A selection of poems and excerpts for Halloween and the dark Gothic season that falls afterwards along with website and YouTube channel recommendations
Tag Archives: curses
Fireships and Ghostlights
Last week we covered some different versions of will-o-the-wisps from various corners of the Earth, some well-known, others almost unheard of (by those in the Western world, that is). What follows are some extra ghostly oojamaflicks that didn’t make it into that post, including a phantom fireship. The Fireship of Baie des Chaleurs Otherwise calledContinue reading “Fireships and Ghostlights”
Who and What is Skati of the Skins?
No one knows about the existence of this mystical man, apart from the evil Lady of a Thousand Faces. However, she cannot gain access to him or to the structure in his possession that she covets, which is good news for humanity. Residing in a solitary tower in a secret part of Dal-Rhiatah known asContinue reading “Who and What is Skati of the Skins?”
Who was Saint Eridmus?
In the present day, not many people know who Saint Eridmus was and what he did to become revered, let alone why the Church of St Eridmus bears his name. During the time in which the second book of the Nighthunter is set, there are no such things as wizards. They were all wiped outContinue reading “Who was Saint Eridmus?”
St Eridmus’s Church
The Church of Saint Eridmus is located on the outskirts of Corvin village in Dal-Rhiatah, the Northwestern continent. In the days before the old gods were forgotten — before the curse of the Grim began — the villagefolk would attend the church regularly, at least four times a year coinciding with the equinoxes. However, inContinue reading “St Eridmus’s Church”
The Psyche Technicians
In the grounds of Sunnyside orphanage in Corvin village, Dal-Rhiatah, is a separate building normally cordoned off to the general public — that is, apart from the adults that work there and eleven-year-olds. The building, colloquially known as “The Doctor’s Office”, is a laboratory where the children of Dal-Rhiatah take the Test around their eleventhContinue reading “The Psyche Technicians”
What and Where is Coven?
No one in the village of Corvin, let alone in the continent of Dal-Rhiatah, knows precisely where Coven is or even of its existence, but it is sometimes briefly alluded to in ancient texts and oral storytelling in more rural parts of that country. Located somewhere in the misty, Ghost-ridden Barren Plains, Coven is aContinue reading “What and Where is Coven?”
Who and What is Reed?
Reed is the longstanding nickname of one of the eldest boys in the shanty town of Coven. Four or five years older than Toby and Elka, he is the main authority figure when Noran is elsewhere or otherwise busy. Whenever bands of children are sent out from Coven to patrol its perimeter and scrounge forContinue reading “Who and What is Reed?”
Who and What is Arnie?
In Book Two of The Nighthunter series, Arnie (or Arnauld Wornovik) is a bereft twin and socially awkward young teenager who prefers the company of Ghosts to living humans — or at least, he thinks he does. His penchant for hanging out in graveyards and trying to break into buildings that were previously Haunted, amongstContinue reading “Who and What is Arnie?”
A Little More About Ghostmerchants
I touched upon what a ghostmerchant does and the role of that profession towards the end of this post in my blog marathon about magical objects and beliefs in folklore. In the second book of The Nighthunter series, the current ghostmerchant of Corvin is a dull and unassuming-looking man named Mr Brosban. His main jobContinue reading “A Little More About Ghostmerchants”
Who and What is Toby Wyverg?
This introverted and thoughtful young lad is the younger brother of Elka Wyverg, a girl who suffers from the ability to summon different kinds of Ghosts whenever she feels strong emotions. Elka is a ghostbait child, confirmed by the Test all children in Dal-Rhiatah have to undertake in their eleventh year. We will meet TobyContinue reading “Who and What is Toby Wyverg?”
