Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns & Wood Spirits

This month (October) is my annual Halloween Special issue where I’ll be telling some Halloween and Wood Spirit stories.  Long-time subscribers may have seen a couple of these but I’m posting them again for the benefit of all the new subscribers who just joined this year.  However, I’m sure you will all find something new and interesting.

The Story of Halloween

Most people think of Halloween as a night of dress up in ghostly or funny costumes, to have parties, or to go “trick-or-treating” and never consider why or how much a holiday evolved from a serious annual rite in ancient times.  What is actually being celebrated is two customs that have been combined into one.

The first tradition is the observance of a Catholic religious day set aside to honor saints.  Referred to as “All Hallows Day” or “All Saints Day,” this holy day is held on November 1st.  The night before  is known as “All Hallows Eve,” from which the name Halloween evolved.

The second celebration is from Northern France and the British Isles where the Celtic people celebrated the end of the Celtic year known as Samhain (pronounced sow-en) or “Summer’s End.”  This festival was a time set aside to honor the dead.  The Celts believed that the realm of the dead, or the spirit world, and the physical world were closest together during Samhain.

The traditional celebration of Samhain included carving jack-o-lanterns from gourds and turnips and lighting them with coals or candles to show the way for deceased loved ones.  At the same time, these lanterns were believed to ward off evil spirits.  Another version of the celebration indicates that the disembodied spirits of those who died during the year were intermingled with the living on that night.  They attempted to possess the living to hopes of being allowed to have an afterlife.  In an effort to frighten away the spirits, people would leave their houses unlit and cold, dress up in ghoulish costumes and parade around town being destructive as possible.  This tradition set the stage for today’s children’s refrain “trick or treat.”  When the Europeans arrived in the New World, they discovered a new fruit that was larger than the turnip and easier to carve: the pumpkin.  The pumpkin has been the symbol of Halloween ever since.

The Story of The Jack-O-Lantern

The story of the name Jack-o-lantern has a history of its own.  It derives from a folk tale about a disreputable drunkard by the name of Jack who, upon learning that the devil had come for his soul, tricked the devil into buying him one last drink.  Having no money, Jack convinced the devil to transform himself into coins so that Jack could buy his last drink.  Instead of buying the drink, Jack placed the coins in his pocket along with a silver cross, thus preventing the devil from returning to his common state.  To be released the devil agreed to leave Jack’s soul alone for ten years.

After ten years had passed, the devil appeared to Jack as he was walking down a country road.  The silver tongued Jack managed to talk the devil into climbing an apple tree before claiming his soul.  While the devil was in the tree, Jack pulled out his knife and carved a cross in the base of the tree, thus trapping the devil again.  Again he struck a bargain with the devil, this time extracting a promise that the devil would never take his soul.

When Jack finally died, he went to Heaven but was not allowed in because of his drinking and dastardly ways.  With no place to go, he went to Hell.  The devil, remembering Jack’s trickery, refused him entrance.  Jack then convinced the devil that the way back was so dark and windy that he needed a light to find his way.  The devil gave him an ember from Hell to get rid of Jack.  Jack placed the ember in a turnip he was eating to shield the flame from the wind and began to wander back into the darkness, forever doomed.

The Legend of the Wood Spirit

The Wood Spirit is a 15th Century European legend originating from villagers who made long journeys through the forest.  Most often glimpsed as a green man with leaves for his beard and hair, the Wood Spirit is said to be Lord of the forest and natural things.  Seeing one is said to be quite lucky, and European villagers used to go out on regular hunts, hoping to find a Wood Spirit to foretell the future of their village.

On calm days when the wind does not blow, there is a sense of peace and tranquility in the forest.  On days when storms are brewing and winds are blowing, though, the trees of the forest make sounds of moaning and sighing as though voices can be heard from spirits within.  For centuries the people believed the forests were filled with mystical evil spirits and that those who dared to enter would earn the spirits’ wrath.

During the 15th Century the villagers believed that when the men went into the woods to hunt and didn’t return, that they had been taken by the evil spirits.  They also believed that the tree spirits were the most powerful of all spirits and were good and wise.  Wood Spirits are extremely strong.  They can tear an opponent limb from limb and can tame any wild animal, including ferocious dragons and skittish unicorns.  At the same time, they are gentle with the maidens, children, and men of good heart.  They believed that the tree spirits would protect them from the evil spirits.  So before they would venture into the woods to hunt, they would knock on a tree to awaken the sleeping Wood Spirits to protect them.  This is where we get the saying ‘Knock on wood’.

