The clergymen in Docs 1 and 2 form a minor group based on their religious beliefs. The account of Brother Giovanni di Carlo of Florence in 1468 (Doc 1) shows the goodwill and the generally positive expression of festivals in the late fifteenth century (“portrayal was…so good”, “It was truly lovely”). The Dominican monk expresses a pious, reverent attitude toward his subjects. The sons and father display morality and family ties so coveted by the teachings of the church during that time. In contrast, during the Protestant Reformation, Protestant priests such as Rusow (Doc 2) criticize the very existence of rituals and festivals, reflecting the ideals of Lutheranism at the time (“What disorder…idolatry took place there!”). Generally, the festivals originated religiously and spiritually but were later rejected by other clergymen such as Rusow and Protestants overall.

Objective commenters on the practice of festivals and rituals in Europe compose of the authors of Docs 4, 5, and 6. They are less biased in their point of view on the customs and thus prove to be more reliable. In Doc 4, Taylor censures the festivals developing in the early seventeenth century as opposed to the positive view in Doc 1 by referencing violence and a “quarrel breaking a thousand windows.” However, unlike the Lutheran pastor in Doc 2, he regards the festival as a condemnation and “contempt of justice.” Also in support of Doc 3’s satirical portrayal of a “Battle,” during the late sixteenth century festivals were disorganized and even vicious. Docs 5 and 6, although also written objectively, manifest more optimistic viewpoints than Taylor does. Lassels (Doc 5) procures a neutral but approving stance on the custom, while Bourne (Doc 6) wholeheartedly embraces the festivals in the early eighteenth century, emphasizing “equal freedom,” showing that the festivals are not as disorderly then in comparison to the ones observed by Brueghel and Taylor (Docs 3, 4). “The servant and his master are alike” and “they sit at the same table…without difference or distinction” portray the outgoing, socially equivalent nature of celebrations during the time period. Ironically, only half a century from the date of Bourne’s comment in Doc 6 (1725), American colonies would revolt against Britain for the same stated reason. The writers in these documents hold a number of and even polarized views, and although Taylor and Bourne both originate from the English Isles, they hold opposite views on the value of festivals and customs.

A third grouping of critique of festivals involves small-scale social reformation and stabilization in the forms of “charivari” and public punishment. Doc 7 refers to a minor but lengthy social protest recorded by a police officer, occurring two decades after the Napoleonic Wars. The demonstrators extend the principle of “charivari” beyond the local sense, using the local custom as a basis with which to build upon. Doc 8 explains the custom of “riding stang” (“charivari”) to a friend whom Gaskell might be more overt with in expressing her personal opinions, while Doc 9 calls for and recommends action against abuse. This is clearly a popular theme in the early nineteenth century as the theme has been incorporated into a song. In Doc 10 a woman picks berries too early in the year and is thus subject to public embarrassment and ridicule, and although written by an official, Doc 10 is generally factual and unbiased. The final documents show that in the later years, during the nineteenth century, the purpose of “festivals” was almost to edify the people and served as public punishment.

The transformation from religious custom to general celebration to local practice exemplifies that the traditional rituals and customs in Europe played a wide variety of roles over the centuries. Three main groups with varying but comparable opinions on the festivals include the early clergymen, the writers, and the locals. The religious and social customs, beyond affecting only Europe, affect both American continents as well, as Europe would colonize most of it. These festivals affected commoners’ lives to varying degrees.

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Although Halloween is not celebrate in all countries and all regions of the world but millions of people on this planet are celebrating Halloween in thier own different ways. Hallowe’en or All Hallows Eve, is an annual holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night preceding the All Saints Day or popularly known as Day of the Dead celebrations. As far as history is concerned, the holiday has origin in Christianity. 

Most people in the Christian world are celebrating this occassion, once a year, and so as most christian traditions all things related to Halloween is bring out for this special occassion. The festival honouring the dead, the typical Halloween activities include “trick or treating” also known as “guising” , attending costume parties, nowadays we can we some parties especially on the streets or in the backyard. some are carving jack o’ lanterns, one highlights also is the lighting bonfires, visiting popular haunted attractions, telling stories about the dead and those scary true stories, watching horror films or DVD mostly the scariest movies ever produced such as the collection of Friday the 13th etc.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES?

H

Image by sean_hickin via Flickr

ere are some popular Halloween costumes:

Monsters

Ghost

Skeletons

Witches

Devils etc.

Image by markhillary via Flickr

SOME FOODS RELATED TO THE OCCASSION:

Pumpkin, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread

Candy corn, candy pumpkin

Caramel Apples

Caramel Corn

Barmbrack

Bonfire Tofee

Roasted pumkin seeeds

Roasted sweet corn

Soul cakes

And many other foods.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HALLOWEEN

Some christians do not celebrate this holiday because they feel it trivializes or celebrate paganism or the occult.

