DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Another documented account is known as the New England witches and dates back to 1692.  Two selfprofessed witches including a Mary Osgood, confessed to riding on a pole and being carried through the air to five-mile pond and back again.  Wonder where to? Why, pray, a witches meeting of course.    Other stories reveal even juicier details.  There's even one detailing a flight accident.  Not only did the two of the witches named in this documented story independently of each other confess to being carried through the air by the Devil, but both confirmed that they experienced a crash because one of their broomsticks broke.  One witch apparently hung about her fellow colegue's neck for a while and then dragged both of them down.  They were injured and one of them was bed ridden for months afterwards.   If the possibly quite strange body position that broomstick flying was likely to have required would have been viewed with utmost...

Stories about air born witches have intrigued the world for a long time.  Even though there is little evidence that broomstick flying ever took place, the eery consistency of the stories of broomstick flying is too persistent to ignore it.  So what was it with broomsticks?    In many cases, historic records-mostly of courtcases, leave us a quite precise description of the way witches were perceived to be operating their wicked or evil magic on the rest of society in the Middle Ages.    In England, witchcraft was outlawed in legal act in 1542 and 1736, but the laws did not forid flying.  Probably because the legal profession did not believe it a possibility.  But there are still many accounts of witches having been seen leaving one place only to turn up several miles away without passing by on the road.    A linked belief was that witches knew far too much about other people's business, reporting secrets they could not have known or o...

   Myths and legends are a part of virtually every culture.  One of the most interesting legends of Russian culture is that of Baba Yaga.  She is, however, not unique to Russia.  There are similar stories about her, under other names, in Poland as well as in the Czech Republic.    The figure of Baba Yaga is most often pictured as that of an old hag on a broomstick, reminiscent of the kitchen witches we often see today.  Some believe that she might have been the precursor for the ugly, old crones that most often represent witches at Halloween.     In truth, however, Baba Yaga is a complicated creature associated as much with fertility and fate as she is with death.  Some believed that she also had the gift of prophecy and great wisdom.  However, for reasons never understood, she seldom chose to use those skills without exacting a gruesome payment.  Anyone wishing to partake of Baba Yaga's wisdom had to take on a ch...

   Being that Halloween is just around the corner.  I felt it my job to give out some helpful hints in case we get overrun with monsters.  It probably should be noted that I am not a monster expert (though I did play one on t.v.), nor have I ever had any run-ins with one (lately!).  Add to that the fact that I have missed my last 15 years of Kung Fu lessons, and suddenly my credibility may come into question.    Van Helsing, I am not (even though I have watched it a handful of times), but I have watched quite a few horror movies over the years.  I have also had countless dreams in which I battled some sort of monster into submission.  Lastly, you would not believe how frequently I stage monster vs. monster battles in my head during my lunch time (what else am I supposed to do during lunch? eat?).    Remember, in no way am I implying that these ideas will work or save your life.  Rather, I think they will make the last...

      It's unbelievable at the number of names witches are called from different countries and at different centuries in our history.  Plus let me not forget the types of "witchcraft" each one may practice compared to another one. Good or bad witch, male or female and even what kind of heritage you come from.  So here's a list of the different ones, all in alphabetical order. Alexandrian - This tradition was begun in the 1960's by Alex Sanders.  Alex Sanders lived in England.  He used what are known to be slightly changed Gardnarian traditions and calls himself the "King of Witches."  Covens involve both men and women. British Traditional -This is, according to Silver RavenWolf a "mix of Celtic and Gardnarian beliefs."  Covens involve both men and women.  One can study a course and receive a degree in British Traditional Witchcraft. Celtic Wicca -Celtic Wicca focuses mainly on Celtic and Druidic gods and goddesses (along with a...

   The most common question that comes from a paranormal investigator or homeowner faced with a ghost is " Why haven't they moved on to someplace better?"    While there is no certain answer, I can tell you that there are a few theories that are circulating around the paranormal community.  To be exact, there are basically three main reasons that paranormal investigators have come up with as to why these spirits stick around.    First are those spirits who have some unfinished business to attend to.  These spirits may feel that they did not get to do everything that they wanted or needed to do while on this earth so therefore they want to stick around to try and finish what they started.  They may also feel the need to watch over their loved ones such as family members or close friends.  Or they could have had a fight with someone special right before they passed and feel they must pass a message onto that person before they can move...

