A sudden drop in temperature is often associated with hauntings. The question is why? We also look at Mary King’s Close.
Tag Archives: writing
Ghostly Force Fields
How come ghosts are associated with high EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies)? Do the EMFs provide the “ghosts” or do the ghosts cause higher EMFs? Let’s investigate…
Reviews from Goodreads in 2012
Digitally looking back to a less complicated time, I found the first reviews I wrote on Goodreads in 2012, when I was aged 19 to 20.
Poems & Writings for the Dark Season
A selection of poems and excerpts for Halloween and the dark Gothic season that falls afterwards along with website and YouTube channel recommendations
Reviews from Goodreads in 2013
Digitally travelling back to a less complicated epoch, I found old reviews I wrote for books on Goodreads in 2013, when I was but a callow youth of 21.
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.
Book Reviews from Goodreads in 2016
More reviews for books Hansen Adcock perused in 2016 AD and put on Goodreads.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Why do we tell stories and how are archetypes used in literature and marketing?
Where did Archetypes come from?
A further dive into what archetypes are and how the concept changed through history.
Old Book Reviews from Goodreads
Old book reviews written by Han Adcock in 2021.
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”
Analog and Digital Ghost Hunting
Comparing old-fashioned and modern methods of capturing spirit phenomena. While the Spiritualism movement was at its peak in the 19th century and early 20th, mediums and other folks looking to contact the dead or otherwise prove the existence of ghosts used a few different tools: Spirit boards or Ouija boards Originally sold as a typeContinue reading “Analog and Digital Ghost Hunting”
Adventures in Automatic Writing
otherwise known as Psychography Automatic writing is claimed to be a method of communicating with spirits, or the subconscious, using writing implements and often a trance state. The belief is that spirits take control of the medium’s writing-hand to put words and marks on paper, sometimes in a foreign language or in a strange alphabet.Continue reading “Adventures in Automatic Writing”
Who and What is Wonda?
Wonda is a somewhat vague, nebulous, and free spirit* with a subtle current of mystery and hidden wisdom about what lies behind the veneer of reality. (*When this author says “spirit” he means personality — Wonda is a human, not a Ghost.) This young woman lives in a secluded tower on a piece of landContinue reading “Who and What is Wonda?”
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”
Conversing with the Dead
The term “seance” comes from the French word meaning “session,” (from Old French seoir, meaning “to sit”). These days, practically everyone knows a seance involves meeting with a group of like-minded people (or curious sceptics) in a dimly-lit or darkened room to try to communicate with the deceased or other denizens from the “spirit world.”Continue reading “Conversing with the Dead”
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?”
The Lapuli
The most infamous stench in the world emanates from the lapuli. Its pungent venom is extracted for use in industrial-strength vermin repellents. The aroma is enough to cause children and those of a more sensitive disposition to lose consciousness and suffer vivid nightmares. In most adult persons, prolonged exposure to the smell causes lurid hallucinations.Continue reading “The Lapuli”
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”
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?”
Who and What is Captain Rossa?
This young female member of the Griny-Plinth is their army’s second-in-command under General Morticum. We meet Captain Rossa during Logan‘s adventures on the magical continent of Thosea, when he and his friends are captured by the Griny-Plinth army and detained for being homo sapiens in their territory. She is a stickler for propriety and followingContinue reading “Who and What is Captain Rossa?”
Who and What is Plintheus Morticum?
Plintheus Morticum the First, otherwise referred to as General Morticum or My Lord, is the leader and guardian of a race of sentient rodent-type creatures known as the Griny-Plinth. He lives in the Griny-Plinth burrow (which was constructed around and on top of an ancient burial mound) past the river Eridanus on the magical continentContinue reading “Who and What is Plintheus Morticum?”
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 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”
Announcing Issue 16 of Once Upon A Crocodile
issue 16 of Once Upon A Crocodile (the humorous ezine…) is available to read on its new website
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”
Incantation Bowls & Hebrew Amulets
Part XIII of Amulets & Talismans Incantation bowls are now discovered in the regions of Iran and Iraq. They were made there from the 6th to 8th centuries AD. The bowls are usually carved with text going in a spiral on the inside from the rim towards the centre, but some are inscribed on theContinue reading “Incantation Bowls & Hebrew 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”
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”
Cambions, Witch Prickers, and what in the nine Hells is a ghostmerchant?
Part IV of Amulets & Talismans In last week’s article on witch marks (and witch’s marks…) I touched on the “witch’s teat” and mentioned about cambions. Here is the lowdown on these entities. The witch’s teat — either some kind of skin tag or a supernumerary nipple — was a perversion of the maternal, andContinue reading “Cambions, Witch Prickers, and what in the nine Hells is a ghostmerchant?”
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”
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)”
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?”
The Boy Behind William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist”
The Possession Diaries Part X In mid-1949, newspaper articles ran anonymous stories about the alleged possession and exorcism of “Roland Doe” or “Robbie Mannheim,” a 14 year old boy born to a German family living in Cottage City, Maryland, in the US. Their source was perhaps the former pastor of the child’s family, Luther MilesContinue reading “The Boy Behind William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist””
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”
The Possession Diaries Part II: The Aix-en-Provence possessions
Welcome to part two of The Possession Diaries. You can find part one here The Aix-en-Provence possessions were a series of alleged demonic possessions amongst the Ursuline (the Order or Company of Saint Ursula) nuns of Aix-en-Provence, in South France in the year 1611. Father Louis Gaufridi was blamed and accused of causing the possessionsContinue reading “The Possession Diaries Part II: The Aix-en-Provence possessions”
Possession Diaries part I: Martha Brossier
In the Middle Ages, “demonic” possession was often used in society to explain strange or erratic behavior. Exorcism was the usual treatment for “demoniacs” and seemed to provide a bit of alleviation for the suffering of those distressed people. Diabolical, or demonic, possession is the term for when a person’s corporeal form has fallen underContinue reading “Possession Diaries part I: Martha Brossier”
The First Bit of Writing Advice I Ever Received
Far back in the mists of time (2007, when I was fifteen) I was absolutely convinced that I was a creative genius and the most naturally gifted writer that didn’t need to do redrafts. (Here I am now, chuckling wryly in the background). Though I should have been concentrating on doing coursework and revising forContinue reading “The First Bit of Writing Advice I Ever Received”
Review: Fright House by Fred Wiehe
Available from Amazon.com,Amazon.co.uk, and Black Bed Sheet Books 4 out of 5 stars 17-year-old Penny is on the run from something — herself. Suffering from ghoulish nightmares (and perhaps waking nightmares / hallucinations), she agrees to a temporary job managing a Fright House in California during the Halloween season. Tory Jackson is the director of Paranormal SceneContinue reading “Review: Fright House by Fred Wiehe”
Another Review: Les Femmes Grotesques by Victoria Dalpe
3.5 stars out of 5 Available from CLASH books, Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon.com This modern, feminist, short Gothic horror fiction collection will bring you out in goose-bumps. A CREAK IN THE FLOOR, A SLANT OF LIGHT – There were some quirky details that put me in mind of Holly Black’s work. The tale had a delightfully gory legend about three girlsContinue reading “Another Review: Les Femmes Grotesques by Victoria Dalpe”
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)”
Nightwalks 