Tag: halloween

With Halloween just around the corner it seems like a good time to explore the history of the popular pumpkin-based lighting solution known as the jack-o’-lantern.

‘The definition of the word “Masquerade” is: a party, a dance or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and other disguises; a costume or disguise worn at such a gathering; façade, pretense; existence under false pretenses. False pretenses? Tell me, what is more falsely than the human nature? They hide behind their fleshy masks every day. They cover their frustrations with a polite smile. They lie so often that they believe in their own stories. A masquerade, false? What nonsense!’

I wanted to write a special bloody, dark article for Halloween. But, when I thought more about it I realised that my articles are always dark and twisted so I wouldn’t be able to make it special in that manner. The only way I could make this article special was to share with you what Halloween actually means to me and in doing so perhaps you could tell me what Halloween means to you.

If Selfridges can open their Christmas shop at the start of August, we don’t think it’s too early to get excited about Halloween!

October saw the biannual Whitby Gothic Weekend descend upon the coastal Yorkshire town with the countryside dressed in its autumnal finest and the promise of All Hallows Eve delights.

What could be better than combining the two best things in the world, which is exactly what they’ve done at Cakeageddon, a ghoulish synthesis of cakes and Halloween. Billed as ‘the world’s first edible horror farm’, Cakeageddon is a scary visitors’ attraction on a farm near the English city of Letchworth. Haunted houses – or even haunted farms – that promise to terrify the paying public are nothing new this time of year. What makes this special is that all of the grisly props and spooky settings are lovingly sculpted from cake, and hence edible. If you dare…

Our favourite night of the year is approaching – what plans do you have for Halloween? The event falls on the eve of the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest and beginning of winter and is still celebrated by many pagans. Over the years, 31 October has also become an occasion to remember the dead in the form of either All Hallows Eve or the Mexican holiday called Day of the Dead.

Vampires, ghosts and zombies are all featured in the British Library’s magnificent new exhibition, ‘Terror And Wonder: The Gothic Imagination’, which opened last week. Timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the very first Gothic novel, Horace Walpole’s ‘The Castle Of Otranto’, it’s the UK’s largest exhibition of Gothic and is open to the public until 6 January 2015.

It’s coming up to one of our favourite times of the year: Hallowe’en!

When it comes to haunted houses and ghostly gatherings, there are many popular venues to choose from around the UK. Here are a couple to get you in the mood for Halloween!

In London’s East End, The Ten Bells Pub is said to be haunted not only by the ghost of murdered Victorian man. It’s also linked to serial killer Jack The Ripper as it was the drinking hole of his very last victim Mary Kelly.

A little further north, Oxford Castle is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country. It’s been associated with ghosts and poltergeists and even served as a prison for just over 900 years! But one of the most famous tales revolves around the curse of 1577, where hundreds of people mysteriously died within the space of a few weeks.

Whether you’re planning a spooky sojourn this Halloween or just staying in to watch scary movies, Alchemy has a great range of products to get you in the mood. Why not complement your Dark Gothic outfit with our coffin shaped ‘Bone Casket’ leather handbag [LG36]. Or for something a little more subtle wear our chic ‘Deception’ pendant [P645] ; a fanged skull mask enhanced by red and blue enamel and Swarovski crystals. We all hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!

You can order yours online, and many other Halloween styled Alchemy Pieces by clicking the link to our Approved Alchemy Dealers: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

This Monday will be October 1st and October for many of us can only mean one thing… Halloween. What does Halloween mean to you? Does it mark the dark season, or is it just simple fun for the kids. A time to dress up, decorate, carve pumpkins and scare the living day lights out of their friends by telling the scariest stories that their little minds can imagine, or maybe all of these things?

Halloween or All Hallows Eve, as it is sometimes referred to, began way back when Pagan rituals around harvest time included festivals honouring the dead. Of which in some faiths are still practised today.

These days Halloween has become a time for celebration all around the world. These celebrations include collecting sweets and gifts from neighbours houses or as it is commonly named trick or treating! Apple bobbing, making toffee apples and wearing the most grotesque costumes possible! Here is a particularly strange ritual dating back to the 1900’s. If an unmarried woman sat in darkened room in front of a mirror on the evening of Halloween, the face of her future husband would appear. However, if they were destined to die before they married a skull would appear!

Whatever way you choose to celebrate, have fun and enjoy. We, here at Alchemy, would love to see pictures of you in your darkest dress. Please send them to us, you never know you may be featured on our Facebook page. Don’t forget the finishing touch though……. Your favourite piece of Alchemy!

Check out some of our spooky selections below! All of which are available to order by visiting our recommended dealers page at www.alchemyengland.com/buy