As the days grow shorter and the weather cooler, falls marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The changing colors and falling of leaves offer us a time to slow down and reflect on changes that we experience in our own lives. It is the perfect opportunity to slow down from summer and enjoy the simple moments. One way to do this is to turn to books, films, and what the library offers.
The library offers an abundance of ways to get into the autumn spirit. Whether you are looking up new recipes from our fall themed cookbooks, want to check out some fall favorite films, or watch some horror movies, the library has your back. In addition, with your library card you can freely use Kanopy to easily stream a list of horror films, a variety of documentaries, or the 2023 award winning Anatomy of the Fall.
History of a Fall Tradition
Spanning back 2,000 years, people in what is now Ireland and other parts of Europe marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter with the Celtic fall festival Samhain. The Celts believed on October 31st, the boundary between the living world and the dead became thinner or blurred, so they wore costumes to ward off spirits and lit bonfires as protection.
Over time, the holiday evolved blending other seasonal traditions. During the seventh century Pope Boniface IV established All Saints Day on May 13 to honor saints. Later, in the eighth century, Pope Gregory III made November 1st All Saints Day which incorporated some traditions of Samhain. The day before All Saints Day became known as All Hollows Eve, which then transitioned to Halloween. Celebrate all over the United States Halloween has become a favorite tradition among many.
Want a perspective from an old Washington DC Newpaper, The Evening Star, from 1913? Check out this article from the Library of Congress titled “Some Quaint Hallowe’en Customs and Their Origin”.
Farmers Markets & Patches
Fall is one of the best times of years to visit a local farmers market with the bounty of the harvest on full display. Below is a list of several markets that are within walking distance of one our libraries as well! Check out the market and check out the library. Make sure to plan accordingly and look up the hours and locations of all our branches before planning the trip.
- Corte Madera Farmers Market Wednesdays Noon – 5pm
- San Rafael Farmers Market Thursday 8-1pm
- Point Reyes Farmers Market Saturday 9-2pm
- All of the Farmers Markets in Marin County
There are other ways to celebrate the fall season in Marin, one way is to carve a pumpkin! There are great, fun places to get pumpkins all over the county. In West Marin, there is Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch; in Novato visit Grossi Family Pumpkin Patch; and in Larkspur, check out the Honor Pumpkin Patch at the Marin Country Mart.
As we get further into fall now is the perfect time to get into the library. Explore our diverse collection, check out a state park or water district pass to see the leaves changing in nature, or find out more about how the county can help enrich your life. The county has a list of congregate meals and food pantries to help keep the community healthy and full. If you are in the position to give back, consider ways to volunteer as a rewarding way to help the community. Have a great fall season and we hope to see you at the library!
References:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, September 9). Halloween. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Halloween
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 26 Oct. 1913. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1913-10-26/ed-1/seq-73/
History.com Editors. (2009, November 18). Halloween: Origins, meaning & traditions. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
Thomas, H. (2021, October 26). The origins of Halloween traditions: Headlines & heroes. The Library of Congress. https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/
Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler
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