Things That Go Bump in the Night By Jay Barrymore Halloween is associated with a variety of spectral creatures and entities that can raise goosebumps! These spirits can be found roaming on other nights of the year as well, but Halloween (Samhain) is the peak of their activity. The Celtic Pooka is a mischievous spirit that slinks along the dark countryside looking for people to harm and crops to devastate. It is a shape-shifter, and can appear in a variety of forms (mostly animals). It usually has the appearance of a big ugly black horse. Other popular shapes include an ass, bull, goat and eagle. The Pooka appears in other Celtic lands besides Ireland, identified by close variations of its name, such as Puca, or Puck. (It's believed that the Pooka is the precursor of Shakespeare's Puck). The Pooka inhabits old ruins or can be found on remote and lonely mountains. In at least one instance, country folk were said to be able to consult the Pooka as an Oracle to discover what would befall them in the coming year. November is sacred to the Pooka, and its answers to inquiries would cover from that moment to the next November. Also, the Pooka would answer with a human's voice. In thanks and homage (and possibly as an offering to avert mischievousness), the people would leave gifts and presents at the scene. The Banshee is an attendant fairy that follows an old family, and announces an impending death among the household with a mournful wail or scream. The Banshee was originally a Goddess aspect; however, she has been demoted to a spectral fairy (as have many of the Celtic deities). The keening of Irish women mourning the death of a relative is supposed to be an imitation of the Banshee's cry. (It was the Fire Goddess Brighid, who invented keening when She lost one of Her beloved sons.) Sometimes more than one Banshee may be present. When they wail in chorus, it's the sign of the impending death of a person of notoriety. Another spectral occurrence associated with the Banshee is the Coach-a-Bower, a black coach containing a coffin that is drawn by headless horses. This vehicle, driven by the Dullahan (a headless driver), may ride up to a person's front door; and should the tenant open it, a basin of blood would be thrown in their face! This was an omen of a future death in the family. Ghosts are a well known entity associated with Halloween. These specters exist in an intermediary state between this world and the next, not wishing to pass on because they refuse to give up earthly longings or pleasures. Some are also said to hang around because of an unfulfilled duty or task, while others have a vengeance, and wish to cause misery to some hated enemy during their previous life. One theory espouses that people who die suddenly are more prone to become haunting ghosts as opposed to others who may have time to prepare for death. Some may not even be aware that they've died! They will continue with daily chores and routines as if they were still alive. The Romans paid respects to spirits called Folletti, who were associated with the wind and traveled in dust devils. These spirits are friendly to humans; however, they are mischievous. Being extremely fond of sexual situations, Folletti have been known to steal kisses from women in the passing breeze, and it's the Folletti who cause a woman's dress to lift in a wind. Another branch of the Folletti is an elven race called the Linchetto. These beings are dwellers of the night and are the cause of nightmares and of strange noises in the dark. La Vecchian Religione also acknowledged the existence of Larvae. These entities were the souls of deceased persons who were ever restless due to crimes and carnage they had wrought during their lifetimes. Larvae are similar to ghosts, and they were believed to be the cause of madness among the living. Goblins were sometimes referred to as household familiars but usually eschewed the company of humans. Goblins love to play tricks and pranks upon the unwary. Goblins are usually equated with Gnomes (the Earth Elementals). The Hobgoblin is an ugly and mischievous sprite. This creature is not a demonic entity; however, it is associated with Black Magick. Again, the Hobgoblin is actually an Elemental or nature being. The Bogy (or Bogey), from which the `Boogy Man' derives, was a Scottish Hobgoblin. The name is similar to (and relates to) the Welsh Bwg, which means Bug, and which more or less implies a ghost. An Imp is normally regarded as a Witches' Familiar. The Creature was originally believed to be a child, since the Old English word, Impian, means offspring. It definitely denotes a being of a child-like stature. The Dus is a hairy wood demon of Celtic lore. The word deuce is derived from this creature's name, which is allegedly synonymous with the Devil. Elves are small and slightly mischievous beings who normally remain invisible to humans. The nature of the Elf can be deduced from the meaning of their name, which originated from the Teutonic Alp, which means Nightmare. Early traditions regarding elves indicate that they were similar to humans in appearance; however, they also seemed to be comprised of parts from other animals as well. Figures of speech also point to their mischievous nature. Elf-locks is a term for