A sudden drop in temperature is often associated with hauntings. The question is why? We also look at Mary King’s Close.
Tag Archives: myths
Wintry Reading
Now come the days of taking shelter with something booky with the heating turned up or swathed in a duvet chrysalis. Here are some of the books I like to revisit in autumn and winter.
Goodreads Reviews from 2014
Digitally travelling back in time to a less complicated era, I found old reviews I wrote for books on Goodreads. This was what I was feeding my brain more than ten years ago.
More Book Reviews from Goodreads in 2015
Delving into the archives of reviews I penned on Goodreads in 2015.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Why do we tell stories and how are archetypes used in literature and marketing?
Archetypes and the patterns of humanity
Unconscious (or subconscious) patterns have been discovered about the human mind, including archetypes. But whereabouts in the body do they come from?
Ghosts and Carl Jung’s Collective Unconscious
Whilst I was ferreting about in a graveyard testing Ghost-hunting apps on my phone last week, one of the apps mentioned that ghosts may be part of Carl Jung’s “Collective Unconscious”. So… who was Carl Jung, and what had he got to say about ghosts? Read on to find out. Carl Jung This fellow wasContinue reading “Ghosts and Carl Jung’s Collective Unconscious”
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”
Ignes Fatui Around the World
Latin – English translation: “Foolish Flames.” Known in the UK as hinkypunks, friar’s lanterns, or jack-o-lanterns, ignes fatui or ghostlights / will-o-the-wisps appear in certain areas and are believed to lead travellers astray in folklore (or, sometimes, to show them the correct route to take if they are already lost). Last week’s post covered theContinue reading “Ignes Fatui Around the World”
Shedding a light on Ghostlights
Atmospheric ghostlights (will-o-the-wisps or hinkypunks, to use some older terms) are strange lights that appear in the air / sky at a distance (even close to the ground) without an exact logical explanation for their existence. We’ve all probably heard folktales or stories concerning distant lights in swamps or marshes that lure unwary travellers intoContinue reading “Shedding a light on 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”
What is a Forrestmuir?
The forrestmuir is a fairly rare creature that nests in mountainous or hilly regions in the north-western continent of Dal-Rhiatah, but is sometimes found hunting in wooded areas there. They are difficult to spot when amongst the trees as their plumage camouflages them in dappled light and against leaves. They have wings at least theContinue reading “What is a Forrestmuir?”
The Cup, the Spear, and the Shroud
Part XVIII of Amulets & Talismans By now, mostly everyone knows what the Holy Grail is. According to this BBC article from 2022, it may be on display in Valencia Cathedral… but what exactly was it used for, and where did the stories about it originate from? When it was first mentioned in Perceval, TheContinue reading “The Cup, the Spear, and the Shroud”
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”
The goddess Lamashtu & Sumerian Amulets
Part XII of Amulets & Talismans Sumeria was in the southern part of Mesopotamia, which is now mostly Iraq. The ancient Sumerians had a few different types of amulets for different purposes, including engraved models of animals, bell-shaped amulets, and agates made to look like eyes. The tiny models of animals were some of theContinue reading “The goddess Lamashtu & Sumerian Amulets”
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”
Dead Cats and Lucky Cats
Part VIII of Amulets & Talismans Since at least the 16th-century in England, Scotland, North Europe, and North America, people erecting houses would hide the corpse of a cat (and sometimes other objects such as old shoes, dried dead rats, and witch bottles) in the walls of the building to repel evil spirits and protectContinue reading “Dead Cats and Lucky Cats”
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 Balls and Witch Seats (Amulets & Talismans Part II)
Similar to witch bottles, witch balls were hollow vessels, usually fashioned out of glass, that were filled with things to ward off evil spirits, evil spells, bad luck, and of course witches. They were hung in cottage windows in the 1600s and 1700s, especially in East and South Sussex in England, though the custom ofContinue reading “Witch Balls and Witch Seats (Amulets & Talismans Part II)”
