#samhain — Public Fediverse posts

Halloween and Lifelong Friends--Two of my favorite things in the world. At Juntre Lodge in 1977. #halloween #allhallows #allhallowseve #holiday #samhain #pumpkins #pumpkin #jackolantern #jackolanterns #wizardofoz #discooz #mecosdiscooz #meco #disco #decor #decoration #decorations #halloweendecorations #diodelosmuertos #diwali #LoyKrathong #Chuseok #BonOmTouk #superstition #custom #customs #tradition #traditions #costume #costumes #dressingup #masquerade #masquerades #masquerading #masquerading

One of the theories I explore addresses the question: why are these two Munster-Mórrígna found in seasonal *triples* celebrating #imbolc, #Bealtaine, and #Lughnasa, but not #Samhain? And the answer, I think, is that in these guises they represented stages of the Corn: Planting, Ripening, and Harvest.

That leaves one season and one goddess, but we already have a good idea: the last sheaf of the corn was woven and kept respectfully for next year, and called the #Cailleach - the same name as the goddess of Winter.

That seems to put the Mórrígan in the position of being the representation of the "Maturing/Ripening" stage of the Corn. Planting should be done by Bealtaine! Planting is Brighid's business! :)

Calling all those who signed up for The Wheel of the Year - Samhain Yarn Box, it's time for the big reveal!

Introducing 'Samhain', a 100g skein of hand dyed 100% British Bluefaced Leicester 4 ply high twist sock yarn. There are two skeins in each box.

Included in the box is a a Wendy Andrews Samhain card, cat stitch markers, a packet of tea, lip balm and a crow sticker.

Happy knitting!

#yarn #knitting #crochet #indieyarn #indiedyer #handdyedyarn #TheWheeloftheyear #Samhain #Halloween #AllHallows

Project Caligari

As the days tolled ever onward to All Hallow’s Eve, an opportunity arose to make use of a new creative space on campus – just by our CentR Stage bar and just in time for the Academy’s Halloween party. Despite only receiving full access and equipment on the morning of festivities, a hastily scribbled tribute to the legacy of cinematic horror was set in motion.

Knowing partygoers were there to chill, chat, and indulge appropriately themed cocktails, there was no expectation they would sit down to watch a full film. Instead we planned a minimalist immersive area to relax in, with low-slung sofas encircled by rear-projected screens showing multiple silent movies. A central plinth would hold an object of focus and contrasting colour from the cold scenes on display.

Implementation demanded a different design – not least a lack of haze, incense, and human remains – with a trio of floor-sat units forward-projecting onto a curve of black drapes. The plinth then sat behind the sofas, adorned with a plastic pumpkin pilfered from the bar – ideally replacing it with the winner of the party’s carving competition.

Vintage horror sourced from archive.org provided the (cunningly Public Domain) vibe, with many films planned for each screen through the night. Technical difficulties, however, meant we had to lock each projector down to a single looping movie – controlled by a laptop behind the curtain running Resolume Media Server going into an HDMI splitter.

The chosen films presented a journey through the early years of macabre movies. An era where the steadfast rules of cinema had yet to be written, inspiring a vibrant visual imagination lost in a later generation of sedate talkies.

The vivid expressionism of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) was an essential choice. The first feature-length horror committed to celluloid, and one which many have not been aware. Director Robert Wiene’s eye delivers a pioneering dream-like ambience to a tale of grisly murder, with hand painted backdrops accentuating this unreality.

Next, F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu (1922) – another German Expressionist classic. Despite drawing the ire of the Stoker estate for obvious plagiarism, this film offers its own interpretation. Max Shreck‘s Count Orlak presents an iconic image of vampyric horror as a monstrous being, a presence revisited in subsequent remakes.

Completing the triptych with another tale retold through the generations, James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931) was filmed with spoken dialogue. However, the rich gothic design still offers strong visual storytelling, with Boris Karloff‘s taciturn performance as the monster just as captivating in silence. A cornerstone of Universal Studios’ shared monster cinematic universe.

All crew work is collective, and we could not have done this without the aid of veterans Nick and Max, who helped to set up and put the final pieces together while I was embroiled in all-day lectures. Their efforts ensured the project was finished to schedule.

Freshers had their chance to contribute too, with new student Ruby curating a masterful multi-genre playlist to accompany proceedings. Although I was obliged to throw in a few extra tracks at the end, we all agreed to remove ‘Monster Mash’ after the shuffle spookily reprised it over and over.

