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Craft class for Beginners every Tuesday night Times USA Central - 7 pm Eastern - 8 pm Western 5 pm Australia (Melbourne) Noon (Sunday) UK -1 am

Herbs with Susun Weed Every 3rd Monday Times Central - 6 pm Eastern - 7 pm Western - 4 pm Mountain Time 5 pm Australia (Melbourne) 11 am UK - Midnight

Topic Night Wednesdays Times USA Central - 7 pm Eastern - 8 pm Western 5 pm Australia (Melbourne) Noon (Sunday) UK -1 am

Mummy Wraps One 16-ounce package bun-size hot dogs (8 hot dogs), each halved crosswise 2 ounces Cheddar, cut into 16 thin slices 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 8 sheets phyllo dough 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted Ketchup, yellow mustard, barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce, for serving and decorating

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut a slit in each hot dog piece and stuff with a slice of cheese. Set aside. Combine the salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl. Working with one sheet of phyllo at a time and keeping the rest covered under a damp towel or paper towels, lay a phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or counter and lightly brush with melted butter. Lightly sprinkle with some of the spice mix and fold in half lengthwise. Brush the top with more melted butter and cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips. Using 2 pieces of stuffed hot dogs per phyllo sheet, wrap half of the strips around each piece of hot dog to create a mummy look. Leave a small section of hot dog exposed towards the top so it looks like the top part of the face peeking out from the phyllo wrappings. Don't worry about frayed edges or tears-- it will add to the mummy look. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining phyllo, melted butter, spice mix and hot dogs. Remelt the butter if it cools down too much while forming the mummies. Bake until the is crisp and golden brown, about 25 minutes. If desired, dot ketchup or mustard eyes on each mummy using a toothpick and serve with extra sauces for dipping.

Divide guests into teams of two. Give each team 10 pieces of candy corn and a shot glass. One team member holds the glass near their belly button while the other team member tries to toss candy corn into the glass. Players should stand about 6 feet away from each other. Each team member tosses 10 pieces of candy to see how many they can get into the glass. The team with the highest number wins, 20 being the highest.

Sweet Scarecrows

Sugar cookies, 2-3 inches in diameter White frosting Colored sugar wafers (pink, brown, yellow) Candy corn Mini chocolate chips Bran cereal (Fiber One or All-Bran works well) Chocolate sprinkles

Frost the top of each cookie. To build each Sweet Scarecrow, cut a colored sugar wafer in half. Add a dollop of frosting to the top edge of the round sugar cookie and stick the wafer half to it to make the top of the hat. Place a whole sugar wafer just below the top of the hat for the brim adding more frosting as glue if necessary. Decorate the hat with more frosting and slices of candy corn or mini chocolate chips. Press pieces of bran cereal hair into frosting around the hat. For the face, press on a candy corn nose, mini chocolate chip eyes, and a chocolate sprinkle stitched mouth

Samhain's History Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. Contrary to what some believe, is not a celebration of a Celtic god of the dead. Instead, it is a Celtic word meaning "summer's end." The Celts believed that summer came to an end on October 31st and the New Year began on November 1st with the start of winter. But the Celts also followed a lunar calendar and their celebrations began at sunset the night before. Many today see Halloween as the pagan holiday. But that's not really accurate. As the pagan holiday of Samhain is on November 1st. But their celebrations did and still do, start at sunset on October 31st, on Samhain Eve. During the day on October 31st, the fires within the home are extinguished. Often families would engage in a good "fall" cleaning to clear out the old and make way for the new. Starting the winter months with fresh and clean household items. At sunset on October 31, clans or local villages begin the formal ceremonies of Samhain by lighting a giant bonfire. The people would gather around the fire to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. It was a method of giving the Gods and Goddesses their share of the previous years herd or crops. In addition these sacred fires were a big part of the cleansing of the old year and a method to prepare for the coming new year. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, and danced around the bonfire. Many of these dances told stories or played out the cycles of life and death or commemorated the cycle of Wheel of Life. These costumes were adorned for three primary reasons. The first was to honor the dead who were allowed to rise from the Otherworld. The Celts believed that souls were set free from the land of the dead during the eve of Samhain. Those that had been trapped in the bodies of animals were released by the Lord of the Dead and sent to their new incarnations. The wearing of these costumes signified the release of these souls into the physical world.

Not all of these souls were honored and respected. Some were also feared as they would return to the physical world and destroy crops, hide livestock or 'haunt' the living who may have done them wrong. The second reason for these traditional costumes was to hide from these malevolent spirits to escape their trickery. The final representation was a method to honor the Celtic Gods and Goddesses of the harvest, fields and flocks. Giving thanks and homage to those deities who assisted the village or clan through the trials and tribulations of the previous year. And to ask for their favor during the coming year and the harsh winter months that were approaching. In addition to celebrations and dance, it was believed that this thin veil between the physical world and the Otherworld provided extra energy for communications between the living and the dead. With these communications, Druid Priests, and Celtic Shamans would attempted to tell the fortunes of individual people through a variety of methods. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. These psychic readings would be conducted with a variety of divination tools. Such as throwing bones, or casting the Celtic Ogham. There is some historical evidence that additional tools of divination were also used. Most of this comes from writings recorded by Roman invaders, but there are stories of reading tea leaves, rocks and twigs, and even simple spiritual communications that today we'd call Channeling. Some historians have suggested that these early people were the first to use tiles made from wood and painted with various images which were the precursor to Tarot Cards. There's no real evidence to support this, but the 'story' of these tiles has lingered for centuries. When the community celebration was over, each family would take a torch or burning ember from the sacred bonfire and return to their own home. The home fires that has been extinguished during the day were re-lit by the flame of the sacred bonfire to help protect the dwelling and it's inhabitants during the coming winter. These fires were kept burning night and day during the next several months. It was believed that if a home lost it's fire, tragedy and troubles would soon follow. With the hearth fires lit, the families would place food and drink outside their doors. This was done to appease the roaming spirits who might play tricks on the family.

The Romans began to conquer the Celtic territories. By A.D. 43 they had succeeded in claiming the majority of the Celtic lands. They ruled for approximately four hundred years combining or influencing many Celtic traditional celebrations with their own. Two Roman holidays were merged with Samhain. 1. Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. 2. Pomona's Day of Honoring, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

Samhain to Halloween With the coming of Christianity in the 800s AD, the early Church in England tried to Christianize the old Celtic festivals. Pope Boniface IV designated the 1st of November as "All Saints Day," honoring saints and martyrs. He also decreed October 31 as "All Hallows Eve", that eventually became Hallow'een. Scholars today widely accept that the Pope was attempting to replace the earlier Celtic pagan festival with a church-sanctioned holiday. As this Christian holiday spread, the name evolved as well. Also called All-hallows Eve or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day). 200 years later, in 1000 AD, the church made November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It is celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls' day, are called Hallowmas. November 1st or May 13th? Some people confuse Samhain being originally celebrated in May with other pagan and early Christian holidays. Samhain comes from the Gaelic word samain. "Sam" - summer and "fuin" - end. It literally means Summer's End. The early Irish and Brythonic cultures believed the year was divided in half. The dark half and the light half. Samhain marked the end of the light half and the beginning of the Celtic new year or the dark half. According to Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia (1979 Vol 12 p 152), The Druids originated the holiday. It was a celebration of Saman Lord of the Dead who was the God of Evil Spirits. There is some debate about this origination as the Druids were not the only, or the first spiritual pagans of Ireland.