The Jolly Old Man In The Big Red Suit!       Santa's history is long and varied but for many decades the American Santa has been a universal figure in English speaking countries.  With the 20th century revival of globalization and the advent of the internet, Santa Claus has become a prime Christmas figure in every corner of the globe.    Although other countries have long had different gift-giver characters, Santa is now number one in much of the world.  So  with that in mind let's take a brief trip around the world and find out about Santa Claus in other countries.    In Brazil Santa is known as Papai Noel and in Rio he arrives by helicopter to kick off Christmas celebrations on December 20th. In Austria and Switzerland Santa Claus has all but replaced Austria's traditional gift giver, Christkind or the " Christ child ."  Many Austrians are attempting to overthrow Santa and bring Christkind back in preeminence. In G...

   When the moon is full it is said that the canine shape shifters prowl the night seeking new prey!  Gypsies around the world tell folktales that warn about the anthropomorphic wolf-men cursed to endure a life of transmutation when the moon is full, becoming a predatory killer until the sun rises.    Are these half-human, half-wolf  "monsters" real, or are they a figment of our imagination, that people ages ago created to explain shadows in the night?  Could these shape shifters actually exist?  Perhaps Hollywood has instilled a false memory and predisposition for beings of the night, like vampires, zombies and werewolves.  Maybe latent fear of the unknown drives the human mind to justify their fear of the dark by creating and believing in strange and bizarre creatures.    Then it may also be true-werewolves may be more than mythical creatures in stories told by many people with roots that run deep in the old country of their o...

Mummification was not limited to Egyptians.  Greeks and Romans who resided in Egypt were also mummified in Egyptian fashion. The process of mummification continued in Egypt as late as the fifth century C.E., then slowly tapered off when Christianity took hold. From 400 to 1400 C.E. there was a common belief that mummia was a potent medicine with curative powers.  This mummia was obtained by grinding up actual mummies. Many travelers who visited Egypt from Europe in the 1600s and 1700s took mummies home and displayed them as centerpieces or in curio cabinets. The study of Egyptian antiquities, known as Egyptology, became a popular academic discipline in the 1800s.  The event of "unwrapping a mummy" became a popular attraction and draw to European museums. In 1896, British archaelogist William Flinders Petrie began using X-ray techniques to examine mummies without unwrapping them. In the early 1970s, scientists began using computed tomography, or CAT scans, to create ...

I was watching HDNET concerts a couple of weeks ago and came across this band- HERE COME THE MUMMIES .  They are a cross between jazz, funk and rock.  They don't sound half bad.  They were mummy outfits and have a full compliment of band members and a horn section also. Here is a link to their web site, I think you'll like their music.  Some of their videos are a little tongue and cheek riskay, but it's all in fun, nothing bad.  Heres the address: www. herecomethemummies.com , let me know what you think.  There are about 3 or 4 videos of them performing on the Bob and Tom show and a couple musica festivals.

WATCH OUT LADIES!!!!HE'S COMING TO GET YOU!!!!    There are many hairy guys out there (even I have extra!) in the world.  Most of them are completely harmless, sort of.  However, every now and then, a werewolf might be on the prowl and these are the type of creatures you don't want to take home to mom and dad.  Man or woman, a werewolf will likely try to rip you up! You need to know what to do to protect yourself from the hairy beasties.  And I do not mean your big bro. How to tell if the person you're with is a werewolf    Just because a man is hairy does not mean he's a werewolf.  There are a number of things to look for to help you find if the man stalking you is a werewolf or not.  According to Warren Zevon song,  The Werewolves of London , a werewolf likes Chinese food, especially the beef lo mein.  They also love pina colada's (and getting caught in the rain).  The biggest trait that will stand out the most, i...

