Witches & their brooms...

Many different theories surround why witches are associated with brooms. The most likely explanation is that brooms are a symbol of female domesticity, a tool of every woman, and most witches are women. In earlier times it was customary for a woman to leave her broom outside her door if she was going to be away from the home. In Medieval times, the belief that witches rode brooms was prevalent, even though such an act was only ever once mentioned in European witch trials. Accused witches on trial said they could fly with the aid of Flying Ointments (hallucinogenic plants mixed with a fat base and absorbed into the skin via pulse points). Jean Bodin, a 16th century demonologist, was close to the truth when he maintained that only a witch's spirit could fly, not her physical body. ^_^

http://www.thewitchesgarden.com/tours.php?D=5

Witches & their hats...

The traditional witches hat has a flaring brim and a tall, pointed cone. It has been said that in the Middle Ages a monk named Dunce discovered that the tall, pointy hat was commonly worn by wizards, and was thought to increase mental activity - and so the dunce cap was invented not to humiliate children, but to help them. It is thought that the witch added the brim to the conical shape to help strengthen her own energies and to send out her energy to do her will in any direction. ^_^

http://www.liberatedthinking.com/data/Library/Paganism/Pagan%20History%20and%20Facts/FAQ%20about%20Hallowween.htm

Some spooktacular Hallow E'en artwork!

I love Matthew Kirscht's fabulous Hallow E'en collection! I absolutely admire all of his work! Have a peek for yourself at http://www.shiverbones.com/matthewkirscht/index.html. ^_^

A Hallow E'en superstition that'll make you think twice.

It is said that if you hear someone's footsteps behind you on Halloween night, you shouldn't turn back because it may be a dead spirit following you. And if you commit the mistake of looking back, it is likely that you might join the dead very soon, so look out! ^_^

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=56057&display_order=10&mini_id=1076

Black & Orange

Sweet candy-corn! How I do love the colors black and orange! They are my favorite color combination of all time! Did you know that black and orange are the traditional colors of Halloween? Duh-oh! Say it isn't so! Anyhoo, in modern Halloween images and products, purple, green and red are also prominent. The use of these colors is largely a result of holiday advertising dating back over a century, and tends to be associated with various aspects of Halloween tradition. ^_^

Learn more about Halloween symbolism at http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=56058&display_order=11&mini_id=1076.

Hallow E'en observed a long, long time ago.

Many experts believe the druids were the first to observe Halloween. Dating back to 700 B.C., they celebrated the festival of Samhain, (the end of the harvest and a time to honor the dead) on November 1st. In the ensuing years, the night before became known as the Eve of all Hallows, a.k.a. Hallow Even, a.k.a.Hallowe'en. ^_^
Samhain image found on the web at http://www.susunweed.com/.

"Witch" means what?

What does "witch" mean? What's all the hullabaloo? Well, the word "witch" comes from the Saxon word wicca, which means "wise one". So in other words...all witches are wise. Good to know. ^_^

Witch image found on the web at http://wrednawiedzma.deviantart.com/.

Who is Stingy Jack?

How did the Jack-O'-Lantern come about you ask? Well, it's been said that the jack-o'-lantern icon descended from an ancient Irish myth that says "Stingy Jack" tricked the Devil on two occasions. According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns. ^_^

You can find out more about the History of Halloween at http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=716&display_order=3&mini_id=1076.

Trick-or-Treating? Hmmm...

Ever wonder how trick-or-treating started? Some say that on the evening before the Samhain, people left food on their doorsteps to keep hungry spirits from entering the house. Festivalgoers started dressing in ghost, witch, and goblin costumes so wandering spirits would leave them alone. To this day, these are Halloween's most popular costumes. ^_^

Hallow E'en TV Specials!

I remember the anticipation I felt when I knew a Halloween Special was going to be on TV. I simply couldn't wait to tune in! Especially when it was the night "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" would be on! Halloween time just wouldn't be Halloween time without this gem in my opinion. As a matter of fact, I love every one of the Peanuts specials. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is another one of my favs! How could you not love it? The music alone simply does the trick! Whenever I hear Vince Guaraldi's holiday music from any of the Peanuts specials, I immediately feel utter bliss! I absolutely LOVE it!!! I have the complete Peanuts Holiday Collection on DVD & watch them whenever & however many times I like throughout the year! They're the bestest! ^_^

Costumes Galore!

Unless your mom was a good sewer, I'm sure these were the type of costumes you grew up wearing. I know I did for awhile. I can distinctly remember the condensation those plastic masks packed from behind! That wetness pressed against your mouth and cheeks! Blek! It was pure torture, but hey, it was worth it...I guess! Anyhoo, if you're interested in purchasing one of these fine specimens to wear this Halloween, go and get your lil' jack-o'-lantern butt in gear and mosey on over to this page I happened upon.... http://www.wordcraft.net/halloween8a.html. ^_^

Hallow E'en Time!

I'm a lover of all things Halloween! It must be because I was born in October. I absolutely believe that's the reason. Cake time was fun...I always had some kind of Halloween themed cake on every birthday growing up. My all time favorite was a pumpkin ice cream cake from Carvel! They were the best kind of cakes around back then! You can check out more of their holiday cakes at http://www.delcocarvel.com/holidaycakes.html. ^_^