Jack O'Lantern

The story of the Jack O'Lantern is an Irish tale about a man named "stingy jack" who liked to trick people. Jack was good at being mischievous. He tricked the Devil several times in clever ways and would not let him go unless the Devil promised not to tempt him again for years.

When Jack died even God would not let such an evil man into Heaven. The Devil was also angry and unforgiving of Jack's tricks that he would not allow him even into Hell. Having been doomed to roam the limbo of the night, Jack was given a single burning coal from the Devil to light his way. This ember of light was put into a hollowed-out turnip giving Jack a haunting presence as he forever walked the countryside holding the glowing turnip in the darkness. He became known as "Jack of the lantern" and then eventually as "Jack O'Lantern"

In Ireland, people used carved our turnips and potatoes originally for Jack O'Lanterns. Immigrants to America brought the tradition over and discovered pumpkins made better lanterns to scare away the wondering evil spirits. Jack O'Lanterns have become synonymous with Halloween lore and symbols. A brief mention should be made of American folklore author Washington Irving's story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" published in 1820. The story has a fictional character called the Headless Horseman, a Hessian in the American Revolutionary War, who's head was severed by a cannonball. The Headless Horseman spectre can be seen at night terrorizing unlucky people who encounter his horrifying presence as he chases you all the while clinging to a flaming pumpkin aloof where his head should be.

Ever wanted to know what a pumpkin really is? Pumpkins are part of the gourd family known as cucurbits, this includes squash, cucumbers, and melons. Pumpkins are a fruit. These misshapen, diverse size, and colorful cucurbitas arrive during the fall garden, signaling the autumn season and the approach of Halloween. Pumpkins are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, protein, iron, low in sodium, and fat, but high in fiber.

Pumpkin carving has become an art in itself. Some of the most helpful and valued tools would be the "keyhole saw" to slice, "scrapers" to remove flesh, "needle tool" or pin to transfer a design, and a miniature saw for carving. Pumpkin carving templates can be found everywhere on the internet or at your local store. Free carving stencils are the best of course if your on a budget. Here is a great site that actually has a lot of information and links. Just type in "Halloween" at GeekTonic.com and you will see over 40 sites with decorating ideas and free templates for carving.

Indeed, the most enjoyable part of celebrating Halloween is preparing for it. Decorating the exterior and interior of your home and workplace with scary images, and the ever-present Jack O'Lantern. Pumpkin carving has developed into an intricate and highly detailed competition in almost every community that conducts a contest for the best, outlandish, and creative Jack O' Lantern on display. Not sure how to get started on carving that pumpkin you have? Great visual tips can be found on YouTube.com for carving directions and making homemade Halloween decorations. Spookmasters.com is another good source for pumpkin carving patterns of almost every design imaginable.

Pumpkins are not only a natural decoration, but good to eat as well. There are so many great pumpkin recipes to dine on during this holiday season. From pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, toasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spiced latte (a personal favorite on cold mornings), pumpkin ice cream, and the list goes on and on. Even with the scary legend of Jack O' Lantern aside, pumpkins are a healthy and delicious way to celebrate Halloween.