Some of the earliest archaeological evidence of the Celts come from their trade routes with the Greeks. Their culture can be followed with great precision from the 5th Century BC through the La Tne culture. From these early records with the Greeks we know of some of their great festivals and in particular one of their biggest Samhain the new years festival. Certainly we can gain information from Julius Caesar who wrote extensively about the Gauls during his invasion campaigns in Ireland during 4th Century BC. Eventually Rome is sacked by the Celts in 3rd Century BC, around 390BC. The Romans in general wrote of their warlike inhabitants and many of their barbaric celebrations. Which included Samhain. In most if not all of these accounts, Samhain is immersed in blood and sacrifice. Often in the earliest of times, those sacrifices were human. One Greek account states these early Celts sacrificed prisoners captured during a battle during their New Years festival of Samhain. In The History and Origins of Druidism by Lewis Spencer writes about the Druids stating they burned their victims in holy fire which had to be consecrated by a Druid priest. The confusion of May to November 1st probably comes from the Christians and pagan Roman festivals. The Roman Empire was a pagan culture. During their reign they held many pagan festivals and celebrations, one being the Feast of the Lemures on May 13th. During this time malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were appeased and festival participants would attempt to gain the favor of the spirits. The feast covered a three day period that honored "all the dead" with food, drink and sacrifice. At the same time Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs. This was celebrated in the west from May 13, 609 to 610. Pope Gregory III (731741) during an oratory in St. Peter's for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world", moved All Saints Day to November 1. This is further confused by the early Irish churches who did not celebrate All Hallows Day in November or May, but rather in early spring on April 20th during the Felire of Oengus and the Martyrology of Talaght. A festival of All Saints was already widely celebrated in the days of Charlemagne in November. But it took a decree at the insistence of Pope Gregory IV to all the bishops, that the celebration be confirmed on November 1st. These early similar celebrations come together around 835AD. The Roman pagan festival is over taken by the early Church, the Irish Church conforms it's celebrations with Rome, and everyone seems to move their day of the dead to coincide with early Irish pagans and their celebration of Samhain on November 1st.

There's no doubt, however, that the Irish festival of Samhain has always been at the end of summer on November 1st, and has been one of the prominent harvest festivals for Celtic pagans from the past and the present. The Evolution Of Halloween "Trick-or-treating" is a modern tradition that probably finds it's roots in the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money. "Dressing up" for Halloween gets it roots from dressing up around the sacred bonfire during the original Celtic festival. Some suggest, this practice originates from England, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world on Halloween. People thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes, so to avoid being recognized people would wear masks after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. In addition, these early English people, would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter or cause harm to their homes. A tradition obviously taken from the ancient Celtic pagans. As European came to America, they brought their varied Halloween traditions with them. Celebration of Halloween in colonial times was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. Primarily because Celtic immigrants settled more in these regions than in the north. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups meshed together a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. In the second half of the nineteenth century, America entered an age of mysticism. What was more often termed spiritualism. Metaphysical groups and clubs began to spring up throughout the Golden Age and the wealthier set of Americans.

At the same time, America was welcoming a new group of immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846. This new cultural influence brought with it a melding of Irish and English traditions, and a new Americans culture was born. People began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that, on Halloween, they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors. In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers, than about ghosts, pranks, and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trickor-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. By the 1990s, Americans have made Halloween one of the largest commercial holidays. Spending an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween costumes, accessories, decorations and pumpkins.

Samhain Traditions To pagans the world over, November 1st, still marks the beginning of the New Year. To Witches and Pagans, Samhain is the Festival of the Dead, and for many, it is the most important Sabbat (Holiday) of the year. Although the Feast of the Dead forms a major part of most Pagan celebrations on this eve, and at Samhain voluntary communications are expected and hoped for. The departed are never harassed, and their presence is never commanded. The spirits of the dead are, however, ritually invited to attend the Sabbat and to be present within the Circle. Orange and Black: The colors of this Sabbat are black and orange. Black to represent the time of darkness after the death of the God (who is represented by fire and the sun) during an earlier sabbat known as Lughnasadh, and the waning of light during the day. Orange represents the awaiting of the dawn during Yule (Dec. 21st to Jan. 1st) when the God is reborn. Jack O'Lanterns: 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 tree's 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. The Irish began to refer to Jack's ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply as "Jack O'Lantern."

The Irish and Scottish people began making lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away the wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets were used. Immigrants from these countries brought the tradition to America where they found the pumpkin, a fruit native to America, that made the perfect jack o'lanterns. Tricks & Treats: Treats also originated from an old custom of leaving cookies and other foods out for those relatives to enjoy as they shared this one night of feasting. The 'trick' portion of "Trick or Treat" was an invention of the Christians. The tricks were supposedly caused by the dead who didn't receive a treat of food left for them when they arrived at your door. The Contraversary of Samhain and Halloween Sad to say there have been many fundamentalists who are inciting ignorance and bigotry into the celebrations of Halloween. No longer is Halloween a religious festival here in the US. It has become commercialized as an event for kids to have fun, play dress up and be scared by ghouls and ghosts. It has become nothing more than a secular holiday. Those who have tried to link Halloween to Samhain are also missing the boat. As Halloween, All Hallows Eve are Christian created holidays devised by the early Churches of Europe as a means to convert pagans to Christianity. The celebrations were indeed taken from pagan practices, but their purposes have long since been corrupted and are no longer pagan in nature. Right down to being practiced on October 31st. Some one asked me if I cared that a nearby town was attempting to change Halloween from October 31st to the last Friday of each October. My response is why should I mind? Halloween is a Christian holiday, do with it what you will.

The modern celebrations of Halloween do not take away or alter the spiritual significance of Samhain for pagan practitioners. Our Sabbat is still intact and still honored with reverence and in the traditional methods practiced by our ancient pagan ancestors. Though we don't make animal sacrifices any longer, there are some who will toss a steak into a bonfire as a symbolic gesture. The main focus of the holiday for pagans is still to honor our loved ones who have passed on and to share in communication with them during this time when the veil between worlds is narrowed. Additional articles of interests: * Pagan Sabbats - High Holy Days * The Celtic Samhain

Additional Reading: In addition to the sources listed below that were used to write this article, you might also check out the following resources: * Natural History periodical - October 1983 p43-44 * Pagan Celtic Britain by Anne Ross * Celtic Mythology by McCane * The Druids and Their Heritage by Ward Rutherford * The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish * Human Sacrifice by Lewis Spencer * The History and Origins of Druidism by Lewis Spencer

Credit- http://www.paganspath.com/magik/samhain-history.htm

For those of you who have children or grand-kids this time of year can be very fun an very dangerous at the same time. I looked this up to help everyone out, it can be hard sometimes remembering to check the wee ones candy when you come home, after all the walking around your most likely sleepy. But Remember no matter what check there candy never let them eat it without checking there is no telling what can be hidden in the chocolate or anything for that matter. Please have a safe Samhain everyone.

Yankee Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips for Children and Adults It's that time again when children enjoy dressing up and roaming the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in search of some of their favorite candy. To keep your little goblins safe, just take a minute and read Yankee Halloween's Safety Tips for Halloween...! Have a great and safe time this Halloween season. Booooo.....!!!