Nothing can ever happen without some form of improvisation, and the taming of wild ideas into practical necessity manifests many happy accidents. The surreal imagery of early experimental cinema, especially in Caligari’s twisted set design, was thrown further off-kilter by the warp of the drapes. An abstract unease accentuated by the imperfect focus and inconsistent framing. It is important, at times, to let go of perfection so things can simply find their own form.

Overall, it went down very well. Partygoers drifted in and out to watch and take photos, enjoying my eager explanations. The client and crew working in the main studio also popped in to take a look around in appreciation. The only complaint from some was the installation wasn’t ‘scary’ enough…

… but the True Terror was throwing it together on time!

https://heathenstorm.com/2025/11/01/project-caligari/

#academyoflivetechnology #caligari #cinema #expressionism #frankenstein #halloween #horror #immersive #nosferatu #projections #resolume #samhain #vintage

Wieviel Metal steckt in der Vergangenheit? Oder: Über Opfer, Horror und Geschichte

Die Druiden, die gebildete #Philosophen​klasse der alten #Kelten, haben nichts aufgeschrieben. Sie hätten es tun können – einige Kelten waren gebildet und schrieben in gallischer Sprache entweder mit dem griechischen oder dem römischen Alphabet –, aber sie taten es aus Prinzip und Gewohnheit nicht.

Nun, eigentlich wissen wir nicht genau, warum sie es nicht taten, weil sie es uns nicht gesagt haben, weil kein einziger Druide jemals etwas aufgeschrieben hat. Julius #Caesar, der damit beschäftigt war, #Gallien (das heutige #Frankreich) zu unterwerfen und zu überfallen, meinte, dass die #Druiden nichts aufschrieben, weil sie dachten, dass das Aufschreiben von Dingen das Gedächtnis schwächt.

Es dauerte 19 oder 20 Jahre #Ausbildung, um Druide zu werden, wodurch sie über umfassende Kenntnisse in #Recht, #Zeremonie​n, #Konfliktlösung und der Bewegung der #Himmelskörper verfügten.

Wahrscheinlich lernten sie auch, wie man Menschen opfert, aber darüber sind sich #Historiker weniger sicher. Wahrscheinlich opferten sie Menschen, indem sie sie unter anderem in riesigen Statuen aus Stroh oder Weidengeflecht lebendig verbrannten, aber das wissen wir nicht mit Sicherheit.

Die meisten zeitgenössischen Schriften über Druiden wurden von ihren Feinden verfasst, die nach einer moralischen #Rechtfertigung für die Eroberung Galliens suchten. Ich habe allerdings meine eigene Theorie, warum sie nie etwas aufgeschrieben haben. Eine Theorie, mit der ich mich vielleicht irre. Ich glaube, sie haben nichts aufgeschrieben, weil das Festhalten von Gesetzen und bewährten Praktiken auf Papier diese unveränderlich macht.

Ich bin mir sicher, dass sich die Lehren der Druiden in den Jahrhunderten oder Jahrtausenden, in denen sie lebten, verändert haben. Obwohl sie wahrscheinlich über ein Gedächtnis verfügten, das uns, die wir uns auf das Schreiben verlassen, in Erstaunen versetzen würde, kann ich mir nicht vorstellen, dass es zwischen den Generationen keine subtilen oder radikalen Veränderungen gab – und ich vermute, dass dies beabsichtigt war. Ich vermute, dass die Druiden keine Angst hatten, hier und da Veränderungen zuzulassen und sich den Umständen anzupassen.

Einige Historiker vermuten zum Beispiel, dass die Kelten schon vor der Erklärung Roms, sie seien böse #Barbaren, die einer ordentlichen Eroberung bedürften, von #Menschenopfer​n abrückten.

Es ist möglich, dass die #Kelten, als überwältigende Legionen aus dem Süden in Gallien und #Britannien einfielen, aus Verzweiflung begannen, sich wieder ihren alten Bräuchen zuzuwenden. Wir werden es wahrscheinlich nie erfahren. Wir wissen nicht viel darüber, was sie dachten, weil sie nichts aufgeschrieben haben.

