Bubble bubble toils and troubles The fire burns and cauldron bubbles..

Issue-Oct 2012

The Gray Witchs Corner is a Newsletter brought to you from Cauldron of The Gray Witch. We are an eclectic living Cauldron, made up of Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans from various paths The Gray Witchs Corner is our Sabbat Newsletter. Formerly just CGW Newsletter. There are eight Sabbats so there will be eight newsletters a year. It is in Samhain we have decided to rebirth our Newsletter and also rename it a bit as well. Focus will be on the Sabbats, Magick, and whats going on in the Cauldron, as well as columns from various members.

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Path of the Druids Path of the Druids

Michigan Wiccans & Pagans 2 membersLatest Activity: 12 hours ago A place for Michigan Wiccans and Pagans to gather and Friends

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Events for Oct

Samhain Competition Member Page decorations Meditation with Rev Garnett Jewell Oct 5th For more info See events Also Samhain Ritual Coven of the Black Rose In Chat
http://thegraywitch.ning.com/events/event/listUpcoming Events are also in subtab of My Realm too.

We here are CGW Witches Council, not affiliated with the 13 Council of Witches, Nor are we a High Council of Witches .

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Lady Hekate Founder- Head Admin of CGW Admins also on various sites, theme creator, HPS Alayna Creator- Broomriders Carol- Admins on various sites DeltaWolves Co Owner with Sunkat of In the Dark Rev Garnett Jewell Moderator- group admin Mystikal Mileta Creator owner of Witchy Wisdom Persephone Creator-Owner of Pagan Underworld Valerie Owner of Eclectic Friends- Admins many sites StarDust Creator owner of Magic Happens- Theme creator designer. SunKat Founder- co owner of In The Dark with DeltaWolves

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Northern Hemisphere Yule - Dec 21st/22nd Imbolc - Feb 2nd Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd Beltane - April 30th/May 1st Lithia - June 21st/22nd Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd Samhain - Oct 31st Southern Hemisphere Yule - June 21st Imbolc - August 1st Ostara - September 21st/22nd Beltane - Oct 31st/Nov 1st Lithia - Dec 21st/22nd Lammas - Feb 1st/2nd Mabon - March 21st Samhain - April 30th/May 1s

The Gray Witchs Corner Team

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Lady Hekate Valarie Arizona Flame Gypsy Tears Lady Tegwedd Shadow Dancer Mystikal Mileta

Editor The Wiccan Corner, & Cackling of Witches The Crafty Corner, and Reciepes The Crones Corner Poetry/

I. Origins and History

Samhain is known by most today as Halloween, but for many Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans it's considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us. Despite Hollywood, and the Churches attempts to demonize the Sabbat, it has grown in popularity, and also the real truth of the Sabbat is becoming more widely known, although there is still much more of a way to go. Samhain-(pronounced Sow-en), dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

Samhain became the Halloween we are familiar with when Christian missionaries attempted to change the religious practices of the Celtic people. In the early centuries of the first millennium A.D., before missionaries such as St. Patrick and St. Columcille converted them to Christianity, the Celts practiced an elaborate religion through their priestly caste, the Druids, who were priests, poets, scientists and scholars all at once. As religious leaders, ritual specialists, and bearers of learning, the Druids were not unlike the very missionaries and monks who were to Christianize their people and brand them evil devil worshippers.

As a result of their efforts to wipe out "pagan" holidays, such as Samhain, the Christians succeeded in effecting major transformations in it. In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples' customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshipped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.

In terms of spreading Christianity, this was a brilliant concept and it became a basic approach used in Catholic missionary work. Church holy days were purposely set to coincide with native holy days. Christmas, for instance, was assigned the arbitrary date of December 25th because it corresponded with the mid-winter celebration of many peoples. Likewise, St. John's Day was set on the summer solstice.

Samhain, with its emphasis on the supernatural, was decidedly pagan. While missionaries identified their holy days with those observed by the Celts, they branded the earlier religion's supernatural deities as evil, and associated them with the devil. As representatives of the rival religion, Druids were considered evil worshippers of devilish or demonic gods and spirits. The Celtic underworld inevitably became identified with the Christian Hell.

The effects of this policy were to diminish but not totally eradicate the beliefs in the traditional gods. Celtic belief in supernatural creatures

persisted, while the church made deliberate attempts to define them as being not merely dangerous, but malicious. Followers of the old religion went into hiding and were branded as witches.

The Christian feast of All Saints was assigned to November 1st. The day honored every Christian saint, especially those that did not otherwise have a special day devoted to them. This feast day was meant to substitute for Samhain, to draw the devotion of the Celtic peoples, and, finally, to replace it forever. That did not happen, but the traditional Celtic deities diminished in status, becoming fairies or leprechauns of more recent traditions.

The old beliefs associated with Samhain never died out entirely. The powerful symbolism of the traveling dead was too strong, and perhaps too basic to the human psyche, to be satisfied with the new, more abstract Catholic feast honoring saints. Recognizing that something that would subsume the original energy of Samhain was necessary, the church tried again to supplant it with a Christian feast day in the 9th century. This time it established November 2nd as All Souls Day--a day when the living prayed for the souls of all the dead. But, once again, the practice of retaining traditional customs while attempting to redefine them had a sustaining effect: the traditional beliefs and customs lived on, in new guises.

All Saints Day, otherwise known as All Hallows (hallowed means sanctified or holy), continued the ancient Celtic traditions. The evening prior to the day was the time of the most intense activity, both human

and supernatural. People continued to celebrate All Hallows Eve as a time of the wandering dead, but the supernatural beings were now thought to be evil. The folk continued to propitiate those spirits (and their masked impersonators) by setting out gifts of food and drink. Subsequently, All Hallows Eve became Hallow Evening, which became Hallowe'en--an ancient Celtic, pre-Christian New Year's Day in contemporary dress.

Many supernatural creatures became associated with All Hallows. In Ireland fairies were numbered among the legendary creatures who roamed on Halloween. An old folk ballad called "Allison Gross" tells the story of how the fairy queen saved a man from a witch's spell on Halloween.