Trick-or-Treaters
* Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. * Use fresh flashlight batteries. Check it BEFORE you leave the house. * Chemical GLOW in the DARK LIGHT STICKS can be used along with flashlights. * Go to the bathroom just before going trick and treating. * Always WALK, do not run. You can slip and fall down... OUCH...!!! * Stay on the Sidewalks. * (If their is no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road. * Walk SINGLE file, facing the traffic. * Obey ALL local traffic signals. * Cross only at corners, with adults. * DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT wear and use rollerblades to go out trick-or-treating. * You can trip on your costume, fall because of uneven sidewalks, and crash into other Halloween trick-or-treaters using the crowded sidewalks. You will have problems with yard decorations and climbing porch stairs. Its very dark outside, and you cannot see or react fast enough to a sudden problem. You will become the problem in an ambulance going to the hospital with broken bones. OUCH and DOUBLE OUCH...!!! * DO NOT assume you have the right of way. * Because one car stops, doesn't mean others will...! * Yankee Halloween Safety TipsTrick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods. * DO NOT cut across strangers yards or driveways. Trip on hoses, rakes...! * Wear a watch you can read in the dark. * Set the watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating. * Make sure your costumes don't drag on the ground. * You could trip and hurt yourself. OUCH Again...!!! * Wear comfortable walking shoes, and they should fit properly. * Make sure your shoe laces are tighted tight. You can trip...!!! * Avoid wearing your mask while walking from house to house. * Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props. * Avoid pointed props such as spears, or wands that endanger other children's eyes. * Wear clothing and costumes with reflective tape or "Glow in the Dark" markings. * A flashing In Sight At Night Safety Strobe Light can also be attached to children AND adult costumes. Proper SAFETY knows no age barrier...! * Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations. * Always use the front door, NEVER go to the back of a house. * Stay away from any animals that you don't know.

* Please don't pet animals you know or don't know you. * Always carry a spare Halloween bag just in case yours breaks. * It would be very upsetting for you to lose all those delicious collected treats. * Always be polite. And don't forget to say "Thank You".

Parents
* Make sure your child eats a good dinner before going out Trick-or-Treating. They need proper energy tonight...!!! * If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material. * Make sure you work into your child's OR adult Halloween costume, reflector strips, a FLASHING safety light or the very popular GLOW LIGHT STICKS to make everyone more visible and much safer at night. SAFETY FIRST tonight of all nights...! * Teach your child how call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone. * Bring your child for a visit to your local police or fire department. * Children should carry several quarters so they can call home. * Let them borrow the FULLY CHARGED family cell phone, with home number ready. * Yankee Halloween Safety Tips Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult. * If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark. * Set their watch alarm if you have time limit for Trick-or-Treating. * DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT allow your children to wear and use rollerblades to go out trickor-treating. * They can trip on the costume, fall because of uneven sidewalks, and crash into other Halloween trick-or-treaters using the crowded sidewalks. They will have problems with yard decorations, and climbing porch stairs. Its very dark outside, and they cannot see or react fast enough to a sudden problem. They will become the problem in an ambulance going to the hospital with broken bones. OUCH and DOUBLE OUCH...!!! * Avoid streets under construction. There are holes and pits. Use common sense. * Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home. * Older children should trick-or-treat in groups. * You should know WHERE they're going and with WHO they are going with. * Although product tampering is rare, tell the children to bring ALL the candy home to be inspected BEFORE consuming anything. * Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks like tampering. * If you child has an ALLERGY, VERY IMPORTANT to look at the ingredients of the treats they bring home. * Limit the amount of treats they consume on Halloween to avoid any sickness.

Homeowners
* Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, garden hoses, dog leashes and low flower pots. These objects can trip the young trick-or-treater. * Be sure the path and stairs to your front door are well illuminated and clear of obstacles. Double check ALL the outside lights...!!! * Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them in a kennel tonight, to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater. OUCH...!!! * Yankee Halloween Safety Tips GLOW LIGHT STICKS or battery powered jack-o-lantern light are preferable to real flame candles. * If you do use candles, place the carved jack-o-lantern well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing. * Make sure that paper or cloth decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle. * NEVER leave any flaming candle unattended. * BE PREPARED. Have a FULLY CHARGED fire extinguisher handy, just in case...! BE PREPARED. * Pass out healthy food alternatives for visiting trick-or-treaters. Include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later. * Non-food treats: PEZ candy dispensers, small note pads, pencils, pens, stickers, erasers, coins.

Halloween Party
* Yankee Halloween Safety Tips Coordinate a neighborhood costume or pumpkin carving party. Have each parent bring a pumpkin, small grab bag present and a small snack such as cookies or brownies. You can set up various games such as: o Bobbing for apples. o Guess who carved the jack-o-lantern. o Guess the number of jellybeans in a canning jar. o Guess who is dressed under the costume. o Halloween Charades Party Game. Lots of party tips and suggestions...!!! * Have a ghost story telling sessions with the lights down low and playing Halloween spooky music in the background...!!! Of course the person telling the story should be wearing a "spirited ghost" costume...! Have a great HALLOWEEN.

Pet and Animal Owners

* Halloween can be a very traumatic and even dangerous time for your pet. * Yankee Halloween Safety TipsDon't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. * Many strangers visiting in strange costumes can be scary for a dog. * Be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart outside when you open the door. * DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT dress the dog or cat in a Halloween costume. * This action puts a lot of STRESS on the animal...!!! * Trick-or-treat candies OF ANY TYPE are not for pets. * Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals. * Consult your veterinarian for further advice. * Please visit the ASPCA's Web site at http://www.aspca.org. * Pranksters have teased, injured, and even stolen pets. * Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.

Yankee Halloween Safety Tips Better Safe than Sorry! Yankee Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Drivers
* Drive and go slow, slow, slow all evening. * NO ONE should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type. * CAUTION: Young trick-or-treaters may dart out in front of you. * Obey ALL traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian. * Adult Halloween parties should have a designated driver. * If you drive a long distance, make arrangements to stay over. * DO NOT follow the example of the CRASHING WITCH...!!! Ouch. Ouch.. OUCH...!!!

To ALL Halloween Trick-or-Treaters and Parents

* Have lots of Halloween fun, take care of yourself, get more candy than your friends (or much as possible) and share with your parents and other members of your family.

CPSC Releases Safety Tips for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Halloween approaches, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents and caregivers that as with trick-or-treaters, Halloween's hazards to children also come in disguise. "This holiday is a favorite for children who love to use their imagination and creativity," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "By using CPSC's safety suggestions, consumers can help ensure that their little Halloween ghosts and goblins will have a bag of goodies to show for their fun and will not be haunted by unnecessary injuries." Halloween-related injuries may involve (1) eye abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or costumes, (2) skin irritations or rashes from decorative face paints or creams, and (3) burns from flammable costumes ignited by open flames from items such as candles andjack-o'lanterns. CPSC is releasing safety suggestions for consumers to ward off injury-demons by making this ghoulish holiday a safe and happy one. * Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering. * Flame Resistant Costumes: When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for the label "Flame Resistant." Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. * Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. * For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.

