Ghouls, Ghosts & Good Times
THERE are at least two resident ghosts at Cape Otway Lightstation and this Halloween we want as many young trick or treaters to help us spook the spooks.
There's free entry for everyone dressed to thrill or scare as part of the KIDZONE @ The Cape Programme on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. There will be lots of fun and games for little tricksters. For those who'd rather have a treat there will be a sausage sizzle, snacks and drinks, provided as part of the afternoon's action-packed activities. There will be prizes for the spookiest, ugliest, fairest and sweetest. For more information please contact the Lightstation on 03 5237 9240.
History of Halloween
Celebrated on October 31, Halloween dates back thousands of years and its origins can be found amongst the traditions of the Celts in Britain and northern Europe. They used to celebrate New Year on November 1, the end of the season of the sun, in preparation for the season of cold and darkness. (Remember that at these latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere it is only daylight from about 9.30am until 4pm). According to legend, the sun god, whom Celts used to worship, was taken prisoner by Samhain, Lord of the Dead and Prince of Darkness, during the winter months.
On the day before their New Year, on October 31, Celts believed that Samhain gathered all the dead together who then took on the forms of animals and roamed the country causing trouble. Cats were seen as the most evil of the creatures. Druids and Celtic priests would light fires in the woods amongst oak trees, which they believed to be sacred, and dance around offering sacrifices to ward off the evil spirits. They would then take embers from the fire and use them to light fires in their homes to keep them warm and free from evil during the winter months.
When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 BC the Celtic festival became entwined with the Roman worship of Pamona. She was the goddess of fruits and gardens and it is from here that the association with apples and nuts that people eat at Halloween originates.
The arrival of Christianity in Britain added new influences to the celebration. Christians celebrate All Saints Day on November 1. This feast day was originally called All Hallows Day. October 31 became known as All Hallows Eve, which later changed to Halloween.
During the Christian festival, people used to dress up as angels, saints, and devils. Nowadays, Halloween is celebrated in many countries across the world. Activities include apple bobbing, dressing up, making jack o' lanterns out of pumpkins to ward off evil, and trick or treating. (Source: Times Educational Supplement)
Come & meet our naughty ghost
Cape Otway Lightstation's most mischievous ghost is the Lady in Grey, who is often seen or sensed by tourists and people who stay at the lighthouse.
The ghost of Mrs Riches has been known to turn guests' electric blankets up to high while they're asleep in bed.
The naughty Mrs Riches regularly flicks light switches on and off, and gets a kick out of making the phone ring in the middle of the night.
"We get phone calls from the café in the middle of the night when there's no-one there. Weird things like that happen," said Lightstation manager Paul Thompson.
"It's said that she haunts the café, which used to be the Assistant Lightkeeper's Cottage, because that's the last place she was happy."