Halloween on the Net - The Witches' Caldron

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog"

"Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing"

"For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and babble"

"Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble"
William Shakespeare

The Witches' Caldron*

Witches and Warlocks have had a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons changed, on April 30 - the eve of May Day and the other was on the eve of October 31 - All Hallow's Eve.

The witches would gather on these nights, arriving on broomsticks, to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions told of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people, transform themselves into different forms and causing other magical mischief.

It was said that to meet a witch you had to put your clothes on wrong side out and you had to walk backwards on Halloween night. Then at midnight you would see a witch.

When the early settlers came to America, they brought along their belief in witches. In American the legends of witches spread and mixed with the beliefs of others, the Native Americans - who also believed in witches, and then later with the black magic beliefs of the African slaves.

The black cat has long been associated with witches. Many superstitions have evolved about cats. It was believed that witches could change into cats. Some people also believed that cats were the spirits of the dead.

One of the best known superstitions is that of the black cat. If a black cat was to cross your path you would have to turn around and go back because many people believe if you continued bad luck would strike you.

*Holidays on the Net has received numerous objections about our presentation of Halloween folklore involving witches. In fairness we present this letter from one of our visitors wishing to address this stereotyping. " Letter to the Webmaster:"

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Comments

esme from Spain

08:41 12/06/2009

thanks for all this information, IÂ´m studying English and I have to prepare a class about halloween. I love Halloween!!!

kyla king from Washington, US

15:59 11/02/2009

this is really wired!!!!

Serenity Payne from Kansas, US

15:33 10/30/2009

I actually enjoy the website thank you.

autumn flickingtail from Ohio, US

13:20 10/08/2009

Thank you for putting up the letter, i hope it educates even the closed minded. wish i could show my in-laws that! Blessed Be!

Vicky from California, US

20:02 09/30/2009

Blessed Be...Raven Moon. At least someone speaks up and says, its false stories like above that give misconception of beings of light who nuture and care for the earth, for children and all loving beings. Have a Happy Hallow Eve V

Raven Moon from Connecticut, US

07:47 09/11/2009

Where did you get your information? You should research better next time you write lies about a very old and sacred relgion. It is articles like this that sterotype us Witches making us look bad and evil, when we actually are the ones that help and heal and spread love and light through the God and Goddess. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT !!!!!!

Ericka from Alabama, US

14:39 06/24/2009

halloween is awsome dudes!!!!!!!!!

Crone Witch Cinnamon from Nevada, US

10:25 06/20/2009

Witches, as another Witch stated, do not believe in the devil. And harm none. Blessed Be

daysleeper from Nebraska, US

00:06 06/16/2009

while I am glad to see you did post the letter sent to the webmaster, I am wondering why you didn't just update the article to incorporate the information the letter contained. Many people who read this article may not take the time to continue their reading and as a result will walk away misinformed about the origins of Halloween. Why not use this site to educate your readers rather then presenting misguided information on the subject?

Em from Kansas, US

21:14 05/10/2009

Go Halloween!!!

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