Halloween

Well, it's time for Halloween again and I love it! I have to admit that Halloween remains my favorite holiday.  Perhaps it's the day's irreverence toward social convention that I find so appealing.. After all, this is the time when the social order crumbles and mayhem prevails. Hierarchical inversion is the name of the game. Kids rule. Parents serve. The living cower. The dead run riot.

Just for the fun of it I've made a list of interesting

Halloween Folklore and Superstitions.

-Did you know that the pumpkin pie and the Jack o' lantern symbolize the sun? They represent our attempt to pay homage to the Autumn's decreasing daylight.

-If you scatter cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your home it can break bad spells. It's also recommended for love potions as it contains "fiery" elements.

-It's believed that the lit candle inside a jack o' lantern wards off evil.

-A person born on Halloween can talk and commune with the spirit world.

- If you want to meet a witch, wear your clothes inside out on Halloween night.

- If you want to meet a ghost, just wear some lavender around your neck.

-According to the Welsh, if you sneeze on Halloween, your soul will leave your body. Remember to say "God bless you".

-It's bad luck if you get out of bed in the morning left foot first.

-More bad luck if you sing before breakfast.

-If a clock that wasn't working suddenly chimes, it heralds death.

-It's good luck to sleep facing south.

-Even better luck if you dream of a white cat.

-If you want to catch  a glimpse of your future husband, put some fresh rosemary and a silver coin under your pillow on Halloween.

-Burning sage in your home banishes all evil spirits and energy.

-Aloe Vera is thought to guard against evil.

-Peering into the flame of a candle on Halloween night allows you to see into the future.

-According to ancient Celtic belief, it is believed to be bad luck if you allow a fire to burnout on Halloween.

-Bobbing for apples is a traditional game played by young people on Halloween. Historically, the first person to bite into an apple would be the first to marry.  The apple is a symbol of fertility.  Hence, it's symbolic significance in this ritualistic past time.

Famous Halloween Birthdays

-Dan Rather  1931

-Jane Pauley 1950

-John Keats 1795

-Peter Jackson 1961

-Vanilla Ice 1968

-John Candy 1950

-Jan Vermeer 1632

-Dale Evans 1912

-Adapted from www.suite101.com,www.thehollidayspot.com,www.farmersalamanac.com