* Children should carry flashlights to see easily and aid in being seen. * Costumes should be short enough so that children won't trip and fall. * Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. Mother's high heels are not a good idea for safe walking. * Tie hats and scarfs securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes. * If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision. * Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible material. CPSC encourages parents to follow these safety tips to ensure a happy and safe Halloween. Consumers can access CPSC's "Halloween Safety Alert" through the Internet at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/hallow.html. --The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 6382772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

With days left until Samhain ushers in my favorite time of year ,I'm in full preparation mode ! lol My house is crammed with drying herbs hanging in all corners , baskets are overflowing with already prepared spell salts and smudges.My walls are covered in herbal wreaths and there are wands everywhere! Around Samhain, I always fill a large bowl with whole cloves and another with fresh oranges ,as a matter of fact I'll be doing so this week.Without fail, anyone who happens by will pick up an orange and either begin or add to an already started pomander ball.Everyone has seen the citrus pomander balls that hang out during the Yuletide / Christmas season ,heck most of us have made at least one in our life.But I wonder how many of you realised what a powerful spell you are weaving when you hang them. As each orange in my bowl is finished they can be hung by a ribbon or displayed in a bowl ,I do both. If you choose to hang yours choose the color of you ribbon wisly.I use red ribbon not only because it looks great during the season ,the color red symbolizes life's blood and has always been associated with Wiccan Rituals in that sense. Passion, fire, courage, strength, joy, life renewal, energy, health, motivation,and desire are all properties of red.The color orange carries the properties of Strength, Authority, Attraction, Joy, Legal Matters, and Success. While the fruit itself are derived from a mystical fruit called the citron. It was known to the ancient Chinese and in Sumeria became sacred to Enlil, the god over earth and air. Citrons were used in ancient religious ceremonies for their invigorating fragrance. All varieties of oranges( or any citron) provide purifying energy for both body and mind. In some Wiccan rituals, orange juice is drunk instead of wine, and orange peel tea is said to keep one from getting drunk or muddleheaded. Marmalade jam has the same effect. The vitamin C in citrus fruits raises the brains level of norepinephrine, which increases energy while reducing irritability.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of a coastal tree. They are used mostly to attract love and money. However Cloves have tons of magical properties ,that are documented in almost every culture,not to mention their intoxicating spicy taste and smell.Mykhet , Carenfil,and Molucca Spice are a few of the Other names Cloves are known by, Europeans referred to them as the "grains of paradise.For centuries Clove oil has been used to stop toothaches by applying it directly to the cavity .It is very warm and stimulating to the system, and is very useful with people who have cold extremities. Cloves will promote sweating with fevers, colds, and flu. It is often used in remedies for whooping cough. Cloves worn in an amulet will drive away negativity and hostility,it will also stop gossip. It is often carried to stimulate the memory,I put a bowl on my computer desk ,thats where the bulk of my work is done . Clove oil is also worn as an aphrodisiac, and the buds when eaten are said to stir up bodily lusts. It is placed in sachets with mint and rose to chase away melancholy and to help one sleep soundly. Carried, it can also bring comfort to the bereaved and mourning. Directions

Making a Pomander Ball is easy, but can take some time! Simply stick a clove directly into an orange (you can also use lemons or limes.). You may want to use a toothpick or pin to make the first punctures so that the cloves are easier to insert. It seems that everyone has his or her own method when it comes to filling a ball! You don't have to fill the entire ball thoughtry a pattern or design if you feel inspired. I totally cover mine for a couple of reasons ,first they tend to last longer ,secondly they dry a little quicker. Once the ball is completely studded with cloves, roll it in the spice mixture and set it aside for a couple of weeks in a cool dry spot so that it will dry. Once dried, tie a ribbon around the ball for hanging.

To make 2 balls, you will need: 2 oranges (lemons, or lime) Toothpick or pin to ease the cloves into the orange Whole cloves, at least 1/4 cup, depending upon your design. I buy mine in bulk as they tend to be expensive and I use the in everything from dinner to spells. Ribbon 3-4 foot (optional)

Spice mixture (see recipe below)

For the spice mixture: 3 Tbs. ground cinnamon 3 Tbs. ground cloves 3 Tbs. ground nutmeg 3 Tbs. ground ginger 3 Tbs. orris root powder (the dried and ground root of certain iris used as a fixative ****these things last a long ,long time ,but when the day comes that I'm over them and I take them down ,I put the in my basket of cauldron adjuncts to be burnt in my spellcraft. Burnt in this manner, as an incense , cloves attract riches, drive away hostile and negative forces, produce spiritual vibrations, and purify my area.****

Reference tables ...... COLOR RED Aries, Scorpio and Mars. Date & Sabbat Correspondence: Tuesday. Yule (December 21) & Imbolc (February 2) & Litha (June 21) Chakra Association: Base or Root~ Bones, teeth, nails, colon, prostate gland, rectum, blood and blood cells. This chakra color adds power and support to your system. Aura Association: Vitality, ambition, sexual power and leadership. A healthy red aura indicates good health and are often seen in athletes.

COLOR ORANGE
Astrological Correspondence: Sun & Leo & Sagittarius Day Correspondence: Sunday Sabbat Correspondence: Samhain & Beltane Chakra Association: Sacral-Pelvis, kidneys, womb, bladder, blood, lymph, gastric juices, sperm, adrenaline. Orange breaks down barriers and cures depression. Aura Association: Physical vitality, harmony. An orange aura can indicate a need to reduce stress but is also seen around people who are very outgoing. Magickal Properties: Opportunities, happiness, mental alertness, kindness, material gain, removes feelings of abandonment and helps to seal a spell. Orange stimulates the lungs, the respiration and the digestion. Orange increases the activity of the thyroid & also relieves muscle cramps and spasms. Orange increases the amount of mother milk. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life & stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm. Burnt Orange: Opportunity Orange: Material gain, to seal a spell, attraction, healing the body, meditation, higher wisdom, positive energy, fair play

CLOVES
ASTROLOGY: Aquarius GENDER: Masculine PLANETS: Sun or Uranus or Jupiter ELEMENT: Fire Green Herb Magickal Religious Visionary

POWERS
exorcism love money protection

MAGICAL ATTRIBUTES
Cloves correspond with the Star card of the major arcana. Wear in an amulet or charm to dispel negativity and bind those who speak ill of you. Cloves strung on a red thread can be worn as aprotective charm. Money matters, visions, cleansing and purification.

MAGICKAL USEs
Aphrodisiac clairvoyance divination exorcism to keep away negative forces love memory peace of mind protection psychic development and growth psychic protection spell-breaking to stop gossip

History
References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The Name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large Melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was nasalized by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." Shakespeare referred to the "pumpion" in His Merry Wives of Windsor. American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin." The "pumpkin" is referred to In The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella. Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them Into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on The open fire and ate them. The origin of pumpkin pie Occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin Top, removed the seeds, and filled the insides with Milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in Hot ashes.

History of the Jack-o-Lantern

People have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween For centuries. The practice originated from an Irish Myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to The story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a Drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't Want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil To turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy Their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to Keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a Silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing Back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would Not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked The Devil into climbing 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 tree's bark so that the Devil Could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not To bother him for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would Not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and Keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not Allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark Night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack Put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been Roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began To refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their Own versions of Jacks lanterns by carving scary faces Into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows Or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other Wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are Used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack olantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit Native to America, make perfect jack olanterns. Source: The History Channel http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/pumpkin.html Pumpkin Nutrition The bright orange color of pumpkin is a dead giveaway That pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, Beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is one of the plant Carotenoids converted to vitamin A in the body. In the Conversion to vitamin A, beta carotene performs many Important functions in overall health. Current research indicates that a diet rich in foods Containing beta-carotene may reduce the risk of Developing certain types of cancer and offers protect Against heart disease. Beta-carotene offers protection Against other diseases as well as some degenerative Aspects of aging. Pumpkin Nutrition Facts (1 cup cooked, boiled, drained, without salt) Calories 49 Protein 2 grams Carbohydrate 12 grams Dietary Fiber 3 grams Calcium 37 mg Iron 1.4 mg

Magnesium 22 mg Potassium 564 mg Zinc 1 mg Selenium .50 mg Vitamin C 12 mg Niacin 1 mg Folate 21 mcg Vitamin A 2650 IU Vitamin E 3 mg University of Illinois Nutrition Analysis Tool http://www.nat.uiuc.edu/mainnat.html Ever wonder about the caloric and nutritional value of Pumpkin pie? This interesting site will provide Nutritional information on everything from pumpkin Pies and breads to pumpkin seeds and flowers. Pumpkin Nutritional Analysis http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~nutrican/tables/Pumpkin.html A complete pumpkin nutritional breakdown.