     I know that Halloween is closer than Christmas is but I think it's time for a little change up (It's my favorite, right next to Halloween).  Let us not forget about Thanksgiving, the holiday that gets hardly any praise at all by most people.  Here's a list of some Christmas trivia and folklore for all of us to enjoy!    Let's take a look back at the origins of Christmas and some of the lesser known facts involving one of my favorite holiday's. While the Pilgrims may have been responsible for beginning the tradition of Thanksgiving, they did not celebrate Christmas--it was against their Puritan belief and in fact, it was illegal. It was once believed that whoever (husband or wife) first brings holly into the house will rule the home all year. (wishful thinking on the mans part these days.) Young men of the 1700's believe that if they saw a redheaded girl at Christmastime, he would be pursued by flame-haired vixens throughout the coming y...

   A group of vampires has variously been call a clutch, brood, coven, pack or clan. (a clan if their Scottish!) The Muppet vampire, Count von Count from Sesame Street, is based on actual vampire myth.  One way to supposedly deter a vampire is to throw seeds ( usually mustard) outside a door or place fishing net outside a window.  Vampires are compelled to count the seeds on the holes in the net, delaying them until the sun comes up. A rare disease called porphyria vampire like symptoms, such as an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and sometimes hairiness.  In extreme cases, teeth might be stained reddish brown, and eventually the patient may go mad. One of the most famous "true vampires" was Countess Elizabeth Bathory (1560-1614) who was accused of biting the flesh of girls while torturing them and bathing in their blood to retain her youthful beauty.  She was by all accounts a very attractive woman. Vampire legends may have been based on Vlad of Walachi...

Here's Yor Candy, Now Leave Me Alone! Nestlies Crunch bars and Hershey kisses, I'll hand each child with my best wishes. Want some Lollipops or Tootsie Rolls? Filling up you bag is one of my goals. Kit-Kats, Licorice Whips, Dots and more, I'll give you money, whatever it takes. If you want junk food I'll deliver, You're the taker and I'm the giver. Hedre's some Candy Corn and Popcorn Balls, Please don't throw eggs at my walls. Don't TP my beautiful trees, I'm begging you, Pretty please. This candy costs lots of money don't you know, So here's your loot, now put it in your bag and go! This Halloween Day is coming to a close, It's not my most favorite holiday as everyone now knows! The streets are empty and the kids have gone home, It's just me and the leftover candy all alone. I'll eat each and every piece that's in the big dish, Then offer you all just one more wish- Happy Halloween! Candy-less Lament I got a...

   Since Halloween is just a few months away, and ghoulies and ghosties are on everyone's mind.  It might be a good time to explore how various cultures handle paranormal beliefs.  I will write about the basic beliefs of the Japanese, Jewish and Native Americans.    We Americans are quite open minded about the paranormal, especially lately with the many different shows about ghosts and other paranormal activity.  More than 30 percent of all Americans believe in ghosts. I have never seen one personally, but the town I live in, in California has 2 expected places that are known for being haunted.  One I have stayed the night in (one of them is a hotel and the other used to be a boys prison).     Let's put our beliefs aside for a moment and take a look into the basic beliefs of three other cultures regarding ghosts and spirits.   JAPAN       The Japanese culture, which is rich in superstition and t...

   On this costume filled, candy gorging out of your minds holiday, chances are there are a few things you don't know, so here are some things you may or may not know about everybodys favorite trick or treat'n holiday. When it comes to candy sales, Halloween makes stores jump for joy (especially in their pocket books).  According to the National Confectioners Association, giving and eating candy during major holidays accounts for about a third of all confections sold annually. Candy is keeping retailers and dentists happy. In 2002, each person in the U.S. consumed approximately 24 pounds of candy. Census researchers report that 1,040 manufacturers in 2001 produced $12 billion dollars worth of chocolate and cocoa. Another 616  candy manufacturers made non-chocolate candy that year. Candy corn is a big portion of those treats made annually. (I don't know why it must be like giving people fruit cake at Christmastime) In fact, October 30th is National Candy Co...

Take some dead body parts.  Stitch them together.  Add one mad scientist, and toss in a lightning bolt for good measure.  What do you get?  The Frankenstein monster!  Alternately portrayed as both mindless killer and a misunderstood gentle giant, the Frankenstein monster is a classic Halloween creep.  Learn more  about him with these 13 freaky facts.                                                                                                       ...