Edgar Allen Poe’s “Spirits of the Dead”
Here is another poem that feels right this time of year, by the inimitable Edgar Allen Poe. It was published in 1827. Please let us know what poems and stories you would like to hear at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.
Day of the Dead
Not all of Halloween’s focus is spooky. If you don’t celebrate it, the Day of the Dead may seem macabre, but it’s actually a joyous celebration. As much as I like macabre, you’d think I’d be disgusted, but I’m actually charmed by it. HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com for shownotes, and you can tell us there how you celebrate the Day of the Dead.
What do Mexicans celebrate on the “Day of the Dead?” This question is answered by Ricardo J. Salvador (courtesy Iowa State University)
Wikipedia has an entry about the Day of the Dead, as well. This covers many countries.
Music:
“Death by Guillotine” by DJ Daddio
Thomas Lovell Beddoes’ Poem, “The Phantom-Wooer”
The moon is making me feel romantic, so I present a poem by Thomas Lovell Beddoes entitled, “The Phantom-Wooer.” Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, and please let us know if this made you feel romantic.
To find out more about the sad life of Mr. Beddoes, please check the Literary Gothic.
I found this poem in this book.
Music:
“Gargoyle” by Sean Timms (from GarageBand.com)
“Tempest” by the Brothers Femme
The Headless Horseman
By request, we look at the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, as told by Washington Irving. Thank you, Janelly, for the excellent suggestion. Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Go there and tell us a story which makes you lose your head.
Read “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving yourself, if you’d like.
Read Washington Irving’s reflections on Sleepy Hollow, written years after the story.
More about Sleepy Hollow:
You can look at their local website, the Chamber of Commerce website, or the site for Sleepy Hollow’s Old Dutch Burying Ground.
Wikipedia’s entries on “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and Ichabod Crane.
Find out about Marvel Comics’ Headless Horseman.
Music:
“Angel of Death” by VTZ/Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)
Halloween TV
Halloween is a special time, which is why there are so many specials and special episodes on television. Travel with us through the tube of terror, and let us know your favorite Halloween TV at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you will also find shownotes.
Music:
“Gronk Patrol” by Derek K. Miller (He has a podcast, too)
The Ouija Board Story
Fun party game, or gateway to the other side? Ouija boards are a staple of Halloween. We have a true Ouija story for you in this extra-sized episode. Warning: May be too intense for the little ones. Tell us your Ouija story at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.
Read the story yourself:
The Letter D: D’s True Halloween Story (Warning: this blog is not family friendly)
Some of the music:
“Ghost Story” by Hiroshi (from SoundClick.com)
“A Ghost in Love” by David Chochoi (from SoundClick.com)
Witches Part 2
This time we get away from the ugliness of the general population towards suspected witches and look at real ones and witches from folklore and other fiction. Some of these do have pointy hats and green skin. Shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where we also would like to find out who your favorite witch is.
For more information:
Wikipedia is a good place to start learning about wicca, and the modern-day witches.
For more on the history of witches in folklore and real life, and go in-depth, check the witches page of NewOrleansGhosts.com
Music:
Frankenstein’s “Monster”
He is not just a bunch of body parts. He is the original science fiction/horror creation. We delve deep into the history of the Frankenstein monster and his creator, Mary Shelley. Assemble your thoughts and put them on HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, where you’ll also find full shownotes.
For more on Frankenstein visit:
The National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institute of Health (really!)
Wikipedia’s entry about Frankenstein and his monster
A Wikipedia article on the monster’s place in popular culture
You might be interested in a book that goes more deeply into the monster’s place in popular culture. It’s by Susan Tyler Hitchcock, and it’s called Frankenstein: A Cultural History. Here is an interesting review from The Washington Post.
Music:
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata by Classicala
Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Conqueror Worm”
Some feel the poem by Mr. Poe speaks to the universal situation of man. We feel it’s another frightening glimpse into a deep, dark mind that only Edgar Allen Poe could really understand. But it’s fun to try. The poem was first published in 1845. We would love for you to worm your way over to HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com, and let us know what you think.
Background music:
“Remains of the Past” by Gregor Iliev (just a little piece–it’s worth listening to the whole piece. You may yet hear the whole thing in the Halloween Haunt)
“Ghost That Still Haunts Me” Demo by Chamber of Sorrows (from the CD Dies Arae)
Random Halloween Treat Facts
Yummy, yummy in my tummy. What are the most popular Halloween treats? Let’s take a big bite into your favorites and find out all about them. Let us know your favorite Halloween treats at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com. Full shownotes there, too.
Take a bigger bite:
If you’re the helpful type, click here for details about how you can help UNICEF.
Bet you didn’t know all of this about the number 4 delicacy.
Number 3 is many people’s favorite. But it’s still number 3.
Number 2 makes me laugh. Oops, no hints.
You can eat heaps of the treat at the top of the heap. But brush your teeth….
Background music:
“If You Only Knew Part I” by Twilight Productions (from Soundclick.com)
Witches Part 1
A green face, a pointy hat, warts, that is how we used to see witches. I thought it was a cute look. But their history is much more complicated than that, and we only focus on Europe and America. Full shownotes at HalloweenHaunt.wordpress.com.
Music:
Nocturne by Ekho (from GarageBand.com)
To delve further:
A history of witchcraft, with links to some current wiccan philosophy, from the point of view of a witch.
Wikipedia focuses on the history of the (real) witch hunt.
Wikipedia examines the Salem witch trials.
If you’re thinking about visiting Salem, you might like this article.