Selecting a Pumpkin
The most popular use of pumpkins is for decoration as Jack-o-lanterns. When selecting a pumpkin for cooking, The best selection is a "pie pumpkin" or "sweet Pumpkin." These are smaller than the large Jack-o-lantern pumpkins and the flesh is sweeter and less watery. However, you can substitute the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results.

Look for a pumpkin with 1 to 2 inches of stem left. If the stem is cut down too low the pumpkin will decay quickly or may be decaying at the time of purchase. Avoid pumpkins with blemishes and soft spots. It should be heavy, shape is unimportant. A lopsided pumpkin is not necessarily a bad pumpkin. Figure one pound of raw, untrimmed pumpkin for each cup finished pumpkin puree.

Preparing the Pumpkin

Spread newspaper over your work surface. Start by removing the stem with a sharp knife. If you are planning to roast the pumpkin seeds, smash the pumpkin against a hard surface to break it open. If not, cut in half with a sharp knife. In any case, remove the stem and scoop out the seeds and scrape away all of the stringy mass. A messy job, but it will pay off.

Cooking the Pumpkin

Boiling/Steaming Method: Cut the pumpkin into rather large chunks. Rinse in cold water. Place pieces in a large pot with about a cup of water. The water does not need to cover the pumpkin pieces. Cover the pot and boil for 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, or steam for 10 to 12 minutes. Check for doneness by poking with a fork. Drain the cooked pumpkin in a colander. Reserve the liquid to use as a base for soup. Follow the steps outlined below in Preparing the Puree.

Oven Method: Cut pumpkin in half, scraping away stringy mass and seeds. Rinse under cold water. Place pumpkin, cut side down on a large cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for one hour or until fork tender. Then follow the procedure outlined below in Preparing the Puree.

Preparing the Puree

When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, remove the peel using a small sharp knife and your fingers. Put the peeled pumpkin in a food processor and puree or use a food mill, ricer, strainer or potato masher to form a puree. Pumpkin puree freezes well. To freeze, measure cooled puree into one cup portions, place in ridged freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace or pack into zip closure bags. Label, date and freeze at 0F for up to one year. Use this puree in recipes or substitute in the same amount in any recipe calling for solid pack canned pumpkin. Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Squash and Pumpkin http://ohioline.ag.ohio-state.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5530.html Selection and storage tips from Ohio State University. Pumpkins Arent Just for Jack-O-Lanterns and Pie http://agnews.tamu.edu/stories/CFAM/pie.htm Other uses for pumpkins.

The Four Greater Cold Seeds of the old materia medica were the seeds of the Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), the Gourd (C. maxima), the Melon and the Cucumber. These were bruised and rubbed up with water to form an emulsion, which was much used in catarrhal affections, disorders of the bowels and urinary passages, fever, etc. The seeds of both the Water Melon and the Common or Musk Melon are good vermicides, having much the same constituents as those of the PUMPKIN (sometimes known as the Melon Pumpkin), which have long been a popular worm remedy and in recent years have also been used for tapeworm. Constituents---Pumpkin seeds contain 30 per cent or more of a reddish, fixed oil, traces of a volatile oil, together with proteids, sugar, starch and an acrid resin, to which the anthelmintic properties appear to be due, though recent experiments have failed to isolate any substance of physiological activity, either from the kernels or shells of the seeds. The value of the drug is said to be due to its mechanical effect. The seeds are employed when quite ripe and must not be used if more than a month old. A mixture is made by beating up 2 OZ. of the seeds with as much sugar and milk or water added to make a pint, and this mixture is taken fasting, in three doses, one every two hours, castor oil being taken a few hours after the last dose. An infusion of the seeds, prepared by pouring a pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of seeds, has likewise been used in urinary complaints.

The Pumpkin or Pompion (its older name, of which Pumpkin is a corruption) is a native of the Levant. Many varieties are cultivated in gardens, both for ornament and also for culinary use. It is a useful plant to the American backwoods-farmer, yielding both in the ripe and unripe condition a valuable fodder for his cattle and pigs, being frequently planted at intervals among the maize that constitutes his chief crop. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40-80 lb., but smaller varieties are in more esteem for garden culture. In England, Pumpkins were formerly called English Melons, which was popularly corrupted to Millions. They are used cut up in soups and make excellent pies, either alone or mixed with other fruit, and their pulp is also utilized as a basis by jam manufacturers, as it takes the flavour of any fruit juice mixed with it, and adds bulk without imparting any flavour of its own. The SQUASHES, which have such extensive culinary use in America, are a variety of the Pumpkin (C. melopepo), and another familiar member of the genus, C. evifera, a variety of C. pepo, is the Vegetable Marrow. While small and green the Pumpkin may be eaten like the Marrow. Growing Pumpkins Pumpkin is a warm-season vegetable that can be grown throughout much of the United States. Besides being used as jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween, pumpkins are used to make pumpkin butter, pies, custard, bread, cookies and soup. When to Plant

Pumpkin is a very tender vegetable. The seeds do not germinate in cold soil, and the seedlings are injured by frost. Do not plant until all danger of frost has passed, and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Plant pumpkins for Halloween from late May in northern locations to early July in extremely southern sites. If pumpkins are planted too early, they may soften and rot before Halloween. Spacing and Depth Vining pumpkins require a minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per hill. Plant seeds one inch deep (four or five seeds per hill). Allow 5 to 6 feet between hills, spaced in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. When the young plants are well-established, thin each hill to the best two or three plants. Plant semi-bush varieties one inch deep (four or five seeds per hill) and thin to the best two plants per hill. Allow 4 feet between hills and 8 feet between rows. Plant miniature varieties one inch deep, with two or three seeds every 2 feet in the row. Rows should be 6 to 8 feet apart, with seedlings thinned to the best plant every 2 feet when they have their first true leaves. Plant bush varieties one inch deep (1 or 2 seeds per foot of row) and thin to a single plant every 3 feet. Allow 4 to 6 feet between rows. Care Pumpkin plants should be kept free from weeds by hoeing and shallow cultivation. Irrigate if an extended dry period occurs in early summer. Pumpkins tolerate short periods of hot, dry weather pretty well.

Bees, that are necessary for pollinating squash and pumpkins, may be killed by insecticides. When insecticides are used, they should be applied only in late afternoon or early evening when the blossoms have closed for the day and bees are no longer visiting the blossoms. As new blossoms open each day and bees land only inside the open blossoms, these pollinating insects should be safe from contact with any potentially deadly sprays. Harvesting Pumpkins can be harvested whenever they are a deep, solid color (orange for most varieties) and the rind is hard. If vines remain healthy, harvest in late September or early October, before heavy frosts. If vines die prematurely from disease or other causes, harvest the mature fruit and store them in a moderately warm, dry place until Halloween. Cut pumpkins from the vines carefully, using pruning shears or a sharp knife and leave 3 to 4 inches of stem attached. Snapping the stems from the vines results in many broken or missing "handles." Pumpkins without stems usually do not keep well. Wear gloves when harvesting fruit because many varieties have sharp prickles on their stems. Avoid cutting and bruising the pumpkins when handling them. Fruits that are not fully mature or that have been injured or subjected to heavy frost do not keep. Store in a dry building where the temperature is between 50 and 55F. Common Problems Powdery mildew causes a white, powdery mold growth on the upper surfaces of the leaves. The growth can kill the leaves prematurely and interfere with proper ripening.