Amulets & Talismans: Witch Bottles
Amulets & Talismans Part I Witch bottles were a type of apotropaic magic (apotropaic = from the Greek apotrepo, which means to ward off). These strange bottles are mentioned in historical sources from both England and America, the earliest mention being from 17th-century England. However, the term “witch-bottle” was not used for them until the 19th century,Continue reading “Amulets & Talismans: Witch Bottles”
Clara Germana Cele, the girl who hurled nuns
The Possession Diaries Part IX One day in 1906, at Marianhill mission school in Umzinto, South Africa, a man named Father Erasmus Horner received a confession from one of the young Catholic girls in the school. Her name was Clara Germana Cele and she claimed to have entered into a deal with the Devil. SheContinue reading “Clara Germana Cele, the girl who hurled nuns”
Vampires According to Calmet
In 1751, an Abbot wrote a treatise on ghosts, vampires, and revenants. Dom Calmet, or the Abbot Antoine Augustin Calmet, wrote the book in two volumes. It was called “Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits and on Vampires or Revenants of Hungary, Moravia, et al” In it, Calmet described a vampire as a “revenant corpse”Continue reading “Vampires According to Calmet”
The Book of Dom Calmet
The Abbot Antoine Augustin Calmet, a Benedictine monk and Lorraine scholar in the 18th century, published two volumes of a book, “Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits, and on Vampires or Revenants of Hungary, Moravia, et al.” The book was about extensive investigations into the occult, angels, demons, and other types of spiritual entities. OriginallyContinue reading “The Book of Dom Calmet”
Review: Crevasse by Clay Vermulm (a novella)
5 out of 5 stars Available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com Greg and Quinn decide to tackle a challenging climb up Mount Terror, a place where many strange disappearances have taken place. Later, Ellie the ranger is asked to carry out a search and rescue for Greg, but there is something more terrifying than the powers of nature lurkingContinue reading “Review: Crevasse by Clay Vermulm (a novella)”
Dracula’s Guests (curated by Dr. Chris McAuley)
Available from HellBound Books, Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon.com 4 out of 5 stars This collection of vampire horror tales in celebration of Dracula’s 125th birthday will sate your bloodthirst. These are the stories that stood out for me: Dracula in Recovery – Michael Zemecki: I loved this darkly humorous story featuring all the characters from the original Dracula inContinue reading “Dracula’s Guests (curated by Dr. Chris McAuley)”
Review: Bleak Midwinter: The Darkest Night
Edited by Damon Barrett Roe and Cassandra L. Thompson Available from Quill & Crow Publishing, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com 4 out of 5 stars This collection of dark Gothic horror tales will make your skin creep off your flesh and slither under the door to hide somewhere – in a GOOD way. The Utburd, Robyn Dabney – A disgraced nature photographerContinue reading “Review: Bleak Midwinter: The Darkest Night”
Review: Blood Coven (Blood Bound series Book One) by Sabrina Voerman
Available from Quill & Crow Publishing & Barnes & Noble Sabrina Voerman’s stunning novel “Blood Coven” is set in a believable world where we see the story of Red Riding Hood stretched and distorted and grown into something other, both the main characters – Red, an abused child and descendant of a witch, and Matthias, also the son ofContinue reading “Review: Blood Coven (Blood Bound series Book One) by Sabrina Voerman”
Final Part of The Dark Rider and Who Was Morgan Le Fey?
“The summer evening passed in a slow, bad dream for Warren. He suspected it was like pushing through the heavy sludge of a nightmare for all of them. Gran had been the one to help Iain into a standing position and support him into the kitchen, where she let him collapse into a chair. WarrenContinue reading “Final Part of The Dark Rider and Who Was Morgan Le Fey?”
The Dark Rider part 22 and Who is Gwyn ap Nudd?
“Iain Dyfed’s bent back came into view on the other side of the hedgerow, yellow polo shirt covered in mud-stains from his fingers. He whistled an old hymn through his teeth that Warren had forgotten the name of. “Dad!” he yelped. “Hi!” Iain straightened and glanced over his shoulder. “Afternoon. Hello, who’s this?” Mr. Rye’sContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 22 and Who is Gwyn ap Nudd?”
