Don’t Be Fooled!

I want to share the exciting news that I’ll be sending you a DAILY newsletter because MORE enchantment is BETTER! Before you have a panic attack and unsubscribe, I’m just kidding.

Yes, today is April Fool’s Day and I realized I didn’t know the origin of this odd day. It turns out that no one actually does, but some of the historical references are interesting so I thought I’d share.

According to Games & Humor, it’s believed that the customs of the day date back at least to Renaissance Europe, but, likely, well before then. April Fools' Day has been linked to the ancient Roman festival of "Hilaria," where at the end of March, people would come together to commemorate the resurrection of the god Attis. It was a celebration of renewal in which revelers would dress up in disguises and imitate others.

There was also the medieval celebration of the Feast of Fools, where a mock bishop or pope was elected and church customs were parodied, which could have inspired the day.

Other historians believe the origins were from the 16th century, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar began in March with the spring equinox and was celebrated until April 1. By switching, the new year began on Jan. 1.

“Not everyone knew or was willing to change when to celebrate the new year. Those who continued to celebrate in the spring were often ridiculed and made the butt of jokes.”

“Paper fish” pranks, also called  "poisson d'avril," or "April fish,”included having a paper fish placed on a person's back. Fish were more plentiful in the spring and thus easier to catch. An "April fish" was more gullible than fish caught in other seasons.

“In 1760 there was speculation as to the origins of the holiday, with a line in Poor Robin's Almanac reading: ‘The First of April some do say. Is set apart for all Fool's Day. But why the people call it so. Nor I nor they themselves do know.’

Pranks abound on this day and people usually either love them or dread them. Even newscasters get in on the act. So heighten your awareness to all possibilities in which others may be trying to “fool” you.

Don’t be fooled and stay enchanted!