Cucumber beetles and squash bugs attack seedlings, vines and both immature and mature fruits. Be alert for an infestation of cucumber beetles and squash bugs, as populations build in late summer, because these insects can damage the mature fruits, marring their appearance and making them less likely to keep properly.

Pumpkin Education Pumpkin Science http://www.monroe2boces.org/programs.cfm?subpage=458&searchfor=pumpkins Use the scientific method to study pumpkins Museums in the Classroom Pumpkin Project http://www.chias.org/www/edu/mitc/wkshp/pumpkin/pumpkin.html Hands-on educational pumpkin activity developed by teachers at a workshop sponsored by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Pump Up the Curriculum With Pumpkins! http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson028.shtml Try pumpkin science, math and writing. Pumpkin Lesson Plans & Thematic Units http://atozteacherstuff.com/themes/pumpkins.shtml Harvest a crop of learning with real pumpkins Pumpkin Homework http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/FT/Pumpkin_letter.html How to measure a pumpkin with kindergartners. Find the Answers at the Pumpkin Farm http://www.niagara.com/infocor/pumpkinfarm/module/quiz.html Questions for a pumpkin farm visit.

Pumpkin Farm Trivia Quiz http://www.thepumpkinfarm.com/quiz.html A pumpkin quiz to check your pumpkin knowledge. Pumpkin Potpourri http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/2221/pumpkin.html A potpourri of pumpkin activities. Pumpkin Exploration http://www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v01n02/pumpkin.html The size, color, smell and taste of pumpkins make them perfect for this elementary observation and exploration activity. Pumpkin Circle Project http://www.pumpkincircle.com The Pumpkin Circle Project includes an award-winning video and picture book. Together they present and celebrate the amazing cycle of nature unfolding in a backyard pumpkin patch. Life in the pumpkin garden is captured across the seasons with time-lapse photography of seeds sprouting, flowers opening, bees buzzing, pumpkins growing and jack-o-lanterns glowing. This is the epic saga of pumpkins for all ages and all times - a story to inspire the scientist, sculptor, chef, naturalist and teller of tall tales. Danny Glover narrates the award-winning Pumpkin Circle video with original music by George Winston on piano, harmonica and guitar. It received the GOLD AWARD from Parents' Choice Magazine and was selected as Editor's Choice by BOOKLIST. Information on purchasing the video and picture book can be found on the Pumpkin Circle Project web site or call toll-free: 1-800-827-0949.

Pumpkin PatchA Vine Through Time Complete AgriLearning Kit https://webstore.aces.uiuc.edu/shopsite/AK-18.html Discover the wonders of pumpkins. Watch tiny seeds grow into several varieties of pumpkins in a time-lapse video and learn how to prepare the soil for next year's crop. The Pumpkin Patch contains posters, books, handson activities, recipes, and fascinating pumpkin facts. Varieties Pumpkin - All America Selections Pumpkin F1 Hybrid Autumn Gold AAS WINNER DATA Genus Species: Cucurbita pepo Common Name: Pumpkin Plant Height: 2-3 feet Plant Width: 12 to 20 feet Garden Spacing: 3 feet in row, 6 to 8 feet between rows Closest Comparison on Market: Spookie, Spirit Most Unique Qualities: Early-Immature yellow color of pumpkins Number of Days to Harvest: 90 Pumpkin .. 7 to 10 lbs. each, 3 to 5 pumpkins per vine Early to color, early to harvest, best describes the Vegetable Winner Pumpkin Autumn Gold. Gardeners need not wade through the pumpkin patch, possibly injuring vines or leaves while searching for the immature pumpkins. The bright yellow immature pumpkins "stand out" amidst the green foliage. This early color allows an early harvest and a more flexible harvest time. For Northern gardeners with early frosts that might destroy a pumpkin patch, Autumn Gold is a reliable choice. Since Autumn Gold was trialed at 27 locations across North America, its appeal is not limited to only northern locations.

Autumn Gold has demonstrated its improved value to AAS judges from Canada to Texas.

Autumn Gold is easy to grow from seed. The plant requires supplemental watering under dry conditions and monthly nutritional side dressing if not grown in a rich fertile soil. All pumpkins are an excellent source of vitamin A; one pound raw pumpkin contains 5,080 I.U. Also Autumn Gold seeds can be roasted for a crunchy, nutritious snack. The hulls are a great source of fiber with the seeds containing a high amount of phosphorus. Autumn Gold has been "judged the best" by horticultural experts across North America. Other Pumpkin Varieties Standard Orange (Small) All 2 to 5 pounds, 100 to 110 days to harvest Baby Bear (small, flattened shape; fine stem) Baby Pam; Oz (hybrid, semi-bush; very smooth skin, heavy stem, immature yellow color) Small Sugar or New England Pie (the standard pie type) Spooktacular (hybrid; bright orange; ribbed; strong stem) Sugar Treat (hybrid; semi- bush; bright color) Winter Luxury (old variety, good for cooking; unique netted skin) Standard Orange (Intermediate) All 8 to 15 pounds, 100 to 110 days to harvest Autumn Gold (hybrid, yellow when immature) Bushkin (hybrid, bush type) Frosty (hybrid; smooth-textured skin)

Funny Face (hybrid) Harvest Moon (hybrid) Jack-o-Lantern Spirit (hybrid, semi-bush) Young's Beauty Standard Orange (Large) All 15 to 25 pounds, 100 to 110 days to harvest Aspen (hybrid, deep orange, uniformly large) Big Autumn (hybrid, yellow when mature) Big Tom (selection of Connecticut Field) Connecticut Field (the old standard, continually reselected) Ghost Rider (dark orange; very dark green handle) Happy Jack (uniform, dark orange; good handle) Howden Field (the industry standard for the last 20 years) Jackpot (hybrid; round; compact vine habit) Jumpin' Jack (large, dark orange, heavy, tall fruit) Pankow's Field (large, variable pumpkins with exceptionally large, long handles). Rouge Vif d'Estampes is a C. maxima type that is deep red-orange, flattened, heavily sutured. It was the prototype for Cinderella's carriage pumpkin and is sometimes sold as "Cinderella" pumpkin. Processing All C. moschata, tan skin color, widely used for commercially canned pumpkin Buckskin (hybrid) Chelsey (hybrid) Dickinson Field Kentucky Field

Jumbo All C. maxima, 50 to 100 pounds, or much more; 120 days to harvest Atlantic Giant (most true giants come from selections of this variety) Big Max Big Moon Mammoth Gold Prizewinner (hybrid; most uniform size, shape, orange color; not the largest, but the most dependable) White Painting Casper, Lumina and Snowball (all C. maxima) Little Boo (C. Pepo) Cushaw group Green-Striped Cushaw, Sweet Potato, Tennessee, and White Cushaw (all C. mixta) Golden Cushaw (C. moschata) Naked-Seeded All C. pepo Trick or Treat (hybrid, semi-bush, 10 to 12 pounds, good for carving) Tricky Jack (hybrid; small; bush type) Triple Treat (thick flesh; 6 to 8 pounds; cooks, carves well) Miniature All C. pepo Baby Boo (white) Jack-Be-Little (standard orange miniature) Jack-Be-Quick (taller, darker orange) Munchkin (uniform, attractive orange fruit) Sweetie Pie (small, scalloped, medium orange fruit) More Pumpkin Varieties http://www.backyardgardener.com/RU PP.HTM Comprehensive listing of pumpkin varieties from Rupp Seeds.