O Allison Gross, that lives in yon tower the ugliest witch int he North Country... She's turned me into an ugly worm and gard me toddle around a tree... But as it fell out last Hallow even When the seely [fairy] court was riding by, the Queen lighted down on a gowany bank Not far from the tree where I wont to lie... She's change me again to my own proper shape And I no more toddle about the tree.

In old England cakes were made for the wandering souls, and people went "a' soulin'" for these "soul cakes." Halloween, a time of magic, also became a day of divination, with a host of magical beliefs: for instance, if persons hold a mirror on Halloween and walk backwards down the stairs to the basement, the face that appears in the mirror will be their next lover.

Virtually all present Halloween traditions can be traced to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween is a holiday of many mysterious customs, but each one has a history, or at least a story behind it. The wearing of costumes, for instance, and roaming from door to door demanding treats can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and around, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these dreadful creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This practice is called mumming, from which the practice of trick-or-treating evolved. To this day, witches, ghosts, and skeleton figures of the dead are among the favorite disguises. Halloween also retains some features that harken back to the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as the customs of bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices cider associated with the day.

Today Halloween is becoming once again and adult holiday or masquerade, like mardi Gras. Men and women in every disguise imaginable are taking to the streets of big American cities and parading past grinningly carved, candlelit jack o'lanterns, re- enacting customs with a lengthy pedigree. Their masked antics challenge, mock, tease, and

appease the dread forces of the night, of the soul, and of the otherworld that becomes our world on this night of reversible possibilities, inverted roles, and transcendency. In so doing, they are reaffirming death and its place as a part of life in an exhilarating celebration of a holy and magic evening

According to Wikipedia As a a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer.[2] The date of Samhain was associated with the Catholic All Saints' Day (and later All Souls' Day) from at least the 8th century, and both the secular Gaelic and the Catholic liturgical festival have influenced the secular customs now connected with Halloween.[3] The medieval Goidelic festival of Samhain marked the end of the harvest, the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half". It was celebrated over the course of several days and had some elements of a Festival of the Dead. Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. People and their livestock would often walk between two bonfires as a cleansing ritual, and the bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames.[4]

Resources A Reminder of Death. Navarro, Michelle. Oct. 1997. UCLA. 12 Oct. 2002.

<http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/DB/issues/97/10.31/news.halloween. html>

Halloween FAQ. Thomas, Patrick. 4 Nov. 1993. Rutgers University. 12 Oct. 2002. <http://www.cs.rutgers.edu/pub/soc.religion.christian/faq/halloween>

History Channel Exhibits: The History of Halloween. 2002. The History Channel. 12. Oct. 2002. <http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/hallowmas.html>

History of Halloween 29 Feb. 2001. Indiana University. 12 Oct. 2002. <http://www.iun.edu/~preprofn/Histroy%20of%20Halloween.htm>

MSN Learning & Research- Halloween. MSN Encarta. 12. Oct. 2002. <http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761572 079>

The Origin of Halloween Comes Out of the Sky. Chamberlain, Von Del. State University of Utah. 12. Oct. 2002. <http://www.utah.edu/planetarium/CQHalloween.html>

Other Related Links:

Halloween Traditions around the World. Flowers, MaDonna. 28. June. 2011. Halloween Costumes Blog. http://www.halloweencostumes.com/blog/post/2011/06/28/halloweentraditions-around-the-world.aspx Vintage Samhai/Halloween tradions

Because of the long and storied history of Halloween, there are many Vintage Halloween traditions that have been associated with the holiday for many years. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve as was called long ago, has a very special history all its own. The many vintage Halloween customs set this Halloween apart from many other special occasions. The origins of many vintage Halloween traditions are both very colorful and diverse. What we know as modern day Halloween traditions and festivities are rooted in the Vintage Halloween traditions from the original All Hallows Eve celebrations from centuries long ago. All Hallows Eve actually evolved from an even older tradition. The pagan festivial, Samhain, was celebrated by ancient Celtic people for many years

before it evolved into All Hallows Eve. When Celtic immigrants began entering North America in large numbers during the 19th Century, they brought the

tradition of Samhain with them, thus laying the groundwork for many of the vintage Halloween customs that are still with us today. Samhain traditions included dressing up in animal costumes and going door to door in search of a feast. This of course, is the vintage Halloween precursor to what we now call trick-or-treating. With time, the Samhain celebration evolved into what we know of as All Hallows Eve during the19th century. The origin of the name All Hallows Eve refers to the timing of Halloween, which is the day before All Hallows Day, now commonly referred to as All Saints Day. All saints day is religious holy day, set aside to honor the saints. All Hallows Eve is now referred to as All Souls day, Which is a day set aside to honor the souls of the departed. The supernatural aspects of Halloween are strongly rooted in vintage Halloween customs and traditions. The association of ghosts and other supernatural elements with Halloween are rooted in the vintage

Halloween beliefs that stem from beliefs about what happens in the supernatural world on the day set aside to honor those who have passed into the next life. Many people believed that All Hallows Eve was the

one night when ghosts come in contact with the world of the living. In light of this belief, a ghost costume may just be the best selection to honor vintage Halloween traditions in the modern world. As time went by, All Hallows Eve evolved into what we now know as Halloween. During the evolution of Halloween from its ancient beginnings to modern day Halloween, the celebration was actually known by several other names. Vintage Halloween names include Halloween, which is a contraction of All-hallow-even, which represents, of course All Hallows Eve. Of course, today, the celebration is referred to simply as Halloween. The next time you are enjoying a Halloween party, haunted house, or candy obtained through trick-or-treating, remind yourself that in continuing to observe the traditions of Halloween in the modern world, you are also paying tribute to vintage Halloween celebrations of centuries past. While you dont have to know the history of Halloween to enjoy the many fun and

exciting events associated with modern day Halloween celebrations, it is very interesting to look at the long and storied origins of the vintage Halloween traditions that we still enjoy today.