Wir wissen nicht, ob sie Menschen lebendig in Weidenmännern verbrannten. Wir wissen nicht, ob die Iren ihrem #König die Brustwarzen abschnitten und ihm dann an #Samhain die Kehle durchschnitten, wenn er seine Arbeit schlecht machte. Wir wissen nicht, ob heilige #Frauen in einen ekstatischen Zustand verfielen, eine von ihnen zerfleischten und mit dem zerteilten Körper ihrer Freundin in den Händen herummarschierten. Wir wissen nicht, ob die Kelten dreißig Meter tiefe Löcher gruben, nur um Menschen zu fesseln und hineinzuwerfen. Wir wissen nicht, ob „Woodhenge” (man stelle sich Stonehenge vor, nur aus Holz) durch die Opferung eines dreijährigen Jungen geheiligt wurde.

Die vielleicht wichtigste Frage, die mir beim Studium der Geschichte für meinen #Podcast bleibt, ist: „Wieviel Metal war die Vergangenheit?” Hat Lady #Bathory zur Hautpflege in Jungfrauenblut gebadet? Haben #Astrologen in europäischen Städten des Spätmittelalters #Kinder geopfert, wurden bei schwarzen Messen Unschuldige getötet? Haben irische Könige bei ihrer Krönung wirklich mit Pferden gevögelt? Gab es im mittelalterlichen #Irland #Nudistenkulte, die in Höhlen lebten?

Wenn man über #Europa hinausblickt, werden diese Fragen noch fragwürdiger. Was haben die Menschen getrieben? Wo liegen die Grenzen menschlichen Verhaltens?

Denn wenn wir diese Fragen stellen, wirken zwei konkurrierende gesellschaftliche Kräfte. Zunächst einmal sollte man sich bewusst machen, dass es meist diejenigen waren, die diese Anschuldigungen erhoben, die sie auch niederschrieben. Es sind Gerichtsakten, päpstliche Untersuchungen und #Kriegspropaganda, die alle Übel der antiken und mittelalterlichen Welt katalogisieren.

(...)

Weiterlesen in meiner Übersetzung des Textes "How Metal Is the Past? or: on sacrifice and horror and history" von @margaret / Margaret Killjoy vom 29. Okktober 2025

#Geschichte #History #Geschichtsschreibung #Anarchismus #Wickerman @anarchism

No fair, this Halloween demon stole all my spoons. That's why it's so late & I'm trying out the altbot for alt text this time. 🤞

Why, yes. This critter was inspired by the xenomorph from Alien / Aliens.

🎃🧟👻👾 :alert: Happy Halloween! :alert:👾👻🧟🎃

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

No fair, this Halloween demon stole all my spoons. That's why it's so late & I'm trying out the altbot for alt text this time. 🤞

Why, yes. This critter was inspired by the xenomorph from Alien / Aliens.

🎃🧟👻👾 :alert: Happy Halloween! :alert:👾👻🧟🎃

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

No fair, this Halloween demon stole all my spoons. That's why it's so late & I'm trying out the altbot for alt text this time. 🤞

Why, yes. This critter was inspired by the xenomorph from Alien / Aliens.

🎃🧟👻👾 :alert: Happy Halloween! :alert:👾👻🧟🎃

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Halloween traces its origins to Ireland over 2,000 years ago, where ancient Celts celebrated Samhain — marking the end of harvest and the start of winter. 🎃🍀

👉 Read more on how Ireland’s history shaped today’s Halloween traditions: https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/local-news/halloweens-roots-stretch-back-to-ireland-2000-years-ago/

#Halloween #Ireland #History #Samhain #Culture #Traditions #GBSMedia #BWHL #BlueWaterHealthyLiving

Yeah, sorry I'm running late.
That last minute shop for Halloween goodies & treats is always a doozy.

👾👻 :alert: 2 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert: 👻👾

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Yeah, sorry I'm running late.
That last minute shop for Halloween goodies & treats is always a doozy.

👾👻 :alert: 2 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert: 👻👾

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

At last! I've been hunting for this thing all month, finally found it just in time. It's not Halloween without a Hand of Glory.

👾 :alert: only 3 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert: 👾

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Er, I don't want to alarm anyone but what was the ship that Count Dracula took to escape his Carpathian home?

Well, whatever it was, it's still:
:alert: 5 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert:

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Er, I don't want to alarm anyone but what was the ship that Count Dracula took to escape his Carpathian home?

Well, whatever it was, it's still:
:alert: 5 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert:

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Great, that weird uncle has arrived. Well, I guess once we get to Halloween he won't stand out so much.