tangled hair. A person who is Elf-shot is someone who is suffering from an unknown disease, suspected to be induced by a poisoned Elf-arrow. And a person who is Elf-marked has natural physical blemishes. The Kobold originally was a Gnome or house spirit in German fairy lore, but also denoted a spirit that likes to play pranks on people. Kobolds live in mines. They were described as demons, since Twelfth Century miners believed that the metallic ore, Cobalt, was harmful to the Silver ore that they were trying to extract. Kobolds, however, are actually soul beings of the Earth Element. A Mare has become associated with the demonic Incubus and Succubus. An Incubus would seduce a woman while she was asleep, while a Succubus would concern itself with men. It's from these derivations that the word mare can be found as part of nightmare. However, Mares appeared earlier to be spirits of a less demonic nature, since Saxons associated the Woodmare with an echo. The Kelpie is a Scottish spirit described as a water-horse. The name is often used to denote an Undine (the Water Elemental); however, Undines are almost always shy of humans. Kelpies have a reputation for frightening people, and especially love to scare children. They appear as black or grey horses, and are said to lead astray or even devour travelers who mount them to ride across a stream or river. Another Scottish spirit of an evil nature was called the Red Cap. This is an old man with long nails. He wears a red cap stained with blood. The Red Cap lurks along the Scottish border in and around the peel-towers that are found there. The Black Cat is a creature of Witchcraft, and is definitely an aspect of Halloween. Even in old churches in the British Isles, the cat is depicted in carvings as a sinister and evil entity, becoming a feline demon. The fear of having a Black Cat cross one's path comes from the belief that witches could turn themselves into cats. However, having a Black Cat cross your path (whether it is indeed a Witch or not), is actually a good omen. Vampires are a blood-sucking creature that most of us are familiar with through the movies. These beings are usually associated with the Balkan countries and Britain. Vampirism has always been associated with the use of Black Magick. Black Magicians are believed to be most susceptible to becoming Vampires after death. They are classed with ghosts, people reluctant to pass on to the Summerland. Their souls wish to remain linked to the Earth. The body of the Vampire is preserved using etheric material, and the creature needs to feast on blood to preserve its vitality and existence. In the old days, people of an unhallowed nature (meaning Witches) were hanged and then buried at crossroads with stakes through their hearts. This was believed to keep the dead person from becoming a Vampire. This practice was legally abolished in 1823. In the present day, most Magickal people are more concerned with a Vampire of a different type: the psychic vampire. This is a person that can drain the vitality of another. These variations of the Vampire have the ability to draw life and energy from another person, however, their outward appearance and actions may make them look totally innocent. Gremlins are famed for wreaking havoc upon World War II aviators, causing their planes to malfunction. According to one account, Gremlins resemble jackrabbits crossed with bullterriers. They are alleged to be fond of drinking gasoline and love to distract airplane pilots. They are blamed for the disorientation of pilots when constellations and stars appear out of place, and of course, it's the Gremlin who makes radios fail. The Golem is a creature from Jewish folklore made artificially through magick and the Sacred Names of God. Using the names of Yahweh, the Magician can call upon the very essence of God and make actual living creations that can be slaves or servants. It was feared though, that the Golem would grow in power day by day, and would eventually be able to break its servitude and overcome its master. To prevent this, the Magician would periodically remove one of the sacred Hebrew letters employed to make the thing alive, which then would cause the Golem to return to dust. Variations of this technique are employed in Magick today through the creation of artificial intelligence, or Elementals. Speaking of making inanimate objects alive, what about the Zombie? The Zombie is a dead body magically brought back to life. The real basis for the belief in Zombies was presented in the book and movie, The Serpent and the Rainbow. The Zombie was believed to be a revitalized corpse that could be a slave. Belief in Zombies ranges from the Caribbean to West Africa. One remedy to bring a Zombie out of its trance is to make it eat salt, which has the result of awakening the person to their condition. According to folk belief, the Zombie then will hurry back to its grave and rebury itself. The list of beasties and ghosties could continue for many pages. Some are beneficial, others are malignant; however, all can bring chills to the civilized soul and make us feel the most primal emotions. Cold windy nights, the most severe of lightning storms, dark and dank places: this is their domain, and Halloween is their season. | 
