Category Archives: Twilight Faerie

The Vampires

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The Vampires-By Angelique Duncan

The Vampires

Many of us know of the Vampires. Cloaked undead revenants that have returned from the dead to suck the blood of their victims and spread misfortune to those they infect. They roam through the night searching for their victims in flight as a Vampire bat shifting into human form to seduce their victim for that bite upon the neck. Swiftly they return to their coffin before daybreaks and the sun rises. Where did they come from? Did or do they exist? Or are they the stuff of imagination and hysteria to explain what was misunderstood and couldn’t be given explanation?

Through out history there have been documented cases of bizarre murders and bloodlettings that have been officially classified as the work of Vampires. Individuals who committed heinous and brutal killings have been either identified in records as, or self proclaimed as Vampires. Up into modern decades, serial killers have mimicked Vampire style murder.

Vampire is a word of Slavic origin. In Turkey the translation is literally witch. Often they are referred to as revenants. Stories of Vampires, under different names, first appeared in Slavic regions in the 11th century and in European history after the 1400’s. The term Vampire began to appear in the English language around the 1700’s. It was used to describe those who it was believed had escaped from the grave after burial. Stories have been recorded and passed down of graves that had been unearthed and the remains moved or in other positions than they were left in that led people to suspect that Vampires would leave their graves by night and return to them by day.

A possible explanation for the unearthed graves of earlier times is that graveyards were not as secure as they are today making it easy for grave robbers to dig up graves to riffle for jewelry and valuables. Some in the scientific and medical community would dig up graves for the opportunity to work with human remains as cutting cadavers was considered a morbid practice and not approved of. A more gruesome explanation for the altered positioning of bodies might have been the result of patients who were buried too soon and had not completely expired at the time of burial. The disturbed coffins were the result of their desperate attempt to release themselves form untimely burial.

Though some believed that the explanation was that the deceased had become a Vampire. Efforts where made to contain the undead from returning by loading rocks upon the gravesite. Another early practice was staking corpses that were believed to be Vampires into their coffins so that they could not leave the grave at night. This may be where the belief that Vampires can only be stopped by a wooden stake through the heart stems from.

The superstitious held that that Vampires would return to the home or family they came from to settle scores or execute revenge on those closest to them. It was further believed that Vampires would retain their sexual appetite, seeking their spouses to continue their relations after death or to infect the spouse to take them with them to the grave. If a member of a household had died from disease and shortly there after other family members had fallen ill, it was believed that the member who died first had returned and infected the home. It thought as well that a household who recently experienced a death suffered from misfortune, it was a curse left by a Vampire. Today many believe that households that suffered mass deaths from a particular disease did not occurred from corpses returning from the grave, but from a lack of sanitation and proper understanding of the containment of infectious disease.

Early descriptions of Vampires were that they were pale, bloated and swollen with sunken eyes. It was thought that they drank the blood of live humans to nourish themselves after death. Those who had been bitten would suffer the same fate, to become a Vampire. These physical descriptions of vampires may have been based on people of earlier decades limited knowledge of decomposition of the body after death.

Corpses would be buried in unsealed wooden boxes and often not as deep or well covered as modern burial practices. As the body decays the stop in blood flow to the capillaries ceases, causing the skin to turn pale. The stop of oxygen flowing through the blood stream causes skin to have a gray or bluish tint. The under the eye cavity begins to sink and become purplish. Decomposition of intestines at a greater rate than the rest of the body causes bloating and in some cases can push blood up the intestines to the mouth. Bodies buried in winter tend to decompose slower and if buried right before a frost of freeze, a body will “preserve” given the appearance that the dead is not decomposing. All these elements would make for the common descriptions of undead, blood feasting revenant. The bloating would be mistaken for being well fed, and the blood seeping from the mouth evidence that the subject had been sucking blood.

Folklore tells that not all Vampires dwelled in graveyards. It was believed that some existed among the living. Those with strange unexplained appearance and behaviors was suspect of being infected as a Vampire. Accounts of people who were accused of Vampirism may have been suffering from medical disorders that were not well understood that fit the descriptions given of Vampires. Possible diseases that could have been mistaken for Vampirism were rabies, severe anemia and Photosensitivity.

Another disease associated with possible Vampirism is anemia, a condition in which the blood lacks iron. Those who suffer from anemia can become pale often with dark circles under the eyes and marbling of the skin. In some severe cases, anemia can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, left untreated can cause one to spit up blood. An early treatment for anemia was the consumption of blood to replace the needed iron.

Photosensitivity is a condition that causes an inability for an individual to go out in sunlight without ones skin blistering or burning. The lack of vitamin D would cause folks affected to be pale lacking pigment. This would add to the belief that a person affected with vampirism could only maneuverer at night.

A commonly held belief was that Vampires were shape shifters who could transform into nocturnal animals, often the animals associated, as Vampires were owls and wolves. It would not be until 1897 that the belief that Vampires shifted into bats would become a part of the folklore. The idea came from Bram Stokers tale of Count Dracula. Although Europe does have a bat population, the iconic blood feasting bats used in Vampire mythologies was not discovered until explorers identified them in Central America. The bats were named after the undead creatures of the night and Stoker evidently felt it would be a good fit for the character of his book. The link between Vampires and Vampire bats has been in place ever since*.

Cultures have had a fascination with the Vampire for centuries. The mythology of Vampires has been driven by ancient folklore, written history, fiction writers and moviemakers, who keep the legends alive. In the modern era Vampirism has become a fashionable fad. Less the gruesome bloated monsters of their origins, Vampires have become romanticized as something attractive and mysterious. The modern Vampire is sleek, debonair and seductive.

