Some long-held Halloween superstitions

Many different superstitions abound, some of which are tailor made for Halloween haunting. If a candle goes out on its own on Halloween, it is thought a ghost has come to call. A burning candle inside of a Jack-o-lantern on Halloween keeps evil spirts at bay. You invite bad luck into your home if you allow a fire to burn out on Halloween. A person born on Halloween can both see and talk to spirits. Seeing a spider on Halloween could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching you. If you hear footsteps behind you on Halloween, don’t look back because it could be the dead following. Carry a lump of bread in your pocket when walking in the dark to serve as an offering to ghosts. Don’t look at your shadow in moonlight on Halloween night. Otherwise, you will die within a short period of time. When a person lived a good life, flowers will grow on his grave. If he was evil, weeds will grow. Never slam a door; otherwise, you could hurt a ghost and risk haunting. Holding your breath while driving by a cemetery keeps evil spirits from entering your body. If a bat flies around a house three times, it is a death omen. Ringing a bell on Halloween will scare evil spirts away. Knock on wood to keep bad luck away. A bat that enters a home may have been let in by a ghost.