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First year haunt “Haunted School of Terror” located at 2850 Weir Ave. in downtown Weirton. Need to be check out. At first I didn’t know what to think. I mean I saw a sign on US 22 West. So I started to look around the internet to find more information. All I found was direction on how to find 2850 Weir Ave. We set out to find the location which was easy.

The “Haunted School of Terror” is the former Dunbar School. Also the home of Krazy ’bout Sportz. They have a wonderful indoor facility. Krazy ’bout Sportz has a variety of sports activities and entertainment for adult and kids alike. The only indoor facility that offers soccer, flag football, field hockey, lacrosse, bocce, basketball. Plus an arcade room, concessions, concerts, dances and now a haunted attraction. Unfortunately, the haunting season is short this year. October 21,22,28, & 29, 2011 only.

Even though its a short season. This is a MUST SEE! This tour starts out with the rhyming janitor, and a elevator ride to the second floor. Where you may run into little Johnny Rotten former student of the school. You’ll be lead to different “classrooms” including shop class, Chemistry (my favorite, You may get to experience the Ghost in a Bottle), the nurse’s office, cafeteria, the principal’s office, even a trip to the schools beauty shop and the boiler room.

There’s more because a Halloween Maze. Talk about getting lose, many twists and turns and multiple ways to escape and maze. This is just pure fun, and a little less scary for the younger ones. Like I said it FUN. Its price is only $5 for admission. Both the “Haunted School of Terror” & The Halloween Maze. What a value! For more details concerning Krazy ’bout Sportz call 304.914.3248 or click on there website here.

Cover of Boo! (Halloween Glow Books)

Our first trip to Wells Township Haunted House in Brilliant, Ohio. Which was a surprising terror afflicting joyride. Voted #1 Haunted Attraction in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

The unforgettable characters such as Wolfie, Sinister Clown, Ghost Cowboy, and Baseball Player to name a few. Don’t miss the other characters like the “Old Man” it took me a while to realize that he was an actor. Personally I am very happy to see Wolfie. He is a favorite from many haunts ago.

Outside local bands playing nightly, check the web site for schedule. With barrel fires lining the grounds and ghouls roaming throughout the crowd. Usually, the festivities start off with a bang. No Really !! A Hugh “Fireball”.

Walking into the haunted house you’re greeted with non-stop action as you are lead by a guide though rooms like, the Egyptian, Twenty Foot Vortex, Torture Table, Morgue, Bedroom where the tooth fairy lurks, and The Slide to Hell.

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes ? October 20 is your chance. The Lights On Tour Geared for that and younger children.

Defiantly a must-see Haunted House! Add barrel fires, concessions, gift shop, music from live bands it has it all, and Don’t Forget The FIREBALL.

See Wells Township Haunted House Web Site for more details.

Could it be that one reason many of these people were accused of this was lack of understanding? People who suffered from epilepsy were belived by many to be possessed by the devil, simply because of how they appeared whilst fitting. And then branded witches due to their fits being seen as demon possession. This is so sad that people who were seen as different or had special needs were seen as evil and killed because of being different.

Really makes you think how awfull it must of been in those days, to be killed for being something that simply does not exsist! and people actually believed that these people cou

The celtic new year was then celebrated on november the 1st, with October the 31st being new years eve.They believed the worlds between the living and the dead were close on Oct 31st and that ghosts wandered the earth. It was also believed the presence of ghosts on this night made it easy for celtic priests to predict the future.

In the 19th century the Irish immigrants fleeing to America had started the Halloween celebrations that we see nowadays.The Americans took the whole thing further, with the dressing up in costumes and going from door to door asking for money or food. This being the trick or treat we now do on Halloween. Starting in the late 1800`s this was starting to become the Holliday in the states that it is today. Making it more about family fun and parties than the religious event it was in the 12th century. By the 1930`s it was a national holliday with town parades a regular sight.

Did you know that the pumpkin Jack O lantern started with the inside of large turnips being cut out and candles placed inside, to scare away the witches. The Irish also used potatoes, but Irish immigrants arriving to the states found the pumpkins there to be better suited due to their size. And with this the pumpkin was used ever since!

The broomstick holds its relevance from the witches sabbath, with the belief that the higher you jumped the higher your crops grew. so women used broomsticks as support to help them leap higher.During this ritual usally held in muddy fields women also used broomsticks to leap over muddy puddles. This was a sight for people passing by , giving the apperance these women were trying to fly on their broomsticks. And that is why they are associated with Halloween today, as the ritual was held around this time.

