The Haunted History of Halloween DVD begins by telling us that the history begins 3,000 years ago. This seems to imply that the documentary is longer than it actually is, of course, I'm just the type of weirdo who would have happily sat there for several hours, completely enraptured.
At one point the video states that apple-bobbing stemmed from an
Ancient Roman Festival of Pomona, goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards but that seems to be a point debated upon. Some sources claim the festival did not exist ( Trick or treat: a history of Halloween by Morton, Lisa), while other sources say that apple bobbing wasn't in practice until the 14th century and involved trying not to burn your face with a candle, ( https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/508393/fiery-halloween-tradition-gave-us-bobbing-apples). Other sources say that the Ancient Roman connection to Halloween is nothing, but the festival of Lemuria might come close: Halloween and Fall have always been favorites of mine. Not only do I long for colder cardigan weather, but I also enjoy the return of Frankenberry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry cereals. Halloween though, it's a nostalgic love; memories of damp leaves, struggling to breathe through the plastic masks, struggling not to sweat to death in the cheap plastic bag that passed for a costume and the sweatsuit that my mom had me wear underneath.
What I loved the most, the teenagers. This was before Trick or Treat had mandated hours. After we had exhausted ourselves scouring the neighborhood for treats, running from the old lady with the broom, yelling out "I HAVE NO CANDY!" and trying to sneak past the house that was rumored to own a pack of bloodthirsty dogs, we would arrive home to have our candy checked out for tampering, (aka: having our candy stolen by our parents....). That's when the teenagers came. A myriad of Freddy Kruegers, Micheal Myers, and Cyndi Laupers, all begging for candy; I loved it and I honestly hate when people try to claim that kids can be "too old" for trick or treat.
Offers a witch's perspective on Halloween and shares recipes, spells, Halloween superstitions, and rituals to honor the dead.
"Halloween has spread around the world, yet its associations with death and the supernatural as well as its inevitable commercialization has made it one of our most puzzling holidays. How did it become what it is today? This book examines the origins and history of Halloween and explores in depth its current global popularity. The author reveals how holidays like the Celtic Samhain and Catholic All Souls' Day have blended to produce the modern Halloween, and she shows how the holiday has been reborn in America, where costumes and trick-or-treat rituals are new customs. She takes into account the influence of related but independent holidays, especially Mexico's Day of the Dead, as well as the explosion in popularity of haunted attractions and the impact of events such as 9/11 and the global economic recession. It also examines the effect Halloween has had on popular culture through literary works by Washington Irving and Ray Bradbury, films such as John Carpenter's Halloween and Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and television series, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Simpsons. This book takes us on a journey from the spectacular to the macabre, allowing us to peep behind the mask to see the real past and present of this ever more popular holiday."--Publisher's description.
Young readers learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Halloween.
The mysterious and often violent history of Illinois has made the state a haven for restless spirits. This volume explores the supernatural side of the Prairie State, with stories on the horrors of an old slave house, the numerous spirits of Alton's McPike Mansion, the cemetery where the dead walk, the Spring Valley Vampire, the ghosts of the Bartonville Asylum, Chicago's famous Resurrection Mary, and the spirit world of Abraham Lincoln.
For over a decade, Michael Kleen, author of Paranormal Illinois and Tales of Coles County, has researched and traveled to mystery spots all over the Prairie State. Now, he has created an organized and comprehensive guide to haunted and legendary places in Illinois. Haunting Illinois is that guide. This new edition of Haunting Illinois contains a listing of 260 mystery sites, with more than 120 photos and illustrations. Divided into eight distinct regions and listed by county and town or neighborhood, each location features a description, directions, and sources drawn from a wide variety of books, articles, and websites. In his introduction, Michael traces the history of legend tripping in Illinois, from the boys who chased after the Diamond Island Phantom in 1885, to the paranormal investigation teams and tours of today. Haunting Illinois challenges you to get off the couch and start exploring our wonderful state of Illinois. You might be surprised at what you discover!
Enjoy 75 accounts of ghostly visitations--among them spirits from the Great Chicago Fire, the curse of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a spectral steamboat on Fulton County's Spoon River and the wandering ghost of Abe Lincoln.
Join author Troy Taylor as his -Dead Men Do Tell Tales- Series continues with a terrifying and blood-soaked look at Illinois crime, mystery and tales of hauntings from all over the state - many of which have never appeared in any book before In this volume, Taylor unlocks files of rare, seldom-told and favorite stories from both the cities and rural areas of the Prairie State, revealing true accounts of violence, murder, bloodshed and ghosts. Journey back into Illinois' past and discover tales of bandits, thieves, pirates and killers from the early days of the state; haunted prisons, jails and police stations; bloody vendettas; Illinois hangings; unsolved murders; ruthless murderesses; Charlie Birger, the Shelton Gang and War in Illinois; Pat Quinlan, the Devil's Apprentice; the Herrin Massacre; the Hundley Murders; the famous Coliseum Ballroom; the Battle of Barrington; Hell Hollow; the Lake Club; Fred Vannuci's -One-way Ride-; the Starved Rock Murders; Ghosts of the old Cook County Jail & the Joliet Penitentiary; and dozens more You don't want to miss this collection of uncut and uncensored tales from the pen of Troy Taylor. It's a chilling book that is not for the faint of heart
"This isn't your average travel book--and these aren't your average tourist destinations! Take a wild ride through hidden Windy City history--often dark, sometimes inexplicable, and occasionally glamorous. Meet the gangsters, ghosts, serial killers, and celebrities that only Chicago could produce. This journey into eclectic Chicago lore includes 19 spine-tingling creepy sites (Resurrection Mary, Lonely Ghost of Lake Forest, St. Rita's and so many more); all things Al Capone (seven notable Scarface sites and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre); other Outfit bigshot hangouts, graves, and hit locations; Monsters of the Midway like Holmes, Gacy, Speck and more; murder and mayhem featuring 12 killers; and literally dozens of celebrity homes and hangouts from downtown to the suburbs and beyond!" --. Provided by publisher.
The hauntings have reached Lake Michigan! A continuation of the Haunted Lakes series, Haunted Lake Michigan features the research of Great Lakes historian (and accidental ghost-chaser) Frederick Stonehouse. In this volume, he relates the tales of lost maritime spirits and cursed ships, sea monsters, UFOs, ghostly echoes of Prohibition-era murders and a deliciously horrible host of other hauntings in, on and around Lake Michigan.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.