The existence of the Vampires has never been proved or disproved. Perhaps they lie waiting in their graves to rise again. Maybe they walk amongst us disguised as everyday people. Who knows if the bat that flies across the midnight sky is just a common bat or a mythological shape-shifting Vampire looking for blood.

* Although vampire bats have been referenced in this entry in association with Vampires please do not fear or discriminate against them. For more information and facts about vampire bats as a species visit BatWorlds to learn more about them. http://www.batworlds.com/vampire-bat/

Artwork “Dissolution” appears courtesy of Chad Savageand may be purchased through his Etsy shop.

Artwork “Emeraude Feels Festive” appears courtesy of Art By Saradaand may be purchased through the HAB catalog.

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.

Valentines 2015

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  Happy Valentines Day 2015!

Looking for unique Valentines and dark art? Search HAB Valentine on Etsy, visit HAB artist websites and find handmade Halloween, holiday art and curiosities year round through the HAB shopping catalog!

The Full Moon and the Wolves

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Copyright Angelique Duncan


The Full Moon and the Wolves
-By Angelique Duncan

The full moon of January is the Wolf Moon. It was titled by Native Americans who named each moon in the calendar for attributes that occurred in nature during that lunar cycle. While other animals take shelter and hibernate during the harsh cold of January, the wolves remain active, searching for food. It was considered very dangerous to go out during a full Wolf Moon for fear of wolf attacks. The January Wolf Moon was given its namesake for the baying of wolves that could be heard over the silence of Winter.

Wolves in mythology have been seen as leaders of the animal realm. Revered for their intelligence and tremendous hunting skills, relentless loyalty to protect their pack, nurturing instinct to their young and feared for their strength and ferocity in attack. The wolf in Native American, as well as Norse, Germanic and Slavic cultures was seen as a magnificent warrior, either to be respected or to be feared.

Many Native American tribes believed that if one were to wear a wolf pelt in battle they would channel the wolves fighting instinct and technique to be as the wolf. Those who wore animal pelts in battle were known as “Skin Walkers”, guided by their animal spirit.

The concept of “Skin Walkers” that existed in other cultures may be where the legends of the Werewolf beginnings. Although there are many possible origins and mythologies surround the half man half wolf legend. None seem to be confirmed and the history is cloudy. The stories exist in European regions of wolf warriors, half wolf- half man predators, werewolves and changelings, however recorded historical documents prior to the 13th century have either been destroyed, lost or suppressed from the public sphere of history. As Christianity spread across Europe much of what had been believed to have been recorded in Pagan histories was either left out or re-written by the church and became the stuff of myths and rumors.

Some of the earliest recorded wolf legends go back to the Greek mythology of Lycaon, who was changed into a wolf as punishment for eating his child. The Romans had many myths linked to wolves as both nurturing mother spirits and as predators’.

The wolves are a prominent figure in Norse mythology, most originating from the story of Fenrir. Fenrir was one of three sons of Loki. It was feared he would devour the rehlm and was captured. However he continued to grow huge in captivity. As the legend goes, dwarves where commissioned to create a special chain to bind him to a boulder were a sword was placed in Fenrirs jaw to keep him form attacking. From his frothing saliva a river was formed.

Stories of Werewolf like beings appear in legends from Germanic Pagans and Slavic regions as well in Norse mythology. Like the “Skin Walkers” of the Native American tales, stories are told of vicious Wolf Warriors. Men who would wear the skins of wolves and transform into wolf creatures who were animalistic in their fighting, and said to be stronger and resilient to pain. It is written that they were nearly impossible to take down in battle as if immortal.

In Irish folklore stories are passed down of the Laignach Faeland. They were half man half wolf beast who acted as mercenaries for hire. They would fight for a bounty of the flesh of small children and babies. Much fear and destruction was associated with the Laignach Faeland. They were large, fierce warriors who were unrelenting in battle.

Through out the history of Europe during the 14th through 16th centuries reports were made of Werewolf or shape-shifter attacks. The accusations were of wolf creatures that hunted humans. The victims were brutally attacked, often dis-membered, gutted and left for dead. In some instances the blood had been drained from their bodies. No wolf creatures were ever identified or confirmed and the predators never caught in these mysterious deaths.

During the witch trials in France of the 14th to 15th centuries accusations were made of shape shifting witches. Allegations were also made of witches consorting with Werewolves. In Hungary trials were set against Werewolves as late as the 18th century. It was believed that Werewolves, Witches and Vampires were responsible for bazaar deaths of humans and the mass disappearance of livestock.

In many early Werewolf legends it is believed that the wolf shape-shifting and transformation happened most prevalently during the Winter Solstice and during Ostera or Easter during a full moon. Mythologies from France, Italy and Germany stated that one could be metamorphosed into a wolf by sleeping outside in ta full moon on a designated Wednesday or Friday during the Summer months. It was believed that one would transform into a Werewolf by becoming naked and wearing a wolf skin pelt or belt. Some believed drinking rainwater collected in the track of a wolf would bring on Werewolf changes. Legends were spread that drinking water from enchanted steams during a full moon or a beer specially made from enchanted spring water would cause the affliction of wolf transformation. Some stories tell of witch spells that were cast to change the victim.

