Christmas - The Other Halloween

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for roasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago

Wait a minute... There'll be scary ghost stories? On Christmas?

That's right, Virginia.

Most of us Halloween enthusiasts spend the large part of the holiday season packing up our graveyards and snuggling the spiders back into their webs for the year, followed by a period of mourning that "it's all over" and we shall have to wait another year for October to finally weave it's magic again.

When those sneaky Christian reformers started in on the transformation of Pagan observances, traditions and rituals they left a great deal intact. Much of it has been forgotten by mainstream society but, if you look into the origins of the symbols and traditions practiced today you'll be delighted to know the season is rife with everything we love - supernatural goings on, monsters, spellcasting, ghosts, witches and magic...

Starting December 1st here at blackwood I'll be showcasing the more macabre aspects of the season, profile some great gifts and movies, the best in creepy, small, independent shopping in Los Angeles.

...and of course, there'll be scary ghost stories.



*Photograph by Addison Geary

Singlehandedly Ruining The Neighborhood

Twiggy and Emily had a delightful Halloween


I went out to get my mail this morning and discovered among the Christmas ads, (seriously?) and bills a handwritten, two page note from a Jehova's Witness. It opened with, "You've probably never seen a handwritten note before..." to which Mr. Blackwood replied, "Not one not written in blood anyway." The letter of concern addressed the Halloween decor which adorns the outside of my house and that I am a tool of The Devil. I'm flattered. Who knew he was paying so much attention to me? Clearly, I am special! I was also warned about the "dangers of The Occult!"

Oh my. What would they say if they could see the everyday decor inside my house?


Mr. Blackwood has composed the following reply:

Those Old Timey Nightmares

Mr. Blackwood directed my attention to this piece on Cracked.com and I thought you, gentle reader, would very much enjoy this collection of bizarre and creepy vintage photos.

José Ortiz Echagüe, Vintage Photography
A Semana Santa procession in 1940, Spain.

Getty Images
Halloween, 1905

Franz Fiedler
Franz Fiedler did a series of these necrophilia shots - Narre Tod Mein Spielgesell (Fool Death, My Playmate) in 1922

You can view the entire piece here: http://www.cracked.com/article_19512_16-real-old-timey-photographs-that-will-give-you-nightmares.html

Spellcasting Music

A few more songs you possibly are not familiar with to add to your playlist for All Hallows.

1) Twink - Theme From Rosemary's Baby
Yes, I'm sure you are familiar with the theme from Rosemary's Baby, but if you haven't heard Twink before you will surely be delighted. This version couldn't be any creepier.

2) Paris Motel - Mr. Spiltfoot
A reference to the Fox Sisters. You can read more about them here:
http://merricatblackwood.blogspot.com/2011/02/little-foxes-part-1.html

3) The Fibonaccis - Leroy
I adore The Bad Seed and the exchanges between Rhoda and Leroy are the most delicious parts.
http://youtu.be/MgpZ5-yDzhk

4) The Darklings - The Grave
I am a sucker for the theremin.

5) Sarah Jaroz - Shankill Butchers
I know, you know this one too, but Sarah's bluegrassy wail is worth another listen to this boogeyman story. "They're waiting 'til the dead of night..."

6) Kate Bush - Under Ice
Bush's Hounds Of Love is a treasure trove of scary songs. This one is f'ing terrifying. I shall say no more. Just listen...closely.

7) Nickel Creek - House Carpenter
Shirley jackson referred to him as James Harris and he makes an appearence in many of her unsettling tales. However, he is better known as The Daemon Lover who seduces women with passion, riches and adventure. The house carpenter's wife in this tale, rapidly dumps her dull life of caring for the needs of husband and babies to journey on a magnificent ship...things go downhill rapidly, especially when "She spied his cloven foot."

8) GreensKeepers - Lotion
"It puts the lotion on it's skin, or it gets the hose again." Oh dear.

9) Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground
Who knew Godzilla was so damn funky? Rawr. "I know I'm still better off standin' in the shadows far from humans with guns. But now, it's too late, there's no escape from what they have done."

10) Modest Mouse - Satin In A Coffin
"Are you dead or are you sleeping? God, I sure hope you are dead..."

11) Red Molly - Caleb Meyer
I was first exposed to the tale of Caleb Meyer by Sara and Sean Watkins who often played the song at their live shows. The song depicts every woman's fear.

Listen to all the songs here: http://8tracks.com/cabinetofcuriosities/spellcasting-on-all-hallows

Diagnosis: Ouija Madness

Inhabitants of California town, El Cerrito were diagnosed by numerous physicians as having a case of "Ouija Madness," in March of 1920.

What started in an Italian colony and involving four families in separate households using Ouija boards and spread to a case of mass hysteria of an entire town and resulting in, well...a lot of nakedness. A fifteen year old girl, who with three other women and three men were committed to an insane asylum after stripping naked to better communicate with the spirits. This was followed by a police officer, sans uniform or any other clothing for that matter, running through a local bank and numerous instances of town wide orgies - kind of like The Wicker Man, just without the singing.

This is when ministers and physicians "declare war" against Ouija boards with warnings to the public and government officials that "The Ouija produces hysteria and sometimes insanity," say the physicians and the psychologists. "It is an instrument of evil," say the ministers.

El Cerrito residents were forced to be examined by a team of physicians to determine if they were either insane or possessed, while lawmakers enacted a ban on Ouija Board use and possession in the town.

The reputation of Ouija boards opening portals, allowing demons and evil spirits a foothold on us and our world has perhaps been misinterpreted and a far more disturbing possibility has emerged. Consider that perhaps the door that you keep locked in the dark recesses of yourself can be opened. That the worst of yourself - all the dark and depraved things that evoke fear and hate and shame that lurk within are released and it is you that is unleashed on the world...

Creepy Cakes

Yes, I know, I know...I've been getting a bit carried away with the number of posts concerning sweets. I wouldn't show you if it wasn't worth it though. After all, candy and sweets are one of the best parts of halloween...

Most the the cakes you see on the plethora of cake design, competition-y type shows are not only ugly but cheesey. They look like they were both imagined and created by someone who collects Precious Moments figures or some similarly hideous knicknack. However, these cakes are beautifully executued and the subject matter is right down our dark and menacing alley.

You can see more of Debbie Goard's work at
http://www.debbiedoescakes.net/
or http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiedoescakesnet/

Poltergeist chicken with maggots

"Marty won't be coming back..."

Eraserhead baby

Split dog from "Return Of The Living Dead"

Blanche's lunch. "But you are in that chair!"

A wedding cake

Everyone Is A Moon And Has A Dark Side

For some people Halloween is all about the costumes. Something either went very wrong...or very right in the following examples, depending on your pov.

So, that last one was doubtfully Halloween related, but it was awesome and therefore necessitated inclusion.

Apologies for not citing sources, but most of these are from multiple sites and I could not track down the proper "owner" - if it's yours or you know whose it is - please, do let me know so I can credit accordingly.

The title is a partial quote of Mark Twain's - "Everyone is a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody."