How to Survive Halloween

How to Survive the Halloween Apocalypse: The Halloween of the Blue Hunters Moon

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest. The following day was the new year and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. It was believed that on this night the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

Even more frightening, Halloween now marks a time that so many more evil spirits and creatures abound. It’s not just ghosts we need to be wary of though. There are zombies, vampires, witches, demons and a whole plethora of supernatural predators.

So far, 2020 has been one of those years when the incredible and unbelievable has already happened. We may think ‘things can’t get any worse’. But they can! And what is especially worrying is that this Halloween sees a full moon. But it gets worse! It’s a Blue Moon! As we all know there are only some things that happen once in a blue moon. They can, therefore, be unusual or perhaps, this Halloween, extra supernatural. This full moon is also a Hunter’s Moon, or Blood Moon. The Hunter’s Moon was the ideal time for hunters to track and kill their prey by autumn moonlight. Could this combination be the perfect time for a Halloween Apocalypse?

If so, it is worthwhile prepping to survive the Halloween Apocalypse. Fortunately a little overplanning won’t do us any harm. We can ensure we can protect ourselves from the unwanted attention of undesirable fiends on this night of magic and evil!

This article is a simple guide to some of the horrendous ghouls that you might encounter and how to protect yourself against them. Good luck and stay safe!

Ghosts

Also referred to as spirits, ghosts are the souls of deceased humans that have not moved on to Heaven or Hell. They are stuck on Earth. Ghosts usually reside in The Veil, but occasionally appear in the physical plane. Their appearance can range from an invisible presence to translucent or wispy shapes to realistic, life-like visions. A sign of a ghostly presence is the disruption of nearby electronics.

Ghosts are often bound to an object or a place. This is normally the building they died or lived in or the area where they died. Consequently, their movements tend to be restricted. However, this isn’t always the case. Some very powerful ghosts can move large distances.

Not all ghosts pose any kind of threat to us, but some are malevolent, evil spirits. Ghosts generally have a natural affinity to what killed them. For instance, if they died in a fire, some of their victims may also die in a fire.

Abilities and powers:

Not all ghosts have the same powers and abilities. Similarly, the level of power varies from one ghost to another. Typical powers are:

• Thermokinesis. This is the ability to lower the surrounding temperature.
• Invisibility. Ghosts can appear as they were in life, albeit in a wispy, flickering form, if they have enough strength. However they can also remain invisible or with a faint light.
• Telekinesis. This is the power to move things with the mind. Ghosts can do this if they can concentrate enough on the objects. Powerful ghosts can move many objects at once and even throw people around.
• Teleportation. This is the ability to move to another location instantly. Teleportation gives the power of super speed. Some ghosts can also move around because of ‘material attachment’. This is where the ghost’s essence is latched to an object that was important in life. Using telekinesis, the ghost can move with the object.
• Super strength. A ghost’s strength is a manifestation of its will power. Over time they can become much stronger than they were as humans. Vengeful, angry ghosts have shown themselves to be strong enough to fight with much higher supernatural beings.
• Astral perception. Ghosts can see other ghosts as well as beings such as Reapers and Demons that are naturally invisible..
• Intangibility. Ghosts can walk through objects, including walls, because they don’t have a body. This also enables them to phase their hands through people and cause internal injuries or stop the heart.
• Ability to manipulate the environment. As well as being able to drop the temperature, most ghosts can manipulate the elements. This includes fire, water and electricity.

Weaknesses and how to fight them:

Since ghosts often latch their essence to objects, destroying that object should prevent the ghost manifesting itself and haunting. Unfortunately it’s not always obvious what that object is so, until then, you may have to use a repellent.

• Salt repels ghosts and they can’t cross a line made of salt. If a person has been possessed by a ghost, feeding salt in to the mouth will cause the person to be released.
• Similarly, iron keeps such spirits at bay. Touching the ghost with iron will make it dissipate for a few minutes. This is also a way of releasing someone from being possessed. An iron crowbar or poker is therefore very handy when dealing with ghosts.
• Magic, such as a ghost repelling spell, can be used against ghosts, including poltergeists. Be careful if you use this method as it may only be temporary.

There are a number of ways that ghosts can be put to rest:

• Salting and burning the bones. This obviously means finding the corpse first which can be time consuming or even impossible. However, the salting and burning enables the spirit to cross over to the next life. It is particularly useful when dealing with violent and vengeful spirits.
• Destroying the haunted object. A haunted object is considered to be an extension, or remains, of a spirit. Consequently, destroying the object will put the ghost to rest.
• Sometimes a ghost manifests because it has an unfinished issue. Resolving the ghost’s issue or issues will enable it to pass on. Perhaps a Social Worker or Counsellor could help!
• Two ghosts fighting each other will lead to them destroying each other so they no longer exist. However, in rare cases a ghost may have the ability to destroy other ghosts. This can make the ghost stronger through the absorption of the defeated ghost’s. Encourage ghost to fight each other but be aware of the risk.
• Ghosts are unable to walk on holy ground. If they do, they will be destroyed. Unfortunately, some stronger ghosts are immune to this.
• A priest performing the Last Rites on a ghost will send it to rest. The problem is getting a ghost to allow this to be performed on them.

