Autumn is Here, Let’s Celebrate!!

It's the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!

Winnie the Pooh – Pooh's Grand Adventure

Is it just me or did anyone else wake up on Thursday and think… is it really September??!? I know its cliché but, where on earth has the year gone? The 1st of September ushers in the Meteorological Autumn. A recent poll in a popular UK broadsheet, identified Autumn, aka Fall if you’re on the other side of the pond, as the least popular season of the year. Yes the days get shorter, yes the temperatures drop and yes, the skies get greyer however, there's still loads to celebrate in Autumn! Here's a few iconic celebrations from around the world.

Halloween – 31st October – Celebrated in several countries

Halloween is one of those traditions I don't really get, in the USA its huge and has spilled into Second Life, don't get me wrong, I think it's great, I love the colours, the costumes and the parties however, it has grown from humble origins.

In many countries, Christian All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day, it was traditionally believed that the souls of the departed wandered the earth until All Saints' Day. All Hallows' Eve provided one last chance for the dead to gain vengeance on their enemies before moving to the next world. In order to avoid being recognized by any soul that might be seeking such vengeance, people would wear masks or costumes to disguise their identities.

Historically, on Halloween in Scotland children get dressed in costumes and going ‘trick or treating’ known in Scotland as “guising” (as in “going in disguise”). The kids have to perform jokes or songs in return for sweets. The general etiquette is that it's ok to knock of people's doors who have carved pumpkins outside or the doors belong to family and friends. Also traditionally it’s neeps (turnips) that are carved out with a candle inside and carried as lanterns rather than pumpkins.

The story of the original “Jack-O-Lantern” dates back as far back as the 1500s in Ireland. As you know, we love a good story in Ireland and as this one goes; a blacksmith called Stingy Jack made a deal with the Devil to never claim his soul however, when he died, God wouldn’t let him into Heaven either. So, Jack was doomed to walk the Earth for all eternity, with only a burning coal to light his way, which he carried in a turnip he had carved out. He roams the world to this day as “Jack of the Lantern,” or “Jack-O’-Lantern.”

Bonfire Night - 5th of November – UK

Remember Remember the 5th of November

The Gunpowder Treason and plot

If you happen to be in the UK around the 5th of November you’ll notice in almost all communities from large cities to tiny villages, there are fireworks displays and bonfires, where grownups may be enjoying warmed cider and hamburgers, while trying to ensure the kids don’t get burnt whilst swinging sparklers around! It is one of the few occasions in the year where the whole community gathers, where you bump into friends and neighbours you haven’t seen for ages. But for many it may seem like an odd tradition throwing a scarecrow representing someone called Guy on to a huge bonfire while small children cheer. And when you hear that it’s celebrating a failed terrorist attempt to blow up the houses of parliament by religious extremists, you may think it’s about a James Bond film, rather than a 400 year old chapter in British history.

In 1605, a group of Catholics conspired to assassinate England’s Protestant monarch, King James I, and install a Catholic monarch. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic soldier leading the conspiracy, now known as The Gunpowder Plot. Their aim, to blow up British Parliament and kill the king. But in early November, Fawkes was caught and arrested while guarding a stockpile of gunpowder, and the plot was foiled. So every November 5, thousands of British people celebrate Guy Fawkes Night by lighting bonfires, burning effigies of Fawkes, and watching fireworks.

Oktoberfest – third weekend of September and ends the first Sunday in October – Germany

Oktoberfest is about more than drinking beer. Started in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration for a Bavarian prince and his princess, Oktoberfest has grown into an international Autumn festival, with events taking place every September to October in cities around the world. The world’s largest Oktoberfest welcomes 6-7 million spectators in Munich, Germany each year. Oktoberfest is not just for drinking crazy amounts of beer, in recent years it is becoming a more family friendly festival with parades, music, games whilst munching on lots of pretzels and authentic German sausages!

Loi Krathong – November – Thailand

Each November, on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, Thai people celebrate Loi Krathong, a festival of light to honour the goddess of water. They release candles on small floating vessels called krathongs, to rivers, lakes, ponds, and even swimming pools, in celebration of hope and light. In Bangkok, you can buy krathongs made of banana leaves, flowers, coconuts, or Styrofoam. Fireworks, music, and dance performances give the annual event a festive feeling.

Traditionally In Northern Thailand, people celebrate a similar event called Yi Peng, in which they release floating lanterns into the sky instead of onto the water. The Yi Peng festival is now held throughout Thailand and some parts of Laos. Additionally, people decorate their houses, shops and gardens with paper lanterns and candles. This festival of lights is an opportunity for Buddhists to pay homage to the Buddha and ask for blessings.

Moon Festival – 15th day of the 8th Lunar month – China

For thousands of years, Chinese people have celebrated the mid-Autumn full moon. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the night of the full moon between September and October. The celebration focuses on three important concepts: gathering with family, thanksgiving and praying.

It is believed that flowers will fall from the sky on the night of the moon's birthday, and those who saw them fall would be blessed with great abundance.

People all over China light incense sticks, spend time with family, and give each other mooncakes (sweet round pastries filled with red bean or lotus seed paste). If you’re fortunate enough to have an Asian bakery close by, nip in during late October and early November and buy one, they’re lovely!

I’ve not even mentioned Thanks Giving in North America or Diwali in India or Homowo in Ghana or Chuseok in Korea! Clearly there’s lots to celebrate in the season so, lets not give Autumn a bum rap – there’s lots to celebrate and be thankful for!

What’s on this week?

Head & Eyes – LeLUTKA EvoX AVALON 3.0 Hair – :::Phoenix::: Noelle Hair [Size S] @ this round of Fameshed Face Skin – DeeTaleZ Skin *Nora* for LELEVOX /nobrows/ Velour-CHANTI Still @ Uber Body – Maitreya Lara V5.3 - VELOUR: Ipanema Body for Maitreya - Fit (Chantily) Nails – . PUKI . My Deluxe Round Nails . Maitreya AO – BodyLanguage SLC BENTO AO Mate Shape – DeeTaleZ Shape for Lelu EVOX Heads "Nora" - Tweaked!

Thighs – MAZE.mods - Soft Thighs mod - LEFT (Maitreya) Earrings & Necklace – [ rD ] Capastrano Garter – ~~ Ysoral ~~ .:Luxe Leg jewelry Anny:.(Maitreya MAZE) Bracelets – *:..Silvery K..:* Boho Chic Summer_Dark Dress & Panties – .::Supernatural::. Nadia Dress [Petite] Pattern #9 @ this round of Fameshed Shoes – Eudora3D Saffron Heels (Maitreya) @ this round of Fameshed Pictures Taken at the Always Helpful Backdrop City