HALLOWEEN/SAMHAIN/DAY OF THE DEAD
Here are some belief's for Halloween and Day of the Dead from other cultures for you to read up on, and some yummy recipes you can do, and, if in your belief's, the spell rituals also. Also see these pages for FULL explanations of these subjects: DAY OF THE DEAD, SUPERSTITIONS & HALLOWEEN {Which contains information on All Hallows Eve, Samhain and more great recipes!} Don't miss out on the Halloween Fun page!
RITUALS, RECIPES AND SPELLS:
*SAMHAIN SERVING BLESSING
Hold your hands over the cooked food, and say:
THE GOLDEN RAYS OF SUN KISSED THE GRAIN
SWEET DROPS OF RAIN CARESSED THE FRUIT.
STREAMS OF MOONLIGHT DANCED IN THE FIELDS
SENDING ENERGY INTO THE ROOT.
BLESSINGS OF THE MOTHER
STRENGTH OF THE FATHER
UNITY OF LOVE.
SO MOTE IT BE.
Make the sign of the equal-armed cross over the dish. Tap the dish once.
Serve with a smile!
*PUMPKIN BREAD
The pumpkin belongs to American culture and therefore carries no European magickal history. The pumpkin is considered feminine, ruled by the moon, with its element seen as water. It's magical associations are protection and abundance of the harvest. Without a European connection, we have no European deity to fairly associate with this wonderful vegetable, though I'm sure any harvest deity would be amicable to the association.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (fertility and money)
1 1/2 cup sugar (love and passion)
3/4 tsp. salt (protection)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (spirituality and protection)
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg (luck and health)
1 cup canned pumpkin (abundance)
1/3 cup water (cleansing)
2 large eggs (fertility)
1 tsp. vanilla (love and mental prowess)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (health and wishes - will counteract a fertility spell)
Confectioners' sugar
Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. In a different bowl, combine pumpkin, water, eggs, vanilla, and oil. Mix well. Ad dry ingredients slowly and beat thoroughly. Stir in nuts and pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 to 80 minutes (but watch your time as different ovens may lengthen or shorten required time). Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Makes 1 loaf.
*PUMPKIN PUNCH BOWL
In magickal traditions, the cauldron represents purification and
transformation. Use a pumpkin to represent your cauldron at your next Samhain ritual or for that great Halloween party.
2 glow-in-the-dark-sticks
1 large pumpkin (abundance)
1 heat-resistant punch bowl that will fit inside the pumpkin (cauldron of transformation)
Hollow out pumpkin, and carve a design in it. Place punch bowl inside pumpkin. Right before the party begins, activate the
glow-in-the-dark-sticks per package instructions and place between pumpkin shell and bowl. Add enchanted Witches' brew!
*EASY ENCHANTED PUNCH
Keep your party safe and sober by using this great nonalcoholic punch recipe.
8 cups cranberry juice (health and love)
6 cups apple cider (love)
6 cinnamon sticks (psychic powers)
6 orange slices (luck)
1 liter ginger ale (success)
1 tray of ice cubes
Pour cranberry juice and apple cider into a large bowl. Break the
cinnamon sticks in half. Put one cinnamon stick and one piece of orange in each cube holder. Fill and ice cube tray with some of the cranberry apple mixture. Freeze. Refrigerate remaining punch mixture in bowl. Before serving, add ginger ale and ice cubes.
*WITCHES' FLYING MIX
This fun mix takes only five minutes to prepare, looks great on the table, and taste terrific. Witches' flying mix was especially designed for working moms or guardians whose schedules are jammed and who can't make something for the school party, or for the mother who, at 10:00 P.M., learns from her third-grader that she's expected to provide a snack for tomorrow's Halloween party.
1 cup popcorn (or Cracker Jack's)
1/2 cup candy corn
1/2 cup small marshmallows
1/2 cup black jelly beans
Mix all ingredients together in a colorful bowl. Makes 8 servings.