Vampires

A vampire is a being which survives by feeding on the life essence, usually blood, of living creatures. They are classed as ‘undead’ because they have no true life force of their own. This is why they are forced to feed on living blood.

Vampires normally appear human but have elongated fangs. These are used to puncture the necks of their victims from where they drain blood. Allegedly some vampires can develop feral, animalistic expressions when they are feeding or caught in battle. Folklore tells of vampires visiting their loved ones and causing mischief or deaths in the neighbourhood they had previously inhabited when they were alive.

Abilities and powers:

Vampires have extremely keen senses which are far superior to that of humans. For instance, the undead possess excellent hearing. Furthermore, their very strong sense of smell enables vampires to track blood over long distances.

Some accounts show that vampires have incredible agility. For example, they can climb vertical surfaces and jump from very tall buildings without hurting themselves upon landing. More recently they have been presented as having superhuman reflexes and are much stronger and faster than humans. Another ability that vampires have is that they can see in the dark. Vampires can transform themselves into bats and, possibly, other creatures too. It is also believed they can transform into mist.

It doesn’t stop there. They can read our thoughts and hypnotise us. Moving objects with their mind, ie telekinesis, is another power. They easily heal from wounds and disabilities. Wounds from bullets and crossbows have little effect on them.

Vampires can, in theory, ‘live’ forever. They do not age and are immune to disease and disability. They will only die by violent means.

Vampires can convert humans to Vampires

Weaknesses and how to fight them:

• Silver burns vampires on contact.
• Vampires can be killed by decapitation.  
• The image of the cross will frighten vampires and/or will burn them if touched by one.
• Vampires will die if their heart is removed or destroyed. The traditional way of destroying the heart is with a wooden stake. Note that some stories state that a vampire may remove its own heart and hide it elsewhere, in order to avoid this.)
• Vampires are vulnerable to fire in the same way as humans.
• A vampire can be killed by the sun’s rays. However, certain types of vampires are immune to the sun.
• Holy water burns a vampire’s skin, like acid, if it believes in the Christian God. In secular and multicultural societies there are likely to be more non Christian vampires than ever before.
• Vampires cannot set foot on holy ground (for example, land consecrated by a priest). The belief system could make a difference. For example, a Jewish vampire may set foot in a Buddhist Temple but not a synagogue.
• Vampires are unable to enter a building without invitation from the owner or inhabitant.
• Garlic is alleged to repulse vampires.
• In some stories, moonstone has a negative effect on vampires. 

Zombies

A zombie is usually a corpse that has come back to life. Alternatively, it could be someone who has been infected with a ‘zombie virus’ from the bite of another zombie. In the voodoo tradition, zombies are people revived by a voodoo practitioner known as a bokor.

Zombies can be strong, but mindless, beings with decaying flesh. Their only instinct is to feed and humans are viewed as a very delicious meal.

Abilities and powers:

Zombies have enhanced sense of hearing, sight and smell. They have much greater strength than that of a human. Being the ‘living dead’, zombies are near invulnerable as they are impervious to most harm.

Weaknesses and how to kill them:

• Contact with silver will burn and cause great discomfort to zombies.
• Shooting a zombie in the head will kill most zombies. However, it won’t stop a zombie that was raised through necromancy. Such zombies can only be stopped by being staked inside a coffin with silver.
• All zombies can be ‘killed’ by decapitation.
• Certain magical spells can also stop zombies. Unfortunately most of us don’t have those powers.
• To prevent bodies being raised as zombies, they should be cremated.

Wolfmen and Werewolves

A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope or wolfman, is a human with the ability to shape shift into a wolf or hybrid wolf-like creature. Such transformations are mostly associated with the appearance of the full moon. Halloween this year is on a full moon!

The most common physical description of werewolves is of a humanoid creature with lupine features. This includes hair all over the body, pointed ears, piercing eyes, a canine muzzle, and clawed digits on both hands and feet.

Werewolves are also capable of easily moving about either on two legs or on all fours.

Abilities and powers:

• Ability to transform into a werewolf during full moon. This could be a permanent change or an involuntary but temporary change.
• Improved senses, stamina, agility etc
• Strength and speed far superior to that of wolves or men. Even in an untransformed state they may have these to a lesser degree.
• Not all werewolves are vulnerable to silver or have the other traditional weaknesses.
• Ability to turn others into werewolves.

Weaknesses and how to fight them:

• Most werewolves are vulnerable to silver and wolfsbane.
• May be vulnerable to other Lycanthropes natural attacks.
• Werewolves and vampires are natural enemies. They may be vulnerable to a vampire’s bite.
• May be vulnerable to various canine weaknesses such as high pitch or loud noises or foul smell.
• Some references state that werewolves have no supernatural immunities. This means they can be stopped by conventional weapons. However, they are still very hardy and resilient. Other depictions state that they are immortal and indestructible unless exposed to a specific element, eg silver, or remedy.

Many modern depictions of werewolves are stated to be allergic to silver and others can be cured of lycanthropy through the use of different concoctions derived from specific types of plants.

