Lux Ferre

Apple Seeds—If APPLE PARING—or using the skin of an apple — is a popular Halloween FORTUNE-TELLING method, the use of the seeds within the apple is no less popular, and shows an

Apple Parings—In this popular Halloween FORTUNE-TELLING custom, an APPLE is pared, then the peelings are waved over the head THREE times before being thrown over the left shoulder; supposedly the peelings will

Apkarian-Russell, Pam ela—American Halloween collector and vintage COLLECTIBLES expert known as “the Halloween Queen.” Apkarian-Russell has, more than any other individual, been responsible for creating an interest in collecting Halloween memorabilia and

Anthesteria—Sometimes called the Greek ALL SOULS’ DAY, Anthesteria was a three-day festival in honour of Dionysus held annually at Athens from the 11th to the 13th of the month of Anthesterion (February-March).

Anoka, Minnesota—“The Halloween Capital of the World.” Anoka claims to be the first U.S. city to put on Halloween celebrations to divert PRANKING. In 1920, George Green and Anoka civic leaders suggested

Alphabet Game— A method of FORTUNETELLING at Halloween parties involving letters cut from a newspaper and then floated in a container of WATER; the letters might form the name of a future

Allison Gross—The title of a Scottish ballad in which the eponymous character, the ugliest WITCH “i’ the north country” endeavoured to seduce a fine young man. Because he rejected her, she turned

Allantide—Cornish name for HALLOW-TIDE; derives from the nineteenth-century (and earlier) custom of giving each member of the family an Allan APPLE on Halloween. Eating the apple on Halloween night ensured good luck

All Hollands Day—Hampshire name for All Saints’ Day. The day was celebrated with plum CAKES called “All Holland cakes” or “All Hallan cakes.” A 1902 account notes the proper name for the

All-Hallown Summer— The warm season which sets in about Halloween; sometimes called “the second summer,” or (in America) “Indian summer.” The French call it L’Été de St. Martin, or “St. Martin’s Summer,”