*SAMHAIN BENEDICTION
It is time to bid farewell
As this Samhain passes slowly
Soon the dawning will embrace us
And the sunset portal close
Until the turning of the year
We must part for just a while
Yet I know there is no ending
And the golden thread spins outward
To that place where you are going
Until I travel there to meet you
Or your return upon the autumn
On that sacred night of Spirits
When we shall meet again
Blessed Be.
1998 David O. Norris
*PUMPKIN ABUNDANCE LIGHTS
These are great for magickal party favors and will cost you very little.
6 miniature pumpkins
6 tea lights
Knife or pumpkin carving tools
Cut off the tops of the little pumpkins and clean them out (save those seeds). Cut happy faces into the pumpkins. Insert tea lights. Hold your hands over the pumpkins and chant.
GOLD AND SILVER
COINS GALORE
ALL ARE COMING
TO YOUR DOOR.'
Keep your hands over the pumpkins until your palms tingle or grow warm. Give them to your friends with a smile, and repeat the spell to them. Tell them to light the candle in the pumpkin at midnight on Halloween to activate the spell.
*Druids would not know this night
And Witches would in wonder gaze
To see the festive costumed souls
That dash about the night in play
Where ancient magick ruled the land
Children's laughter fills the soul
Yet in this way the night is honored
Much like the ancients long ago.
1999 DAVID O. NORRIS
*TUNA GHOULS
2 (8-ounce) cans white tuna, packed in water
3 tablespoons of salad dressing
2 tablespoons relish (healing)
20 slices wheat brad, crust removed (fertility and money)
Halloween cookie cutters
Whipped cream cheese
5 black olives (protection)
Drain tuna and mix with salad dressing and relish in a bowl. Cut the bred with the cookie cutters (be sure to have two of each shape). Spread 10 slices of bread with the tuna mixture. Put the matching slice of brad on top. Spread the top of each ghoul with cream cheese. Use two slices of olive to make eyes. Makes 10 sandwiches.
*Halloween wouldn't be complete without the "goodies" part. Whenever you prepare any food, here are some magickal rules of thumb.
* Stir counterclockwise to banish negativity from the food.
* Stir clockwise to instill good wishes of harmony, peace, and love.
* Add seasoning not only for their taste and nutrient value, but for their magickal correspondences as well!
* When completed, empower the dish with love, health, and wealth energies by holding your hands over the dish, humming what you wish to instill until the palms of your hands tingle or grown warm.
*SAMHAIN FIRE
Ancient Celtic-Pagans honored the power of the sacred flames kindled in ritual and used it to light all other fires. To symbolize the Celtic custom of renewing the hearth fire at the start of the new year, replace or add a new object that represents the element fire in your home on Samhain night. Following Samhain, light one generation of fires from this flame to carry forth the magic through the dark winter. In late Spring, the magic is fortified from Beltane fires.
*DAY OF THE DEAD HOME PURIFICATION SPELL
Copal is a popular incense in Mexico and the Southwest. Its scent is strong and can be cloying, but is often used on the Day of the Dead to purify the home in preparation for a visit from the ancestors. It is also useful for shielding the home from entry by unwelcome spirits. Take the smoking incense from room to room to purge it clean, and burn it when visiting the graveyard to make it a place only good spirits wish to come.
*CALAVERAS SPIRIT CONTACT TALISMAN
The word calavera means "skull" or "skeleton". Calaveras ornaments of all shapes and sizes are seen everywhere as the Day of the Dead approaches. They can also be made into talismans that pave the way for successful spirit contact. After sundown go to your altar and place a calavera at each directional point of your circle. On the altar make an incense of lavender, cinnamon, and wormwood. This is a blend that creates a portal to and from the spirit world. On either side of the incense, place two white candles and two small mirrors that reflect the light of the candle back to the portal. This is a protective device to keep harmful spirits from passing through. Speak this charm:
OPEN WIDE THE PORTAL THIS NIGHT,
FOR SPIRITS WHOSE COUNTENANCE SHINES BRIGHT.