‼️6 Days till Samhain / Halloween‼️

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Great, that weird uncle has arrived. Well, I guess once we get to Halloween he won't stand out so much.

‼️6 Days till Samhain / Halloween‼️

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Finally, the important stuff is in place, ready for all the coming end of the month festivities.

‼️7 Days till Samhain / Halloween‼️

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Wonder if they're trying to decide on a theme for the Halloween party, Or will Dr. Frankenstein insist on continuing to experiment on this unfortunate creature instead?

Well, they've still got time to plot their escape from their maker's clutches yet.

❗ 9 Days till Samhain / Halloween ❗

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Wonder if they're trying to decide on a theme for the Halloween party, Or will Dr. Frankenstein insist on continuing to experiment on this unfortunate creature instead?

Well, they've still got time to plot their escape from their maker's clutches yet.

❗ 9 Days till Samhain / Halloween ❗

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Running late but the countdown must go on, or I'm sure I've heard someone say that, somewhere. Anyway, something, something & life getting in the way.

I'm just hoping that this isn't what's left of this year's Santa. Though if the mouse & snake think they can do a better job, I'm not going to stop them.

:alert: 10 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert:

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Running late but the countdown must go on, or I'm sure I've heard someone say that, somewhere. Anyway, something, something & life getting in the way.

I'm just hoping that this isn't what's left of this year's Santa. Though if the mouse & snake think they can do a better job, I'm not going to stop them.

:alert: 10 Days to Samhain / Halloween! :alert:

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Demon or Angel? Why not both 🤷?

It's now 12 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Demon or Angel? Why not both 🤷?

It's now 12 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Well, look who's joining the party?

13 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Well, look who's joining the party?

13 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Nice to know our interstellar neighbours enjoy Halloween as much as some of us do. Do not ask me what it is doing with it's right hand 👀.

Only 14 days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

When emojis start putting on bad Transylvanian accents & telling you they, "vant to suck your vlood", run!

15 Days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

When emojis start putting on bad Transylvanian accents & telling you they, "vant to suck your vlood", run!

15 Days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

The day was running away from me, so I sent my unicorn to catch it. When it came back it had only gone & stabbed Geoff. (Apologies to all Geoff's out there.)

Ooh, er… only 19 Days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

The day was running away from me, so I sent my unicorn to catch it. When it came back it had only gone & stabbed Geoff. (Apologies to all Geoff's out there.)

Ooh, er… only 19 Days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

The day was running away from me, so I sent my unicorn to catch it. When it came back it had only gone & stabbed Geoff. (Apologies to all Geoff's out there.)

Ooh, er… only 19 Days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Oh dear, that blasted Pumpkin King is at it again. Messing with things he doesn't understand.

20 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Really need to remember to properly recharge my batteries as I failed, yet again yesterday.

Maybe I shouldn't have spent all day building a snowman. Making the snow took the longest 🤪.

It was 22 Days to Samhain / Halloween!
Today's character clearly thinks that 22's character is either in the wrong place or hiding something.

Now, it's 21 Days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Another doodle, another day closer.
Wonder what's going through the bat's mind?

Bat: FML! Bloody hell! A birb eating spider's web! 😱

23 days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Another doodle, another day closer.
Wonder what's going through the bat's mind?

Bat: FML! Bloody hell! A birb eating spider's web! 😱

23 days till Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Whew! Time really does a runner when you have fun & … oh shucks. Looks like I forgot to warn 27's & 26's monsters not to have a soak.in the apple bobbing acid.
Oops! 🤷

So, 25 days to Samhain / Halloween!

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Oops! Forgot I'd invited the neighbours kids round.
…
is it me or is there something odd about them?

28 Days till Samhain / Halloween! That's only 4 weeks! 😧

EDIT: CrapDoodle inspired by Trever Henderson's Black eyed children. Sorry for not adding this nugget when originally posted. Yes, I can be complete idiot when the mood takes me 🫣.

#Samhain #Halloween #SamhainCountdown #HalloweenCountdown #Doodle #CrapDoodle #Drawing #PenSketch #Art #Freeform #CountdownToHalloween #CountdownToSamhain

Ashes & Stones: a Scottish Journey In Search of Women Hunted as Witches is an US Amazon Daily Deal this Monday, October 28th. Kindle edition is only $1.99 for one day only--https://a.co/d/cq2Rvhz #witches #WitchesOfMastodon #Samhain #halloween #Bookstodon #Scotland