🎃 THE MIDNIGHT READING ROOM WITH STEVEN MAYES

HALLOWEEN ORIGINS: EPISODE FIVE | THE GRAND FINALE

Fifteen chapters. Five episodes. More than a century of Halloween history.

And tonight, on Halloween itself, our journey comes to an end.

Welcome to the fifth and final installment of our reading of Ruth Edna Kelley's remarkable 1919 book, The Book of Hallowe'en: The Origin and History of Halloween.

Join host Steven Mayes as we conclude our exploration of ancient superstitions, haunted histories, forgotten customs, and the extraordinary traditions that helped shape Halloween as we know it.

TONIGHT'S FINAL THREE CHAPTERS:

Chapter XIII: Walpurgis Night

Discover the mysterious springtime counterpart to Halloween, when witches were believed to gather, supernatural forces wandered the earth, and ancient rituals promised glimpses into the future.

Chapter XIV: More Hallowtide Beliefs and Customs

Travel beyond the British Isles to explore traditions of remembering the dead in Europe and Asia, including eerie apparitions, ancient spirit beliefs, and a touching tale about a young girl and her mother's mirror.

Chapter XV: Hallowe'en in America

Our journey comes full circle as we explore how European customs became part of American Halloween celebrations. From colonial ghost stories and witchcraft legends to pumpkin lanterns, costume parties, fortune-telling games, and early twentieth-century holiday traditions.

A SPECIAL GRAND FINALE COMMENTARY

Following the final reading, Steven reflects on the extraordinary journey through all fifteen chapters.

We'll discuss:

- The life of Ruth Edna Kelley, the young librarian who published this book in 1919.

- The world of 1919, including the aftermath of World War I and the influenza pandemic.

- How Halloween celebrations have changed between 1919 and 2026.

- Which customs have survived, which have faded, and which are probably best left in the history books.

- The use of outdated racial terminology, historical dialect writing, and changing meanings of words.

- Why baking buttons, rings, and thimbles into cakes is not exactly a recommended modern Halloween activity!

- How this remarkable century-old book remains available today through digital libraries, audio recordings, and modern editions.

HISTORICAL CONTENT ADVISORY:

Originally published in 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley's work contains historical interpretations, outdated terminology, racial stereotypes, and descriptions of potentially dangerous customs that reflect aspects of its era.

These passages are preserved as historical literature and discussed in context. Their inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Some of Kelley's historical explanations differ from contemporary scholarship, and dangerous rituals should not be recreated.

The Book of Hallowe'en (1919) is in the public domain in the United States.

THE BOOK IS FINISHED, BUT THE READING ROOM REMAINS OPEN.

This concludes our first complete literary series, but The Midnight Reading Room will continue exploring forgotten books, haunted histories, classic ghost stories, mysterious encounters, and supernatural folklore.

Thank you to everyone listening across the United States and around the world.

Your feedback will help shape the future of the program.

From The Midnight Reading Room, Happy Halloween!

Until our next visit...

Keep a light burning... and good night. 🕯️

🎙️ THE MIDNIGHT READING ROOM

Halloween Origins: Episode 4 | Wales, Brittany & Witchcraft

Hosted and narrated by Steven Mayes

The night before Halloween has arrived, and the journey through the mysterious origins of this ancient holiday continues!

Welcome back to The Midnight Reading Room, where forgotten literature, supernatural folklore, and centuries-old mysteries are brought back to life.

In Episode Four, we continue Ruth Edna Kelley's 1919 classic, The Book of Hallowe'en: The Origin and History of Halloween, exploring the strange beliefs, supernatural traditions, and darker legends of European history.

Tonight's readings include:

- Chapter X: In Wales

Ancient bonfires, fairy rings, the mysterious black sow, omens of death, and unusual Welsh Halloween traditions.

- Chapter XI: In Brittany and France

The haunting figure of l'Ankou, the legendary sunken city of Ker-Is, ghostly processions, and the touching belief that departed loved ones return home on All Souls' Eve.

- Chapter XII: The Teutonic Religion. Witches.