II. The Wiches Sabbat

Samhain usually celebrated night of October 31, when the sun is in the zodiac sign Scorpio. Samhain isa time of death and rebirth. In many parts of the Northern Hemisphere the land is barren, the last of the crops have been plowed under for compost, and the earth rests in preparation for spring Witches will often work on banishing, releasing, and inner healings, as well as honoring their ancestors and loved ones who have passed. The Veil between worlds is at its thinnest, and therefore; much easier to connect, and commune with the other side, and spirit realm. This is why this is time where it is great for sances, and divination. Other names for this SaOther Names: celtic ~ Summers End, pronounced sow (rhymes with now) en (Ireland), sow-een (Wales) mh in the middle is a w sound Greater Sabbat(High Holiday) Fire Festival Oct 31-Nov 1(North Hemisphere) Apr 30-May 1 The Great Sabbat, Samhiunn, Samana, Samhuin, Sam-fuin, Samonios, Halloween, Hallomas, All Hallows Eve, All Saints/All Souls Day(Catholic), Day of the Dead (Mexican), Witches New Year, Trinoux Samonia, Celtic/ Druid New Year, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scotttish/Celtic) L Samhna (Modern Irish), Festival of the Dead, Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess), Hallowtide (Scottish Gaelis Dictionary), Feast of All Souls, Nos Galen-gae-of Night of the Winter Calends (Welsh), La

Houney or Hollantide Day, Sauin or Souney ( Manx), oidhche na haimilise-the night of mischief or confusion(Ireland), Oidhche Shamna (Scotland)bbat

Correspondences of Samhain Rituals: End of summer, honoring of the dead,scrying, divination, last harvest, meat harvest Incense: Copal, sandalwood, mastic resin, benzoin, sweetgrass, wormwood, mugwort, sage, myrrh or patchouli Tools: Besom, cauldron, tarot, obsidian ball, pendulum, runes, oghams, Ouija boards, black cauldron or bowl filled with black ink or water, or magick mirror Stones/Gems: Black obsidian, jasper, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz, jet, bloodstone Colors: Black, orange, red

Symbols & Decorations: Apples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, colored leaves, crows, death/dying, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, gourds, Indian corn, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon Foods: Apples, apple dishes, cider, meat (traditionally this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts-representing resurrection and rebirth, nuts, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, squash. Goddesses: The Crone, Hecate(Greek), Cerridwen(Welsh-Scottish), Arianrhod(Welsh), Caillech (Irish-Scottish), Baba Yaga (Russian), Al-Ilat(persian), Bast (Egyptian), Persephone (Greek), Hel(Norse), Kali(Hindu), all Death & Otherworld Goddesses Gods: Horned Hunter(European), Cernnunos(Greco-Celtic), Osiris(Egyptian), Hades (Greek), Gwynn ap Nudd

(British), Anubis(Egyptian), Coyote Brother (Native American), Loki (Norse), Dis (Roman), Arawn (Welsh), acrificial/Dying/Aging Gods, Death and Otherworld Gods Herbs and Flowers: Almond, apple leaf , autumn joy sedum, bay leaf, calendula, Cinnamon, Cloves cosmos, garlic, ginger , hazelnut, hemlock cones, mandrake root, marigold, mums, mugwort (to aid in divination), mullein seeds, nettle, passionflower, pine needles, pumpkin seeds, rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors), rue, sage, sunflower petals and seeds, tarragon, wild ginseng, wormwood Animals: Stag, cat, bat, owl, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin Mythical Beings: Pooka, goblin,medusa, beansidhe, harpies Essence: Magick, plenty; knowledge, the night, death & rebirth, success, protection; rest, new beginning; ancestors; lifting of the veil, mundane laws in abeyance, return, change

Dynamics/Meaning: Death & transformation, Wiccan new year,wisdom of the Crone, end of summer, honoring, thinning of the veil between worlds, death of the year, time outside of time, night of the Wild Hunt, begin new projects, end old projects Work: Sex magick, release of bad habits, banishing, fairy magick, divination of any kind, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection , inner work, propitiation, clearing obstacles, uncrossing, inspiration, workings of transition or culmination, manifesting transformation,creative visualization, contacting those who have departed this plane Purpose: Honoring the dead, especially departed ancestors, knowing we will not be forgotten; clear knowledge of our path; guidance, protection, celebrating reincarnation Rituals/Magicks: Foreseeing future, honoring/consulting ancestors, releasing the old, power, understanding death and rebirth,

entering the underworld, divination, dance of the dead, fire calling, past life recall.(this is some.) Customs: Ancestor altar, costumes, divination, carving jack-olanterns, spirit plate, the Feast of the Dead, feasting, paying debts, fairs, drying winter herbs, masks, bonfires, apple games, tricks, washing clothes Now

The Dumb Supper

Feasting with the dead, is one of various ways to honor our ancestors. The word Dumb, means silence in this context as it is tradition to eat in silence, and listen. This meal was given its name because mute people used to be called dumb' and this meal should be prepared and eaten in complete silence. The dumb' supper is a reverent meal, aimed at inviting those who have passed away back to the world of the living for the night. It is a sign of respect to elders and kinsmen who have come before. Now some feel free to talk in respect round the dinner, including the invited guests, however you must do as you feel is right . Now in a coven I was in we did this, and we did in silence and quiet communication, we balanced both. It was very touching and healing for some who recently had lost someone. LH The Dumb Supper Preparation Keep in mind this is just one way.
Article author Sunfell

Preparation: Plan the meal to be served, (potluck is fine) and send out invitations. For the purpose of the post-2001 services especially, gold and/or white tablecloths, napkins, and service would be appropriate. Some more traditional rituals call for black service, but in this case, we are calling Light for the departed. Use your best china, crystal and silver, if you have it. Our astral visitors will appreciate our effort to make a beautiful place for them. The meal should be conducted by candle or lamplight. Make sure that there are plenty of candles in white or gold on the table. The candles should be properly blessed and dressed with a mixture of frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood oils. These are sacred to a whole slew of pantheons, and myrrh, in particular, was used in funeral rituals of many ancient cultures. Be sure not to use too much oil in their preparation- you do not want the fragrance to overshadow the meal. Make sure that there is a special candle to place in the plate of the empty place. The chair of the deceased may be decorated or shrouded in whatever manner best suits the group.

