Hello Riskies! It is with great sorrow that I announce that today marks my last Risky post. It’s been wonderful being part of your community for the last two years. Stay in touch! (The best ways to do that are probably to follow me on Twitter or sign up for my newsletter.
Next week is Halloween. I’m pretty excited because the BFF and I are dressing up as our two favorite wrestlers, who are also BFFs!
When I was researching Sussex for my Lively St. Lemeston books, I discovered that traditionally, Halloween in Sussex was a pretty romantic holiday! Or at least, it was a time when young people attempted to divine their romantic future. Here are two divinatory games/rituals that were played on Halloween:
1. Put two nuts in the fire, representing you and your crush. Then say “If he loves me, pop and fly; If he hates me, lie and die.” If the nuts burst or explode, scattering pieces, that’s a good omen for the relationship.
2. Everyone hangs an apple on a string in front of the fire, and then watches to see which fall first. The order in which the apples fall supposedly tells you the order in which the players will marry; the player whose apple falls last will never marry.
What are your Halloween plans?
I’ve always thought they’ll celebrate it as a masquerade ball with costumeseveral and masks. But popping nuts…. LOL wouldn’t that mean everyone one of them popped?
But Awww~ It has been wonderful having you as a Risky and getting to know you and your books, Rose. I’m super glad to have met you here and in person. Of course I’ll see you again real soon, but best of luck to you. And when youre free, drop by and say hi.
Wikipedia says: “Dressing up in costumes and going ‘guising’ was prevalent in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween by the late 19th century. Costuming became popular for Halloween parties in the US in the early 20th century, as often for adults as for children. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States.” (More here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween#History) I don’t think many (any?) rich people in the Regency were wearing costumes for Halloween, alas. And customs were different in Northern and Southern England, with Northern Halloween being a more prominent and possibly spookier holiday.
It’s been great getting to know you, too! Thank you for being so welcoming! <3 I'm so glad we got to meet at HRR. I'm sure we'll see each other soon, too.
You will be missed, Rose! However, keep the books coming as I so enjoy them and I hope you will stop in here to visit often!
And I love those Halloween traditions.
Thanks, Louisa! 😀 Don’t worry, there will be lots more books. (Slow and steady wins the race, right? …right?)
We will miss you, Rose. Please keep in touch–we want to know how you are doing and especially about new releases!
Thanks for sharing those traditions. I love the idea of romantic Halloween!
I’ve been invited to a Witches’ Ball, so I’m putting together a fancy witch costume for that. I’ll also be helping with my UU congregation’s Halloween Party, which means I get to don my witch costume again and decorate spooky cookies with small children. 🙂
Thanks, Elena! Ooh, HOW fancy a witch costume? Are we talking, like, a witch ballgown???
Not quite that fancy–though it sounds like a fun idea for another year! I’m wearing a black top and skirt I already have, but accessorizing in green and gold–a green velvet shawl, “emerald” jewelry, and a basic hat I’m going to decorate with ribbon and more rhinestones.
That sounds awesome! Have a blast. 😀
My favorite holiday!! I am thinking about going out as Phryne Fisher, since I already have a black flapper-ish dress 🙂
Oooh, that sounds awesome! \Phryne/