What was the purpose of soul cakes?
They were used to pay the beggars who came around on All Souls’ Eve and offered to say prayers for the family’s departed. One cake given, one soul saved — cheap at the price. Elsewhere, they were given to the costumed entertainers known as mummers, who made their merry rounds at Halloween.
What is the tradition of soul cakes?
A soul cake, also known as a soulmass-cake, is a small round cake (though they more resemble in appearance and texture a shortbread biscuit, with sweet spices) which is traditionally made for Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to commemorate the dead in many religions traditions.
What do they call trick or treating in Scotland and Ireland?
In Scotland and other parts of Britain and Ireland, the tradition of guising, going house to house at Halloween and putting on a small performance to be rewarded with food or treats, goes back at least as far as the 16th century, as does the tradition of people wearing costumes at Halloween.
What is Souling?
The action, practice, or ritual of going about asking for donations of food, etc., traditionally on the eve of All Souls’ Day.
What does it mean to go Souling?
How do I celebrate Samhain?
In the Druid tradition, Samhain celebrates the dead with a festival on October 31 and usually features a bonfire and communion with the dead. American pagans often hold music and dance celebrations called Witches’ Balls in proximity to Samhain.
What is a practice where beggars would beg for soul cakes?
In medieval times, one popular All Souls’ Day practice was to make “soul cakes,” simple bread desserts with a currant topping. In a custom called “souling,” children would go door-to-door begging for the cakes, much like modern trick-or-treaters.
Why do Scots call it Guising?
Scottish children traditionally donned costumes and pretended to be malicious spirits as they went ‘guising’ around the local streets. After performing tricks or songs, guisers were given gifts to help ward off evil – a far cry from some of today’s trick-or-treaters, who get ‘treats’ for simply showing up in costume.
What do you pray to God for a soul cake?
I pray thee, good missus, a soul cake! three for Him what made us all! Soul Cake, soul cake, please good missus, a soul cake. An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry, any good thing to make us all merry.
What are soul cakes?
Soul Cakes are small round spiced cakes, made for All Soul’s Day to celebrate and commemorate the dead. Traditionally, soul cakes would be given out to children and the poor who would go from door to door, begging for alms or “Souling”, on All Soul’s Day.
Why do people give away soul cakes?
Soul Cake History There are a number of legends about the origins of the soul cake, and the practice of giving them away. Some people say that they harken back to the time of the Druids; cakes were baked around the Samhain bonfire season, and used as part of a lottery.
How do you make soul cakes on Weight Watchers?
Use a sharp knife and cut a cross into the top of each cake and bake for about 15 minutes until puffed and golden. These soul cakes are 5 Weight Watchers Smart Points each. The biscuits keep for 3 days in an airtight tin. You can freeze the dough, wrapped well in plastic wrap and a bag, then defrost, roll and bake as per the recipe.