The commonly accepted way to stop a Werewolf is by use of a silver bullet or silver weapon. This comes from 18th century folklore of Germany and was reinforced by 19th century literature. The notion became popular and has remained part of Werewolf lore. Early beliefs were that scolding an infected victim or running it to the point of exhaustion could stop a Werewolf. Others believed that looking the beast in the eye and repeating their Christian given name three times would exorcise the wolf out of the infected. Some held that the only cure to Werewolf-ism was to fully convert to Christianity.

There are scientific explanations that could explain what may have been confused for shape shifting by an uneducated populace of the earlier centuries. Such conditions would include hypertrichosis, a condition in which one experiences abnormal thick hair growth that covers the body. Some victims of the condition experience adult onset, which would give the illusion that they are changing into an animal from their human form since they did not have the hair growth in childhood. Another misunderstood medical condition was photosensitivity in which one cannot go out into sunlight. A full moon would offer someone suffering from the condition an ability to move at night with out harm and bolster beliefs of nocturnal animal behaviors attributed to humans. Infection with rabies may be another condition that would have been confused with possession by wolf. The symptoms of a bite received from a rabies infected animal could have been confused for transformation by one who did not have an understanding of the disease.

We do not know if Werewolves existed or still do. The evidence is not conclusive or well documented to make the case either way. However the legends and stories do exists and are a part of our modern culture. Wolves are a deep seeded component of the history of such great cultures as the Norse, the Italians as well as France and Germany and an important animal in Native American beliefs.

Be warned, the next Wolf Moon occurs January 5th 2015. If you happen to about outside and you here the distant howl of a wolf take heed. It could be a transformed Werewolf, the ancient cry of a forgotten Wolf Warrior or the ghost of a noble animal Wolf Spirit calling for his pack.

Illustration “Full Wolf Moon” appears courtesy of Michelle Angelique Duncan-Twilight Faerie.

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.

The Spirit of the Holiday

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copyright Twilight Faerie


The Spirit of the Holiday
-By Angelique Duncan

As the holidays approach many experience that familiar feeling that is the warming of the heart and optimism for humanity, the desire for peace and goodwill towards others. That feeling is known as the holiday spirit. In Christian ideology it is thought to be the spirit of Christ that one is feeling. Others believe it to be Yuletide Spirit. Perhaps it is just the nostalgia brought on by the sights, sounds and flavors of the season that bring to light memories of simpler, happier times. Some suggest that it is inspiration roused by the hopeful song lyrics and sentiments of the season that makes us softer of heart. Or maybe, what we experience with the holiday spirit is actually the presence of spirits, holiday ghost.

In many cultures the winter holiday season is a time of reflection on the dead. In Finland as well as in some South American countries visiting the cemetery and placing a candle on the graves of the departed on Christmas Eve is an honored activity practiced every year. The Irish practice the tradition of laying a wreath or other decoration on the graves of loved ones in remembrance of their lives and to share the holiday with them. In Macedonia after the holiday feast the table is left un-cleared until the following day so that spirits in the house may have their own holiday feast. In Greece it is believed that the spirits descended from of Pan and Satyrs, and Faeries visit during the 12 days of Christ. Some in Greece say that these spirits are demons up to no good, other believe they are the spirits of the old Gods making their presence known keeping pre Christian beliefs alive despite their antiquity. Many European cultures hold that Christmas elves are actually spirits of the dead visiting the home.

In some Celtic beliefs the window of time between December 22nd ghosts of the departed come to visit and leave after the 26th of December. Another ancient Celtic tradition holds that the faerie spirits come at Winter Solstice to over see the passage of the old Sun to the new Sun and the change of the season. It is thought that the spirits come to help aid humans to be better people and be stronger in their humanity. In the belief it is said that the faerie or nature spirits travel in pairs to a home, one will occupy the hearth and fire and the other the kitchen. The spirits who occupy the hearth are there to bestow a blessing of good fortune and warmth and the spirits in the kitchen are present to bestow blessing on the food for good health and prosperity. They are there to build optimism for the coming seasons of the year.

Some say that nature spirits, faeries or animal spirits come in to the home with a live tree seeking warmth. Other legends say that holiday spirits will slip through cracks in windows or doorways. Sometimes the spirits will announce their visitation with a tap on a window or door and once opened they perceive it as an act of welcome and will come in. Superstition has it that these holiday spirits are attracted to the warmth and glow of fires, candle flames and lights.

Many believe that ghost are spirits of the departed who have unfinished business or something left undone. These spirits refuse to, or have not been allowed, to pass on to the spirit world until they are done with the task. In Christian beliefs they are not allowed into heaven because their souls were not saved or they had sinned on earth and were not deemed worthy of entry.

It is thought that some ghosts are drawn to the comfort and warmth of good people and a happy home during the holidays and will seek such a house to fulfill the memories they longed for in their earthly life. Or they may be a relative visiting to ensure those they left behind are following the right path of character and action in their lives.

There are many legends of ghost who are sent to remind humans to practice charity and goodwill. These spirits are here to seek out those who need to be tested to reinforce their humanity. In the folklore the spirits take on a human form and offer a test to the individual to give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. This notion originates from old Celtic belief that one must turn over a new leaf before the coming of the new Sun of Spring and beginning of the New Year.

In these stories the ghosts appear as a wandering stranger in need of shelter or food. The human is offered the choice to help the stranger with some form of charity. There have been many myths and legends that have appeared with this theme through out the decades and in many cultures. In modern times it may be a person whose car has broken down on the road, or is need of a phone to call home. The spirit could also come in the form of something as simple as a person carrying packages in need of a door held open, or perhaps a Salvation Army bell ringer. One never knows when or what may be the test or “who” may be the ghost.

