COLUMN: Nothing to fear this Halloween
“We face another Halloween, with witches, hobgoblins, demons, large spiders’ webs that have come to be associated with the day.
Ghosts are a classic symbol of Halloween. They represent the spirits of the dead and connect to the ancient belief that the barrier between the living and the dead weakens during this season. Ghost decorations can be found everywhere, from haunted houses to front yards.
Witches are also iconic to Halloween. Often depicted with pointy hats and cauldrons, they embody mystery and magic. Witches are believed to brew potions and cast spells, adding to the spooky lore of the holiday. The cauldron, as a symbol, represents brewing more than just soup, it signifies potions, spells and mischief.
Halloween is believed to have connections to the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Ireland. On the day roughly corresponding to November 1 on contemporary calendars, the new year was believed to begin.
People set bonfires on hilltops to relight their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits.
Despite the darkness, the scaremongering, skeletons, the spreading of misinformation creating fear amongst many, especially the Ukranian community; we had a bonfire at Caerphilly shining a bright light of hope with Plaid Cymru winning the traditional Labour seat last week despite Reform throwing everything at the byelection.
As we look towards the Senedd election we need to focus on issues that are under the control of the Senedd, not chase spurious issues based at Westminster, and offer positive ways forward,
- Put a focus on putting Wales first and foremost
- Demand a fair funding formula for Wales, as happened in N Ireland, to enable the much needed investment in our NHS, schools and public services
- Devolve the Crown estate – so we control over our own assets
- Ensure parity with Scotland and N Ireland – for fairness and justice and equity within these Isles
- And locally, campaign for such services as the Wales Air Ambulance and the much-promised Rapid Response Vehicles
- The future of Bronglais stroke services
- And a New Welsh Development agency to drive our economic potential and ensure that Mid Wales is the Celtic knot tying Wales together.
As the Celts of old, rather than fear let’s unite for hope rather than hate, let’s light those bright fires rather than darkness as we face the next Senedd election.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|