2 cups sifted flour 1/2 tsp. salt 4 tsp. baking powder 1 egg 1/2 cup warm milk 2 cups fresh pumpkin or 1-16oz. can pumpkin 1 tbsp. milk or water 3/4 cups brown sugar 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Stir first three ingredients then stir in the beaten egg. Add milk to make the dough soft. Roll it out on floured bread board, knead lightly. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips 2 X 3 inches and slit the center. Drop into hot cooking oil and brown on both sides. Serve hot with butter or powdered sugar.

The pumpkin is one of the best-known members of the squash family. From September to November, they're all over the place - we see them carved into jack-o-lanterns, painted, and practically invading every roadside stand in town. With Samhain growing nearer, the pumpkin crop is at its peak, and there are all kinds of things you can do with them. Everyone loves candles, so why not use a few small pumpkins to jazz up your Sabbat decor? The first thing you'll need is a baking-size pumpkin (you can use an acorn squash for this project too). Here's a hint -- before you buy a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, check your grocery store's produce section. Unless you already have candle-making equipment and paraffin wax, the other thing you'll need to get is some soy wax chips. These are inexpensive, melt easily and safely in your microwave, and burn cleaner than paraffin wax. If you already have paraffin, you can use that for this project, but you'll need to melt it over a double burner instead. If you want to add color or scent, you'll need some of that too. Finally, you'll need a wick. You can either make your own by coating a string in wax, or you can buy a pre-made wick at any craft or hobby store. The pre-made ones typically have a small metal disc at the bottom for the base. Assemble all your supplies, and cut the top off the pumpkin. Scoop out the goop inside (you can save the seeds for roasting later) and scrape the interior clean. A melon-baller actually works really well for this step. Melt your wax -- again, if you use soy chips you can melt them in the microwave. Eight cups of dry chips will give you about four cups of melted wax, which is just about enough to fill a baking pumpkin or acorn squash. Before you pour the wax, secure the wick to the bottom of the pumpkin's inside. It's okay if it flops over a little, because we'll prop it up later when the wax is in place.

Once your wax is melted, add scent or color chips if you like. Stir before pouring. Fill the pumpkin with wax up to the bottom edge of the opening. You'll probably have a little bit left over -- don't throw it away, you'll need it later! After you've poured the wax, if the wick seems to lean to one side or the other, place a butter knife across the top of the pumpkin to hold up the wick and keep it from flopping. Once the wax has cooled, you may notice a small dip or indentation around the wick where the wax has sunk. Use the leftover wax to fill this spot up. Trim the wick back so it is no longer than 1/4" long. When you burn your candle, be careful not to leave it unattended. If the inside of the pumpkin begins to burn, put your candle out immediately. Use it on your altar or around your house as part of your Samhain decorating.

by D. J. Conway

The night was very dark, with a Full Moon hanging in the cloud-filled sky above. The air was crisp with the feel of late Autumn and the doorway between the worlds was wide open. Carved pumpkins sat on the porches of the houses in the little town, and the laughter of children dressed in costumes could be heard from the streets. It was a sad time for Beth as she climbed the little hill behind her house. In her arms was her cat and friend Smoky, carefully wrapped in his favorite blanket. A little grave was already dug on the hill, waiting, for Smoky had died that day. "Do you want me to go with you?" Beth's father had asked. "No, I want to go by myself," she answered. "I dug his grave beside MacDougal's at the top of the hill." Beth clearly remembered when their dog MacDougal had died after being hit by a car. Beth stopped at the top of the hill and knelt beside the little grave. She carefully laid Smoky's blanket-wrapped form in the earth and covered it with dirt, laying several large rocks on the top. Then she cried and cried. "Oh, Smoky, I miss you so much!" Beth looked up at the Moon, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why did you die?" "It was his time to rejoin the Mother," said a deep, gentle voice in the darkness. "Who said that?" Beth looked around but saw no one. "Dying is part of the cycle of life, you know." One of the boulders on the hill stirred into life. "Who are you?" The moonlight shone down on the little woman, and Beth could see she was not human. "I'm a troll-wife," said the creature as she came to site across from Beth. "This is a sad night for both of us, girl. I, too, came to this hill to bury a friend." The troll-wife wiped a crystal tear from her cheek. "The squirrel was very old. Still it makes me sad." Beth stared at the troll-wife. The little woman was the color of rock in the moonlight, her hair like long strands of moss, her bright eyes like shining crystals. She wore a dress woven of oak leaves and tree bark. "The squirrel and I lived together for a long time," the troll-wife said. " We often talked to your cat when he was hunting here on the hill. Smoky and I were friends. I shall miss him, too." The little woman patted Smoky 's grave gently, "Sleep well, little friend. When you are rested, we shall talk together again."

"But he's dead," Beth said, her voice choked with tears. "Child, this is Samhain. Don't you know the ancient secrets of this sacred time of year?" The troll-wife motioned for Beth to come and sit beside her. "It is true that our friends have gone into a world where we can no longer physically touch them, but the Mother has given us other ways of communicating with them. We can do this any time, but the time of Samhain is the easiest." "I don't understand how this can be done," Beth said, "or why Samhain makes it easier." "At this time of year," the troll-wife answered, "the walls between this world and the world of souls and spirits are very thin. If we quiet and listen, we can hear our loved ones and they can hear us. We talk, not with spoken words, but with the heart and mind." "Isn't that just imagination?" Beth looked down at Smoky's grave, tears once more coming into her eyes. "Like my thinking I can feel MacDougal get up on my bed at night like he used to?" "Sometimes it is, but mostly it is not imagination, only our friends come to see us in their spirit bodies." The troll-wife reached up her hand and patted something Beth couldn't see on her shoulder. "Like my friend the raven. He is here now." Beth looked hard and saw a thin form of hazy moonlight on the troll-wife's shoulder. "I've seen something like that at the foot of my bed where MacDougal used to sleep." She whispered. "I thought I was dreaming." She jumped as something nudged her arm. When she looked down, nothing was there. The troll-wife smiled. "Close your eyes and think of MacDougal," she said. " He has been waiting a long time for you to see him." Beth closed her eyes and, at once, the form of her little dog came into her mind. His tail wagged with happiness. She felt a wave of love come from him, and she sent her love back. Then she felt the dog lie down against her leg. "Can I do this with Smoky?" Beth asked. "Not yet," the troll-wife answered. "He needs to sleep a while and rest. Then he will come to you. This gives Smoky time to adjust to his new world, and you time to grieve for him. It is not wrong to grieve, but we must not grieve forever." "I never thought of it that way," Beth said. "It's kind of like they moved away, and we can only talk to them on the phone." "It is this way with all creatures, not just animals." The troll-wife stood up and held out an hand to Beth. "Will you join me, human girl? Although I buried my friend squirrel this night, I still must dance and sing to all my friends and ancestors who have gone on their journey into the other world. For this is a time to honor the ancestors."