The Chaldeans and their Magic Circles
Part XVI of Amulets & Talismans The Chaldeans were an ancient race who migrated from the Levant into Assyrian lands in 940 – 855 BC, and are famous for their contributions to writing, mathematics, and astronomy. They were the first to have a seven-day week and introduced the concept of there being 60 seconds inContinue reading “The Chaldeans and their Magic Circles”
Selkies and How to Protect Yourself Against Lightning
Part XV of Amulets & Talismans The mythical half-human creatures known as Selkies can be found in Norse, Scottish, Irish, Icelandic, and Faroese stories. Selkies shapeshifted between human and seal form by shedding and replacing their skins. The word “Selkie” comes from the Scottish word selch, which means “grey seal.” The most common form ofContinue reading “Selkies and How to Protect Yourself Against Lightning”
Babylonian Stones & Amulets… and the Corverus Stone
Part XIV of Amulets & Talismans Babylon had special boundary stones (or “kudurru” stones in Akkadian, a language used in ancient Mesopotamia). These stones were seen as sacred and magical. Kudurrus were a stone record of gifts (kind of like a receipt) especially for such things as land grants given to someone by the King.Continue reading “Babylonian Stones & Amulets… and the Corverus Stone”
All About Ankhs, Horus’s Eye, the Nazar… and the Coven Stone?
Part XI of Amulets & Talismans Also known as the Key of the Nile or the Key of Life, or the Crux Ansata in Latin (meaning a “handle-shaped cross”) the Ankh is an object that originates from ancient Egypt. It may have come from the 30th – 29th century BC. An ankh looks similar toContinue reading “All About Ankhs, Horus’s Eye, the Nazar… and the Coven Stone?”
Review: The Inhabitant of the Lake & Other Unwelcome Tenants by Ramsey Campbell
4 out of 5 stars One of my first thoughts, on reading “The Horror From the Bridge” (the second tale in this collection) was: who is Peabody and why is their voice drifting out of the window (on page 28)? The second story, “The Insects from Shaggai” was one of my favourites. The description ofContinue reading “Review: The Inhabitant of the Lake & Other Unwelcome Tenants by Ramsey Campbell”
All About Hagstones
Part IX in Amulets & Talismans Also known as adder stones or dobby stones, are stones or pebbles that have holes naturally going right through them. These stones were — and sometimes still are — thought to possess magical qualities. These include the ability to heal snake bites, or to see through the disguise orContinue reading “All About Hagstones”
Witch Dolls & Rowans
Part VII of Amulets & Talismans Witch dolls — otherwise known as poppets, poppits, moppets, mommets, pippies, or kitchen witch figures — are small dolls or figures made to represent someone in order to either help that someone or cast a spell on them. They are sometimes discovered hidden in chimneys. Witch dolls have beenContinue reading “Witch Dolls & Rowans”
Rabbit’s Feet & Frog Coffins
Part VI of Amulets & Talismans The belief in carrying a rabbit’s foot amulet for good luck is held in a lot of places including Europe, Africa, Australia, North America, and South America. In some cases, the rabbit from which the foot came must have certain attributes, for example meeting its demise in a particularContinue reading “Rabbit’s Feet & Frog Coffins”
The power of horseshoes and elf arrows
Part V of Amulets & Talismans Most people are aware that the horseshoe is a talisman that brings good luck. However, not a lot of folks know why or how they are supposed to work these days. Because iron was a valuable metal, so that horseshoes were usually reforged and reused, archaeologists cannot know forContinue reading “The power of horseshoes and elf arrows”
Witch Marks & Curse Tablets
Amulets & Talismans Part III Between the 16th and 19th centuries, strange marks were inscribed near the doorways, windows, and hearths of medieval churches, houses, and barns, and even in caves. Carved into stone or woodwork, these marks were for the protection of inhabitants and their visitors. Protection from evil spirits and witches, hence theContinue reading “Witch Marks & Curse Tablets”
Who and What is Elka Wyverg?
Elka is an eleven-year-old ghostbait child living in Corvin, a village or small town in Dal-Riatah, with her younger brother (Toby) and her parents. Dal-Riatah is a continent in the North-West of the Dal-Riatan Empire and its environs, and this country has a curse on it: every child is born either ghostbait (they “Bring” GhostsContinue reading “Who and What is Elka Wyverg?”
Nightwalks 