ENTITIES OF LOVE WHO WISH ME WELL,
ALL WELCOME HERE WHEN I RING THIS BELL.
Ring a bell three times to call the spirits, then sit back and await
your visitors.
*CHICORY PATH-CLEARING SPELL
Chicory can remove obstacles and open locks. Place a bit of dried and crushed chicory in a small bowl, or make it into an incense. Place a symbol of an obstacle you wish to overcome next to the bowl, or pass a fork through the smoke to represent a door you wish to open to you. Speak this charm:
MY PATH IS CLEAR, TROUBLES HELD AT BAY,
CHICORY BANISHES ALL OBSTACLES IN MY WAY.
NO MORE STUMBLING BLOCKS,
NO MORE TIGHT CLOSED LOCKS,
OPEN IS MY ROAD BOTH NIGHT AND DAY.
*RED CHILI PEPPERS BANE BURN
Red chili peppers are often strung together and hung up as holiday decorations in Mexico from the Day of the Dead through New Year's Day. Their fiery nature burns away harm that dares enter the home. If your skin has a high tolerance for irritation, you can wipe the peppers gently over your body to draw out the energy of curses placed on you.
*ALOE AND GARLIC WREATH
Weave aloe and garlic cloves together in a wreath, and place it in your kitchen to draw luck and protection, especially from burns and kitchen fires. Add some cinnamon sticks and some symbols of pictures of saints or deities to add a true Mexican flavor to your finished project.
What is a Jack O' Lantern?
History of the Jack O'Lantern
The Irish brought the tradition of the Jack O'Lantern to America. But, the original Jack O'Lantern was not a pumpkin.The Jack O'Lantern legend goes back hundreds of years in Irish History. As the story goes, Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who liked to play tricks on everyone: family, friends, his mother and even the Devil himself. One day, he tricked the Devil into climbing up an apple tree. Once the Devil climbed up the apple tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the trunk of the tree. The Devil was then unable to get down the tree. Stingy Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he died. Once the devil promised not to take his soul, Stingy Jack removed the crosses and let the Devil down.
Many years later, when Jack finally died, he went to the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was too mean and too cruel and had led a miserable and worthless life on earth. He was not allowed to enter heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil. The Devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared and had nowhere to go but to wander about forever in the darkness between heaven and hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave as there was no light. The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell to help him light his way. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed out Turnip, one of his favorite foods which he always carried around with him whenever he could steal one. For that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his "Jack O'Lantern".
On all Hallow's eve, the Irish hollowed out Turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes and beets. They placed a light in them to ward off evil spirits and keep Stingy Jack away. These were the original Jack O'Lanterns. In the 1800's a couple of waves of Irish immigrants came to America. The Irish immigrants quickly discovered that Pumpkins were bigger and easier to carve out. So they used pumpkins for Jack O'Lanterns.
Patterns for carving Jack O' Lanterns, click here .
What's a Scarecrow?
1. A crude image or effigy of a person set up in a field to scare birds away from growing crops.
2. Something frightening but not dangerous.
3. A gaunt or haggard person.
Scarecrow Cones
Supplies: Ice cream cone, vanilla frozen yogurt, shredded wheat or toasted coconut, raisins and candy corn.
Top an ice cream cone with a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt. Add shredded wheat or coconut for the scarecrow's hair. Add raisins for eyes, candy corn for the nose and cut a raisin for the mouth. They look good enough to eat!
PAINTBRUSH SCARECROW
Small Paint Brush
2" wooden circle
popsicle stick
dried wheat
hay
blue apint
flesh colored paint
black eyes, mouth
Paint the paint brush handle and popsicle stick blue, and the circle flesh color this will be the scarecrows face.
When have children paint on eyes,nose and mouth. when that is completely dry glue face onto paint brush so that the bristle part is down, then glue on the popsicle stick on top of the head to look like the brim of a hat. Glue on dried wheat onto brim of the hat and hay on the side of the head for hair.