A bell can be added to signal the beginning and ending of the silent part of the ritual. Other items that can be included with the meal can be: slips of paper and writing instruments for writing prayers, wishes, and messages to the deceased; and a small cauldron or other fireproof container for burning them. Scrying equipment may be included for discerning any messages from the deceased, or paper for those who want to jot down any impressions they receive. The room should be cleaned from top to bottom, and all dinnerware should be washed (preferably by hand) before the rite. For this observance in particular, the participants should observe a daylong fast, abstaining from all food, and only drinking water that is properly charged and blessed. They should take time to take a purifying bath or shower before the ceremony, and wear their best (or new) ritual garb or mundane clothing. Photos of the departed may be placed in the seat that will be their place at the table. If this is a rite for those who transitioned on September 11th, a photo of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a picture of an aircraft can serve. For celebrations of individual lives, favorite items, food, or their photo can sit at their place. An offering of a single white rose or lily or favorite flower may be put at their place, or an arrangement of them may be in the ritual

space. Since this is a Silent Supper, music during the rite itself may not be played, but before, and especially afterwards, music loved by the deceased, or music fitting to the group, may be played. Prepare the meal, taking especial care to make sure all the ingredients are fresh, clean, and blessed. Set out the table in such a way that any condiments are within easy reach of the participants. If served buffet style, make sure that the buffet area is included in the sacred space that will be created. When it is time to serve the meal, make sure that all food, beverages, and service items are in their places, and nothing is forgotten. The HP/S or leader of the group may then call all participants to the room to prepare it in a sacred manner- working from East to North, and utilizing the methods of Circle construction familiar to your group. Cast the circle, and charge it with the Light of the Creator/s, the One/s who is/are Compassionate, and who guides the deceased to their new lives. The leader or designate may say a prayer to open the ritual and give any instruction needed, then the bell is rung to begin the silent portion of the meal.

Serve the meal and eat in reverent silence, listening within to discern any messages from the deceased. Jot them down on the paper provided. Also jot down any prayers or messages you may have on another page. When all have eaten and the last fork has been put down, the leader can ring the bell signaling the end of the silent portion of the meal. At this time, a prayer of gratitude may be said, and the messages and impressions may be read and shared with one and all. Before the ritual ends and the circle is broken, the prayers and messages to the deceased may be read and then burned in the cauldron provided. Break the circle, inviting all who came In Spirit to depart in peace and Light, and finish the evening in the usual manner. The rite of the Silent Supper can be a very profound and healing occasion. In this time of loss and uncertainty, it will provide a way to rebalance, communicate, and continue. Blessings Be (Blessings Lady Hekate)

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First Ghost stories

Halloween Ghost Stories

Bloody Mary excerpted from Spooky Pennsylvania
She lived deep in the forest in a tiny cottage and sold herbal remedies for a living. Folks living in the town nearby called her Bloody Mary, and said she was a witch. None dared cross the old crone for fear that their cows would go dry, their food-stores rot away before winter, their children take sick of fever, or any number of terrible things that an angry witch could do to her neighbors. Then the little girls in the village began to disappear, one by one. No one could find out where they had gone. Grief-stricken families searched the woods, the local buildings, and all the houses and barns, but there was no sign of the missing girls. A few brave souls even went to Bloody Mary's home in the woods

to see if the witch had taken the girls, but she denied any knowledge of the disappearances. Still, it was noted that her haggard appearance had changed. She looked younger, more attractive. The neighbors were suspicious, but they could find no proof that the witch had taken their young ones. Then came the night when the daughter of the miller rose from her bed and walked outside, following an enchanted sound no one else could hear. The miller's wife had a toothache and was sitting up in the kitchen treating the tooth with an herbal remedy when her daughter left the house. She screamed for her husband and followed the girl out of the door. The miller came running in his nightshirt. Together, they tried to restrain the girl, but she kept breaking away from them and heading out of town. The desperate cries of the miller and his wife woke the neighbors. They came to assist the frantic couple. Suddenly, a sharp-eyed farmer gave a shout and pointed towards a strange light at the edge of the woods. A few townsmen followed him out into the field and saw Bloody Mary standing beside a large oak tree, holding a magic wand that was pointed towards the miller's house. She was glowing with an unearthly light as she set her evil spell upon the miller's daughter. The townsmen grabbed their guns and their pitchforks and ran toward the witch. When she heard the commotion, Bloody Mary broke off her spell and fled back into the woods. The far-sighted farmer had loaded his gun with silver bullets in case the witch ever came after his daughter. Now he took aim and shot at her. The bullet hit Bloody Mary in the hip and she fell to the ground.

The angry townsmen leapt upon her and carried her back into the field, where they built a huge bonfire and burned her at the stake. As she burned, Bloody Mary screamed a curse at the villagers. If anyone mentioned her name aloud before a mirror, she would send her spirit to revenge herself upon them for her terrible death. When she was dead, the villagers went to the house in the wood and found the unmarked graves of the little girls the evil witch had murdered. She had used their blood to make her young again. From that day to this, anyone foolish enough to chant Bloody Mary's name three times before a darkened mirror will summon the vengeful spirit of the witch. It is said that she will tear their bodies to pieces and rip their souls from their mutilated bodies. The souls of these unfortunate ones will burn in torment as Bloody Mary once was burned, and they will be trapped forever in the mirror.

Bloody Mary Returns: When her evil stepmother kills both her brothers, a young girl must fight for her life using every resource she has at her disposal.

n excerpt from Spooky North Carolina

retold by S.E. Schlosser

Polly was the sweetest, prettiest girl in Goldsboro, yes sir. All the local boys were chasing her, and quite a number of the fellows from the surrounding countryside were too. All the girls were jealous of Polly cause they didnt have no sweethearts to take them to the local dances. They all wanted Polly to choose her man so things could go back to normal. But Polly was picky. None of

the local boys suited her, and neither did the fellows from the back country. Then one day, George Dean came home from university, and Polly was smitten. Polly completely dropped all her other beaus when George came courting, and it wasn't long before George proposed and Polly accepted.