Wise travelers assured their safety by carving Wood Spirit images on their walking sticks or pieces of wood and bark.  These carvings appeased the Wood Spirits, thus the traveler was allowed to enter and leave the forest without difficulty.

It is said that the forest will stand for as long as the Wood Spirit remains to keep order.  And if you’re lucky enough to see a Wood Spirit, health, happiness, and good fortune will be yours.  However, that does not happen often.  Wood Spirits would rather see than be seen.  Most sightings are by children or by the pure of heart.

Wood Spirits were carved to bring luck, ward off undesirable spirits, and keep the household safe.  Still today, Wood Spirits are being carved into pieces of wood and bark and are often given as gifts.  The Wood Spirit should be given a special place within the home for its presence to bring wisdom, prosperity, humor, good health, and good luck to all who live there.  Any house home to a Wood Spirit will stand protected and be blessed with good luck, health, and happiness.

Photo Shop

“Photo Shop” is the section of Wood Chip Chatter where carvers can send in photos of their wood carvings for display. It’s your chance to show off your work…sort of a show and tell. The photos will only be displayed and no comments or critiques will be made.  For critiques on your carvings send them in to the “Carver’s Corner.”  Send your photos to: carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com

My good friend, Jim Babcock of Columbus, Indiana sent in a photo of a J Creason sea captain he recently carved.  Jim writes:

“Bob:

Just received the latest Wood Chip Chatter and enjoyed the feature on

birch.  I have carved birch a few times and sometimes struggled with the

grain and difficulty with using hand tools alone; a dremel -type unit can

come in handy.

Here is a recent carving of a sea captain; the pattern concept , J. Creason.

Northern basswood finished with walnut oil and heavily diluted acrylics.

Jim Babcock

Columbus, Indiana”

Nice job, Jim!  Thanks for the photo!

My good friend, Heath Paull sent in a photo of a terrific Mushroom House project he completed:

Excellent work, Heath!  I really like all the little details you added.  Thank you so much for the photo.

My good friend, Jim Wiggins carved a likeness of Willie Nelson’s brother, and named it Woody Nelson.  Jim writes:

“My latest carve!  Jim

Willie Nelson’s brother… Woody Nelson!”

Very good job, Jim!  Likenesses like that are generally very hard to capture.

My good friend, Wayne Arrowsmith sent some photos of the Santas he carved and his family painted.  Wayne writes:

“Hi Bob,

Each summer I bring Xmas themed wood carvings to our cottage where my in-laws gather to paint and take there finished carving home with them. Their creativity and the effort they put into the painting makes it all worthwhile. Here are three of the finished Santa’s from this year.

The tree, skis and staff were all carved from wood salvaged from a maple tree taken down on my father-in-law’s property late last year”

Those are great Santas and your family did an impressive job in painting them.  It;s a wonderful family tradition you have going and using wood from the tree that was cut down in your father-in-law’s property gives the carvings extra meaning.

Carver’s Corner

“Carver’s Corner” is the section where you can send in photos of your carvings to have me critique them and offer you my truthful opinions on what you did right and what you might improve on next time.  It’s an excellent opportunity to improve your carving skills!  Send your photos to: carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com

I‘m delighted to mention that this month we have our first entry to the Carver’s Corner that we have had in many months.  My good friend, Richard Dreja from Oliphant, Ontario, Canada submitted two photos of a wood spirit he recently carved and ask me for a critique.  Richard writes:

“Hello Bob, First, let me say that I enjoy your newsletter, and all the info you share, very much. Until now I’ve been very hesitant to send any of my work because, frankly, I’m not on a par with most of the carvers exhibiting. But I think I need some critiquing from those “in the know” to help me grow

So please have a look at this wood spirit, carved in chestnut, and let me know what I might do to improve him or his future cousins.

I appreciate any feedback you might provide.

Thanks very much, Richard in Oliphant, Ontario”

First of all, Richard, thank you for your kind words regarding Wood Chip Chatter.  They are much appreciated.  Secondly, don’t ever be concerned with how your work stacks up against other carvers.  Our wood carving journeys are all different, and we all carve on various levels.  There will always be someone better than you, as well as someone with lesser skills than you.  As long as you’re enjoying what you’re doing, that’s all that matters.

