Roots of the Jack-o-Lantern

Source

Irish folklore holds that the tradition of carving pumpkins is rooted in the story of Stingy Jack - a mean and nasty blacksmith who was denied entry into heaven.. He was so rotten that the devil didn’t want Jack in hell either —  too much competition for him! So Jack’s spirit was condemned to wander the earth for eternity. But one request the devil did grant Jack was to give him something to light his way. What he got was a burning coal ember which Jack placed inside a carved out turnip. Thus, the tradition of the Jack O’ Lantern was born. To this day, people in Ireland still carve out turnips and illuminate them with stumps of candle. They’re then placed in a window or put on a gate post outside the house. Here in the United States, the custom was continued by millions of Irish emigrants who carved out pumpkins because they were a lot more plentiful than turnips.  

- Irish Culture & Customs

History.com has a similar version of the tale of Stingy Jack HERE

Carved Halloween Turnip - National Museum of Ireland 

Carved Turnips marthastewart.com

Autumn in the Hedges of our Heart

Glendalough Forest in October

I've been lucky enough to ramble the Celtic lands of Ireland, England, & Wales during this ephemeral season of Autumn. To taste the blackberries on the brambles, to stir up golden leaves. They are beautiful, enchanting places in each season but they have a atmosphere to them in the Fall, with the hedgerows adorned with myriad berries and the valleys swallowed in mists.

It is not wonder that so many of our Halloween traditions are rooted in these lands. More on Samhain traditions in the following week but today I share some of the fruits of fall that I've encountered on my travels, some of the shimmering leaves, the golden light and the mythic shadows.

Giant Rosehips found in Cornwall, England - The biggest I've ever seen! Rosehips are edible & medicinal & kind of otherworldly here. 

Rosehips - What is left after a rose blooms. 

Rowan Berries - just everywhere across the countryside

Rowan Berries

Hawthorn Berries

View of Glendalough (Valley of the Two Lakes) from a long hike uphill. 

Dublin Cobbles and Gilt Leaves

Path to Tintern Abbey, County Wexford, Ireland

A gold leaf strewn path at Glenariff Forest Park, Antrim, Ireland. The Waterfall Hike. 

A Glowing Orange Footpath through Tollymore Forest Park, County Down, Ireland

Also hop over to Into the Hermitage to read of an artist's daily life during Autumn in England - full of old traditions - including elderberry and rosehip syrups. Rima Staines makes the most mysteriously beautiful art forever situated in the hedgerows of Autumn. Here shop is HERE .