The tradition of Donegal fiddle is populated with giants, those who kept the tradition alive at any given time over the past century or so, and today it could be argued that the most recent patriarchs of Donegal fiddle are the Campbell brothers, Jimmy and Vincent. They related to Caoimhin Mac Aoidh in his history […]
A Review: Phil Rickman’s “Crown of Lights”, from the Merrily Watkins series delivers horror and prophecy
I got started on the Merrily Watkins series back about 2006, when I had an hour’s drive each day. The first book in the series, The Wine of Angels had me hooked almost instantly. I listened to it on both legs of the daily drive and when the day was done, it had hit on […]
In defense of Halloween
Halloween is under attack from both sides. Christians deem it ripe with pagan influences, and that celebrating it is in fact, celebrating Satan. But in reality, Halloween is a holiday created specifically by the church, and most of the practices they complain about were rarely considered unholy. Neopagans, modern witches and wiccans turn their noses […]
Tales Told By A Tombstone … on Betsey Reed, The White Lady of Baker Cemetery, and a quartet of southern Illinois hauntings from Lawrence and Crawford counties
The history of The White Lady of Baker Cemetery, Elizabeth Betsey Reed, the first and only woman hung in Illinois and other ghostly tales from Lawrence and Crawford Counties
Tales Told By A Tombstone: “Prepare For Death and Follow Me,” Secrets of the Witch’s Grave at Big Hill Cemetery
The witch’s stone in Big Hill Cemetery, Norris City IL is peculiar. But why does it carry the legend and who carved it?
The difference between Halloween and Samhain is in the stars, on the calendar and on the wind
When you begin looking at the sources for Halloween, you’re inevitably drawn to Samhain. But the waters of history are truly murky here. I set out to track down whether Halloween is indeed descended from Samhain, what connection with the two actually reflects ancient practices, and what when in the year did it occur? The […]