Polly started making preparations for the wedding and shopping for items to fill her new home. George wasnt too interested in all the fripperies and wedding details. He left the womenfolk to get on with it and started spending time down at the pool hall with some of his buddies. And thats where he met Helene, the owners saucy daughter. She had bold black eyes and ruby red lips, and a bad-girl air that fascinated George. He spent more and more time at the pool hall, and less and less time with Polly, who finally noticed in spite of all the hustle and bustle.

Of course, Polly was furious. She immediately confronted George with the story, and he couldnt deny it. Suddenly, George had to toe the

mark. His pool-hall visits were over, and he spent every free hour he wasnt at work by her side. That didnt sit well with George, but his family backed Polly up, so he went along with it.

The day of the wedding dawned clear and bright. The guests filled the sanctuary, and the pastor and the best man waited patiently in the ante-chamber for the arrival of the groom. But George didnt come. Eventually, they went searching for the missing bridegroom, and found out he'd left town with Helene an hour before the wedding. With dread, Pollys mother went to tell her daughter what had happened. Polly, all bright and shining and lovely in her long white dress and soft wedding veil, turned pale when her mother broke the news. Then she stiffened, grabbing her left arm as a sudden pain ripped through it. She was dead from a massive heart attack long before she hit the floor.

A few days later, Polly was buried in the churchyard, still wearing her white wedding dress and veil. The whole town came to the funeral and wept at the passing of such a beautiful young girl. George and Helene, who had spent the week happily honeymooning in the Outer Banks,

arrived home at the very moment that the black-clad crowd exited the churchyard. Their arrival caused a commotion. The minister had to pull Pollys father off George before he killed him. And both George and Helenes family disowned the couple right there in the street in front of everyone. The couple fled town in disgrace.

Time passed, and eventually the scandal was forgotten. Until the day Georges father passed away. It was rumored that he was to be buried in the local churchyard just a few plots away from the girl who had almost become his daughter. Suddenly, the story of Polly's jilting was revived and folks wondered aloud if George would dare attend his father's funeral. But George was too clever for them. He waited at an inn outside of town until it was dark, and then he went to the churchyard to pay his last respects to his father.

As he unburdened himself at his fathers graveside, George heard a sweet female voice calling his name. George. Sweetheart. George looked up in sudden hope. Was that his mother, come to forgive him? Then he saw, rising up from a grassy mound under

a spreading oak tree, a figure in a long white gown and a soft veil. Her eyes and her lips were yellow flames beneath the veil, and the rotted wedding dress glowed with a whiteyellow light. It was Polly.

Georges body stiffened, shudders of fear coursing up and down his arms and legs. He put a shaking hand to his mouth and staggered backward, the other hand outstretched out ward off the specter floating toward him. The spectral bride cackled with angry laughter and swooped forward until its hand closed over Georges outstretched one in a terrible parody of a handshake. The grip of the spectral bride was so cold it burned the skin, and so hard that the bones crunched as it squeezed. Come along into the church, George, the glowing bride whispered. Through the veil, George could see maggots crawling in and out of Pollys flaming eye sockets.

Nooo! Polly, no! George screamed in terror, but he could not wrench his hand free. The ghost dragged him step by halting step toward the front door of the church. His hand was a red-hot agony of pain, though the rest of his body was shaking with cold.

No! George gave a final cry of despair and wrenched again at his hand. And suddenly, he was free. The spectral bride gave a roar of rage as George ran pell-mell down the church lane and out into the street.

Youre mine, George Dean! If not in this world, than in the next, the spectral bride howled after him.

By the time George reached his room, the fiery pain in his hand and arm was seeping through his entire body. He rang desperately for the house maid and begged her to send for a doctor. Then he fell into bed and stared at his hand, which was black and withered, as if it had been scorched long ago by a fire. Black and red streaks were climbing up his arm so fast he could almost see them move.

George was unconscious when the doctor arrived, and the swelling was already extending into his chest and neck. There was nothing the physician could do. The injury was too severe and had spread too far. Within two days, George was dead. Polly had gotten her man at last.

You can read more ghost stories in Spooky North Carolina, by S.E. Schlosser.

____________

Llewellyn's 2013 Witches' Spell-A-Day Almanac

Make every day magical with a spell from Llewellyns Witches Spell-A-Day Almanac. Spellcasters of all levels can enhance their daily life with these easy bewitchments, recipes, rituals, and meditations.

Time to decorate
From Mystikal Mileta

HALLOWEEN IS IN THE AIR, TIME TO DECORATE MY WITCHES LAIR. WITCHES AND BLACK CATS ARE WHAT I'LL DO, EVEN WITH A SPIDER OR TWO. OUIJA BOARD, CRYSTAL BALL AND TAROT DECK ON THE MANTLE, EVEN MY OLD CANDELABRA AND GLITTER CANDLES. THE ADDED TOUCH OF SEASON FLAVORS, GOODIES FOR MY FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS. CARVING PUMPKINS WILL COME NEXT, A FEW FOR THE STEPS AND MY BACK DECK.

A SPROUT IN THE GARDEN

Arizona Flame

I am a sprout in the Witches Garden, just yae high. In the beginning, and I suppose tis true with most of you, I was on FIRE! I was, and still am, so happy I finally found a religion exactly my size! Whoopee! It was like it was custom made just for me. I couldn't read enough, join enough groups, chat, write, meditate, study, etc...ect... The list goes on and on and again, I suppose was true with most of you. However now, after several months of spiritual bliss, I find myself stagnate. It is as I am the only piece of meat in the mosquito pool. I have run myself into a wall. I believe, it is my fault and I think I know what I am guilty of. In all of my bliss, messiment and studies I was fooling myself. I knew this all along, I avoided it. I don't know why. So now I am unhappy, and I even feel the foot of my endearing Goddess kicking me swiftly in the ass. In my studies, I stayed focused on the things that either excited, amused or humored me. Or I stayed focused on things I could relate too. Like my natural physic abilities which I kept tucked away in a musty trunk in the basement along with my srcying mirror and many things my grandmother taught me in secret. BUT I ended up avoiding the things that sort of upset, confused or scared me. Not scare me as in BOO! But scare me as in, I don't know what to do??? I have a few disabilities plaguing me at the moment. Some may go away, others are here to stay. The one that bothers me the most is my cognitive thinking and memory skills. Some of this will correct itself, but some will stay. The Doctor is unable to see in his crystal ball how much is permanent and how much will return to my naturally goofy self. My handwriting skills are effected-permanently. Staying organized is a challenge which is nearly impossible. I try to write notes to remind myself of something, but I forget to write the note. Well, I am trying not to stray too far in this article. I mention my issues above, because I figure I am not the only one with similar issues, or maybe something else hinders or concerns you. I worry about doing a ritual or casting a spell. I am unsteady on my feet,

