Lux Ferre

Boxty—Another traditional Irish Halloween FOOD, boxty is a BREAD made of potatoes and flour. It is also sometimes called Boxty-in-the-Pan, Boxty-on-the-griddle or simply boxty pancakes. Boxty was sometimes first served on Halloween

—Hallowe’en bannock or cake. A traditional Scottish Hallowe’en FOOD, made with the meal of the new CORN and washed over with a custard made with eggs, cream and honey, then toasted before

Bonfires— Once one of the most popular Halloween celebrations throughout the British Isles, bonfires are now confined largely to civil CELEBRATIONS or GUY FAWKES NIGHT. There is considerable speculation over the meaning

Bonfire Night (also “Bon-a-fire Night” or “Bonnie-Fire Night”)—In England, another name for GUY FAWKES DAY. In parts of Ireland, Bonfire Night also once referred to Halloween. Now, throughout Ireland the name generally

Bon Festival (also Bon Matsuri, Obon, Urabon)— Bon Festival is one of the most important events for Japanese people (along with NEW YEAR’S Day); although descended from the Chinese festival of YUE

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