Norse mythology, Odin's Wild Hunt, ancient gods, the origins of European witchcraft legends, supernatural creatures, and the tragic persecution of those accused of practicing witchcraft.

A Special Halloween Eve Commentary

Following tonight's readings, Steven steps away from the book to explore the history of October 30, known in parts of the United States as Mischief Night or Devil's Night.

From harmless neighborhood pranks to Detroit's troubled history of Halloween-related vandalism and arson, we examine how the community eventually responded through the tradition of Angel's Night.

Plus, a special thank-you and Halloween greeting to our growing international audience, including listeners in the United States, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia, and Russia.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Opening Theme and Storm Ambience

00:22 - Introduction

02:01 - Chapter X: In Wales

07:22 - Chapter XI: In Brittany and France

18:37 - Chapter XII: The Teutonic Religion. Witches

36:03 - Steven's Recap, Mischief Night & International Greetings

41:22 - Closing Theme

A Note on Historical Accuracy

Originally published in 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley's work reflects the historical scholarship, cultural attitudes, and folklore interpretations of its era. Some explanations and historical connections differ from contemporary academic research.

Supernatural encounters, ancient rituals, and witchcraft-related accounts are presented as historical literature and folklore rather than established facts or recommended practices.

The Book of Hallowe'en (1919) by Ruth Edna Kelley is in the public domain in the United States.

COMING NEXT: THE HALLOWEEN FINALE!

On October 31, our journey concludes with Chapters XIII, XIV, and XV, exploring Walpurgis Night, Hallowtide, and the history of Halloween in America.

But the closing of this book is only the beginning for The Midnight Reading Room. More haunted histories, classic ghost stories, and supernatural mysteries are waiting on the shelves.

Thank you for listening!

Follow The Midnight Reading Room on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, etc .

Keep a light burning... and good night. 🕯️

Welcome back to The Midnight Reading Room with Steven Mayes, where forgotten literature, supernatural folklore, and mysterious tales from centuries past come alive.

In Episode Three of our Halloween Origins series, we continue Ruth Edna Kelley's 1919 classic, The Book of Hallowe'en: The Origin and History of Halloween.

Tonight, our journey takes us through Scotland, the Hebrides, England, and the Isle of Man, exploring the extraordinary beliefs and traditions once associated with Halloween.

Tonight's readings:

- Chapter VIII: Hallowe'en Beliefs and Customs in Scotland and the Hebrides

- Chapter IX: Hallowe'en Beliefs and Customs in England and Man

Discover ancient bonfires, haunted crossroads, witches' gatherings, supernatural visitors, fairy folklore, carved turnips, and centuries-old fortune-telling customs.

We'll also encounter surprising literary connections to King Arthur, Peter Pan, Shakespeare, and Robert Burns.

Following the readings, Steven returns with a conversational recap, a little humor, and reflections on the remarkable ways Halloween traditions have survived through the centuries.

We'll also explain an unfamiliar historical use of the word "fagots," discuss some genuinely dangerous old Halloween rituals, and reflect on the touching tradition of remembering loved ones who have passed away.

Episode chapters:

00:00 - Opening Theme

00:09 - Introduction

01:51 - Chapter VIII: Scotland and the Hebrides

22:55 - Chapter IX: England and the Isle of Man

40:25 - Steven's Recap and Commentary

45:20 - Closing Theme

Historical Note: Originally published in 1919, Ruth Edna Kelley's work reflects the folklore, cultural attitudes, and historical interpretations of its era. Some explanations differ from contemporary scholarship. Historical rituals are described for educational and literary purposes and should not be recreated where unsafe.

The Book of Hallowe'en (1919) by Ruth Edna Kelley is in the public domain in the United States.

Thank you to our listeners throughout the United States and around the world!

Coming Next: Halloween traditions in Wales, Brittany, and France, followed by darker European beliefs surrounding witchcraft.

If you're enjoying The Midnight Reading Room, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who loves history, folklore, and a good old-fashioned ghost story.

Keep a light burning... and good night.