what if I stumble while casting a circle? I am confident I could learn to write a spell properly, but how strong will it be if I am unable to handwrite it? To make up for my faults, I am trying to come up with ideas that may be satisfactory. For instance, after typing up a spell, I could draw a picture of some sort, I never could draw but I will call it an abstract! Lol I also drew up my own Spell Sheets. It is sort of like a recipe card, designed for spells. There is a space for the Date, Time, Author of the Spell, What the spell is for, what ritual items are needed....at the bottom I have spaces for the results, dates, and changes...... These worries have me worked up into a snit. I left my religion because I have trouble understanding a loving God who will toss you into a lake a fire for all eternity because you didn't go to church. How can a loving God do such a thing to a good person who has never harmed anyone or anything in his life? OK, veering off the topic, but I think you get my point. I have trouble believing the Gods will turn their backs on me because I am unable to perform a task exactly as it is written. I feel if my love and devotion for my Gods are there and I am making an extra effort to personalize my workings in other ways. I am taking extra measure to pour my energy into my workings and hope my spell or ritual works and/or is accepted. I would think the extra efforts would be acknowledged and accepted by the Gods. I want to know your thoughts? Do any of you have similar worries? Do you think it is needless to worry? Will the Gods be happy because I am making the effort? Maybe I am worried for no reason. Maybe I should just face my fears and STUDY about these issues deeper than I have. I'd like to hear what other sprouts in the garden have to say? What do the beautiful witches who are in full bloom have to say? Now is your chance to sing out. Blessings and Love to you all, my friends Zona- AKA Arizona Flame

A Cackle Of Crazy Witches and me

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz111/Suzanne327_photos/Hellowee...

Foul Language

I was reading over some of the blogs I follow when I came across one entitled "The Hilarity Of Ducks". It was a couple of pictures with brief descriptions which I chuckled pretty good over. It reminded me of one of my own funny duck stories. A little while back (Ok, so it was more than a "little" while back...GEEZ, even my conscience won't let me fib). Now, I shall clear my throat, or crack my knuckles as the case may be, and continue. A long while back, I needed to make a bank deposit for the healthcare center where I was employed. I invited a coworker to come along. I was going to run a

few more errands and thought she might enjoy getting away from the work atmosphere for a bit. Once we completed the errands, we decided to go to a McDonald's drive-thru for lunch. The line was long, as it was lunch hour and evidently everyone had the same idea in mind. However, I can honestly attest to the fact that nobody had the great time we did in that long line. I will pause the story just long enough to describe my surroundings: STOP This McDonald's is only a traffic light, a barn and a pine tree away from my work. (Ah, come-on guys. Give me a break. The ladies understand perfectly). However, for the men who can not understand directions, the McDonald's was..very close to my work. (eyeroll). Also very close-by to a duck pond. Thus, it was not uncommon at all to see ducks all over the place. (enter ducks) START The line was long, as it was lunch hour and evidently everyone had the same idea it seemed. However, I can honestly attest to the fact that nobody had the great time we did in that long line. Finally, we were within hearing distance of the speaker. You know, the drive-in speakers. The kind where the person waiting on you always sounds like she has a mouthful of marbles? That kind of speaker. We would be next up to place the order. It was at this moment, I noticed a couple of ducks waddle through the parking lot. They waddled their little duck asses in the McDonald's line. In fact, they line jumped right in front of us. The nervy little duckers. My friend and I begin to watch the ducks. My friend, I'll call her "Blondie" started laughing. She pointed at the ducks and said "Oh my God! Those ducks are playing leap-frog". I looked at Blondie, I looked at the ducks and I looked at Blondie again. I just had to make sure whether or not she was joking. Nobody could be this...eh, blonde could they?

By this time Readers, you have probably figured out what the ducks were actually doing, which is more than what I can say for Blondie. Twenty years later and she is most likely still wondering. We had a little duck porn going on directly in front of us at the McDonald's parking lot. I could not figure out which was funnier-the foul porn or the ditzy Barbie. As if this isn't enough for me to mentally juggle, a third duck had the nerve to waddle his little duck ass through the McDonald's parking lot.

So now, we now have a duck orgy. I got to laughing so hard, I could not give my marble-mouthed order to the marbled-mouthed cashier. Idunno, somehow the crazy leap-frog-duck-fu$% put me over the edge of insanity. I nearly peed my pants with laughter. Somehow, we did get out orders in and made it back to work. Later, I heard on the news that a few ducks were arrested for "screwing around and using foul language" in a McDonald's parking lot. To this day, I have often wondered if they were my fine foul feathered friends. Now wasn't that just ducky? Isn't there a duck story hidden somewhere in each of us? I would love to hear yours! Please check out http://hobbyworkshop.wordpress.com . I am curious to see whether those pictures quack you up. (Sorry, couldn't resist) I will end with a Shakespearian quote to ponder. It seems he wrote with my story in mind: "To fowl or not to foul? That is the question"

