Sunday, September 25, 2016

A Halloween Post Inspired

There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly lit porch. - Robert Brault

Recently, my blogging friend, the Insomniac, did a blog post entitled Creatures of the Night Soiree, or an Evening With the Insomniac.
The article details her plan to host a Halloween event at a hotel local to her. Apparently, the Insomniac laments the fact that hardly any trick-or-treaters come to her doorstep now that she has moved to the Spooky Forest.

I find her post inspiring because our situations are quite similar. First of all, no one ever comes trick or treating at my cabin either. This is probably due to the facts that I live almost surrounded by cemeteries and that some local people apparently view me as somewhat of a dark figure. Just as a case in point: several weeks back, I walked into my favorite pub/restaurant and took a seat at the bar. The bartender informed me that a little girl, who comes in with her family for pizza, asked where the "witch man" was. Apparently, she likes witches and learned about them from The Wizard of Oz. Still, I suspect that the witch man perspective may keep trick-or-treaters from my place. Unlike the Insomniac however, I don't mind eating the leftover chocolate myself. I just don't do it all at once.

I must also add that the local powers that be strive to have all the trick-or treaters come to our town square after school. I understand the reasoning behind this as they want to keep the kids safe. In my mind however, there's something terribly wrong with trick-or-treating while the sun's still shinning. It's called All Hallows Eve for a reason!

Proof of our society's decline is that Halloween has become a broad daylight event for many. - Robert Kirby

Admittedly, I'm somewhat of an introvert, and I suspect that this is a personality trait that my blogging friend shares with me as well. So, I was inspired by her determination to make this Halloween meaningful and thought I'd share what makes it meaningful for me.

The other day I was asked what my plans are for All Hallows Eve. Truth be told, I have none. In the past I used to love going down to our entertainment district to watch the goings on. A decade or two ago it used to be a real freak show down there to say the least. Over the years the local university has gone on a campaign to bring thousands more students under its wing. So these days, the entertainment district is overloaded with young people and noise. The sound of live bands playing inside almost every open door now bleeds into an ungodly cacophony that spills onto the sidewalks and street. These kids don't handle their alcohol very well and bad attitudes are often present. That said, I generally avoid the area and no longer go there to observe the festivities. So, when I was asked the other day what my plans are, I replied with a simple "nothing much."

You see, I'm very traditional about Halloween. I don't feel very enthusiastic about seeing imperial storm troopers running around and with so many people dressed in super-hero costumes, all I can say is, no thank you. Give me witches, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, black cats, and Jack O' Lanterns. Now that's Halloween. The pagan in me recognizes that Halloween is about being the time of year when the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. It's about digging up childhood memories and even more importantly, the feelings I experienced way back then.

So this time around I'll probably do what I almost always do. I'll paint my nails black, and in general, will get my goth on a bit more than usual. If the weather is cool enough I'll wear the vampire hunter cloak that the Insomniac made for me. If it's warm, I'll still be wearing a shirt that I plan on ordering next week from Black Rose
out of London. It's a spooky one though, and I know that I'm going to enjoy it. Then, I'll likely go to the pub and enjoy a couple of stouts along with some costume gazing.

There is one other thing: Every year, I put a candle inside of a Jack O' Lantern. I used to use a plastic one, but last year I actually carved a pumpkin for the first time--and I was happy with the results I'll be doing it again this year. What I absolutely love is when I get home and see old Jack with his eyes aglow and flickering on the stairs. I always pause, stand in the darkness and look at that glowing face--a pumpkin containing the fires of Hell as it stares back at me while illuminating the darkness. For me, that's the essence of Halloween and for just a few moments, I am transported back to the Halloweens of my childhood. I don't have to do anything special on that night because I've got that. It's all I need. Then, I'll unlock the door and take in an episode of Dark Shadows before turning in for the night.

Thanks for the inspiration, Insomniac!

