Samhain
Halloween Is for Heavy Metal Lovers
Whether you're gore-obsessed or looking to haunt a London dungeon, Halloween belongs to the heshers (also, check out new tunes from Without, Northumbria, Integrity, Druj, and more!).
We Spoke to a Druid About the Occult History of Apple-Bobbing
The practice of cutting open an apple to reveal that most potent symbol within— that of the pentagram—is still carried on today, particularly at Samhain and Halloween.
Why Apple Bobbing Is Actually a Female Fertility Ritual
Apple-bobbing is more than just a watery Halloween game. Throughout history, it has been the dominion of witches, sex, love, and women—an act of enchantment rather than simple pomaceous fondling.
Bake This Samhain Bread Instead of Eating Halloween Candy
Samhain is the pagan celebration of the final harvest before winter sets in. And if you're going to harvest, you've got to make your goods into some lovely, fluffy carbs so that you don't get too drunk on mead and sleep through all the partying.
Make This Witch-Approved Pumpkin Chicken Soup Tonight
Laurie Cabot, the official witch of Salem, serves this simple chicken soup on Samhain (from a festive pumpkin, no less).
Laurie Cabot's Chicken Soup in Pumpkin Shells Recipe
Save on dish duty and put your soup into the shell of a pumpkin.
Skeletons in the Closet: An Interview with Glenn Danzig
Ahead of the release of his new covers album, Evil Elvis opens up about longevity, the blues, and Christina Ricci.
We Asked Salem's Official Witch What to Eat at a Pagan Sabbat
Laurie Cabot was dubbed "The Official Witch of Salem" back in the 1970s, and she's more than deserving of the title. We called her up to see how she and her fellow witches are celebrating Samhain, the pre-Christian precursor to Halloween.
Your Local Shelter Probably Won't Let You Adopt a Black Cat Around Halloween
You really can't, and it's "because apparently there are bad people," one shelter vaguely told us.
Why Pagans Spend Halloween Baking Bread
Pagans in the English town of Glastonbury celebrate Samhain—a festival marking the start of winter—with mead, storytelling, and ancient bread recipes.