Halloween Customs

Review of The Pagan Book of Halloween by Gerina Dunwich

Gerina Dunwich's favorite night of the year is Halloween, and for good reason—it is the Witches's New Year's Eve. As a high priestess in the Universal Life Church and professional astrologer, she has dedicated her life to dispelling rumors, myths, and negative stereotypes surrounding the Old Religion. Her book on Halloween is filled with information on the origins and development of this ancient holiday as well as recipes, spells, ceremonies and lore.

Dunwich traces the origins from ancient, pre-Christian Ireland to modern horror films. She examines the ways that the holiday shares similarities with days of the dead in other cultures and how it has incorporated the traditions and symbols of many different religions over the centuries. She also explains how pagan Halloween has nothing to do with Satan or devil worship as it has been mis-portrayed by rival religions for centuries.

"Legend has it that an apple buried in the ground on the last day of October will attract unicorns."

Here is an excerpt from the chapter on Traditional Halloween Cookery:

In the Middle Ages, bakeries throughout central and southern England were filled each year on All Souls' Day with square buns decorated with currants and know as "soul cakes." These sweetened rolls were eaten to bring mercy on the souls of all Christians who had died within the past year.

Soul cakes were as important on all Souls' Day as hot cross buns were on Good Friday and plum pudding was on Christmas. They are believed to be a custom that derived from an old Pagan tradition of baking bread from the new grain at the Samhain harvest festival. Soulers (people who would walk the streets on All Souls' Day singing and begging for food and money) would be given soul cakes in return saying addition prayers for the deceased loved ones of the donors. It was believed that the passage of the dead soul through purgatory was made faster by each prayer that was offered up.

In Yorkshire, England, the baking of special saumas (soul mass) loaves was a custom related to the soul cake. Bakers were known to give these small round loaves away to their favorite customers to bring them good luck. As a charm against early death, one or two loaves would be kept in each house until the next All Souls' Day.

The Pagan Book of Halloween is fun and interesting to read. You will enjoy all the the bits of ancient lore and superstitions. There are simple spells for bringing good luck, and finding love, and blessing the dearly departed. There are also more involved ceremonies for marking the passing of the year at Samhain, (pronounce SOW-en) the ancient name for Halloween.

Only a few paperback books are left and, at $4.95, each, they are going fast. Order Pagan Book of Halloween

August sweepstake winners are:
Fred Fischbach—Practical Viking Sword, April Irick—$25 Gift Certificate, and Meredith Lindorff—Fire-breathing Rainbow Dragon.

UPDATE: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

(September 26, 2005) Rick Hight of The Louisiana Renaissance Festival (LRF) wrote to say, "Hurricane Rita did not do any additional damage to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival site. A few more trees, damaged by Katrina, finally fell over, but no new damage was caused. The Louisiana Renaissance Festival is most definitely opening on schedule with a full lineup of entertainment!" The opening day will be Saturday, November 5th, and they will be open every weekend until Sunday, December 11th. They will celebrate Thanksgiving with a three-day weekend starting Friday, November 25th.

Marc Larranaga and Randal Scott of the Duelists

This year the professional entertainment includes Bilge Pumps, Brobdingnagian Bards, Craig of Farrington, Duelists, Palo Garbanzo, Haggis Rampant, Hobgoblin Hills Puppets, Jonny Phoenix, Limey Birds, St. George and the Dragon, Thomas Wood, Tortuga Twins, Vince Conaway and Washer Well Wenches. In the equestrian area you can see Kelly Baily and Joust Troupe Warhorse and Accipiter Enterprises with Kitty Tolson Carroll demonstrating in the Birds of Prey show. There will be lots of street entertainers and many demonstration as well.

Most local area lodging is filled with the displaced, so the fair will allow on-site camping for guests as well as merchants and performers this year. They are encouraging clans and groups to come to Louisiana this year to help contribute to rebuilding of the local economy. With a few days advance notice can accommodate camping for even the largest groups!

For information you can call Rick Hight at 985-429-9992 ext 203 or 623-748-0169 ext 203 or visit web for details on camping at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.

Correction to 9/9/2005 article.

LRF is 45 miles north of New Orleans (not 25 miles.) LRF is handling the relief fund for their employees and volunteers who have lost so much, (not the RLHC.)

News about SCA events and Gulf Wars

John, the Wrangler at the barn said they have re-established power to most of the site, and the water is up and running again. Viscountess Marion, Leoncina da Susa will post new pictures of the event site after her next visit on October 1, 2005. You can see the her photos at Green Dragon.

Previous article on Katrina, Gulf Wars, Gleann Abhann Coronation, and SCA Relief Efforts. Renaissance and SCA Communities Respond to Hurricane Katrina