October 2006

Into the second day of the new month, which has now assumed its autumnal character. It's a grey, misty morning in the islands, with rain skirting the hills.

October is an important month for two of the world's main religions.

In Islam, the Month of Fasting has commenced during the past week. Ramadan will be on until the reappearance of the next new moon, in about 3 weeks time. It is not allowed to consume food or drink between sunrise and sunset. Children are exempt from this rule, but are known to voluntarily abstain.

I found this webpage with a lot of information about this important month in the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is a derivation of an expression meaning sun-scorched earth. This is also the source of the expression "Out of the Frying-Pan, Into the Fire".
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Islam and one of the highest forms of Islamic worship. Abstinence from earthly pleasures and curbing evil intentions and desires is regarded as an act of obedience and submission to God as well as an atonement for sins, errors, and mistakes. It serves to instill a sense of brotherhood with each other, and with those less fortunate who may be starving even outwith Ramadan.

Isn't it a coincidence that in Judaism, the feast of Yom Kippur coincides with Ramadan, this year at any rate. And Yom Kippur stands for exactly the same values and virtues as Ramadan. I quote from this website:

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year.

If you compare the information on both feasts, Ramadan and Yom-Kippur, you will notice striking similarities. I am deeply saddened about the deep antagonism between these two great religions, who are basically branches on the same tree.

October will close with Hallowe'en, the eve of All Saints, which takes place on the 1st November. All Saints and All Hallows (2nd November) are feasts in the Roman Catholic calendar. It used to be a pagan festival, which was awarded a Christian connotation. Traditionally, the departed of the year are remembered on All Hallows'.

In pre-Christian days, the summer ended on October 31st, on descent into the dark long nights. In some of the Scottish islands, the fire in the house would be extinguished fully that day and relit the next morning. Summer would come on St Bride's day, May 1st and a similar ritual observed.

Whichever conviction you adhere to, have a good October month.