All this a far cry from todays Halloween fun, but it is good to know how and why it all started as you are watching your scary movies this Halloween!

All time favorite, returning this year. Thorn, starts out as the most terrifying creature then becomes the most beloved ghoul of all the children. From beheading Michael Myers to hanging babies, the depth of his character is creepy.

While waiting in line we meet Matilda & Mr. Jingles a ghoulish pair of clown out for a stroll with their baby/pet. Working the crowd into a crazed panic seems to be there delight.

The Clown Posse at Goucher Hotel are back to their normal demented circus antics throughout the maze.

You will also meet Busters dead ex-wife who is, well…..air-head bimbo type. After a little while you why she was murdered. Beware ladies she’ll steal your man and keep him eternally.

The combination of comedy and horror is a refreshing change. This is what makes this one of the best haunts in the Ohio Valley. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit WTOV TV9 and Toronto Kiwanis Coats For Kids Campaign, assuring that Toronto children receive warm winter coats.

For more information seeThe Goucher Hotel web site.

Hundred Acres Manor by far one of my favorite haunts. Which I’m very happy that we started out our season with them this year. With hordes of volunteers and a positive, creepy personality it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most beloved haunted houses in the Tri-State. The trip to South Park, Pennsylvania is a great adventure on this rainy night. Before reaching the line for tickets we met Joe-Joe the Ballerina, who really gets into character, and the Ghoulish Goth Chick. From the beginning to end you have to wonder what these creepy people are going to do next.

Staring the tour is my sisters’ personal favorite, the excitement of getting in, the first scare, and the Ghost Bust giving you some back story. Going through this house is always different each time you do it. You’ll find something new that you missed.

Some favorites like the cavern tour and the vortex maze have returned. New creepier ghouls like the Cave Monster that looks like part of the wall and the Dragon Creature are surprising. 

As usual the in-house make-up and costumes are fantastic. The attention to the smallest bloody detail is always a delight to see. We are talking professional caliber costumes and make-up.

This year we had a chance to speak with Ethan Turon Operations Manager of Hundred Acres Manor. When asked about the new ideas and when the new sets are starting to be built. Ethan’s answer was as soon as the season ends we start breaking down the old and begin the new. In fact our favorite quote from Ethan is “We’re freezing in the winter, the paint is freezing before it can dry, covered in mud during the spring from the rain. Sweating to death all summer, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.” That sums up the dedication, and the commitment. That makes this world class attraction in western Pennsylvania.

Remember it has five attraction in one location. Massacre Mansion, South Valley Hospital, The Family, Fearscapes Factory, and the Insanity Maze. While on your action packed tour be sure you don’t miss the new Clown House, and the Cave Monster.

Check the Hundred Acres Manor Web site for Directions, Special Events, and other Haunted Happenings.

http://www.themarysue.com/800-year-old-witches/

The image above if of eight century old remains believed by archaeologists to be those of a Middle Ages witch, because seven nails had been driven through her jaw bone when interred, the grim discovery made during a supposed witches graveyard dig.

The skeleton of another woman at the site was encircled by seventeen dice, extremely odd as this was not a game women allowed to play in that period. The archaeologists involved think that these 25 to 30 year old women having been were buried in simple shallow graves without coffins or shrouds is significant.

Archaeologist Alfonso Forgione convinced that they are of suspected witches due to the strangeness of the burials.These gruesome human remnants remains were unearthed near by the sea-shore in Italy’s Tuscany region, at Piombino near Lucca,

http://www.themarysue.com/800-year-old-witches/

Those nails driven through the jaw, and the other nails hammered around the body to pin the clothes down indicate, Forgione feels, an attempt to ensure the dead woman would not return from the dead. In those far-off days, those burying her were undoubtedly convinced of her being in possession of evil powers.That second skeleton, surrounded by the seventeen – an unlucky number in Italy – dice was buried in similar fashion, as if exorcism rituals of some sort had been performed when the women were interred, though the unexplained conundrum is that of the burial site being consecrated ground, an 800 year old church on the site.

http://www.themarysue.com/800-year-old-witches/

It is quite possible that the two women were of influential families rather than peasants, their class and connections enabling the consecrated Christian ground burials. It is only two years ago that, close to Venice, the skull of a Medieval woman was found with a stone driven through the mouth. Archaeology experts maintain that such treatment was the traditional method employed for dealing with vampires and stopping them rising from the dead, as opposed to the east European stake through the heart, so there obviously was, in those dark days of history, a very real fear of the supernatural.

http://www.themarysue.com/800-year-old-witches/