Halloween is almost here again. It's one of my favorite times of year and everyone who looks forward to it knows why. It's the parties, the dressing up and the emotional feelings that comes with Autumn.
What else is there? Oh, ghosts and goblins? I don't know that we're really into that anymore, are we? I mean, we're probably binge-watching horror movies this time of year or working up a good scare in some way or another, but do we really care at all? Surely we have other things to worry about.
The origins of Halloween stay on the isle of Celtic-European culture; where they are still celebrated today although it would appear that the holiday is dominated by the American tradition, so maybe it isn't celebrated as much as it used to. The way I see it, Halloween in America has squeezed out the magic of the event since it was recognized as a holiday in the early part of the twentieth century.
Or maybe it's the public mindset.
That mindset is changing in a very big way and I'll say that, even knowing it changes all the time, but this is a particularly interesting change in that it threatens the existence of that old world. For example, there are more fact checkers around which is encouraging critical thinking. Recent polls have shown a more reasonable approach to religion. Obviously there can't be an even balance of faith and rationalism so Texas ghost stories like 'El Muerto', are laughable, but it's based on some truth, at least the history of the story seems to be, which is pretty scary because of its disturbing details.
Let me introduce you to Cynthia. I found her at a church sale and had to have her. She's in puritan dress and I used her for this little ad that I made last year. The doll plays on many people's fears so I've exploited her looks for that purpose. Ghost stories about demon-possession or other hidden evils have greatly influenced how we look at things like this. It's just a doll, right?
Then I started thinking about the possibilities of the existence of mysterious entities out there in the world. Some where in the a harsh environment, and unmonitored by human eyes are secrets and nature doesn't give a shit about morals, it thrives under a different set of rules.
Could some ancient entity possess a inanimate object? Or something evil?