Some need bigger tests to get them on the right path of humanity. In these cases it is believed that Draugr will appear during the holidays. Like the friendly spirits who check on loved ones and spread good will, Draugr also have unfinished business and a holiday mission.

The Draugr mythology comes from Norse, Icelandic and German folklore in it’s origin, however similar concepts appear in many cultures. They are not ghosts of the dead in spirit form, but a physical zombie like corpse. Not alive but not completely “dead”. They are said to have intelligence but are driven by revenge or malice for unfinished business or entitlement while on alive. They are the result of a life spent of greed, selfishness and mean. Some still walk the earth trying to obtain what ever it was they could not get in life and selfishly refuse to stop questing. While others are not allowed by the Gods (or God) to completely “die” as punishment due to their life spent wasted.

The Draugr who were not allowed to pass on to death, who regret their discrepancies, will seek out those they knew while living to serve a warning of what will happen if one does not live a live of kindness and charity. In Charles Dickens Christmas Carol the ghost of Marley was a Draugr sent to warn Scrooge. The three ghosts who subsequently visited Scrooge were the other kind of aforementioned friendlier holiday spirits. Unlike benevolent spirits who may take an ethereal or human form the Draugr live in a state of decay and become more ugly and vile the longer they are dead just as a corpse decays under ground. They serve as a reminder that the uglier ones spirit, the more heinous ones physical self will become in life and in death.

With the coming of winter and the holiday season, find your holiday spirit. Find your humanity and sense of charity. Hold the door open for someone passing through, donate some clothes or food to a shelter, look into the eyes and give a smile when you pass a stranger. Be that person that you always hoped you could be, that better self who acts in kindness not in greed. Whether the inspiration comes from an old favorite holiday song, a childhood memory held in an ornament or a ghost who came in to sit by the fire and enjoy your decorated tree, find the goodness of your heart and spread the holiday spirit.


Illustration “Christmas Spirits” by Angelique Duncan.

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.

Holiday Spirits 2014

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With Winter comes the Holiday Spirit. Halloween Artist Bazaar has assembled a collection of spirits and ghost to spread good cheer for the holidays. As December progresses more spirits will be added to the display so visit again to see ghosts have passed through.

We wish you a grand Winter holiday filled with spirit and good cheer!

Twilight Faerie – Christmas Spirits framed print
twistedpixelstudio – The Revenants Children ornaments
Jynxx Designs – MR.Boo charm bracelet
Chaos In Color – Vorspookum
Art By Sarada- The Ghost in the Clock Chamber
Sauvage Raven Creations – Hary Houdini
Meatspider- Christmas Goul
Art for A Gloomy Day- Pretty Little Screams
Janis Logsdon Jewelry and Art- Steampunk Angel Charm
Ghost Colony – Gathering Snow
Tocsin Designs – Boo Broach
Ghostgap – Ghost Jewelry Set

The Holiday Must Go On

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The Holiday Must Go On

By Intricate Knot

“My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies;
Fairytales of yesterday will grow, but never die;
I can fly, my Friends.”.
~Queen

    Prologue

On their way to save or perhaps duel Crimson (last of the Winter Wizards) and definitely duel Diavix Clop (all-around-creepy-villain) Fiddler and Wilbur (esteemed members of the Great Holiday Making Tribe and our heroes) came to the aid of Vin Kaj (Autumn Pumpkin Wizard Extraordinaire). In truth, they had been seeking his aid, when it turned out their services were much needed by Vin Kaj who was having a most difficult (and strenuous) time putting Summer to rest. Well, he’d never had that much trouble killing off Summer before! That must have been the doing (or not doing) of Crimson, last of the Winter Wizards, yes?
Ah, have you not learned anything from these knotted tales, dear Reader? Nothing is ever, ever as straightforward, as we would like. Then again…things are often far simpler than we ever give them credit for…

Riding on Vin Kaj’s grand pumpkin back certainly made the journey to rescue Crimson much quicker! The strides he made on his long brawny, green vine legs were tremendous! Fiddler and Wilbur bounced and jostled atop the beautiful orange expanse of pumpkin, though it wasn’t terribly comfortable. The two dodged tree branches, while hanging onto Vin. The Forest became a blur of greens, golds, and browns as they whizzed past brush, bush, and tree.
Their thoughts picked at them all. None of them really knew what had become of Crimson. The speed, bouncing, and jostling were so great that conversation of any sort was quite impossible. Each kept their own counsel…

Sleek feline Fiddler nurtured a shimmering trust in his big kitty heart that his Magickal Mentor of by-gone-days continued to be as he has always known him to be: Of sound mind, body, and most importantly, Spirit.

Could the ill-famed Diavex Clop somehow have turned Crimson into a Waywardly Wicked Wizard? Wilbur’s logical and often cantankerous owly-raven brain asked. He worked and worked the question in his mind to nearly the point of exhaustion, wanting to make absolutely certain that he didn’t reject the notion simply for the sake of his good friend, Fiddler. And came up with the answer…a resounding “no,” Crimson has not been turned. This is irrefutably impossible.

And Vin Kaj? As a fellow wizard, he harbors not a whiff of doubt in his great pumpkin head or heart. His only thought was to get to Crimson as quickly as possible. Sooner even that…

Dear Reader, if we take our heroes hearts and minds into account (and how can we not?) it can only mean one thing…coercion. Is Diavex Clop somehow forcing Crimson to help him keep things hot, sticky, and humid in The Forest? Eeeeeeee yuck.

