JACK o'Lantern

a PHOSPHORECENT LIGHT SEEN IN MARSH AND SWAMP AND AREAS, WHICH in folklore is either the manifestation malicious lost souls or a death omen. Jack o" lantern is know by various names, including will-o't and incorpse light (ENGLAND); fairy light and fox fire (IRELAND 8-).

according TO THE MOST COMMON LEGENDS, THE JACK O' LANTERN IS A WANDERING SOUL WHO HAS BEEN DENIED ENTRY INTO BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL. clothed IN A LUMINOUS GARMENT OR CARRYING A LIGHTED WISP OF STRAW, IT DRIVE AT NIGHT, SCARING TRAVELERS AND BECKIONING THEM TO FOLLOW IT INTO THE MARSHES. charms TO PROTECT ON AGAINST THE SPIRINT IN CLUDE CARRYING AN OBJECT MADE OF IRON, WHICH BELIEVED TO REPEL EVILL SPITITS, OR AN IRON KNIFE INTO THE GROUD.

In IRELAND, childred who are caught outdoors after dark are told to wear their jackets inside out in order not to be lured astray by jack o'lantern. In SWEDEN, the spirit is believed to be the soul of a unbaptized child, who tries to lead travelers to water in hopes of receiving baptism. The jack o'lantern appears in AMERICAN INDIAN and  APPALACHIAN folklore. The PENOBSCOT INDIANS call it the 'fire demon' has lighted fingertips which it spins i a wheel , and skims the milk at dairies during the night. In the APPALACHIANS,  mysterious, firelike balls of light appear in the hills at night and float, move an bob and the countryside. Some are quite large an rise high into the air; others light up the surroundings like daylight. In AFRICA, the jack o'lantern is called a "witch-fire" and is believed to be the witch, her flying trough the air, or a light sent by the witch to scare wrongdoers. As a corpse light, the eeriest forecasts death in a household by hovering over a rooftop or even appearing on top of the chest of person who is about to die.

In AMERICAN LORE, THE JACK O'LANTERN IS ASSOCIATED WITH WITCHES AND THE HALLOWEEN CUSTOM OF TRICK OR TREATERS to carry pumpkin jack o'lanterns to frighten away evil with their virgin heart (bet you did not know that one) or did ya? 8-) witches & witchcraft -rosemary guiley _ heather.

this IS my Halloween story ;

how about yours.

have a nice day.