Halloween Archives - Page 3 of 14

Oct 28th Halloween Haunting – Part Three

Today, I decided to focus on the Halloween traditions more so than haunting. My point is that Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore. Today Halloween is attracting adults in a masquerade type atmosphere, much like Mardi Gras. Maybe it’s because of COVID over the past couple of years. Their costumed antics mock, challenged and tease the dread forces of the night. The other-world becomes our world on this night of reversible possibilities and transcendence. Are they reaffirming death as a part of life in in an exhilarating celebration of magic for an evening? Or like me, just enjoying the air of celebration on a night the veil between the living and the dead is purported to be the thinnest. Or maybe just one day out of the year they want to be someone or something else.

Every year with the help of my hubby,we decorate our house to the hilt on the days leading up to the first day of October and I revel in Halloween décor the entire month!

Did you know Jack-O-Lanterns originated in Ireland? People placed lit candles inside hollowed out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain (prounced Sah-ween) holiday. Boy, did we do a role reversal on that aspect of Halloween.

Most present day Halloween traditions are traceable to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween consists of mysterious customs, but each has a history, or at least a story behind it.

Take wearing costumes, and roaming from door to door demanding treats. This behavior can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and about, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them.

As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This is where the practice of trick-or-treating began. To this day, vampires, witches, ghosts, and skeletons are month the favorite costumes. Our Halloween also retains activities from the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, (pumpkins) as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices for cider associated with the day. Although at my house, hot chocolate is pretty popular!

Well, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to try on my vampire costume, custom fitted fangs, and check out the seating arrangements at my front door. Fill up the candy bowl which will sit on a stand beside me. Check to make sure the fog machine is working, so I can greet the little trick or treaters. Or better yet, scare the bejeebers out of the older ones with my bats hanging over head and screeching on my command. Halloween, my favorite holiday! Won’t you join me? If you celebrate, please let me know how in the comments below!! Happy Halloween!!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Celtic, Halloween, Harvest holiday, Ireland, Samhain by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Oct 25th Halloween Haunting Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado is extremely rich in history and it is also touted to be one of the Most Haunted Places in the United States.
On Highway 67, at the base of Pike’s Peak, southwest of Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek sits at an elevation of 9,500 feet. There are mine shafts, head frames, miner’s cabins long abandoned tumbling down. A lonely stone fireplace may be all that’s left of a miners home. Standing among the rubble might cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand on end. A brief visit to one of the abandoned cabins still standing, gives you a window into what it was like back in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. Can you imagine a more inviting place for ghost to spend Halloween?

Cripple Creek, Colorado was the land of opportunity beckoning men from across land and sea to claim their fortune in the gold fields. Most of the men came from the east where they were farmers and had little knowledge of gold mining. Pikes Peak or Bust was their battle cry, it was painted on covered wagons and carts. But the Rocky Mountains didn’t give up its gold easily, buried deep in the mountain, it was fifty years after the first wave of gold fever hit that the mountain gave up its gold.

Many prospectors lost everything they had, some even their lives in the pursuit of gold. With the tales of fires, (Cripple Creek burned to the ground in 1896) floods, mining accidents, general lawlessness in the beginning then bloody battles between mine owners and labor unions, it’s no wonder stories abound of ghosts haunting this historic town that once boasted one murder a day.

Hotel St. Nicolas

So let’s take a closer look at those ghosts. First up, The Hotel St. Nicholas boasts a colorful history. Today its spectacular view of Cripple Creek, 15 guest rooms, furnished with elegance of a bygone era and one restored historic miner’s cottage still includes tales of the supernatural and unexplained. Originally built as a hospital that served the flood victims in the region in the late nineteenth century, it also served as a home for the Sisters of Mercy. As time went on, the hospital served prospectors and their families and then expanded adding a ward for the mentally ill. The hospital closed in the 1970’s. St. Nicholas is rumored to be haunted by several spirits including children, former patients of the mental ward, nuns and an old cantankerous miner. For more information see Hotel St. Nicholas.

** Tomorrow we’ll take a look at more Halloween hauntings in Cripple Creek including the Imperial Hotel where I once attended a theater production of Dracula during the week of Halloween. That was a hair-raising experience I can’t wait to share with you. Until then Happy Haunting! Bawahahaha

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Colorado, ghosts, Halloween, Haunting, Mountain Town, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 3 comments.

Oct 23rd Sunday Snippet – Hidden Gypsy Magic

Welcome to Sunday Snippets. Each week I spotlight one of my books, tell you what’s special about it, and highlight an excerpt. Join me each week for this fun adventure. This week is Hidden Gypsy Magic part of A Witch’s Journey Series revolving around animal rescue, magic, second chances, and paying it forward. I’m sure you’ll love this feel good series! Let me tell you a little secret. I’ve always wanted to visit Salem, Massachusetts, own a cabin in Maine, and live in a lighthouse. Sure enough I live out my fantasies in my books.

I love all my books, but Hidden Gypsy Magic is one of my favorites. A house and cabin that clean and fix dinner. What more could you want? Maybe wildlife rescue? Magic? A handsome veterinarian? AND it available in audiobook! Yep this book as it all. So lets take a peek into Hidden Gypsy Magic!

Gwen a wildlife rehabilitor, and Brock a veterinarian, discover the consequences of awakening hidden gypsy magic.

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

A peek between the pages of Hidden Gypsy Magic:

“This house may not have a history of magic, but I’d bet it’s magical. Pepper is going to go nuts when she sees this. You’re going to put an offer in. Right?”

“As I said before, it may be completely out of my price range.”

“I have a feeling the house has been waiting for you.” Gwen flung her hand to her mouth, her face flushed, and her gaze swiveled to him. “I don’t know what made me say that.”

Looking thoughtful, he grinned. “Since the day I stumbled upon Pepper’s secret — then discovered that you and I share the gift or curse of gypsy blood, things have been different—” Pausing, he shoved his hand in his jean’s pocket and jingled the change in his pocket. “I’ve been different. It’s as if knowing magic exists awakened something in me.”

“Join the club. Years ago Pepper made a believer out of me. In fact, there were times I wished—never mind. Whether it was my outlook or as you said magic awakened. But to be fair, I’ve always had what I called a sixth sense with animals, attuned to their feelings, almost their thoughts, fears, that kind of thing. Pepper called it my talent. But as we became close, I noticed other abilities… you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“Try me.” He moved closer to her and the front door banged open. Quickly he rushed to the top of the stairs.

Next week, I’ll tell you a little story about what inspired An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement. A fun road trip turned magical.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Halloween, Hidden Gypsy Magic, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Oct 29th Halloween Spirit Search & All Hallows Eve Trivia

All Hallows Eve (Halloween) only two days left! Can you believe it? Toil and Trouble continued search for the Halloween Spirit is rewarded this week. You won’t believe what they found. LOL! Next to the pumpkin, sitting on the witch’s hat the Halloween Spirit giggling and shouting Happy Halloween. Click on the link to see the live version. IMG_2851

I love Halloween One day out of the year you can dress up and pretend to be anything you want and people don’t think you’re crazy. Okay, well, not as crazy as if it wasn’t Halloween!

With the usual snow predicted on Halloween, the first annual search for the Halloween Spirit countdown ends today Toil (Unicorn) and Trouble (dragon) have exciting news about All Hallows Eve Spirit. and called Dave to tell him.

Their friend, Dave (Skeleton), from Texas (thank you Jessica) after a weeks of searching for the Halloween Spirit delighted at Toil and Trouble’s news., Dave, Mort, Buster and little one celebrated by carving their Halloween Pumpkins.

With only two more days before Halloween, how about a little Halloween Trivia? Bwwwaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

Celebrating a spooktacular Halloween. Toil and Trouble have found the Halloween Spirit.

Did you know, most present day Halloween traditions are traceable to the ancient Celtic day of the dead? Halloween consists of mysterious customs, but each has a history, or at least a story behind it.

Take wearing costumes, and roaming from door to door demanding treats. This behavior can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and about, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This is where the practice of trick-or-treating began. To this day, vampires, witches, ghosts, and skeletons are among the favorite costumes.