“Wait. Hold up, Vin Kaj,” Fiddler implored.

Once an Autumn Pumpkin Wizard Extraordinaire gets going, it is a herculean feat to get him to stop. Even for himself! Viney tendrils shot out from his toes, grasping passing trees, boulders, or brush, anything to slow them down. He swerved, swung, and skidded along pebbles, strewn leaves, and bits of twigs along the path nearly upending himself, along with Wilbur and Fiddler. Vin held onto Fiddler and Wilbur, Wilbur and Fiddler held onto each other, and everyone held on for dear life! Dear life? Yes, for straight in the middle of their path, the path they could not seem to stop themselves from hurtling along, stood a Grand Old Oak. Lovely, amazing, and awe-inspiring at any other time, mind you, but not when one is hurtling towards its sturdy trunk the width and height of a small mountain! If any of them were the sort to shriek in terror, this certainly would have been the time for it. Luckily, the time for shrieking-in-terror passed, as they finally came to a stop, a nose-breath’s distance from rough, brown bark of Grand Old Oak.

Copyright Twilight Faerie

Phew.

Fiddler and Wilbur tumbled off Vin Kaj’s back. They all heaved sighs of relief and worked on pulling themselves back together.

“So, what was that about, Fiddler?” Wilbur asked calmly.

“Um…I just wondered, where are we going?”

“To save Crimson, of course,” Vin interjected, though not quite as calmly as Wilbur.

“Yes, but where are we going?”

Wilbur opened his golden beak to speak, but then promptly closed it. Vin shook his head with a grin, then sat on a convenient boulder. A Thinking Boulder.

“Why don’t you tell us, Fiddler? I’m afraid that I really don’t know.”

“I don’t know, either,” and he leapt up onto the boulder, sitting next to Vin. They both looked expectantly at Wilbur.

“Mmm, I may have a theory.”

“Which is?” Boomed Vin.

“I believe we’re running in circles, which is just what Diavex would like us to be doing,” And with a flap of his black wings, he joined his companions and perched on top of the Thinking Boulder. He thought for a moment, then said with conviction “Well…this is the Most Magickal Time of the Year-”

“When goats are jingle belling-” Fiddler continued.

“And even salmon go caroling-”

“And most everyone is wishing you Good Cheer,” Vin finished.

“Everyone except Diavex Clop,” Wilbur said sourly.
Hmm…they were all thinking again. Not a bad thing, for these three had quite a handle on their powerful minds.

“Diavex tried to stop Halloween,” Vin Kaj offered.
“Yep. And now he is trying to stop us all from celebrating Yule,” stated Wilbur.
A look passed between the two friends, dear good friends who had been end-to-end of this Universe and beyond together.

Fiddler shook his head decidedly,

“That cannot happen. If he stops Yule, he stops the New Year.”

“And if he stops the New Year?” Vin asked.

“He will stop the Great Holiday Making Tribe-” Wilbur explained.

“There won’t be any holidays,” finished Fiddler. “And what a sad, Diavex Clop world this would be.”

“Worlds, actually,” Wilbur reminded.

“Yes, worlds,” Fiddler agreed.

“So, what do we do?” Again, Vin posed the question.

The question that made their bellies sink.

It broke their hearts, but they all knew what they must do. Well, actually, they didn’t “know” they only felt what was right. Feelings can sometimes be confusing. Are feelings always right? Hmm…that is a very good question, dear Reader. I will go out on the proverbial precariously lengthy limb of the proverbial sturdy tree (sturdy as the Grand Old Oak) and say that yes, feeling are always right, even when they hurt a bit (or a lot) and in fact are especially true when they hurt a bit (or a lot).

Vin and Wilbur held back, wanting to give Fiddler time. Being a cat, Fiddler possessed both grace and speed in abundance. Wordlessly, he leapt from the boulder and nodded at his companions.

Abandon the rescue of Crimson. Unthinkable, but the right thing to do. Back to the Heart of the Forest the trio went. Deep in the center of The Forest lay, the Golden Heart of It. The Magick of Holidays beat here, stretching Its’ beams of light and beauty for all to see, even if they should choose not to partake.
The three had a great deal more work ahead of them…happy work though they grieved for their friend Crimson. The Party-of-the-Century, the Holiday-to-Begin-and-End-All-Holidays needed to be planned and prepared for and celebrated…Yule rules the day. A Merry Yule is sure to rid the Forest of Diavex Clop once-and-for-all. Besides, regardless of circumstance, the Holiday Must Go On.

To be continued…quite soon!


Illustration “Grand Old Oak” by Angelique Duncan. Appearance of Wilbur and Vin Kaj with permission of Intricate Knot.

Intricate Knot is proprietor of Art For A Gloomy Day.Check out her artist page to find links to her shop and blog to read more of her writings. Visit again next season for more adventures of Fiddler the cat and his best pal Wilbur.

 

Winter Holiday Give Away 2014 !

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The Winter Holiday Give Away has concluded!

Thank you to all who entered and spread holiday cheer. A winner has been chosen. Check back with Halloween Artist Bazaar through out the year for seasonal promotions and give aways. We appreciate your interest in Halloween Artist Bazaar and for keeping the spirit of Halloween alive!

To all a very happy Winter Holiday!

*************************************************************************************************

How To Enter:

Visit one of the contributing HAB artist shops and leave them a message of sincere holiday cheer in the subject line. The message can be what ever winter greeting you prefer.
Next like the HAB Facebook page and message us with a greeting of Winter cheer on our wall.
Fill out the form below.

