Lux Ferre

Bogie Books—Beginning in 1909, Dennison (a company which specialized in the manufacture of paper goods, and which was among the earliest companies to feature a wide line of Halloween products) produced the

Bobbing for Apples (also “ducking for apples,” “dookin’ for apples,” “Bob-apple”)— The most popular of all Halloween GAMES. Although it’s been claimed that bobbing for apples represents an old DRUID or pagan

Blackberries—A particular Irish and Cornwall fairy tradition has it that blackberries and sloes can’t be gathered and eaten on NOVEMBER EVE or after for as long as their season lasts, since the

Black Vespers—Refers to the custom (especially practiced in France) of draping churches in black on ALL SOULS’ DAY for the evening mass; worshippers also usually wear black. SOURCE: The Halloween Encyclopedia Second

Belsnickling—A CHRISTMAS mumming custom found in areas of German settlement throughout North America, its name derives from a German MUMMING tradition known as Peltznickel. Similar to numerous mumming and “masked solicitation” Halloween

Bells—It was once common practice to ring church bells for all Christian souls on Halloween. King Henry VIII (who ruled from 1509 to 1547) once directed that “the Vigil and ringing of

Beggar’s Night—In some areas of the United States, Beggar’s Night is October 30, the night before Halloween (and was sometimes used interchangeably with MISCHIEF NIGHT), but children would often TRICK OR TREAT

Bats— Traditional Halloween symbol, mainly in the United States. The connection of bats to Halloween may be as simple as the fact that bats are nocturnal creatures (see also CATS and OWLS).

Barm Brack— An Irish loaf or CAKE made with dried fruit, popular during the Halloween season. Quite often the barm brack serves as a FORTUNE CAKE. Barm brack is available commercially, and

Barley—In Shetland, a small stack of “bere,” or barley, was set apart in an annual offering to “Broonie” (the origin or real meaning of this name is unknown). There was a divination