Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-10-24

of All Saints or All Hallows Day No
yember /. 1t is curious recrudes-
cence of classic mythology, Druidic be-
liefs, and Christian superstitions. 1t
has been claimed that Halloween was
kept in the Greek church as early as
the fourth century of our era, though 1t
did not become common in the west
until the beginning of the seventh CEN
tury.
Most of the Halloween superstitions
have evidently been handed down from
one generation to another. Although
changes have been made, the manner
of celebrating is still very much like
those of the early centuries. 1t was
believed that on this night Of the year
supernatural influences most prevailed.
The spirits of the dead were supposed
to be wandering abroad, together with
witches, devils, and mischief making
elves, and in some cases the spirits Oh
living persons were believed to have
the temporary power Of leaving their
bodies and joining the host of spirits
that abounded on this night.
While most of the Halloween observ-
ances are supposed to be Of Druidic
origin, there is a great deal of contro-
versy concerning them among various
authors. Various text books give
lengthy detailed accounts of the many
varied customs of celebrating this day.
Burns famous poem Halloween
gives a panoramic insight into the GUS
tom of Old Scotia on this holiday of
mirth and mystery. This poem has
probably had a great deal Of influence
in preserving and spreading the old
time observances among English
speaking folk. All of them are based
on immemorial custom. But what was
once a ceremony of belief has now be-
come thing Of sport, so that now it's
observances are all q jest which young
people play upon themselves and
others, not in the least believing in the
consequences.
The most important feature Of Hal
loween decorations is to have the
house, or the rooms in which the party
is held as weird and unconventional as
possible. Black, red and yellow crepe
is the most effective trimming. The
house should be lighted very dimly by
grinning jack Lanterns, and witch
pots. If autumn leaves are available,
the doors and windows may be effectu-
ally trimmed by draping the colored
leaves over them. They make deco
ration that adds to the weirdness of
the evening by rustling when people
come in contact with them. Corn
stalks are also very effective, but usu
ally harder to get, unless one lives in
the country. If any pictures are in
the room in which the party is to be
held, they should be covered with white
paper on which witches and black cats
have been drawn with black crayons.
This is effective if an attempt is made
to draw the witch and cat separately.
The cat should be made with it's back
in a decided hump, it's tail wide and
hair standing on end. In other words,
it should be made to look as angry as
possible. The witch has her broom, Of
course. If a small magic lantern is
available, insert picture Of skeleton
and direct the rays of the lantern on a
large sheet hung in one corner of the
room. The lantern can be covered with
leaves or hidden in a box covered with
crepe paper so as to hide the source
of the picture. Have a huge Jack-o'-
Lantern hanging just above the heads
Of the people in the center Of the room.
This can be made more weird by put
ting a small amount Of grease in the
lantern so that it will both glare and
smoke. Huge black paper ears may be
wired to the sides, with daubs Of red
paint smeared on them. A black cat
can be made out of black crepe paper
which has been pasted on card board
having small green electric light bulbs
for eyes. If no electricity is available,
cut out spaces for the eyes and care
| fully place a candle behind it. A glass
baking dish is good for this purpose
as putting the candle in the dish, pre-
vents danger of fire and the light is re-
flected through the glass.
If the house is lighted with kerosene
lamps, shades Of yellow crepe paper
with black cats and witch heads should
cover the lamps. These are easily made
by using light wire, such as hat wire,
etc. Electric lights and gas lights are
dimmed by covering completely with
yellow paper and black; having the
| figures of black paper pasted on. The
windows may be converted into trans
parencies by covering them with yell
low tissue and pasting on cut
ghosts, Jack Lanterns and pursuing
witches. If the rooms are dimly light
ed and lanterns are hung outside of the
windows, the effect in the room will be
indescribably weird. Doors may be
fixed in the same manner but should
be lit from the inside. Each guest
should be requested to come in cos
tune, which of course, adds to the fun