Our Halloween also retains activities from the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, (pumpkins) as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices for cider associated with the day. Although at my house, hot chocolate is pretty popular, since Halloween almost guarantees the first snow of the year. This year is no different.

Let’s switch gears for a moment and take a peek at Cripple Creek, Mining District of Colorado. With its history of unexplained, supernatural occurrences, tales of haunted hotels, casinos, and homes no wonder Cripple Creek is touted to be one of the most haunted placed in the United States! What better way to celebrate Halloween than visit a haunted Cripple Creek?

Many prospectors lost everything they had, some even their lives in the pursuit of gold. With the tales of fires, (Cripple Creek burned to the ground in 1896) floods, mining accidents, general lawlessness in the beginning then bloody battles between mine owners and labor unions, it’s no wonder stories abound of ghosts haunting this historic town that once boasted one murder a day.

Hotel St. Nicolas

Hotel St. Nicolas

So let’s take a closer look at those ghosts. First up, The Hotel St. Nicholas boasts a colorful history. Today its spectacular view of Cripple Creek, 15 guest rooms, furnished with elegance of a bygone era and one restored historic miner’s cottage still includes tales of the supernatural and unexplained. Originally built as a hospital that served the flood victims in the region in the late nineteenth century, it also served as a home for the Sisters of Mercy. As time went on, the hospital served prospectors and their families and then expanded adding a ward for the mentally ill. The hospital closed in the 1970’s. St. Nicholas is rumored to be haunted by several spirits including children, former patients of the mental ward, nuns and an old cantankerous miner. For more information see Hotel St. Nicholas.

The Imperial Hotel at Third Street and Bennett Avenue known originally as the Collins Hotel, was built after most the town burned to the ground in 1896. As a young man, George Long emigrated from Europe and eventually made his way to Denver. He married his first cousin and together they ran the hotel. The union produced two daughters and a son. The eldest daughter, Alice, was mentally disturbed and the parents were forced to keep her locked in their apartment next to the lobby for her safety and the safety of others. Soon after George fell to his death while negotiating the narrow stairs to the basement. Or some say Alice escaped, waited for him at the top of the stairs, struck him over the head and he crashed to his death from the stop of the stairs. It’s rumored his ghost haunts the hotel to this day.
My experience at the Imperial Hotel was at the performance of Dracula by the Imperial Players in early 1990’s. The performance was excellent, but the strong feeling of someone watching, icy patches and pressure on my arm and lower back, when no one was there. The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up. After meeting the cast in the lobby for an autograph session, my family and I quickly exited the hotel and raced to the safety of our vehicle, thankful that we hadn’t booked a room. Looking back on the experience, was it the performance of Dracula in the supposedly haunted hotel that caused my imagination to run wild, or was there really something there? I admit to having an overactive imagination, but not that time. In the years since, I’ve visited Cripple Creek on numerous occasions, to explore old buildings and mining shacks. My husband and I drive up Hwy 67 to enjoy the turning of the Aspens in autumn, but I haven’t set foot in the Imperial Hotel since that night.

Looking for fun Halloween Reads? A Witch’s Journey Series are full of meddling ghosts, shapeshifters, sexy witch, a ruggedly-handsome Navy SEAL. Exciting stories of paranormal romance, redemption, wildlife rescue, time travel, and Halloween festivals. Available at Amazon.com, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. And I let you in on a little secret., the entire series are available in audiobooks. You may want to grab them all.

If vampires, werewolves, faeries, shapeshifters are you thing. You are going to want to check out A Demon’s WItch Series! Great Halloween Reads or for every other day of the year!

Well, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to don my vampire costume, custom fitted fangs and pull up a stool in the shadows. With a candy cauldron beside me, I sneakily turn on the fog machine. Out of the mist, I’ll greet the little trick or treaters or scare the bejeebers out of the older ones with bats hanging over head and screeching on my command. Won’t you join me? Social DIstancing of course with mask. Happy Halloween! Happy Haunting! Bawahahaha

Hope you’ve enjoyed Toil and Trouble’s search for the Halloween Spirit and a bit of Halloween trivia, along with a snippet of my Spooktacular books. Happy Halloween!