I'M A SCARECROW
(Sung To "Are You Sleeping")
I'm a Scarecrow, I'm a Scarecrow ( stand with arms out)
Standing in the corn, Standing in the Corn (continue)
Scare the crows away, Scare the crows away (Push arms out as if to scare the crows away)
That's my job, That's my job (arms out agian)
I'm A Little Scarecrow
(Sung to the tune of "I'm A Little Teapot")
I'm A Little Scarecrow
Stuffed with hay
Here I stand in a field all day.
When I see the crows,
I like to shout,
"Hey! You crows, you better get out!"
SCARECROW SONG AND POEM
Scarecrows (tune - Sing a Song of Sixpence)
We're the farmer's scarecrow
We scare the away the birds,
We keep the farmer's corn safe
without any words,
But when Halloween comes
We jump out of the ground
And we scare the boys and girls
when they come walking round.
Boo!
Poem -
The Scarecrow
Scarecrow standing in the field
On a bright and sunny day,
Don't forget to do your job
Scare the hungry crows away!
SCARECROW IDEAS
(Sung to the tune of UP ON THE HOUSE TOP)
Out in a field in a row of corn
Stands a scarecrow so forlorn
Crows at his head and crows at his feet
He's the saddest scarecrow you'll ever meet.
Oh no, no.
Can't scare the crows
Oh no, no
Can't scare the crows
Out in a field in a row of corn
Stands a scarecrow so forlorn.
Scarecrow Art Idea
Supply precut squares, circles, rectangles and pieces of straw or hay along with some glue and large sized paper. Give the children the opportunity to create their own scarecrows...the designs you'll see are WONDERFUL.
SCARECROW SCARECROW
Goes like this (tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")
Scarecrow, scarecrow turn around
scarecrow scarecrow touch the ground.
Stand up tall and blink your eyes,
raise your arms up to the sky.
Clap your hands and tap your knees
turn around and stomp your feet.
Scarecrow, scarecrow touch your toes,
scarecrow, scarecrow tap your nose.
Swing your arms so very slow,
now real fast to scare the crows!
Touch your head jump up and down,
now sit down without a sound!
SCARECROWS
Have a great time making a scarecrow family.
Borrow overalls, big and small, and shirts.
Tie off the sleeves of the shirts and the bottom of the pants and have the children stuff them with newspapers. The heads are made of large circular pieces of burlap with felt for facial features. These are also stuffed and of course with a variety of straw hats. Try to use straw (not hay, allergies!) and stick a 2" diameter stick into the bales with a cross bar tied to it to tie one scarecrow too and have the other or others sit on the straw. Also add a basket of gourds and pumpkins. Children have a ball helping to make it.
Funny Scarecrows
Got a field that needs guarding? Enlist the help of your youngsters as they participate in this fall poem. Ask your floppy friends to name a different body part to wiggle each time you recite the rhyme.
This funny, funny scarecrow
Guards the fields all day.
He (She) waves her (his) floppy, floppy [arms]
To scare the crows away!
Scarecrow
(to the tune of itsy bitsy spider)
The floppy, floppy scarecrow
Stands in the field all day
His job is to scare the birds away.
Up on a pole as high as he can be
And away fly those black crows,
1-2-3-.
Five Little Scarecrows by the old barn door,
One went home and then there were four.
Four little scarecrows by the old oak tree
One went home and then there were three
Three little scarecrows with nothing to do,
One went home and then there were two.
Two little scarecrow out in the sun,
One went home and then there was one.
One little scarecrow all alone through the day,
He scared the crows and they all flew away.
By Jean Warren
MY SIZE SCARECROW
Materials Needed:
One Pair of Overalls and a Turtle-Neck Shirt (ask parents to donate childs old clothes)
A Hat (child size)
Socks (child size)
Skin Tone Fabric
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Straw
Newspaper
Rope
T-Shirt Paint
Wiggly Eyes
How To:
Tie rope around the bottom legs of overalls. Place turtle-neck shirt inside overalls and glue to the inside of the overalls to stay in place. Then, tie rope around the wrist area of the shirt.