Official Rules

Entry deadline is Midnight on December 18th 2014. The Winner will be chosen at random. One entry per person. Winner will be notified via email. The prize will ship on December 19 2014. The winners name will be posted on the Halloween Artist Bazaar website and Facebook page. Members of Halloween Artist Bazaar are not qualified for entry. No age restrictions. Contest open internationally, however please note that prize may not arrive before December 25th due to international shipping delays.*your countries custom charges may apply.*

Contributing Halloween Artist Bazaar Artists:(check back as the list grows and photo’s of the winnings are posted!)
Twilight Faerie
twistedpixelstudio
Lttle Shop of Horrors
Sauvage Raven Creations
Chaos In Color
Jynxx Designs
Janis Logsdon Jewelry and Art
Art By Sarada
Odd Origins

Soul Cakes and the Sugar Skulls

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Soul Cakes and the Sugar Skulls
-By Angelique Duncan

October 1st through November 2 marks the holy days once known as Hallowmas. Known as the days when ghost and faeries were most active in our material world. These traveling spirits were hungry. Huge feast were held on the night of Samhain on October 31st to celebrate the bounty of harvest, show gratitude to the spirits and remembrance for the dead who had passed on and the spirits were invited.

In ancient Gaelic tradition of Samhian feast were held to celebrate the finish of the harvest and enjoy the abundance of food before the long days of winter and rationing. Plates of food would be set at the family feasting table for deceased ancestors. Welcoming plates of sweet bread were left at the threshold and near the hearth of the home to invite benevolent spirits in to bless and protect the home before the coming dark season. Cakes would be left as an offering outside the home to appease the mischievous and unwelcomed evil spirits, who it was believed if not satisfied with food and drink would curse the home with misfortune.

Depending on region, tradition and wealth the cakes that were left varied in their recipes. Usually the cakes were made from a simple yeast recipe using spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon or cloves. They sometimes included fruits and nuts or an icing. The types of sweets offered ranged from small cakes and sweet breads to flat cookies. As the cakes or cookies were baked, mediations were spoken to either welcome the spirits or ward them away depending which offering was being baked.

The practice of going door-to-door “Guising” to collect food for feasting was common. The predecessor to Trick or Treating was born through dressing up in spirit costumes carrying lanterns to trick folks into giving cakes to ward off the “evil spirits knocking on the door”, made leaving cakes and ale out on ones porch more pertinent to avoid destruction of property.

With the rise of Catholicism in Gaelic regions and the spread of Christianity and a push for the Christian calendar, the practice of Samhain feasting in honor for the living and the supernatural was frowned upon. The practice of All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day were introduced. It was now practiced that feasting was no longer to honor the harvest and the spirits who protected it, feasting was to be in honor of the Saints of the church who symbolized the work of the church. The notion to leave offerings to the spirits that could revisit the earth during Samhain was no longer was conducive to Christian thought. It was instead encouraged to leave offerings for salvation. Folks would now go “Souling”, the practice of going door to door to offer prayers or sing hymns in return for what was now known as “Soul Cakes”, cakes baked with prayer to free souls from purgatory.

With the decline of the pre Christian religions the previous mediations were abandoned and the cakes would have a prayer for salvation spoken over them before they were baked. It was believed that the act of eating the cake and saying a prayer would release a soul into heaven and absolve that spirits sins. In more modern practice a cross would be sliced or embossed on the Soul Cakes as a reminder that salvation and protection could only come from the church.
As Europeans expanded Christianity to Mexico and South America the traditions of Hallowmas carried over as well and merged with existing cultural practices celebrating the dead. In Mexico dia de los muertos, the Day of the Dead continues to be a huge cultural celebration that falls on November 1st. The emphasis is on personal connections with the deceased and a celebration of their lives. The practice of feasting and offering sweet breads for the departed are part of annual ritual for Day of the Dead.

Much like the Soul Cakes of Europe, In Mexico and South America pan de muerto literally translated to “Bread of the Dead” is made from anise and citrus and is left out as a welcoming for the departed. The sweet bread loaves are baked with twisted bone patterns, skull shapes or significant totem animals to represent the dead. Well wishes for the departed souls to have safe passage from the grave to the physical realm and prayers are bestowed up the bread as it bakes. The bread is left on a table for the souls to find. It is believed that the spirits will metaphorically eat the essence of the well wishes and prayers “baked” into the bread. The household will leave for public celebration and when the family of the house returns they then eat the bread to share in “breaking bread” with their relatives.

In some regions of South America people will take to the graves of their departed a picnic of the favorite foods and drink of their relative to honor their life and offer nourishment to give them comfort and strength in the afterlife. Families decorate the graves with flowers and confections and have meal with conversation, dancing and remembrance for their lost loved one. The practice also serves as a reminder that death in inevitable and should be embraced rather than feared in hopes that in that the spirit realm will be as happy as the physical one.

Handmade confections of chocolate and sugar skulls are offered to the dead as well as the special baked breads. The name of the deceased is written in icing on the forehead of skull and they are decorated in ornate bright colors to honor them. Sugar skulls are created for the living as a reminder that death will eventually come for them too. Some sugar skulls can be eaten as a treats, however in most traditions they are displayed as a talisman or used in altars to honor life and death. Confections of festive coffins, tombstones and skeletons are distributed as well.

