October Returns

'Tis the night - the night

Of the grave's delight,

And the warlocks are at their play;

Ye think that without

The wild winds shout,

But no, it is they - it is they.

Arthur Cleveland Coxe

Yesterday they predicted rain and the tornadoes in the morning'sforcast. It did not seem like one of the best of days to venture out.  So, why not play hooky and curl up in my rocking chair with a good book? And the rain finally did come....about 5 pm in the afternoon.  I really could have made it to the center after all, but who's complaining.  The rain did wash that dreadful humidity away, and that's what counts.  It was actually nice to stay home yesterday.  Spent some time planning my Halloween celebration and then curled up in my rocker while catching up some reading about my favorite holiday of the year.  Here are some of my favorite Halloween books.

An oldie but goodie. I absolutely loved it.  Got it last year for only  99 cents on  Kindle, but you can also find it free online here....The Book of Halloween 

From the publisher....

Originally published in 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley's THE BOOK OF HALLOWE'EN remains the all time classic exploration of Halloween history, from the mysterious year end rites of the ancient Celts, to the autumnal reign of Samhain, the Druid god of death, to the coming to Europe of Christianity and "All Saints Day," to the charming early 20th Century Halloween beliefs and customs of Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Germany and America. Filled with Halloween poems, games and tried and true ancient methods for divining the future (especially for discovering the identity of one's future spouse!), THE BOOK OF HALLOWE'EN opens a captivating window into the past of one of today's most beloved holidays.

Okay, this is a new one for me.  Downloaded the free sample on my Kindle, and I was hooked. Had to have it.  This will be my reading material for today. 

 Book description...

One of humanity's most enduring myths is that the dead, on certain nights of the year, can leave the Other World and move freely about the land of the living. Every year, on October 31, children of the world re-enact a sacred ceremony whose roots extend to the dawn of time. Author Jean Markale meticulously examines the rituals and ceremonies of ancient festivities on this holiday and shows how they still shape the customs of today's celebration.

Also from last year.  A really great book by Gerina Dunwich.  Will be reading it again.  It's one of those books that can be enjoyed over and over again.

From the publisher... 

You may think that Halloween is only about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. However, there is much more behind this spooky holiday. For Pagans the world over, Halloween is a time of magick and divination-a night for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and ringing in the New Year. In A Witch's Halloween, bestselling author Gerina Dunwich dispels the myths of this holiest of Pagan holidays and its most famous celebrants.

Written by a Wiccan High Priestess, A Witch's Halloween tells you all that you need to know about this sacred holiday, from the history, folklore, myths, and spells to Sabbat rituals, recipes, divinations, and Halloween superstitions, and much more. This insightful book is a complete guide to celebrating the holiday as it was meant to be.

Bought this one last year as well.  Some really some spooky and fun tales here. 

Book description...

In this book, you'll find stories for the darkest night of the year from some of the top voices in dark fantasy and horror. Two boys investigate a Halloween ghost, and learn a terrible truth...an encounter with a fortune-telling machine has deadly consequences...a World War II veteran finds out his cousin's tragic romance was not of this world...a trick-or-treat game show pits kids against real monsters...Halloween angels unleash inner longings one night a year...and six more stories that will chill your bones like a late Autumn night.

Another one of last year's favorites.  

A collection of Halloween related tales and poems. Ranging from ancient Ireland to modern-day Colorado Springs, you will encounter paranormal beings, ghosts, werewolves, demons, delusion, and daemons. Humor and horror flow from these pages as the authors endeavor to entertain and frighten the reader.

What fearful shapes and shadows beset his path, amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night! With what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window! How often was he appalled by some shrub covered with snow, which, like a sheeted specter, beset his very path! How often did he shrink with curdling awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet; and dread to look over his shoulder, lest he should behold some uncouth being tramping close behind him! and how often was he thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scouring! 

 Washington Irving 

(a quote from "The Legend of Sleep Hollow")