Let the children crumple up the newspaper and stuff the overalls and turtle-neck with the newspaper. Continue to stuff until full enough to look like a scarecrows body.
Crumple up more newspaper into a ball. Cut the fabric into a large square and place the newspaper ball inside. Wrap the newspaper ball with the fabric and tie up access with the rope. (It will look like a sack once tied) This will be the head. Place the head inside the turtle-neck (the tied end will go inside the turtle-neck and the round ball shape will stick out of the turtle-neck to form the head)
Hot Glue the head to the shirt. Stuff the socks and glue to the bottom of the overalls for feet. Add straw to look as if stuffing is coming out of the scarecrow. Glue the hat on the head and add more straw to look like hair. Add wiggly eyes and paint on the face.
There you have it!! A "My Size Scarecrow!"
This is a very cute project. To make it even more eye catching. Place your scarecrows outside your door with hay stacks and gourds. You can even make one with your old clothes and have it displayed with your children's scarecrows holding a poster board sign saying, "It's Fall Y'all!!"
SCARECROW
Draw with me a scarecrow (4 and older)
Have the children place a piece of white paper vertically in front of them.They will be instructed to do as I do.
1)draw a cross in the center of your paper with a pencil.
2)now draw a circle on top of the cross.
3)draw rectangle arms off the cross.
4)now draw a shirt to connect the arms together. Across the bottom of the shirt make a wavy line.
5)now draw rectangle legs.
6)add features eyes nose mouth hay from arms and legs.
7)add a hat and patched to clothes.
8)add fall decorations.pumpkins,hay leaves etc.
9)children will now water color their scarecrow
SACRECROW CHANT
Scarecrow, scarecrow,
How scary can you be?
You scared away the crows (children have fun giving ideas)
But you can't scare me!
No, you can't scare me!
FALL SCARECROW
Select old clothing to make a scarecrow the same size as the children. Old jeans, flannel shirt, 2 gloves, they do not have to match, old shoes or boots, and old hat. Put the scarecrow together and stuff it with cotton batting. Add raffia under the hat for hair. Do this about the 2nd or 3rd week in October and
keep "him" out until 2nd week in November, adding pumpkins, squash, etc. to the display.
Scarecrow Song
(It can be sung to the tune of 'Did You ever See A Lassie?")
Did you ever see a scarecrow,
A scarecrow, a scarecrow?
Did you ever see a scarecrow,
That's filled with dry hay?
He's dressed all in old clothers;
He scares off the black crows.
Have you ever seen a scarecrow,
That's filled with dry hay?
SCARECROW SONG
(Tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")
Scarecrow, scarecrow turn around
scarecrow scarecrow touch the ground.
Stand up tall and blink your eyes,
raise your arms up to the sky.
Clap your hands and tap your knees,
turn around and stomp your feet.
Scarecrow, scarecrow touch your toes,
scarecrow, scarecrow tap your nose.
Swing your arms so very slow,
now real fast to scare the crows!
Touch your head jump up and down,
now sit down without a sound!
Title: I'm a Little Scarecrow
(I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little scarecrow,
Raggedy and worn.
I wear a hat,
And a shirt that's torn.
When the crows come,
I wave and shout,
"Away from my garden ----
Get on out!"
SAMHAIN/DAY OF THE DEAD
HEALING AND CLEANSING RITUAL
To enhance healing or to do a spiritual cleansing, tap a red germanium flower all over your body while chanting a little rhyme that specifically asks the saints or deities to assist you to attaining your wish.
OBSIDIAN SCRYING MIRROR
The volcanic rock known as obsidian is shiny and black. The Aztecs called it the "shining mirror" and used it in divination rites and for crafting ritual blades. Gaze into a shiny piece of obsidian on the night of the Day of the Dead to peer into the spirit world.
