HAUNTED HOLIDAYS!
Happy Halloween and Day Of The Dead everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful ghoulishly delightful season!
as tradition for nearly every ghost or folklore entertainment, I shall now recount the stories of some of the most well-known artifacts of these holidays!
we shall start with a man called stingy Jack. Now Jack was a man you probably do not want your sons or daughters around. A known drunk and deceiver and otherwise vile dreg of society, Jack had a knack for boasting his silver tongue and evil deeds.
on one fateful night, Satan overheard one such tale. So he decided to check out this man for himself. On the road back home, through the countryside of Ireland, Jack stumbled upon a body on the road. The body turned out to be Satan himself and Jack, realizing that his time has come, requested a flagon of ale before being dragged to the underworld. Satan agreed and took him to a pub. When the drinking was done, Jack asked Satan to pay the tab. Jack convince Satan to turn into a silver coin of which he quickly put in his pocket which also contained a crucifix. Satan, in exchange for his freedom, promised he would spare Jack's soul for 10 years.
10 years later Satan came back. Jack asked if he could have one last Apple before being dragged to the underworld. Satan climbed a tree to retrieve an apple and before he could climb back down, Jack surrounded the tree with crucifixes. Jack demanded his soul never be taken to hell and Satan agreed and was set free.
Now everyone dies even in stories. And Jack was no exception. So when Jack died he went to heaven but before he could go in he was stopped. Because of his sinful life he was unable to enter heaven. Jack, sorrowed by the ordeal, reluctantly knocked on the gates of hell. Satan, fufilling his obligation and promise to Jack, denied him entry and gave Jack a single ember. Jack was forced to spend eternity wandering the World between good and evil with only an ember inside a hollowed turnip to light his way.
and now you must forgive me. I am but a human from Chicago who is not experienced the Day Of The Dead at all. I know no folklore surrounding this day but I hope my time in New Mexico will broaden my horizons.
what I can tell you is how the skull has been One of the most important symbols in human history. Calavera is the representation of a human skull. Whether it be a delicious treat or a lithograph and other such artistic representation, the skull symbolizes the simplicity of the human spirit. Representing rebirth into the next stage of life, images of skulls and skeletons were often shown in paintings and pottery. Jose Guadalupe Posada, a political Cartoonist, became famous for making Calaveras as vain skeletons dressed in clothing of the wealthy.
as stated above, I hope you all have a wonderful season! At this time of the year, the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest. at this time of year, people celebrate, people remember, people show their love to those who have passed on. have fun out there, happy ghoulishly delightful season! Also Remember too that you can email me at friendsoffolklore@gmail.com!