Arizona Flame

There is some debate about the origination of Jack-o-lanterns. One line suggests this custom originated from the lighting of candles for the dead to follow as they walked the earth. These candles were placed in hallowed out gourds and put on the ground to light the way. Others suggest the practice originates from a Christianized Irish myth about a man nicknamed Stingy Jack. Stingy Jack and the Devil enter a pub to have a drink. Jack convinces the Devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. But instead of using the coin, Jack slipped it into his pocket and next to a silver cross. The cross prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. But Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year. And if Jack should die during

that year, the Devil would not claim his soul. And the Devil agreed to these terms. Jack again tricked the Devil. This time, the Devil climbed into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the trees bark so that the Devil could not come down. Once again, Jacked struck a bargain with the Devil. He would free the Devil from the tree if he promised not to bother Jack for ten more years. And if Jack died during those years, the Devil would not claim his soul. And the Devil again agreed to these terms. Not long after this, Jack did indeed died. But because of his trickery, God would not allow him into heaven. In keeping his word not to take his soul, the Devil also would not allow Jack into hell. Instead, the Devil sent Jack out into the darkness of the world between worlds with nothing but a burning piece of coal. Jack placed the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth ever since. LH

Answers from a Crone

Our question comes from the Rev. Garnett Jewel who writes: How do I come out of the broom closet? What is the best way to do this? Who do I tell first? How you handle this knotty problem depends a lot upon where you are. Many areas of this country are unenlightened and very intolerant when it comes to people outside of Protestant Christianity. If you live in one of these areas, commonly called the Bible belt, you know what Im talking about. There have been frequent incidents of various kinds of persecution from burning crosses of the lawns, to people losing their livelihoods and their kids, all because it got out that the person being persecuted had let it be known that s/he was a Pagan. Even if youre fortunate enough to live in liberal Colorado or California, you have to take the temperature, as it were, of the specific area you live in. Large urban areas tend to be more liberal and tolerant, because theyre more anonymous than small insular towns. There are those in this country who would like to see the Burning Times return, and they have a lot of money and power behind them. I am speaking here only of the United States of America. If you live in some other country, the advice is the same; analyze the area you live in. I am ashamed to say that the UK, the birthplace of Wicca is ahead of the supposedly progressive USA in recognizing both Wicca and Druidry as official religions, worthy of tolerance and respect. Then you have to consider your personal circle of family and friends. This should start with the people you live with. Is your husband/wife/Significant Other tolerant of other ways of believing or is s/he more the my way is the one true right and only way as Isaac Bonewits used to say, kind of person? Can your children keep a secret or will they blab it all over town? Will your family and friends try to pray away your change in faith? Will your parents attempt an intervention or try to deprogram you? The ones who prate the most about Satan in their churches would be shocked to discover and would probably stringently deny that they are

doing their Satans work in persecuting Pagans, and not the work of the gentle Yeheshua they claim to love so much. Perhaps your family and friends have noticed certain changes in your behavior (lets hope that these are changes for the better), and are pressuring you to tell them the source of these changes. You can demur and say youre just high on Nature, or you can tell them how you never felt quite right about the faith in which you were raised, and have found a faith that more adequately satisfies your spiritual yearnings. There are books you can suggest they read, such as When Someone you Love is Wiccan by Carl McColman. Use your knowledge of the people involved, and your Goddess-given intuition, and you should be fine, whatever you decide to do. CGW if you have a question for our Crone and want it submitted in the article, please contact Lady TegweddShadowDancer*

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Message For Samhain From the Dark Mother

The Veil between worlds is thinnest during this time, It is here we honor and remember those who have passed, It is also time though their life has ended here it begins again Death brings endings and yes painful ones, but Kali reminds us there is new beginning for us as well. Do not hold on any more to that which is dying in your life, it is time to release, let go

Hekate
Queen of Witches

Hekate's Devotion

Blessed be the dark maiden She who was born of the night goddess trinity reigning over the underworld, the celestial heavens and the deep earth hail unto thee guide of the Elysian fields keeper of the keys of all the universe guardian of the crossroads of fate she who bears the blade that cuts the silver cords of life and death Goddess of ancient wisdom, mistress of magick By the serpent who carried the wisdom of the chthonic earth, I pray by the night mare who runs wild with lunatic prophetic visions, I pray Evohe Hekate, mother of witches My goddess, my queen, my beautiful darkness In thy honour, I burn this sacred flame. ~ Shay Morgan, in Bearing Torches: A Devotional Anthology for Hekate,

Hecate/Hekate is an ancient and powerful Goddess that dates back to pre-Hellenic Greece, and quite possibly has ties to the ancient Egyptian frog-headed Goddess Heq and the Neolithic Mother Goddess. In pre-Classical times Hecate ruled over heaven, earth and sea, and was said to preside over childbirth, magick, ritual, prophetic vision, death, the underworld and the secrets of regeneration

Days of Hekate are:

August 13, when She is honored and prayed to in order to not send fearce thunderstorms and ruin and the crops. November 16 is the Night of Hecate which begins at sunset. This is the night of Hekates supper and animals were sacrificed in honor of Her. November 30 is Hekate-Trivia, the day of the Crossroads. The 29th of each month is the Moon of Hekate. Samhain also Her sacred Night.

Hecate (pronounced heh-KAH-tay; alternative spelling Hekate) . A sister in my former coven who was originally from Greece and knows the Language well, shared both ways are correct. It depends where in Greece your from as there are various dialects. Hecate ,originally a Goddess of the wilderness and childbirth. In Ptolemaic Alexandria, she ultimately achieved her connotations as a Goddess of sorcery and her role as the Queen of Ghosts, in which guise she was transmitted to post-Renaissance culture. Today she is often seen as a Queen, Goddess of Witches. Also note Hekate although honored in Her crone aspect during this time, was originally a Maiden Goddess, Earth Mother, and associated over time with the Moon, and Death.Hecate is also associated with Dragons, and is keeper of the keys to the Draconic realm

MYTHOLOGY

Despite popular belief, Hecate was not originally a Greek goddess. The roots of Hecate seem to be in the Carians of Asia Minor. She appears in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and in Hesiods Theogony, where she is promoted strongly as a great goddess. The place of origin of her cult is uncertain, but it is thought that she had popular cult followings in

Thrace. Her most important sanctuary was Lagina, a theocratic city-state in which the goddess was served by eunuchs. Lagina, where the famous temple of Hecate drew great festal assemblies every year, lay close to the originally Macedonian colony of Stratonikea, where she was the citys patroness. In Thrace, she played a role similar to that of lesser-Hermes, namely a governess of liminal points and the wilderness, bearing little resemblance to the night-walking crone she became. Additionally, this led to her role of aiding women in childbirth and the raising of young men.

