Hallowe'en on the Brain

Market stall display on Portobello Road, London, 2018

Halloween, in its current form, is primarily a North American tradition.  Its roots,  however, spring from the old Celtic traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Wales.  But the English don't observe All Hallow's Eve with the same vigour as the North Americans, who revel in Trick-or-Treating and spooky decorations, or even really at all.  They have Guy Fawkes' Night and all those bonfires to see to!

Nonetheless, our recent trip to England was just at the very end of summer and so for me, I was already beginning to dream about the glorious colours of Fall leaves and ... Halloween.   I think some of the pictures I took show that I definitely had "Halloween on the Brain" and show my strong fascination with anything slightly macabre or gothic - things that are ever present in wonderful, magical England!

Gargoyle on Albert Memorial, London

A grave in St. Alban's, Hertfordshire

Image from "The Leaky Cauldron" - Harry Potter World, London

Skull at Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Death, 1670, German, Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Skull at Chester Cathedral, Chester

Skull display from Harry Potter World, London

Hover over images to magically discover their origin!

Crow Mural in Glastonbury

Bat forming part of metal church screen, Spain, 16th century, Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Gargoyle on building in Glastonbury

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2019