'll usually throw parties instead of going door to door. Plus you have horror movies and ghost stories... There's still ways to celebrate. It's just how you do it that changes.

And I guess it'd get stale after a while, but I don't think they care. Sora once told me that one of their residents tried to run Christmas, but it kinda blew up in his face.

[knowitowl]

I do not see the point in scaring one self for entertainment.

Christmas you say? The holiday that humans can not decide on whether to celebrate it for the birth of a religious icon or an overly cheerful fat man that gives gifts?

[stilldontgotit]

Some people find it exciting. Gets your heart pumping, gets your blood flowing, and when it's over, you can laugh at how ridiculous the scare was in the first place. I mean, half the time it's a bunch of hokey special effects and loud noise.

And yeah, that's the one. Christmas is... well, I guess it kinda varies depending on who you talk to. One time, I read that a lot of the customs were stolen from pegan holidays.

[the_dead_pool2]

[There is a bit of static and he appears to be trudging through a cave currently]

Uh, candy is delicious point one. You get to dress up in cool costumes, or like funny ones, point two. There are girls wearing sexy costumes, point three.

[It buzzes out for a moment before coming back in]

I mean, that is seriously awesome, who could even argue?

Anyway, you also have license to scare people and take their candy if they don't have a good enough grip on it... that alone is totally awesome.

[knowitowl]

...

But you dress in a costume every day.

[the_dead_pool2]

...alright well you got me there. My other points still stand though!

[knowitowl]

So, causing premature tooth decay is fun? Are receiving dental fillings part of a rite of passage?

[the_dead_pool2]

It is called toothpaste man, with sugar neutralizing agents. Seriously, did someone remove the have fun portion of your personality, or were you just born without it?

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

What's the point? Because it's fun. Creative costumes, candy, fun parties, horror movies, haunted houses, it's just another way to enjoy yourself, live a little. Be someone else for a day.

[Voice]

[knowitowl]

I do not understand.

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Written and voice here on out?]

Some people like the holiday because it's something different. It's a chance to dress up in a costume, pretend to be someone else. It's fun. Other people like it because there are a lot of scary things associated with the holiday, horror movies and haunted houses being the most prevalent, and part of the fun is getting scared.

[knowitowl]

[Sounds good to me!]

How is scaring one self, fun? Could you not do that any time of the year?

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Sure, you can. You can watch horror movies whenever you want. As for why some people like being scared, there are a lot of different reasons. For some, it's a thing of bravery. Going to a scary movie or a haunted house, there's the expectation of being scared and they want to see if they can overcome that. There's also the group experience, going with friends, all having fun, making fun of each other.

It's also a controlled environment. When someone comes after you with a knife in a haunted house, they aren't going to hurt you. You can escape or they'll stop and everyone has a good laugh. Very different than someone on the street coming after you with a knife. No control, no safety.

Being scared also gets your adrenaline up.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

What isn't to understand about Halloween? Humans can sense a change in the natural world as much as you or I can, Wan Shi Tong. That is, in large part, the origins of the custom.

It's a celebration of the end of the growing season, and the harvest. And a weakening of the barrier between the spirit world and the mortal one. Hence the costumes.

I...rather like it.

[Voice]

[knowitowl]

Hm. It is conveniently placed at that time of year. I suppose that does make some sense.

You enjoy celebrating human holidays?

[Voice]

[windandrain]

Some. The ones that are appropriate for a spirit or god to appreciate. Though, most of them have roots that predate humanity.

[That is to say the religious ones, and the ones tied to nature.]

Do you not observe any special days?

[Voice]

[knowitowl]

No, not particularly.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

None at all? Not a solstice, or a changing of the seasons?

voice

[folklorist]

Oh I love Halloween! It's one of my favorite holidays actually. I enjoy it because of its lore and origins, really. The candy is nice, but I do like seeing the traditions carried on, even if they're different now. Pumpkin carving isn't used to keep away spirits but it's still immensely fun.

[ Helios does love his pumpkin carving. He filled the entire lawn with them last year. ]

[knowitowl]

How is carving a large species of squash, enjoyable? What do you benefit from it? Why not a different fruit? Is it because that is the crop of the season?

[folklorist]

You can make all sorts of designs and such with them! In my world they even have pumpkin carving competitions nowadays for a large sum of money. It's...quite fun, especially if you do it with your friends or family. But I believe the pumpkin was chosen because of it being in season, yes. Typically it was gourds, squash and a variety of other things back in the old days. There's also the, ah, will-o'-the-wisp phenomena that made them quite popular to use!

[knowitowl]

I see. I suppose it is one of the less ridiculous rituals of this holiday.

[Perhaps he will try it.]

[folklorist]

Yes. I believe throwing toilet paper on people's houses is a bit more ridiculous to be honest. At least carving pumpkins and gourds had a traditional meaning to them.