M.R. James’ ghost stories have been making people wary of the dark for well over a century now. James helped usher in a new era of horror, taking … [Read more...] about M.R. James’ ghost stories written for Christmas strike an ominous chord year round
Journal
Halloween on Cape Cod, digging into the history for stories of Barnstable ghosts, witches and other curiosities
On Barnstable ghosts, witches and dark history, gathered on a dark, windswept Halloween visit to one of the oldest villages on Cape Cod. The day the … [Read more...] about Halloween on Cape Cod, digging into the history for stories of Barnstable ghosts, witches and other curiosities
The Black Flash of Provincetown, MA: Folk horror and hysteria from New England echoes in the midwestern countryside
The Black Flash of Provincetown, Massachusetts terrorized the seaside New England town in the early twentieth century. Was there something there, … [Read more...] about The Black Flash of Provincetown, MA: Folk horror and hysteria from New England echoes in the midwestern countryside
The roots of American folk horror stretch way back … Fine art prints from Haunted Travels in the Hudson River Valley of Washington Irving
American folk horror stretches back to the colonial era and beyond. Native American folklore blended with the tales brought by the colonists, which … [Read more...] about The roots of American folk horror stretch way back … Fine art prints from Haunted Travels in the Hudson River Valley of Washington Irving
Exploring the imagination of Washington Irving and early American folklore along the Rip Van Winkle Trail in the Catskills … a photo essay
WHOEVER has made a voyage up the Hudson must remember the Kaatskill mountains. They are a dismembered branch of the great Appalachian family, and are … [Read more...] about Exploring the imagination of Washington Irving and early American folklore along the Rip Van Winkle Trail in the Catskills … a photo essay
Primrose flowers in a witch’s garden: A gift to, and protection from fairies, tokens for the dead and Evening Primrose for a moon garden
Top: Evening Primrose flowers growing in the fairy section of a witch's garden Thinking of you while out for a ramble Down by a cold frosty … [Read more...] about Primrose flowers in a witch’s garden: A gift to, and protection from fairies, tokens for the dead and Evening Primrose for a moon garden
Pagan holidays: Litha … On summer solstice celebrations, and the dangerous similarities between modern paganism and evangelical Christianity
On the wheel of the year listing pagan holidays, Litha is perhaps the most problematic. This hit home to me when I read a blog post recently, from … [Read more...] about Pagan holidays: Litha … On summer solstice celebrations, and the dangerous similarities between modern paganism and evangelical Christianity
Lakey’s Ghost: On folklore and folk horror from the prairie, and how the legend of the headless horseman galloped westward across an ocean and a continent
On Lakey's Ghost from John W. Allen; Legends & Lore of Southern Illinois ... Until recent years it was a common custom to go calling on neighbors … [Read more...] about Lakey’s Ghost: On folklore and folk horror from the prairie, and how the legend of the headless horseman galloped westward across an ocean and a continent
My Death
And school's out early and soon we'll be learning that the lesson today is how to die. Bob Geldof Dying is something we all face, whether we think … [Read more...] about My Death
The Secret of the Raven: At the end of Poe’s life, one finds the unexpected … hope
Poe and The Raven's lost Lenore? One of the last photos of Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton, about the same time. I spent much of … [Read more...] about The Secret of the Raven: At the end of Poe’s life, one finds the unexpected … hope
Haunted Plymouth: The macabre history of Plymouth, Mass., where Pilgrim and native American spirits haunt side by side
Haunted Plymouth has been known as America’s hometown over more than four centuries, and its history stretches back even further than that. Ghosts and … [Read more...] about Haunted Plymouth: The macabre history of Plymouth, Mass., where Pilgrim and native American spirits haunt side by side
Monkshood: A deadly poison and essential ingredient in witch’s flying ointments comes back in the witch’s garden
This was the second year I’ve had Monkshood in my witch’s garden. I tried growing it from seed with no luck. I have little patience for slow … [Read more...] about Monkshood: A deadly poison and essential ingredient in witch’s flying ointments comes back in the witch’s garden
What is Halloween? On visitations by the dead, a bit of necromancy, sixties trick or treating in in drag, and a seismic switch in films that changed Halloween forever
What is Halloween? A look at Halloween traditions of the past What is Halloween and why the focus on the dead? It's a boon to necromancers, the day … [Read more...] about What is Halloween? On visitations by the dead, a bit of necromancy, sixties trick or treating in in drag, and a seismic switch in films that changed Halloween forever
Dame Alice Kyteler of Kilkenny, Ireland: A poisoner? Quite likely. A witch? Perhaps. A fighter? Absolutely.
DAME ALICE KYTELER was the culprit in the first successful witch trial in Ireland, if you can consider having an unfortunate woman burned at the stake … [Read more...] about Dame Alice Kyteler of Kilkenny, Ireland: A poisoner? Quite likely. A witch? Perhaps. A fighter? Absolutely.
Eating Poe: Poe in Baltimore, his last act on the mortal stage, living and dying in the shadow of the sea
And so we find Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore. Those who look to unravel the mystery of how Poe died here are chasing windmills or chasing a buck. … [Read more...] about Eating Poe: Poe in Baltimore, his last act on the mortal stage, living and dying in the shadow of the sea
Eating Poe: Part Three, Poe’s life New York City, where he found fame, tragedy and madness, and I search Il Buco for The Cask of Amontillado
It's a tantalizing legend, that the building that now houses Il Buco in New York City was the macabre inspiration in Poe's life for the setting of The … [Read more...] about Eating Poe: Part Three, Poe’s life New York City, where he found fame, tragedy and madness, and I search Il Buco for The Cask of Amontillado