There was a fane sacred to Hecate as well in the precincts of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, where the eunuch priests officiated. Hesiod records that she was among the offspring of Gaia and Uranus, the Earth and Sky. In Theogony he ascribed to Hecate such wide-ranging and fundamental powers that it is hard to resist seeing such a deity as a figuration of the Great Goddess, though as a good Olympian Hesiod ascribes her powers as the gift of Zeus:

Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured exceedingly by the deathless gods. The son of Cronos did her no wrong nor took anything away of all that was her portion among the former Titan gods: but she holds, as the division was at the first from the beginning, privilege both in earth, and in heaven, and in sea. Her gifts to humans are all-encompassing, Hesiod tells:

Whom she will she greatly aids and advances: she sits by worshipful kings in judgement, and in the assembly whom her will is distinguished among the people. And when men arm themselves for the battle that destroys men, then the goddess is at hand to give victory and grant glory readily to whom she will. Good is she also when men contend at the games, for there too the goddess is with them and profits them: and he who by might and strength gets the victory wins the rich prize easily with joy, and brings glory to his parents. And she is good to stand by horsemen, whom she will: and to those whose business is in the grey discomfortable sea, and who pray to Hecate and the loud-crashing Earth-Shaker, easily the glorious goddess gives great catch, and easily she takes it away as soon as seen, if so she will. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. The droves of kine and wide herds of goats and flocks of fleecy sheep, if she will, she increases from a few, or makes many to be less. Hecate was carefully attended:

For to this day, whenever any one of men on earth offers rich sacrifices and prays for favour according to custom, he calls upon Hecate. Great honour comes full easily to him whose prayers the goddess receives favourably, and she bestows wealth upon him; for the power surely is with her. Hesiod emphasizes that Hecate was an only child, the daughter of Asteria, a star-goddess who was the sister of Leto, the mother of Artemis and Apollo. Grandmother of the three cousins was Phoebe, the ancient Titaness who personified the moon. Hecate was a reappearance of Phoebe, a moon goddess herself, who appeared in the dark of the moon.

His inclusion and praise of Hecate in Theogony is troublesome for scholars in that he seems fulsomely to praise her attributes and responsibilities in the ancient cosmos even though she is both relatively minor and foreign. It is theorized that Hesiods original village had a substantial Hecate following and that his inclusion of her in the Theogony was his own way to boost the home-goddess for unfamiliar hearers.

As her cult spread into areas of Greece it presented a conflict, as Hecates role was already filled by other more prominent deities in the Greek pantheon, above all by Artemis, and by more archaic figures, such as Nemesis.

There are two versions of Hecate that emerge in Greek myth. The lesser role integrates Hecate while not diminishing Artemis. In this version, Hecate is a mortal priestess who is commonly associated with Iphigeneia and scorns and insults Artemis, eventually leading to her suicide. Artemis then adorns the dead body with jewelry and whispers for her spirit to rise and become her Hecate, and act similar to Nemesis as an avenging spirit, but solely for injured women. Such myths where a home deity sponsors or creates a foreign one were widespread in ancient cultures as a way of integrating foreign cults. Additionally, as Hecates cult grew, her figure was added to the later myth of the birth of Zeus as one of the midwives that hid the child, while Cronus consumed the deceiving rock handed to him by Gaia.

The second version helps to explain how Hecate gains the title of the Queen of Ghosts and her role as a goddess of sorcery. Similar to totems

of Hermesherms placed at borders as a ward against danger, images of Hecate, as a liminal goddess, could also serve in such a protective role. It became common to place statues of the goddess at the gates of cities, and eventually domestic doorways. Over time, the association of keeping out evil spirits led to the belief that, if offended, Hecate could also let in evil spirits. Thus, invocations to Hecate arose as the supreme governess of the borders between the normal world and the spirit world.

The transition of the figure of Hekate can be traced in fifth-century Athens. In two fragments of Aeschylus, she appears as a great goddess. In Sophocles and Euripides, she has become the mistress of witchcraft and keres.

Eventually, Hecates power resembled that of sorcery. Medea, who was a priestess of Hecate, used witchcraft in order to handle magic herbs and poisons with skill, and to be able to stay the course of rivers, or check the paths of the stars and the moon.

Implacable Hecate has been called tender-hearted, an euphemism perhaps to emphasize her concern with the disappearance of Persephone, when she addressed Demeter with sweet words at a time when the goddess was distressed. She later became Persephones minister and close companion in the Underworld.

Although she was never truly incorporated among the Olympian deities, the modern understanding of Hecate is derived from the syncretic

Hellenistic culture of Alexandria. In the magical papyri of Ptolemaic Egypt, she is called the she-dog or bitch, and her presence is signified by the barking of dogs. She sustained a large following as a goddess of protection and childbirth. In late imagery she also has two ghostly dogs as servants by her side.

THE EVENING OF SAMHAIN Author Unknown

'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place were Pagans preparing the ritual space. The candles were set in the corners with care, in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual) and had just settled down and were starting our ritual when out on the porch there arose such a chorus that we went to the door, and waiting there for us were children in costumes of various kinds with visions of choc-o-late bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot, but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT), And so, as they flocked from all over the street,

they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn't think twice of delaying our rite, Kids just don't have this much fun every night. For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick of giving a choice: a treat... or a trick! As is proper, the parents were there for the games, Watching the children and calling their names.

"On Vader, On Leia, On Dexter and DeeDee, On Xena, on Buffy, Casper and Tweety! To the block of apartments on the neighboring road; You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,

and as it grew darker, it finally stopped. But as we prepared to return to our rite, One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen. Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist. She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.

No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch, so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch. And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom; I only use that thing for cleaning my room. My magical powers aren't really that neat, but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat.

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones, A candle, a crystal, a few other stones, And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).

She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan) and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed," and started to leave, but she first turned and said

"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite. Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."

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