Most people hate being frightened. Then why is it so much fun to have a good, creepy scare on Halloween at which time we delight in bloody stumps, decomposing zombies, and evil spirits?
Although modern trick-or-treaters may not be aware of them, Halloween has deep cultural roots that help turn a shriek of horror into a shiver of delight.
According to Celtic Mythology, ancient Celtic people believed that, on November 1st, "the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere, sometimes violently, in their affairs." On that demonic night, Celtic traditions included a bonfire (literally a "bone fire") during which the bones of sacrificed animals and humans were burned as a rite of purity.
But as you carve a pumpkin or don a witch costume and tune in to a slasher movie, you probably aren't thinking of ancient Celtic rituals. Fear also relates to our emotional health in the here and now. Here are three positive impacts fear can have on our emotional lives:
Trust
When children are frightened, they run to mom and dad. We all learn at some point that our parents cannot fix every problem but, as children, we trust that they will be able to shield us from those terrible things that lurk in the dark. That trust is deeply instilled in us and creates emotional bonds with others. A good scare can remind us of those times when we trusted entirely that we would be cared for and shielded from harm. That trust is not so different than the faith, be it religious or spiritual, that we all need to have as we grow older and face life's challenges.
Protecting Others
In a slasher flick, a hero always appears to vanquish the maniac killer. We identify with that hero not only because we want to be saved, but also because we instinctively desire to protect those we love. This protective urge relates to one of the principles I treasure most - service to others. If I am thinking about helping those I love, I am much less likely to get lost in the self-obsession that only breeds fear and unhappiness.
Wonder
Life can become pretty routine and boring. In fact, most of us prefer it that way. But things both great and terrible sometimes appear to shatter our standard beliefs. Halloween is awash in supernatural forces that can help us reconnect to the sense of wonder we all felt as children when everything was new and possible.
Candy may not be very healthy and overwhelming fear can be destructive. But I think that once a year we should allow our sweet teeth to run amok and our hearts to beat with healthy terror. Happy Halloween!
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
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