Halloween

Smoky Quartz to Sage – herbs & crystals for autumn

Smoky Quartz

If you would like to enhance your intuition and inner-guidance during the magical month of October and beyond, then, we have three herbs and three crystals for you to consider.

Smoky Quartz

Many people turn to Smoky Quartz as the seasons change, or indeed as the season of life changes. Its earthy colours, certainly lend itself well to the autumn season. If the return to school, Halloween and the run up to Christmas season sends you into a tail-spin, then work with Smoky Quarts to feel grounded and calm and ready to release any fears and negativity.

(more…)

Halloween History

Halloween

Halloween is an unusual celebration. While it is not technically patriotic or historical, it is celebrated internationally. It weaves spirituality, death and religious beliefs into our present and historical imaginations.

Many believe that Halloween is a “pagan” or pre-European-Christian holiday with roots in Celtic traditions. Perhaps Halloween is a descendent of the Celtic Samhain festival? On the 1st of November, two significant events were observed: the Celtic New Year and the day when departed souls were believed to return to Earth. In 731 A.D., this date was officially designated as All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows Day). October 31st therefore became All Hallows Eve, in time shortened to “Halloween.”

(more…)

Magic

MagicHalloween seems like the perfect time to discuss magic, as the season conjures up all things sorcery.

Magic is for many a combination of science and art; the science part is in researching witchcraft and following a specific spell and method, and the art comes in the form of your insights, intuition and creative abilities! Both elements are needed in order to alter the natural forces to bring about your will and produce a new outcome.

Black Magic – White Magic

No doubt you will have heard the terms ‘Black Magic’ and ‘White Magic’. Magic that is used with the purpose of causing someone harm or being used to manipulate and circumvent free will is black magic, and white magic is where you wish to bring about a positive outcome.

But of course, things are not that simple, and life is not black and white. For example, if a person wished another to fall in love with them, then the desired outcome is a positive one, but it could not be achieved without influencing the will of the object of desire!

So, for some people the term black magic will be reserved for spells that draw on evil forces. (more…)

Halloween – Movie

Halloween Movie FranchiseFilm franchises, perhaps especially horror franchises are not necessarily known for their quality, often they just become a commercial enterprise, full of a lot of cliché’s and in the case of slasher movies, just a fresh approach on characters to kill off!

But the latest ‘Halloween’ film, is trying to sidestep that issue, by becoming a direct sequel to the original John Carpenter film of 1978. In doing so they are not chained by continuity issues of the franchise series of films that came after. This has given them the leeway to create a narrative that actually has a story, with an underlying theme of looking at the consequences that are far-reaching and long-lasting for the victims of trauma and violence.

Whilst a serious theme is addressed, don’t be mistaken for thinking that this horror movie moves away from its ‘slasher’ origins, because it doesn’t. There is plenty of violence and scenes of gore, but at the same time there is much humour, and a clever nod here and there to the previous films. (more…)

Have a Spiritual Halloween

HalloweenI often think of Halloween as being a ‘festival’ that is highly celebrated in America, but according to statistics the UK spent in excess of £300 million in 2016 on things related to celebrating Halloween.

Perhaps it is not surprising as supermarkets and shops embrace the holiday and find new ways to entice us into buying fancy dress costumes and trick or treat chocolates and so on. No sooner have ‘back to school’ items been put away then the isles will be filled with a sea of witches’ hats, and all things black, orange and purple!

Of course if you have children you may need to embark on a few of these more commercial adventures, but perhaps you could also look at new and more spiritual ways to ring in All Hallow’s Eve, as many of the day’s origins are far more sacred in nature. (more…)

Halloween Quiz – Answers

Halloween Carved Pumpkin

Having written about Halloween for many years, I was wracking my brain for a different take on things for this October. When it came to me! I should test how much you remember from my previous articles + what else you might know, so a Halloween quiz was born. If you missed the Questions post, then visit here first – and only come back to the Answers when you have tried your best!

Answers

A1. All Hallows Eve; All Hallows’ Day, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Samhain, Hallowe’en & Days of the Dead.

A2. Turnips originally, now pumpkins.

A3. Souling.

A4. It would mean that your house was haunted and that ghosts had let in the bats.

A5. Because it would mean the spirit of a deceased love one was watching over you.

A6. The Crone (also known as the Earth Mother).

A7. They believed that after death, all souls would enter the cauldron and stirring would bring about reincarnation.

A8. Festival of Pamonia – Pamona being the Goddess of nature – fruit and trees.

A9. Black, navy or deep purple – all used for letting go of fear. Orange for joy and immortality.

A10. Cypress, ferns, nutmeg, sage, dittany and pine.

A11. Bobbing for apples.

A12. Saturday – October 31 – 2020.

A13. So that when evil spirits came, they would not recognise you.

A14. Samhainopobia.

A15. River Phoenix & Harry Houdini.

Halloween Quiz – Questions

Halloween Skyline

Having written about Halloween for many years, I was wracking my brain for a different take on things for this October. When it came to me! I should test how much you remember from my previous articles + what else you might know, so a Halloween quiz was born.
It’s just for fun – but no peeking and no checking Google, until you are finished!

Questions

Q1. Around the globe and within different faiths there are alternative names/dates for Halloween – name 3.

Q2. What were Jack ‘O’ Lanterns originally carved from? And what are they carved in now?

Q3. In England and Ireland a form of trick or treating began many years ago where children would go from door to door singing and saying prayers for the dead in return for cakes. What was this activity called?

Q4. If a bat flew in to your house on Halloween – what would that mean?

Q5. Many of us dislike spiders, but why might we want to see one on Halloween?

Q6. The symbol of a witch during Halloween is actually depicting which Pagan Goddess?

Q7. What does the ‘witches cauldron’ mean to The Celts?

Q8. What Roman festival are candy apples associated with?

Q9. What colour candles should you use as part of your Halloween celebrations?

Q10. What herbs/incense would you choose for Halloween rituals?

Q11. What Halloween game is associated with finding out who will marry next?

Q12. A full moon on Halloween does not occur very often – when will the next one be?

Q13. Why did dressing up on Halloween first start?

Q14. The fear of Halloween actually has an official name, what is it?

Q15. A famous American actor and a famous magician died on different Halloween’s – can you name them?

Answers in the next post…

Days and Nights of the Dead

Halloween

As the clocks go back and the nights draw in; remembrance of the dead feature in many celebrations across the world. From Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night in North America and England, to Dias de Los Muertos in Mexico and Cheung Yeung in China.

The idea of honouring the dead has ancient roots, the Celts believed that Samhain – which is a fire festival marking the end of the harvest, was when the boundaries between the worlds are at their weakest and the dead spirits could return to earth.

Christians celebrate All Hallow’s day sometimes known as All Saints Day or All Soul’s Day where every soul that has not achieved sainthood is prayed for and remembered.  (more…)

Premium Rate 0906 111 3030

Calls Cost £1.50 per minute plus your phone company's access charge. Calls are recorded and for entertainment, 18+ only.Readings paid for via your phone bill are restricted to 26 minutes each call. Customer Care Line: 0113 732 0620. View full terms & conditions.

US & Canada Toll-Free 1-800 765 192

The service is only for credit card readings. Calls cost £32.95 for the first 20 minutes, £1.50 per minute thereafter – tax included. Charged in sterling (GBP). Maximum 90 minutes. View full terms & conditions.

International +44 113 732 062

The service is only for credit card readings. Calls cost £32.95 for the first 20 minutes, £1.50 per minute thereafter – tax included. Charged in sterling (GBP). Maximum 90 minutes. View full terms & conditions.