FEEDING THE DEAD SPELL
Feeding visiting spirits is a requirement in spiritual and magical
traditions the world over. It is also a central feature to Day of the
Dead festivities. For the enjoyment of your spectral visitors and any house guests, consider making this simple version of the ever popular burrito on the Day of the Dead.
SUPER EASY TEX-MEX BURRITOS
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 16 oz. can refried beans
1 12 oz. jar salsa, your choice of mild to hot
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 flour tortillas
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cover the bottom and sides of two 9 x 13 inch cake pans with shortening, and set aside. Mix the shredded cheeses together and also set aside.
In a large pan, brown the ground beef until it is about half cooked. As it cook, keep turning and chopping the meat with a plastic spatula so it browns evenly. Drain any grease, then add the can of refried beans and continue turn and chop until the meat seems done. Remove the meat mixture from the heat and stir in the salsa.
Visually divide the mixture into twelve parts and spoon one of three parts into a tortilla. Add about three heaping tablespoons of the cheese mixture, the fold the tortillas over. Place this in the cake pan and secure in place with a toothpick. Continue putting all dozen burritos together this way, packing them close in the pans. Top lavishing with the rest of the cheese mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the chess is melted and bubbling on the burritos, serve immediately.
Samhain Candle Superstitions
-author unknown
A burning candle placed inside a hollowed out pumpkin
or jack-o-lantern on Samhain works to keep evil
spirits and demons at bay.
For good luck, burn black and orange candles on
Samhain. Black and Orange are the traditional colors
of Samhain and Halloween. On this day their magickal
vibrations are at their peak.
If a candle should suddenly go out by itself on
Samhain, as thought being blown out by wind or by
breath, this is said to be a sign that a ghost has
come to call.
Always burn new candles at Samhain to ensure the best
of luck. Likewise, its not a good idea to burn Samhain
candles at any other time of the year. To do so may
cause you to experience bad luck and/or strange
happenings over which you will have no control.
Gazing into the flame of a candle on Samhain will
enable you to peer into the future. Many witches
traditionally scry candle flames on Samhain to receive
clairvoyant visions.
It is believed that if a person lights a new
orange-colored candle at midnight on Samhain and lets
it burn until the sun rises, he or she will be the
recipient of good luck. However, according to an old
legend from Europe, any person who bakes bread or
journeys after sunset on Samhain (Halloween) runs the
risk of conjuring forth bad luck in great abundance.
-----------------------------
Miscellaneous Samhain Superstitions
-author unknown
Apples - Whoever eats an apple on Samhain eve will
have good luck in the coming year. If you sleep with
an apple under your pillow on Samhain eve, you will
dream of your future mate. If you peel an apple on
Samhain in one continuous peel, and throw the peel
over your shoulder, it will land in the initial of
your future spouse.
Bats - If a bat flies around a house three times, it
is a death omen. When bats flit around playfully it is
a sign of good weather approaching.
Bells - Bells rung at Samhain chase away evil spirits.
Cats - When cats wash their ears on Samhain, rain is
coming.
Crows - Crows flying over head on Samhain is unlucky,
unless there are three crows in a group, then that is
lucky.
Fey - Never sit in a faery ring on Samhain.
Frogs and Toads - Don't kill a frog or toad on
Samhain, it may be a Witch. Witches often take the
shape of a frog or toad on Samhain.
Hawthorne - It is extremely unwise to sit under a
Hawthorne tree at Samhain - since the fey might whisk
the sitter away, never to be heard from again.
Spiders - A spider in a house on Samhain was a lucky
omen.
