Little Velly Northwind's father was a ghost. Her mother was a conjurer. They raised her ladylike...almost. Little Velly Northwind's friends were skeletons and bats. She kept spiders in her hair. She played hide-and-seek with cats. Little Velly Northwind didn't need to wish for many things. She had every monster she could want, every magic potion …
I love American Scream. Have you seen it? Of the three families the documentary follows, only for one person do the film makers ask why Halloween means so much to him. For the others, why seems answered with a quick "it's fun" sort of answer and that's it. Victor though didn't get to celebrate Halloween …
"Not all angels are gold and light," her mother often said. "Some are dark and, oh, don't forget--they commune with the dead." The little girl walked quietly, listening close and nodding her head. The two walked through the graveyard gates to see that grandmother was fed. "Now darling daughter, don't be shy. There is no …
A raven flew into her hair one day and asked to make a home. The raven promised her everything. "You'll never be alone." She allowed the bird to perch in her thoughts and dreams. The raven kept all promises. "The world isn't what it seems." Her powers grew strong and true like nothing ever seen. …
There's a woman selling pumpkins and gleaming carving knives. She's selling rose-red apples and tricks for stealing lives. The black birds call her mother. The wolves bring her fresh meat. The spiders weave her dresses. She calls them all,"My sweet." There's a woman selling pumpkins and she calls herself a queen. She rules the spirits …
For no reason particular reason, my husband and I started watching old JK Rowling interviews. Years ago, when only three Harry Potter existed, a friend lent them to me. "Read these," she said. "You'll love them." I read all three in one weekend. Those were days when I could spend an entire weekend on the …
Halloween is coming. Are your pumpkins nicely carved? Are your apples dripping poison? Are your skeletons well starved? Halloween is coming. Is your broom ready to fly? Is your cauldron hot and boiling? Is your mirror set to scry? Halloween is coming. Has your cat sharpened her claws? Has your Tarot deck been sorted? Has …
If I were a witch in a fairy tale, I'd live deep in dark, green wood. Ravens and wolves would accompany me whether I was bad or good. If I were a witch in a fairy tale, I'd have books and bells and wings. Children would flock to hear my stories and play in my …
Every October I wish I lived somewhere with a real fall when days arrived with sweaters and boots and autumn leaves. It did drop to below 90 here, so that was something. And I convinced myself I felt a hint of cool on the breeze. Regardless, October is here and magic is coming. I'm dedicating …
Days like this remind of one of my favorite novels, Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. I return to it time and time again. It starts on the shores of Africa, a simple breeze among the palms and cassavas, before it's carried off, tied up with thousands like it, on a strong wave heading due west. …
Marta Bacon 