Cures:

• The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed in the power of exhaustion in curing people of lycanthropy.
• In medieval Europe, there were three known methods of curing a victim of werewolfism. These were medicinally (usually using wolfsbane), surgically or by exorcism. Sadly, many of these cures advocated proved fatal to the patients.
• Striking a werewolf three times on the forehead or scalp with a knife is a Sicilian belief of Arabic origin. Another alleged cure from here is the piercing of the werewolf’s hands with nails.
• In parts of Germany, a werewolf could be cured by simply addressing it three times by its Christian name. A Danish belief states that simply scolding a werewolf will cure it. Conversion to Christianity was a common medieval method of removing werewolfism. A devotion to St. Hubert has also been given as a cure for and protection from lycanthropes. Rolling in dew is another method alleged to cure the ailment.

Witches and Warlocks

A Witch, known as a Warlock if male, is someone who practices witchcraft. In the popular heritage of the western world, a witch is generally viewed as female and with the ability to fly on a broomstick. They have the ability to feel and channel magical energy. Although historically seen as leaders and healers, magic eventually became feared. Consequently those practicing it were persecuted and usually killed.

Abilities and powers:

Witches and warlocks have access to magic. They exploit supernatural forces to varying degrees. Users have, more or less, limitless possibilities for what they can accomplish. Only their skill, personal power-level, imagination, knowledge and/or morality define the borders. The two types of magic are:

• Natural magic, or white magic, is a pure form of magic which draws from nature itself, as well as the inner strength of witches. Although powerful, this form of magic is limited by several rules, as this magic cannot go against the natural order of things.
• Dark magic, or black magic, is a form of magic that goes against the natural order. A prime of example of black magic is necromancy. This is the manipulation of the dead.

Witches and warlocks may gather in covens to increase their strength. They are able to cast more powerful magic when channelling each other.

They can also use magic to extend their lifespan.

Weaknesses and how to fight them:

• Apart from their ability to perform magic, witches and warlocks are ordinary humans. This means they possess all human weaknesses.
• Witches and warlocks can be killed through decapitation.
• They can be killed by having their hearts ripped from their chests.
• Performing magic puts strain on witches and warlocks. Channeling too much magic can weaken or hurt them physically.
• Witches and warlocks need to be in control of their emotions to channel magic. They may become unable to perform magic, leaving them powerless, if under emotional stress eg fear.

Gargoyles

Gargoyles are winged creatures either made of stone or with a stony hide. They often roost on chapels or other large structures. They are said to scare away evil spirits with their growling, distorted expressions.

In some legends, gargoyles are viewed as evil beings that eat humans or are vessels for demons. They serve those who have summoned them.

Consequently, there are good gargoyles and bad.

Abilities and powers:

• Gargoyles can only communicate when the wind or the rain passes through their mouths. 
• They can fly or glide if they have wings.
• Gargoyles can use their claws to scale buildings.
• They are capable of turning into stone. Some may be stone during the day, and can only move once night falls.
• Gargoyles are immune to the passing of time and cannot get sick.
• Some references state the ability to take human form.

Weaknesses and how to fight them:

• Gargoyles can’t usually leave their home structures. If they venture too far then they will either be compelled to turn back or will return to an inanimate state.
• Some sources state that gargoyles are completely nocturnal. They become inanimate when exposed to the sun’s rays.

Preparing for the Halloween Apocalypse

Although we have looked at some of the better known supernatural forces of evil, there are so many more. Do some research into the, so called, mythical creatures that inhabit your geographical area. This list of mythical creatures and beings might be a good starting place.

If you already have magical abilities, you’re definitely at an advantage. However you may need to learn how to use these effectively. It may be worthwhile signing up to a school or college of wizardry and magic. This would be great in the long-term but could take a while to perfect your skills.

It’s worthwhile getting a some kit sorted out that will help fend off or kill the supernatural enemy. The following may be useful:

• Salt. Plenty of it. This can be used against ghosts.
• Flamethrower. This will be effective against vampires, werewolves and witches.
• Axe or fully edged sword. For decapitating vampires, zombies, witches and werewolves.
• Crucifix. To disorient vampires.
• Garlic. To disorient vampires. Better still, since vampires don’t like holy things, get some consecrated bread too to make holy garlic bread.
• Wooden stake (or silver if possible). For destroying a vampire’s heart. Works on witches too.
• Silver bullets (and something to fire them with). For shooting werewolves. Use ordinary bullets on witches.
• Dog whistle. This may be of a high enough pitch to disorient a werewolf.
• Bug In Base. Ideally this will be consecrated holy ground. Don’t take any risks. Make sure it is consecrated by as many different religions as possible.
• Pet gargoyle. A friendly gargoyle will fight off evil and could prove to be a great and loyal ally. Make sure you get plenty of tinned gargoyle food too as you could be fighting dark forces for some time. Keep it close at hand so it can assist you wherever you are.
• Pumpkin lanterns etc. We all know these scare away evil spirits. Remember candles too.
• It’s already been mentioned but you will need more of it. Not a lot more. Just a pinch of salt.

Sources:

www.supernaturalwiki.com

https://supernatural.fandom.com