Your work is excellent, and you should be proud to display it.  The only comments I have are general.  Always be aware to make your cuts deep, especially with hair, beards, and mustaches.  Yours are fine, but some could be deeper.  And just as a tip, a good way to do eyes on a carving, especially if you’re not going to paint it, is to make the pupils by drilling holes for the pupils.  The shadow created by the hole gives a very life-like impression. 

Don’t be afraid to show your carvings, Richard,  I hope we get the opportunity to see more of more of them in the future.

Woodcarving Tip

Tiny Paint Mixers

To extend the life of your acrylic paints drop a couple of tiny, non-copper BB pellets, or tiny glass marbles, into your acrylic paint bottles.  You can even use clean tiny pebbles.

They make it more effective to evenly mix your paint when you shake the bottle.

Pattern of the Month

Civil War Soldier

Coming Workshops

Sports & Holiday Shorties

Teacher: Dale Green

Dates:  October 4,5,11,12  2025

Saturday & Sunday both weekends 9:30 am-11:30 Pacific / 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Mountain /
11:30 am- 1:30 pm Central / 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern

8 hours ( 4 sessions – 2 hours each day) 

 Location: Online (Via Zoom)

Fee: $100 includes two 1 ½” x 1 ½” x 12” bass wood sticks, patterns and photos

For details and to sign up on Dale’s website: https://dalegreenwoodcarving.com/Woodcarving-Classes.htm

Dale’s Website

Santa 2025

Teacher: Dave Stetson

Dates:  October 18,19,25,26 November  1,2

Saturday & Sunday both weekends 9:30 am-11:30 Pacific / 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Mountain /
11:30 am- 1:30 pm Central / 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern

12 hours ( 6 sessions – 2 hours each day) 

 Location: Online (Via Zoom)

For Details and to sign up contact Dave via his email address:  lcnmichele@aol.com 

Online Classes With Chris Hammack

Teacher: Chris Hammack 

Chris Hammack is offering a new series of online classes to help students learn and sharpen their woodcarving skills.  Individual and Group Classes are available through his web site chrishammackart.com/groupclass

Twhitling Tuesdays

Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell  

Dates: Two – 2 hour classes each month on Tuesdays

Location: Online (Via Zoom)

To sign up contact Dwayne Gosnell via email dagwood_76@gmail.com

Woodcarving Academy

Established in 2020, the Woodcarving Academy offers dozens of videos and seminars created by some of the country’s top level instructors.  More videos are added regularly as they are created by the instructors.

With a paid subscription to the Woodcarving Academy you can view any videos you like for as many times as you like.

Subscription rates:  Monthly = $19.95   Quarterly = $49.95   Annual = $139.95

There is even a Free level which allows you to tour the website and watch the sample videos and content, and receive email updates as new content becomes available.

Check out the Woodcarving Academy and learn with the masters right in the comfort of your own home!  Go to: www.woodcarvingacademy.com or Email: support@woodcarvingacademy.com

News & Announcements

Tri-State Woodcarvers Club 2025 “Show and Sell”.  October 25 and 26th 9am to 3pm daily.  Vanderburgh County 4-H Center 201 E. Booneville New Harmony Rd, Evansville In.  Exposition Hall in the activities Center Bldg.  contact Danny Conley 270-314-5895.

AML Wood Carving Knives

AML Wood Carving Knives are handmade by Andy Loughlin in Monroe, New York.

Each blade is meticulously crafted from 1095 high-carbon steel, ensuring easy sharpening and long-lasting edge retention. The diverse exotic woods used for the handle styles are sourced from around the world, adding a touch of elegance to these knives. You can find these exceptional knives for auction on eBay under ‘AML Knives,’  with bidding usually starting at $22 and most knives selling for between $40 and $100.

Unpack your AML Wood Carving Knife and experience its razor-sharpness right out of the package. Each knife comes with a custom-made magnetic wooden sheath, a thoughtful addition at no extra cost.

I now own three AML Knives and can speak personally about their quality.  These are not production knives. Each knife is handmade by Andy himself.  The knives are sturdy, well made, and will stack up to any other knife on the market.  These knives have quickly become quite popular and sell out fast, so check the site (“AML Carving Knives” on EBAY) often for availability.

Andy has recently begun making knives with handles made from exotic woods and colored epoxy, creating some stunning and unique handle designs.  Below are examples of some knives currently available or which have recently sold:

The next issue of Wood Chip Chatter will be posted on December 5, 2025.

Keep a sharp eye out for it.

Keep a sharp edge, and keep on carvin’!

Funny Bone