Halloween:
Hallowe'en, the last night of summer, October 31, is traditionally the time when the spirits of the dead are allowed a last fling before winter sets in. It is an important night in the witchcraft calendar, and in Ireland it is said that if you hear footsteps behind you never look round for it is one of the dead following you and if you turn and see him or her you will soon join them. Today, of course, the night has become one for parties and games, particularly in America where girl's still retain two Hallowe'en love traditions. The first instructs them to go to a spring of water carrying a lamp and if they peer into the depths they should see reflected their future husband. If they are nervous of going out when it is dark, however, they can go to the same spring during daylight, carrying a broken egg in a glass, and pour some of the fresh water into it. Shortly after, says the superstition, they should get a picture in the mixture of the man they are to marry and as a bonus a vision of the children they are to have as well!
Culled from: A Dictionary of Omens & Superstitions by: Philippa Waring
WILL-'O-THE-WISPS
Will-'O-The-Wisps, Jack-'o-Lanterns, or Corpse Candles as they are sometimes known, are the strange flame-like lights now known to be caused by the spontaneous combustion of gases rising from decaying vegetable matter. Long before the explanation of these lights was discovered, they were regarded with superstitious awe as omens of death or disaster. They were often seen in remote, damp churchyards, and in Whales particularly it was believed that they were the spirits of someone who had risen to fetch a relative who was at the point of death. The path which the candle took was said to indicate the route the funeral party would later follow. If only one small light was seen, the death of a child was indicated, while the bigger the glow the older the person concerned. Sometimes whole groups of the candles were to be seen, and in Whales a number of such instances are said to have presaged mining disasters.
For more on these anomalies, with stories, see here.
Halloween Irish Traditions:
The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, 'All Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', when the dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration marked the end of Summer and the start of the Winter months.
During the eighth century the Catholic Church designated the first day of November as 'All Saints Day ('All Hallows') - a day of commemoration forthose Saints that did not have a specific day of remembrance. The night before was known as 'All Hallows Eve' which, over time, became known as
Halloween.
Here are the most notable traditional Irish Haloween foods:
Colcannon for Dinner: Boiled Potato, Curly Kale (a cabbage) and raw Onions are provided as the traditional Irish Halloween dinner. Clean coins are wrapped in baking paper and placed in the potato for children to find and keep.
The Barnbrack Cake: The traditional Halloween cake in Ireland is the barnbrack which is a fruit bread. Each member of the family gets a slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in each cake. If you get the rag then your financial future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting the ring is a sure sign of impending romance or continued happiness.
The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not developed any spots then the person who placed the leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health until the following Halloween. If not.....
The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the eighteenth century and toan Irish blacksmith named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to wander the earth but asked the Devil for some light. He was given a burning coal ember which he placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.
The tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born - the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the lantern in their window would keep the wanderer away. When the Irish emigrated in millions to America there was not a great supply of turnips so pumpkins were used instead.
Halloween Costumes: On Halloween night children would dress up in scary costumes and go house to house. 'Help the Halloween Party' and 'Trick or Treat' were the cries to be heard at each door. This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back to Celtic times. On the special night when the living and the dead were at their closest the Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costumes to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in case they encountered other devils and spirits during the night. By disguising they hoped that they would be able to avoid being carried away at the end of the night. This explains why witches, goblins and ghosts remain the most popular choices for the costumes.
Snap Apple: After the visits to the neighbours the Halloween games begin, the most popular of which is Snap Apple. An apple is suspended from a string and children are blindfolded. The first child to get a decent bite of the apple gets to keep their prize. The same game can be played by placing apples in a basin of water and trying to get a grip on the apple without too much mess!
The Bonfire: The Halloween bonfire is a tradition to encourage dreams of who your future husband or wife is going to be. The idea was to drop a cutting of your hair into the burning embers and then dream of you future loved one. Halloween was one of the Celt 'fire' celebrations.
Blind Date: Blindfolded local girls would go out into the fields and pull up the first cabbage they could find. If their cabbage had a substantial amount of earth attached to the roots then there future loved one would have money. Eating the cabbage would reveal the nature of their future husband - bitter or sweet!
Another way of finding your future spouse is to peel an apple in one go. If done successfully the single apple peel could be dropped on the floor to reveal the initials of the future-intended.
