by Michael Hofferber. Copyright © 1994. All rights reserved.
In the crisp chill of October night costumed children toddle down darkened lanes, their tittering voices fending off silence.They come dressed as ghouls and monsters, aliens of outer space and starship captains from the 25th century. Masked as heroes and demons, wild animals and crazed villains, our youth knocks upon the doors of strangers demanding treats.
In Ireland, once upon a time, it was the adults who dressed up as imps and fairies on All Hallow's Eve, painting their faces and shrouding their bodies.
This was the year's end, the close of summer, and the spirits of all who died of late were said to wander the night looking for some person or animal to inhabit on their way to the afterlife. It was possession the spirits were after and possession the Celtic people wanted to avoid.
Continued at... All Soul's March
Michael HofferberRural Delivery
Out of the Past
Artwork: Halloween Boys
