|
 Witches
and Warlocks have had a long history with Halloween. Legends
tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons
changed, on April 30 - the eve of May Day and the other
was on the eve of October 31 - All Hallow's Eve.
The
witches would gather on these nights, arriving on broomsticks,
to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions
told of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people,
transform themselves into different forms and causing
other magical mischief.
It
was said that to meet a witch you had to put your clothes
on wrong side out and you had to walk backwards on Halloween
night. Then at midnight you would see a witch.
When
the early settlers came to America, they brought along
their belief in witches. In American the legends of witches
spread and mixed with the beliefs of others, the Native
Americans - who also believed in witches, and then later
with the black magic beliefs of the African slaves.
The
black cat has long been associated with witches. Many
superstitions have evolved about cats. It was believed
that witches could change into cats. Some people also
believed that cats were the spirits of the dead.
One
of the best known superstitions is that of the black cat.
If a black cat was to cross your path you would have to
turn around and go back because many people believe if
you continued bad luck would strike you.
|
