Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2009

Halloween Myths and Legends

My entire life I have been fascinated by my Irish heritage and Halloween. I think that’s why I love writing paranormals so much. I am going to share some of my families Halloween traditions along with some myths and legends about All Hollow’s Eve and Halloween from Ireland.
The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not developed any spots then the person who placed the leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health until the following Halloween. If not.....
The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to wander the earth but asked the Devil for some light. He was given a burning coal ember which he placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out.

The tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born - the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the lantern in their window would keep the wanderer away. When the Irish emigrated in millions to America there was not a great supply of turnips so pumpkins were used instead.

If an owl looks in your window or if you seeing one in the daylight bad luck and death will bestow you.

At one time salt was a rare commodity and thought to have magical powers. It was unfortunate to spill salt and said to foretell family disarray and death. To ward off bad luck, throw a pinch over your shoulder and all will be well.

Sparrows are thought to carry the souls of the dead and it is believed to bring bad luck if you kill one.

If you spot a spider on Halloween than that is the soul of a loved one watching over you. (Maybe this should remind me not to be terrified of them…yuck!!)

If the flame of a candle flickers and then turns blue, there's a spirit in the room.

If a bird flies through your house, it indicates important news. If it can't get out, the news will be death.

If you feel a chill up your spine, someone is walking on your future grave.

A person born on Halloween will have the gift of communicating with the dead.

A bat in the house is a sign of death. OR a bat got in your house because a ghost let it inside.

If a bird flies towards you, bad fortune is imminent.

If your palm itches, you will soon receive money. If you itch it, your money will never come.

Crows are viewed as a bad omen, often foretelling death. If they caw, death is very near.

Many Romans wore lucky charms and amulets to avert the "evil eye."

If a person experiences great horror, their hair turns white.

A hat on a bed will bring bad luck.

The superstition of knocking on wood for good luck originates from pagan beliefs in regards to trees.

Do you have a favorite Halloween Myth of Legend to share? Or perhaps a tradition from your family? Hope everyone is having a spooky month... Tonya

Saturday, October 3, 2009

What's Going on in October!

Romance in the Backseat's "Paranormal Author's Fight Club" started on Thursday, October 1, 2009. All 8 writers involved received a paragraph on Thursday, now it's up to us to take that paragraph and write 1,000 words that will awe the reader. I'll post the link up here when it's voting time!! I just finished reading Zero Control by Lori Wilde. She's one of my favorite Harlequin Blaze authors. And this story is part of a three-book series. It's a great read. It's about Eros which is an adult retreat, where your every fantasy is their desire. And their is some sexy historical role-play you won't want to miss. You'll have to check out my November Tonya's Tidbits to see my exclusive interview with Lori Wilde about Zero Control and this series. She's also provided a very sexy excerpt for us. I am still in training with BellaOnline.com for becoming the new NASCAR editor. It's got a lot more work to it than I first figured, but I still have two weeks before the site launches and is officially open for business once again. I received an email yesterday from Class Act Books asking me to be a copy editor. I love editing and it's really exciting to me. What's more exciting is I was contacted by Class Act Books. My website is close to being finished. I like the layout, I'm not completely happy with it, but it's classy and professional and easy on the eyes, which is a must. It's also easy to navigate. I still can't believe it is October and 28 days away from Halloween, which is my favorite Holiday. In celebration of Halloween I am going to be sharing some myths and legends about Halloween over the next few weeks. So, check back often. Thanks for stopping by it's going to be a busy month! Tonya

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Mistress Bella's First Annual Trick-or-Treat Bash

Mistress Bella Reviews Cordially Invites You to Our First Annual Trick-or-Treat Author’s Bash Greetings Mistress Bella is hosting a “First Annual Trick-or-Treat Bash” and would be honored if you would attend. We are going to spend Halloween weekend discussing what we love best—romances and the authors who write them, and the publishers who publish them for our enjoyment. Our goal is to have a different author/publisher every hour. During that hour we would like for you to share excerpts of your latest release/WIP, giveaways, author interviews, trailers and anything else you’d like to provide. We would also like your readers to have the opportunity to ask YOU questions. The slots are filling up quickly so if you’re interested, please email me (mistressbellareviews@gmail.com) with the day (October 30, 31 and November 1) and the hour you would like to be our special guest. As for advertising, the more the merrier! To get the word out there, Mistress Bella will post notices regularly on our Blog, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and also with the help of some other Yahoo groups and friends of ours. We would like to ask that you help with the advertisement as well on any websites, blogs, etc that you use for marketing. Thanks so much for your time and we hope to see you there! Yours truly, Mistress Bella mistressbellareviews@gmail.com www.group.yahoo.com/group/mistressbellaspalace www.mistressbellareviews.blogspot.com www.mistressbellashalloweeenbash.blogspot.com