Beth joined the troll-wife in the ancient slow troll dances around the top of the little hill in the moonlight. She watched quietly while the troll-wife called out troll-words to the four directions, words Beth couldn't understand. Deep in her heart the girl felt the power of the strange words and knew they were given in honor and love by the little troll-wife. When the troll-wife was finished with her ritual, she hugged Beth. "Go in peace, human child," she said. "And remember what I have told you about the ancient secret of Samhain." "I will," Beth answered. "Will I ever see you again?" "Whenever the Moon is Full, I will be here," the little troll-wife said. " And especially at Samhain." "I wish I had something to give you." Beth hugged the little woman. "You have taught me so much." She felt the tears come to her eyes again. "Let us exchange tears for our lost friends." The troll-wife reached up a rough finder and caught a tear as it fell from Beth's eye. The tear glistened on her finger. The troll-wife gently touched her finger to her cloak, and Beth's tear shone there like a diamond in the moonlight. Beth reached up carefully and caught one of the troll-wife's tears as it slid down her rough cheek. It turned into a real crystal in her hand. "Remember the secret of Samhain, and remember me," the troll-wife said softly as she disappeared into the darkness. Beth walked back down the hill, the crystal clutched in her hand. Her father was waiting for her on the porch. "Are you all right?" her father asked as he gave Beth a hug. "I will be," she answered. She opened her hand under the porch light and saw a perfect, tearshaped crystal lying there. "Did you find something?" her father asked. "A troll-tear," Beth answered, and her father smiled. For he also knew the little troll-wife and the secret of Samhain
http://www.ladybridget.com/mp/trolltear.html

Posted by Solita

The Lady's light is ripe and full and orange so heavy the sky can scarce bear her up as I tread slowly tap tap my staff clicks my feet in their hurry crush sweet maple and acrid fir underfoot and the early evening mist grasps at bare tree limbs like heart broken suiters It's an early celabration Samhain Eve No Matter tis me alone and of course The Lady Slowly I find my stone grove and rest a bit ... price of a Crone No musicians tonight Ah the tape will do well enough No Sisters tonight too far to come obligations trick or treat ... No Matter Circle swept and Caste,Quarters called next all in turn music soft but building

insence sweet shrouds me Fire my element crackles and spits with blessed heat Time to steppe the Circle This Dance I know so well This Dance I have taught and danced and dreamt it always Eyes Closed Cleansing Breathe Bells on wrist and ankles chime Now swaying stepping Luna's great course across the sky once this way next reverse slowly gently all recedes there is nothing now but me and She She Morghanna Isis Gaia Mother Maiden Crone My Lady The flute is faint and hard to hear now but the drum is strong heartbeat strong slow and deep suddenly there are voices far yet whysper close so soft full of laughter and secrets ..ghostly hands Sisters past, lost to me and spirits new entwine with mine and voices long forgotten soar So Sweet

and my feet so clumsy and slow seem to fly and I hear the flute in the chime of Her laughter She Has Come Welcome My Lady I hear nothing now but the drum and the rush of the wind through my hair The Drum The Sisters The Fire and My Lady Suddenly my step slows no longer is it sure aware of the stones beaneath and my hand blest but a moment ago now feels the loss of my Sisters grasp but we are never far from one another no matter the side of the veil I tire and stop the night has waned the tape has stopped..when I cant recall Never Mind Close the quarters with thanks Sever the Circle Douse the smudge and Thank The Lady for a Samhain's Eve , with friends Solita Arcanes ShadoeWalker 31/10/10

Posted by

BZ

Author Annie Finch In the season leaves should love, since it gives them leave to move through the wind, towards the ground they were watching while they hung, legend says there is a seam stitching darkness like a name. Now when dying grasses veil earth from the sky in one last pale wave, as autumn dies to bring winter back, and then the spring, we who die ourselves can peel back another kind of veil that hangs among us like thick smoke. Tonight at last I feel it shake. I feel the nights stretching away thousands long behind the days, till they reach the darkness where all of me is ancestor. I turn my hand and feel a touch move with me, and when I brush my young mind across another, I have met my mother's mother. Sure as footsteps in my waiting self, I find her, and she brings arms having answers for me, intimate, a waiting bounty. "Carry me." She leaves this trail through a shudder of the veil, and leaves, like amber where she stays, a gift for her perpetual gaze.

A CAUTIONARY TALE.... Every now and then I feel compelled to share a bit of practicle real world info I have acquired the hard way,this is one of those times.Ok now that I have your attention ,Im going to confess to last years' Samhain experience.Every year this time we are bombarded with the fact that Jack O Lanterns started off as turnips /rutabagers back in the day.The articles are factual,fluffy,and always accompanied by a picture of a carved pumpkin.Well me being me I decided it was time I made a real Jack. So off I went and found the biggest rutabager I could.Now comes the info all these people deemed unimportant and didnt include

so for any of you that might ever try this please read on. First Rutabagers are damned hard unlike a soft pumpkin this fellow makes you work for it! There is no such thing as scooping it out ,you simultaneosly have to gouge the inards out ,hold the round slippery bastard down and avoid it shooting off the table and taking out your cup of coffee.Yes thats right Jack can and will take out your java if he gets the chance.But eventually I won and managed an ok face and even gave the inglorious frack a set of nice Oak branch horns.Since I wanted to do the "real" Samhain deal this was late in the afternoon on Samhain.I placed him in his spot of honor and as the last daylight slipped away I scurried around throwing salt setting a circle around my house and all those witchy things I do.At last I slipped into my home and lit all my many candles (Jack being the last )and settled in for my beloved binge of creepy movies.Here comes the other thing all those authors dont tell you.........candlelit rutabagers smell like Cat Pee!!!!! Now perhaps If I didnt have two cats I would have caught on quicker .But I do so my first thought when my nose picked up the wafting odor was to jump up and start looking to see where the hell the puddle was.Well I searched and searched becoming more and more frustrated because the smell was getting worse by the minuet!Finally I narrowed it down to one corner of the living room,armed with a rag and Lysol I started pulling out furniture to see where it was.You have no idea how dumb I felt when it finally dawned on me that the smell was radiating from Jack who was just watching and grinning. The point to this is ....there was a reason those were placed Outside the door and now that I know what it was so do you !!!!! lol

A day dragons,fairies and monsters can be seen carrying their baskets toddler and teen going house to house to fill their baskets would be keen

candy chocolates and caramel taffys and bubblegum of all kinds of flavors and sizes sour or sweet grape watermelon strawberry or plum to fill their basket would be neat

Ghost and goblins, mummies and vampire giant spiders hanging from a wire house to house they go everywhere pumpkins lit with an orange glow

spooky webs and scary music all around broken tombstones and caskets on the ground kids creep up the steps peeking and lurking basket full of yummys they are searching

one says lets goto this house dark and quiet all throughout they sneek up quiet as a mouse then all sudden an old woman jumped out

tells the kids if it is treats you seek come inside and have a peek candles were lit a chair she gave and told us to sit

she said she dont get company much so was no candies and such the old lady went to the kitchen in old apron with embroidery and stitchin

the kids heard the old woman making lots of noise nervous and unsure that sat patiently and poised the old lady came back with a smile and asked who wants to try my home made cinnamon speckled pumpkin pie?

The kids loved it and told the old woman the pie was great

but was getting on midnight and they were going to be late and that of the whole night of trick or treating they were Thankful for their meeting

and said when next hallowen came we want to come back and do the same they hugged the old lady and said she was sweet and promised next year they would return to trick or treat

Have a Wonderful and safe Halloween/Samhain

~Shadow~

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