As migrants from Latin America have made their home in the North America they have brought their traditions with them and the modern day the icon of the sugar skull and symbols of Day of the Dead have grown in it’s popularity and meaning becoming part of the repertoire of Halloween decorating and practices. Now many sugar skulls available in the states are mass-produced by machine as a Halloween treat.

Today in the United States Samhain is now celebrated as Halloween. Offerings for the dead, Soul Cakes and pan de muerto once left for spirits; have been replaced by cellophane wrapped candies and marshmallow Rice Krispie treats handed out to live Trick or Treaters. Feasting to celebrate the harvest and remember the dead have shifted from October 31st to the fourth Thursday in November to honor the living family in Thanksgiving. The traditions of honoring and appeasing the dead have all been stripped from our modern Autumn celebrations.

However, that is not to say that perhaps those spirits aren’t still out there wandering during the end of October and into November. Maybe they are. If they are they must be very hungry in that it has been many decades since they have received their ceremonial offerings of food and drink. Maybe this year on the 1st of November, leave a sweet cup cake or slice of bread for a ghost who may be passing by. Or leave an extra plate out at the table when you sit down to your Thanksgiving feast. Who knows, maybe a little ghost will be grateful and thank you on your home in return.

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.

Jack o’ Lantern

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Jack o’ Lantern
-By Angelique Duncan

The Jack o’ Lantern, not much is recorded in written history about these magnificent icons of Hallow’s eve. Most of what we know of the Jack o’ Lantern comes from oral tradition that has been passed down from the generations. However one could hardly imagine Halloween with out them. Plump, orange and glowing. Sometimes flickering a menacing grin, others with frightful faces and some more welcoming and sincere. For most folks the start of the Halloween season begins with a trip to the market to find that perfect gourd upon which to carve out the face that will be lit and stand guard on their porch or on their window sill for Halloween night.

It is understood that our modern Jacks find their origins from ancient Ireland. It was common practice to light kindling in a carved thick flesh of a beet or turnip as a lantern that could be carried or hung from a stick with twine. The use of the pumpkin for carving Jack o” Lanterns did not arise until the discovery of their native home, the Americas.

The lore associated with Jack o’ Lanterns is akin to The Will of The Wisps and in some traditions are interchangeable in their name. Legends of glowing mystical or spirit lights hovering in bogs and marshes that attract travelers from their intended paths have been attached to the Jack o Lantern.

There are common legends of the Jack o’ Lantern that are similar in their telling’s with slight variances in the story, but with the same outcome. The story goes that a man named Jack, who had spent a sinister existence, was approached by the devil and informed that it was the end of his life and time for the devil to collect his soul to take back to Hell. In these stories Jack is cunning and finds a way to trick the devil so that he cannot take his soul. Some stories tell that Jack tricks the devil with crosses or by manipulating or bartering with the devil into promising that he won’t take him to Hell. In keeping the devils word, he does not collect Jacks soul, however when Jack eventually dies, he cannot enter Heaven either. Jack’s spirit is doomed to wander the earth with only a lump of coal set in a turnip to light his way and keep him warm.

It is said that when one sees a Will o Wisp, it is Jack’s soul wandering. However, legends pertaining to Will of The Wisp predate the stories of wandering or stingy Jack. In some cultures and regions the wisps were thought to be wandering spirits trapped on earth. Others believe they are nymphs or faeries. Some traditions tell that the candles lit in Jack o” Lanterns are the souls of deceased children brought to life on Halloween night.

Although the stories of Jack trapped in the turnip is a popular and accepted tale and where the namesake of the carved pumpkin may come from, the use of carved faces in vegetables on Halloween goes much further back in antiquity to the pre Christianity and Gaelic practices of Samhain. Some historians site that the story of Stingy Jack and other Jack legends may have been modified when Christianity took hold in Ireland to suit a more Christian theme on explaining carved gourds at Halloween.

It was believed that on the night of Samhain, a veil was lifted that allowed the spirits of the dead to re-enter the mortal realm. Beets and turnips were carved with scary faces to ward off evil spirits and unwanted ghost. The lit vegetables would be set around the exterior of ones house and lit with candles or kindling. In some European regions the predecessor to Trick or Treating was guising, in which people would carry carved lit turnips while wearing sheets to scare folks into believing they were ghost so that they would give them food.

When European immigrants came to North America pumpkins were used in place of beets and turnips. The larger fruit with its fleshy shell made for a better carving surface and hollowed easily to hold a light source. The Samhain practice of setting out carved pumpkins on October 31st became hugely popular in the United States, and has been a mainstay of Halloween ever since.

As October descends and Halloween approaches pumpkins will be carved in all manner of faces and set out on porches as effigy to a fella named Jack, ward off evil spirits, respect for children past and serve as a beacon to welcome Trick or Treaters. When you set out your Jack o’ Lantern on this Halloween night with it’s crooked grin and flickering eyes know that you are carrying on a ancient custom that has survived many a century and that yours will be among thousands of Jack o’ Lanterns lit adding to the magic of Halloween.

Happy Halloween! Keep your Jack o’ Lantern lit in solidarity!

Images “The Great Pumpkin of Sincerity” and “Great Pumpkin & His Cult” Copyright Michelle Angelique Duncan

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.

Trick or Treat!

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Trick or Treat!
-By Angelique Duncan

Trick or Treat! The practice of dressing in costumes and going door to door for treats is as old as the holiday of Halloween it’s self. It survives as a traditional custom in modern times from its origins in ancient Gaelic history and the holiday Samhain.