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam
May luck be yours on Halloween. -author unknown


12 comments:

  1. I live just on the outskirts of Montréal, right next to a metro (or should I write Subway?) station. I get tons of trick or treaters. In fact, two years ago, I bought TONS of treats, made over 250 loot bags and they were gone in under an hour. Unfortunately, I stopped. My son always wants me to go with him trick o treating and I got nervous the last time I took him. We were surrounded by these teenagers who kept eyeing his treat bucket. I had to take it from him and scowled at the kids. I stayed next to this young couple and their dog. Even the dog was growling at them. I am a firm believer in animals having the ability to detect people's character. Last year, we went to my mom's in the suburbs. She handed out the treats and there were still lots of kids but not the volume in my area. This one house looked deserted and the only indication that they were giving out was a plain pumpking sitting on the porch. We decided to ring the bell. Turns out, the gentleman who answered it recently widowed. His wife used to collect teddybears and her drying wish was for him to give them away to the little ones. My son got candy and a teddy bear. Sometimes, you don't need to go out and chase after Halloween magic. Sometimes, it comes to you! You are so lucky to live between those cemeteries and I would love to live in your village.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Sylvie. I do feel fortunate. I enjoyed your story. Teenagers, and people like them, are part of the reason why places such as my city are encouraging daytime trick-or-treating. So, I do understand the reasoning behind it, but it's just a sad situation.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, I inspired you? I'm flattered, Nightwind! I'm almost wishing I could join you in your pumpkin carving, watching the Fires of Hell burn within and then retire early after an episode of Dark Shadows. This Hallowe'en will be scary - very scary indeed for an introvert such as myself. But who knows - if it's a success, maybe I'll be responsible for bringing a small touch of darkness to our little town. Bwahahaha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be great if you could join me for the pumpkin carving, watching the fires of Hell, and an episode of Dark Shadows, Insomniac. But I totally agree that you need to bring a touch of darkness to your locale as well. I'll drink a silent toast to you when All Hallows Eve arrives.

      And yes, your post did indeed give me the idea for this one. I needed the inspiration.

      Delete
  4. So I`m not the only one who can`t see what Superman and Footballer costumes have to do with Halloween and Samhain. I also ask myself the same question when it`s the Goth weekend at Whitby and we get swamped with the same sort of thing. I don`t know yet what we will be doing for Halloween, we might go away in the caravan. Hope you have a good one anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always a pleasure hearing from someone who's a bit more tradition about Halloween, App'y. Most of the photos I've seen from Whitby seem to show folks of a more Romantic or Victorian persuasion. I didn't realize that you have imperial storm troopers or super heroes there as well.

      May you have a good Halloween night as well!

      Delete
  5. This Hallowe'en I shall be flying through the sky all day, on my way to Florida! However, it won't be on my broom but on Southwest Airlines (not enough broom room for me, Martin AND our luggage!). We going trick-or-treating at Martin's parents' house, and I warned them I DO expect treats! I've never been anywhere else for Hallowe'en, so it will be interesting to see what they do in Florida. Fortunately, we have a friend living with us who will be minding the house and taking care of our cats, so we don't have to worry about no one being home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quite frankly, I'd rather fly there by broomstick, but that's me. I can totally understand the problem of toting all that luggage on one. Have a good time there and enjoy your treats.

      Delete
  6. Oh I so agree with you on being Old School and Traditional when it comes to Halloween and the Celebration of it. We also add Dia de los Muertos Celebrations which extend to Nov. 1st to honor and pay homage to our dearly departed Loved Ones. This is my favorite Season and Favorite Celebration. We used to live in a Historic 'haunted' Home in the City, never got many Trick-Or-Treaters due to the Rumors of the place... and us being, well... an Addams Family Type lot. *winks* But last year we moved to subdivision Hell, to a lovely but new Santa Barbara Tuscan McManse and there's loads of kids and we celebrated our 1st Halloween here enjoying the throngs of Trick-Or-Treaters and handing out loads of candies, it reminded me of my own Childhood when Halloween was truly Celebrated by the Community and such Fun! Our quirkiness tends to keep folks at arm's length the rest of the year, but on Halloween, well, it's something even the Stepford Wives know we do so well. *Ha ha ha* Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nice hearing from you, Bohemian! I really appreciate people who are traditional about Halloween; and like you, i keep it going into el Dia de los Muertos. I bet it was interesting living in an historic haunted house.

      Delete
  7. I go a little overboard decorating my house I started 2 weeks ago and I am not done. I have not carved a pumpkin in years. I just plug one in. I think you have inspired me to carve one this year but it won't be traditional. I am carving Jimi Hendrix into mine this year. One year I did Marylin Monroe for my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I inspired you, Rhonda. Last year was the first time I carved a pumpkin since my mom used to do it when I was a kid. Like you, I used a plastic Jack O' Lantern and placed a candle in it. The real thing is far better though.

      Delete