Anti-Fairy Measures: Fairies and goblins try to collect as many souls as they can at Halloween but if they met a person who threw the dust from under their feet at the Fairy then they would be obliged to release any souls that they held captive.
Holy water was sometimes anointed on farm animals to keep them safe during the night. If the animals were showing signs of ill health on All Hallows Eve then they would be spat on to try to ward off any evil spirits.
Samhain recipes
Stuffed Tomato
1 ounce shreddedSwiss cheese
1 ounce shredded pepper jack cheese
1 ounce shreddedcheddar cheese
1 tablespoon minced celery
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon Dijon styled mustard
1/8 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1 medium sized tomato
in small bowl combine all ingredients except tomato, mixing well. slice tomato into quarters; Cut into quarters only about 3/4th of the way down Leave sides like a small cup, use a spoon to do this(Save the cores for other recipes calling for tomatoes) Heat cheese mixture in a small non stick sauce pan and spoon mixture into tomato quarters. (Use recipe to make several stuffed tomatoes)
Buttermilk Cheese Dip
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons cottage cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Dijon styled mustard
2 cups of plain unflavored yogurt or cr base (Sour cream will work)
Dash of salt and a dash of Cumin, white pepper, and ground sage
(This dip will only keep for about three days in the fridge)
Mix all ingredients in a small jar, except for the yogurt or cream base, and shake vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add to base and whip in a blender. Serve chilled with chips
Home Made Potato Chips
Slice unpeeled potatoes into thin slices and lay on a bacon tray or microwave safe chip tray. (Comes with most slice master packages) Bake and salt to taste. Makes a great dipping chip that has no preservatives, and no fat (as opposed to deep
fried potato chips) Can marinade and use herbal rubs on potatoes to make totally original flavored potato chips prior to baking.
Chili Cheese Corn Fritters (Six servings)
9ounces Pepper Jack cheese (shredded)
1 1/2 cup canned whole kernel corn
3eggs
1cupwhole bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoonGarlic cloves (Diced)
1/4 teaspoon freshly minced onion
1/4 teaspoon freshly minced celery
2small diced green chili peppers
3tablespoons vegetable oil
In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except for oil; allow to stand for a few minutes to allow flavors to blend. in a medium sized non stick skillet heat oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking; Spoon in corn mixture making about 18 equal sized fritters. Using the back of the spoon press the top of each fritter slightly to flatten. Cook until browned on bottom. Turn fritters over and cook until browned on other side.
Use your imagination, you can come up with some tasty finger foods to serve or share at the next ritual you attend. Finger foods go over great at all sorts of gatherings. Do some research to find out what kinds of colors, herbs and spices are affiliated with each holiday, to come up with your own tasty treats.
Halloween Moon Omens:
Source unknown
If the moon is new on Samhain, this indicates that the coming year will be fertile ground for new beginnings to take place, such as the start of a new project, a new career, or even a new way of thinking.
For those desiring children, a new moon at Samhain is a lucky omen, indicating a new birth within a year's time.
If the moon is waxing on Samhain, this indicates good luck throughout the coming year. It also indicates growth and an increase of all things that are positive nature.
If the moon is full on Samhain, this ensures the that the powers of all forms of magick and divination practiced on this night will be at their greatest. A secret wish made at midnight will be realized within the coming year., and do not be surprised if an experienced of a psychic nature awaits you in the very near future.
If the moon is waning on Samhain, this can be an omen of either good or bad consequences. It can indicate the elimination of such things as bad habits, unhealthy relationships and obstacles within the coming year. Or it can point to a decrease (such as in one's health) or a loss of some kind soon to take place.
If the moon is in the dark phase on Samhain, this is believed to be a very negative omen. Exercise extreme caution in all of your
endeavors within the next twelve months, and it wouldn't hurt to
protect yourself by wearing or carrying any type of amulet or
talisman designed to ward off bad luck and misfortune.