The Dark Rider part 21 and the Horn of Plenty
“Two years ago, when Warren started at the grammar school, two friends from his old Year Six class came with him – Robbie and Sam. Rob was a boy a head shorter than Warren with wild, sandy hair and a penchant for fixing badges on his long, beige coat and school-bag, mostly band logos andContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 21 and the Horn of Plenty”
The Dark Rider part 20 and a cupfull about cauldrons
“‘Dad, um, this is, er, Billy. You know… the one I lent Carlton to,” Warren lied. He glared at Kay meaningfully. Kay stood and scratched his head, his eyebrows furrowing together. He was clearly at a loss for what to say or do next but was present-minded enough not to contradict Warren or to askContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 20 and a cupfull about cauldrons”
The Dark Rider part 19 & one or two things about swords
“I don’t understand,” Warren said. His skin was slick and his upper lip tasted of salt. He swiped his forearm across his stinging eyes and stuck the spade upright in the soil. “Don’t the nymphs – or whatever they are – mind us digging around like this?” “Yes,” Merlyn said. He looked a little lessContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 19 & one or two things about swords”
The Dark Rider part 18 and a note about disrespectful writers
“Warren leaned against the wall and scowled. It wasn’t fair. It was as if there was some hidden conspiracy to keep him from meeting Arthur, as if he wasn’t good enough, or as if the King was too dangerous. It rankled. Lyons showed no signs of coming back. Nobody had come to relieve the guard.Continue reading “The Dark Rider part 18 and a note about disrespectful writers”
The Dark Rider part 17 & Susan Cooper
“A man was struggling with a horse near a stone monument – an old, Gothic-style cross carved out of thick, white stone but too large for a grave-marker. The horse – a big, black stallion with a white star in the centre of its forehead – refused to stay still while the man tried andContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 17 & Susan Cooper”
The Dark Rider part 16, Arthurian myth, and Thomas Malory
“George strode behind Mr. Peterson’s desk and broke open the drawers, riffling through them and pocketing a couple of items. He moved around the benches, calm and methodical, turning on the gas taps one by one. “Ready?” he said. “But… what…?” “Office now, yes? Let’s take a peek at those filing cabinets.” He shut theContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 16, Arthurian myth, and Thomas Malory”
The Dark Rider part 15 (excerpt) & shout-outs
“One warrior halted them. He stood the same height as Merlyn, which wasn’t tall, with a wild red beard and a helmet that looked like it had been beaten out of scrap iron. There was a round bundle slung over his shoulder, and as he saw Merlyn, his beard broke into a mischievous grin. “Merly,”Continue reading “The Dark Rider part 15 (excerpt) & shout-outs”
The Dark Rider part 14 (excerpt)
They paused on a landing with three doors leading from it. Merlyn smiled. “Victory is almost here.” “Who are the people besieging Arthur?” Warren asked. “There were loads of people out there, all putting up tents. Some of them sounded Scottish.” “Many. King Lot of Orkney, Arthur’s half-brother Carados of Cornwall, Clarion from Northumberland, Eskand,Continue reading “The Dark Rider part 14 (excerpt)”
The Dark Rider part 13 (excerpt) & other whatnots
He wasn’t sure how long he sat there, rigid, staring every now and then into the patient, amber eyes of his dog. There were no clocks, and he hadn’t put his watch on before going through Merlyn’s door. The temperature crept lower, enough to make the hair on his arms stand up, and the lightContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 13 (excerpt) & other whatnots”
The Dark Rider Part 12 (excerpt) and “Terminal”
George stayed in bed all the next morning. Warren rolled out of his blankets and tugged one of his brother’s legs, which was dangling over the side of the top bunk. “Off,” George mumbled into his pillow. “About what happened last night–” “Eh?” “About the Land Laid Waste–” “There isn’t such a thing as aContinue reading “The Dark Rider Part 12 (excerpt) and “Terminal””
The Dark Rider part 11 (excerpt)
Warren peeked out. Men in armour, some helmeted, others not, sat in lines along two tables large enough to fill the hall. They were eating and drinking and some were obviously drunk. The only one who looked bored was a masked man lounging in a separate chair against one wall. The chair was covered inContinue reading “The Dark Rider part 11 (excerpt)”
Part 10 of the Dark Rider (excerpt)
“The night was warm, though not as warm as it had been in Warren’s bedroom. The way they followed narrowed, more sand and dust and debris encroaching on the track, until suddenly the dunes fell away to reveal a dried-out moat. On the other side of it, a couple of lights shone in a dark,Continue reading “Part 10 of the Dark Rider (excerpt)”
Part 9 of The Dark Rider (excerpt)
A huge, round rock stood in the middle of the lawn, shaped like the grinding stones used in old flour mills, except this was carved. There were letters around its edge. Warren stared, ringing silence filling his ears. He called out for his father, asking what the stone was for, but there was no answer.Continue reading “Part 9 of The Dark Rider (excerpt)”
Nightwalks 