The Goblins and Gremlins are out tonight!
Be sure and watch out, look behind every
tree and around every corner.

Halloween, also known as All Hallows Eve,
Oct. 31,  is the night that the
veil between the realms of the living and the 
dead is at its thinnest, when the  dead return 
to once again walk freely amongst the living. 

The night of Oct. 31 is seen as the night that the earth 
herself passes into death, 
becoming dormant and still, as the harsh autumn 
winds moan and howl, cold and lifeless, through the
naked, stiffened branches of trees once green 
and alive in the warmth of the summer sun, 
which is now only a fading memory. 
Death enshrouds the once vibrant earth, embracing 
her with it's silent cold on All Hallows Eve. 

The problem was... if the souls of dead loved ones could
return that night, so could anything else, 
human or not, nice or not-so-nice, 
hence the tradition of putting out Jack o' lanterns.

The Jack o' lantern, originally a turnip, is now usually
a pumpkin, carved  with intricate,  scowling faces 
and illuminated with wax candles from within.
Placed on the dwellings doorstep, it was originally used
to scare away any malignant spirits/demons that 
happened by the home.  It was said that if a
demon or such were to encounter something as fiendish
looking as themselves that they'd run away in terror,
thus sparing the houses
dwellers from the ravages of dark entities.

The spirits of the dead loved ones or just regular human
spirits wouldn't be offended by the Jack o' lantern
though, since they would already be aware 
of its purpose, having been human before death, 
they'd have carved them once themselves. 
Incidentally, the tradition of Gargoyles 
carved into buildings and such has a similar purpose,
to scare away evil entities.
 
Believing that ones dead loved ones, ancestors, 
friends or any wayward soul would return on
that night, the ancients began 
the tradition of placing plates of the finest food 
and bits of treats that the household had to offer 
on their doorsteps, as gifts, to appease the hunger 
of the ghostly wanderers, 
hence, one of the traditions that paved the way for the 
modern tradition of Trick or Treats.
(it's said to bring good luck in the upcoming year to 
give out only the best, that you will reap what you sow) 

Myths?  Superstitions?  Maybe, maybe not.
Can we ever really be sure?
Do we even want to be?
Heh,heh,heh......
Personally, I'm not taking a chance!
I'll be armed with my Jack o' lantern,dishing out lots
of treats, the "good stuff",
and having a ball, ever watchful for any 
wayward souls to cross my threshold.... 
Hehehehe.... 

This was sent to me by Carol, BACAZ she is bewitched!

This Will Take You To 
Carol's Place

Gonna get you if you close your eyes!

Be Safe and smart! 
Take your flashlight, watch out
when crossing the street. 
DO NOT EAT YOUR CANDY UNTIL IT
IS CHECKED BY AN ADULT!

Do you wanna dance with me?
 
 

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Rose C. Webb
1998
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Acadian Rose
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