There are varied yet similar thoughts on why trick or treating has been practiced, however despite region and era, there has always been a common thread; costumed people asking for some sort of treat on October 31st.

The ancient Celts believed that on October 31st a veil was lifted at twilight allowing magical forms of beings to re-enter the mortal world for one night. Some believed that this opening was also extended to the spirit world of the dead as well. In the Middle ages it was thought that ghost were allowed to pass from the “otherworld” through openings in sacred grounds that acted as gateways.

Common practice in the 1400’s was to leave plates of sweets and food for faeries and elemental creatures in ones garden or porch. This was done in hopes that passing faerie troupes would take the offerings in exchange for not making mischief or tear up ones crops. This may be the first inclination of sweets used as a bartering tool to avoid tricks.

Spirits who had returned on Halloween night were also left offerings of food. Some documentation from the 15-1600’s suggest that folks would leave food for weary souls as they traveled looking for their loved ones. Samhain was considered New Years and it was customary during this era to hold huge elaborate feast. At these feast plates would be set out and a chair at the table reserved for those who had passed away.

Just as departed loved ones could pass through gateways on Halloween night, it was believed that the wretched could return as well. To pacify these ill intended spirits folks would leave sweets on their porches to appease bad ghost to not haunt them and move on from ones home to the next.

The earliest documentation of Halloween costumes comes from the 1600’s. Men would dress in scary spirit costumes to scare away evil ghost and enchanted creatures. In return for the service of shooing away the bad spirits to make way for the visiting family ghost, people would offer ale and breads to these men. As the practice grew in popularity some would sing or perform for beer and treats. This became known as “guising”. Folks would become opportunistic in the practice and dress as monsters and scary ghost, threatening people’s homes with mischief if treats were not given.

In some regions it was customary for men to go “guising” door to door to farms to gather food donations for Samhain feasts. If the farmer obliged then his home would be bestowed with good fortune through the coming year. If He did not, then he would be met with a curse of misfortune.

With the rise of Christianity the churches advocated the celebration of All Souls Day in lieu of Samhain. All Souls Day falls on November 1, or 2nd depending on region. All Souls Day began as a day set-aside for monks to pray for the souls that were trapped in purgatory. The holiday expanded as a day to pray for all souls of the dead. Folks would go to cemeteries and decorate the graves of their loved ones. Not completely willing to let go of superstitions, the practice of leaving “soul cakes” out for the dead became a common practice. Children would go “Souling” through out village’s carrying candles or lanterns singing and offering prayers for the dead in exchange for soul cakes. It was believed that when a soul cake was eaten after a prayer a damned soul was released from hell.

As immigrants from Scotland and Ireland migrated across Europe and to North America during the 1700-1800’s, the Gaelic Samhain traditions followed. In some regions boys would dress as ghost and demons going house-to-house demanding food and drink otherwise they would wreak destructive havoc and mischievous mayhem. Livestock would be let free from their stockades, crops destroyed and broken windows were common on Halloween night. Although it would be much later in history before the term “Trick or Treat” would be used, the practice of giving treats to ward of “tricksters” was in full swing and in true form of its more modern practice.

The practice of knocking on doors on Halloween night carried on into the 1900’s. Halloween was very popular in the 1920’s as it lent itself for fancy dress up parties and lavish festive feast that were popular during the era. In England and North America the poor would dress in costumes and go into wealthier neighborhoods begging for money and food. Halloween became known as “Beggars’ Night. Soon it became commonplace and children of all ranks would go door to door festively in costumes to receive treats in exchange for not playing pranks. During the mid 1930’s the Term “Trick or Treat” was born and Halloween had become a children’s holiday.

However during the 1940’s with sugar rationing and a generally somber mood created by World War II the festive revelry of costuming and asking for candy became frowned upon and Halloween made a return to Beggars Night. During this conservative era it was believed that Trick or Treating was the practice of poor immigrants and not behavior for dignified, proud American and British children.

After the war ended and the American economy became strong along with upward mobility of immigrants socially, the practice of Halloween parties and Trick or Treating returned in full force. The tradition of knocking on doors in costumes and yelling “TRICK OR TREAT” for candy was the norm. The tricks were not violent and usually took the form of knocking over trash bins, applying dark polish to windows, throwing bath tissue in trees, throwing eggs or other devious deeds of vandalism like smashing pumpkins.

In the late 1980’s efforts were made to take the “trick” out of Trick or Treats. Children older than 12 years of age were discouraged from dressing up and going out on Halloween. Adult chaperons were encouraged and churches and retail establishments would host organized Trick or Treat events. Group Halloween parties for children held indoors in lieu of taking to the streets were commonplace. By the mid 1990’s virtually all the trick was removed from Trick or Treating and Halloween night had become all about the treats. Trick or treating through out neighborhoods made a come back in the early 2,000’s and is holding strong as an annual children’s holiday and night of nostalgia for adults and is widely celebrated in the United States and gaining popularity through out the world.

The acts of wearing costumes demanding treats under threat of tricks still exist as an integral tradition to Halloween. As October 31st approaches remember to leave your porch light on and to have plenty of sweets at the ready. For that knock at the door may be a whimsical child out for Tricks or Treats or it may be a wandering ghost or faerie spirit set free to roam on Halloween night.

Images “Set free on Halloween” and “Trick or Treat” Copyright Michelle Angelique Duncan

Angelique Duncan is proprietor of Twilight Faerie Nostalgic and Capricious Objects. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and vintage inspired traditional holiday art. Visit again next month for more traditions and folklore.