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altivoThe Vigil of All Saints, All Hallows Eve, Halloween, whatever we call it, it's here. In recent years I haven't paid it much attention in fact, other than to avoid the trick or treat stuff. That's because here in the US it has become just too litigious and dangerous. I prefer not to be accused of having handed out the candy with the needle in it, or the little bags of sand, or whatever. And I prefer not to buy into the commercial success of prepackaged candy makers.
Years ago, when I lived in Michigan, we could still hand out apples at the door. Now you wouldn't dare. Everything must be commercially wrapped and sealed. No homemade cookies or brownies, no more of grandma's fudge. The costumes are rarely homemade or original as far as that goes. Most are prepackaged from the big discount stores. The fun of the event has gone, at least on the public face of it.
On the other paw, Gary is in Chicago this evening (or was,) performing the Dark Morris to dance the sun down. Tonight begins the reign of the Hunter, the Horned God, the Wild Hunt. The Lady will not return until Beltane. Certainly the world outside the house looks the part now. After a week of rain, most of the leaves are on the ground, rustling ankle deep where the wind hasn't removed them. The sky was leaden this afternoon, and though the sun set promptly at 5:46 or so, there was an eerie gap in the clouds on the southwest horizon that continued to glow with reds and oranges like the fires of the underworld. That lasted nearly 45 minutes, much longer than it should have. I'm not very superstitious, but I took extra care to be sure the barns were properly closed and everyone was safe indoors tonight. I won't be comfortable until Gary gets back, which will be a couple of hours yet.
NaNoWriMo begins at midnight, and at 2 am the clocks go back to 1, making this an extra long night. At the moment, it's an extra black one out here in the countryside. The moon is near full, but the clouds are too dense for it to illuminate anything. Perhaps there will be some gaps later, to contribute to the spooky atmosphere.
Whatever you do to celebrate, be wise and safe.
Years ago, when I lived in Michigan, we could still hand out apples at the door. Now you wouldn't dare. Everything must be commercially wrapped and sealed. No homemade cookies or brownies, no more of grandma's fudge. The costumes are rarely homemade or original as far as that goes. Most are prepackaged from the big discount stores. The fun of the event has gone, at least on the public face of it.
On the other paw, Gary is in Chicago this evening (or was,) performing the Dark Morris to dance the sun down. Tonight begins the reign of the Hunter, the Horned God, the Wild Hunt. The Lady will not return until Beltane. Certainly the world outside the house looks the part now. After a week of rain, most of the leaves are on the ground, rustling ankle deep where the wind hasn't removed them. The sky was leaden this afternoon, and though the sun set promptly at 5:46 or so, there was an eerie gap in the clouds on the southwest horizon that continued to glow with reds and oranges like the fires of the underworld. That lasted nearly 45 minutes, much longer than it should have. I'm not very superstitious, but I took extra care to be sure the barns were properly closed and everyone was safe indoors tonight. I won't be comfortable until Gary gets back, which will be a couple of hours yet.
NaNoWriMo begins at midnight, and at 2 am the clocks go back to 1, making this an extra long night. At the moment, it's an extra black one out here in the countryside. The moon is near full, but the clouds are too dense for it to illuminate anything. Perhaps there will be some gaps later, to contribute to the spooky atmosphere.
Whatever you do to celebrate, be wise and safe.
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Date: 2009-11-01 03:40 pm (UTC)