Traditional Legends

Native American tribes that lived on the plains of middle North America between the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi River are...

Flood myths permeate the ancient world. The most well-known is the biblical story of Noah and the ark. However, the epic of Gilgamesh,...

Although Halloween is by far the spookiest night of the year, it is also one of the most fun and financially lucrative. It has become celebrated throughout the world in various ways. But no matter how you celebrate, remember, "The farther we've gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we've come to need Halloween." (Paula Curan)

Halloween has a rich and earthy history. It marks the coming of the darkness and the cold, a period of reflection for the coming year.

The Spirit World of Ancient Humans. To understand the concept of the spirit world, one must first understand ancient societies and their relationship with death as well as their view of the world. The Middle Paleolithic period was from 300,000 to 50,000 years ago. During pre-history, the time before written history, society was animistic, polytheistic, or animalistic or all three.

Ah fairies, the benevolent wee creatures of the forest. How cute they are. Yet, historically, fairies have been described as fearsome creatures who not only cause mischief but also steal babies.

Autumn in Salem. What could be better? A few years ago, my husband was sent to New England on a business trip, and we decided to visit...

Who was Jacques St Germaine?

“If our personality survives, then it is strictly logical or scientific to assume that it retains memory, intellect, other faculties, and knowledge that we acquire on this Earth. Therefore ... if we can evolve an instrument so delicate as to be affected by our personality as it survives in the next life, such an instrument, when made available, ought to record something.” Thomas Edison

Werewolf myths are typically associated with the phases of the moon as the animal nature of the werewolf is believed to take over when the moon is full. Some scholars believe the werewolf made its debut in the Mesopotamian The Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest known Western prose (2100-1200 BCE), when Gilgamesh jilted a potential lover because she had turned her previous mate into a wolf.

It is the turn of the 17th century (1600’s) and you are in a bustling market in England. There in the open, boldly advertised, are merchants peddling spells, potions, and other magical services. The blacksmith selling you new horseshoes offers you a talisman against evil while his wife gives you a love potion. The baker worked spells into his goods. Not what you expected? Is this a fantasy story? Alternate universe?

Festivals of the dead have been celebrated throughout the world for centuries with Obon being but one such festival. It has morphed and changed over the centuries but remains at its core a tradition of honor and celebration.

Summer is officially almost over and soon the kiddos will be returning to school. Gowing up in the rural wilds of Florida, our summer...

Is the Mothman of Point Pleasant simply a cryptid monster or is it an ancient creature that has existed in many cultures throughout history? What is the purpose of such beings? In many cultures, they are sky beings and have been deified. As many believe that the Mothman is a harbinger of death, there is some historical backing for such belief as in the case of the Ekek or Harpies.

Salem village in 1692 was a hotbed of change. A mercantile elite was developing during this time and prominent citizens were less than willing to accept positions as town leaders. To further add to the unsettled climate, two families, the Putnams and the Porters, were at odds with one another competing for control of the village and the pulpit.

The most obvious, yet frightening answer, is that lake monsters do exist.

The Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius wrote: “Nothing in the universe is unique and alone and therefore in other regions there must be other earths inhabited by different tribes of men and breeds of beasts.”

From the dawn of time cultures throughout the world had told stories of the wild man or hairy man. Petroglyphs at Painted Rock in Tulare, CA depict both a “Hairy Man” and an entire family of these wild men dating back 500-1000 years.

We recently adventured to the charming little town of Sutton, WV. It’s a faded town with cobblestone streets located in the center of West Virginia along the banks of the Elk River. It may be hard to believe that it is also a hub of interesting activity! First and foremost, there is a family group of Sasquatch living near-by and the locals often witness them.

Do vampires really exist? Are there vampires among us? In today’s modern world it is hard to believe that anything fantastical could possibly be real. But vampires have existed in cultures around the world throughout history. The term vampire is relatively new, yet stories of creatures with similar characteristics go back to at least 1500 BCE.