Revive a Halloween Party Tradition and Have a Ghost Story Contest

Halloween is a tradition that goes back nearly three thousand years. The Celts of ancient Ireland called the day Samhain (pronounced sow-in) which means November. It was the last day of the summer harvest and for them the first day of winter. Knowing that night would soon overshadow day in length, the Celts and their Druid priests would prepare for the bitter and dearth days to come by seeking advice from the spirits and gods. They believed that Samhain was a mystic time when the fe-fiada or magic fog that separated our world from the spectral realm was lifted.

Over the centuries this tradition of the tribe assembling to beg guidance from supernatural spirits evolved into adults gathering for Halloween parties. They played divination games and told eerie ghost stories. It wasn't until the 20th century that Halloween, for a while at least, became the almost exclusive domain of children. But as of late adults have reclaimed the holiday, donning elaborate costumes and participating in wild parades and giddy parties.

This Halloween why not revive a time-honored, creative and very inexpensive tradition. Bring your family and friends of all ages together, set the mood with candles and candy and have an old fashioned ghost story contest. All your guests need to bring is their imaginations.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Inspiring Word List (provided below)
36 small pieces of Scrap Paper with torn edges
Marker or Pen, red if possible
3 medium- sized containers - such as plastic pumpkin buckets, baskets or funny hats
Bard's Wand - a Gnarled Dead Tree Branch, about 10 inches long
Sandpaper (optional)
Glow-in-the-dark paint (optional)
Seer's Pool - a large bowl of water, preferably glass bowl
Mirror, big enough to fit under the large bowl of water (optional)
Food Dye (optional)
Safety Candles (candles inside thick heavy glass)
Matches or candle lighter
Prize for best story

PREPARATION:

Start by gathering the supplies listed above. You probably already have most of the necessary items except perhaps the prize and dead tree branch. If a branch isn't available then use a creative substitute - a beaten up dowel, a cut down old broom handle, even a battered wooden spoon will do. You may even find something inexpensive in the artificial flower section of your local craft store.

1. Have the 3 medium-sized containers handy. You'll need your Scrap Paper and Red Marker. Using the Inspiring Word Lists below write each word on one piece of Scrap Paper. Fold each piece of paper once or twice. Put all the MONSTER words in the first container, the LOCATION words in the second and the DESCRIPTION words in the third. Set aside. NOTE: These word lists are just suggestions. If you have very young children playing you might want to adjust the list accordingly.

INSPIRED WORDS LISTS

MONSTER
bat, elf, fairy, genie, ghost, ghoul, ogre, owl, poltergeist, skeleton, sorcerer, spider, vampire

LOCATION
basement, bog, castle, catacomb, cave, cemetery, junk yard, forest, mansion, swamp, tomb, tower, tunnel

DESCRIPTION
bloody, enchanted, foggy, gooey, green glow, haunted, hissing, howling, magic, poisoned, slimy, whistling, wicked

2. You can embellish your Bard's Wand if you like. Take some sandpaper and rough up some parts to make it look ancient and much used. You can apply a few dabs of glow-in-the-dark paint for effect. (You'll be putting the lights out later. How else can you tell ghoulish stories!) Read the paint instructions. You might have to set the painted item under a light source for a while to activate the glow.

3. Set up your Story Telling "Theatre" in whatever is a cozy and comfortable place in your home. The surface where you'll set up the Seer's Pool and other necessities can be a sturdy coffee table, the kitchen table or even the family room floor. Put the mirror (if using) flat on the table or floor and set the large glass bowl on top. Fill the bowl about 2/3 full with water. The mirror underneath will help create an eerie atmosphere. Once the electric lights are out the candle flames will reflect from the mirror through the water and cast creepy dancing shadows on the ceiling and walls. You can also add just a few drops of food dye (green or red) to the water. Don't mix it in, let the drops swirl around on their own.

4. Set the Bard's Wand (the dead tree branch) near the Seer's Pool (large glass bowl of water).

5. Line up the 3 containers that hold the Inspiring Words around the Seer's pool.

6. Distribute the Safety candles around the room as you please.

CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS:

Gather everyone in a circle around the Seer's Pool. Light the candles and put out the electric lights. Decide who will go first and then go around counter-clockwise. Explain that each person in turn should pick one word from each of the 3 containers - one Location, one Monster, one Description. The story teller should raise the Bard's Wand and say, "Oh, Druid Bards of old, inspire my story dark and bold."

Then that person should gaze into the Seer's Pool for no more than a minute, concentrating on his or her inspiring words. Explain that the power of the Seer's Pool will allow each person to see into that Other World, that realm of magic, fantastic creatures and things that go bump in the night. Only the person holding the Bard's Wand and telling their story is allowed to speak. Everyone else must be as quiet as the grave.

The stories can be short or long but make sure everyone gets a chance. After you and your guests have scared each other silly, vote on the best story and award the prize. The prize is up to you but I suggest you keep it simple. Perhaps a big bag of candy or even an illustrated book of real ghost stories.

Halloween is a holiday of spooky fun. A contest like this will have people laughing then screaming then laughing again. Your family and friends will thank you for a memorable evening, one that got their creative juices flowing while sending a chill and thrill up their spines.

Sources:
Halloween: from Pagan Ritual to Party Night by Nicholas Rogers
Copyright 2002; Oxford University Press; ISBN 0-19-5144691-3

The History Channel: The Haunted History of Halloween
Copyright 1997; ISBN 0-7670-8055-6