Travel Archives - Otherworldly Oracle

Haunted Savannah: A Witch’s Trip to the City Built on the Dead

kitty fields — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:16:59 +0000

Every year my mom and I take a mother-daughter trip to somewhere new. This year we decided to visit Savannah, GA, the most haunted city in America. My mom is a ghost hunter, so this was right up her alley. And me being a witch, of course I was interested because of Savannah’s history and Conjure roots. I expected to get creeped out a bit but I wasn’t expecting to have such blatant brushes with Savannah’s restless ghosts. Here’s my story. Why Savannah, GA is SO Haunted Savannah locals are dead-serious (pun intended) when they say their city is most definitely haunted. It’s not debated. It’s a fact. Savannah is called the “City Built Upon Her Dead”. This statement seems dramatic, but it’s actually true. The historic district was literally built over graves that were once a part of Colonial Park Cemetery. They even say the unevenness in the sidewalks is caused by disintegrating graves underneath. You might wonder why they didn’t move the graves. This is because the people believed yellow fever (which caused much death in the city back in the day) was contagious and if they moved the dead, they might stir it back up. So they left them and built homes, businesses and roads on top of them! In addition to building over top the dead, Savannah has a sad, intense history of slavery. One that I won’t get too much into here, but suffice to say, I cried more than once during our visit learning about the heinous treatment of our African predecessors. Don’t forget there were wars fought here (Revolutionary and Civil), as well as two decimating yellow fever epidemics that killed hundreds of people at a time. So is it the restless souls of the dead whose graves are covered by buildings and long-since forgotten that haunt the city? Or is it the sorrowful souls of the slaves brought to Savannah on ships and through tunnels? It could also be due to the “Native American burial ground” that people claim also existed there before the settlers ever came. Many theories abound as to why Savannah is so haunted. The Marshall House Ghosts Being that we were going to be in the most haunted city in America, we decided to stay in one of Savannah’s most haunted locations – The Marshall House Hotel. The Marshall House was built by Mary Marshall in the mid eighteen hundreds on property given to her by her father. It has a sad history – it was used as a hospital during the Civil War, as well as twice for yellow fever epidemics that ravaged the city. In 1990 after being vacant for some years, the hotel was renovated and legend has it that body parts were found in the floorboards. Some said it was from amputations during the Civil War, yet others claim there was no proof this actually happened. Weird Smells & Ghostly Sounds Multiple times during our stay, my mom and I had clairsalient moments (clairsalient means clear smelling). Yes, we believe we were smelling otherworldly smells. First, our room, located in the interior of the building, greeted us with a sickeningly sweet odor. It honestly reminded me of the smell cancer patients have in their end days (I am a nurse and this smell is pretty easy to identify). The strange odor came and went randomly. We couldn’t pinpoint it and researching online others have complained about this smell during their stay, yet there seems to be no explanation. In the book Haunted Savannah, James Caskey writes about rooms 214, 314, and 414 having a strange odor that the hotel tried desperately to get rid of. They described it as “rotting meat”. The only way the smell was removed was by playing gospel music in the rooms for a period of time. I wonder if that was the same scent we smelled in room 222. The second random aroma my mom and I experienced, we were sitting in the room relaxing when out of nowhere we smelled the scent of a just-blown-out candle. It was as if someone had blown out a lantern or birthday candles in our room. The smell came and went rapidly and we couldn’t figure out a source. Now, onto the sounds I heard at night. The first night of our stay it was dead silent (no pun intended). But the second night, things got creepy. At 5 AM, I was woken by the sound of a bouncing ball outside our door in the hallway. It went up and down the hallway past our door twice. At first I thought it was just someone’s loud footsteps, but the time between each “bounce” on the floor was too long and drawn out to be footsteps. PLUS no one was staying in the rooms down that hallway except us. And the cleaning ladies don’t arrive until much later in the day. No, it sounded like someone bouncing a hard rubber ball back and forth. I didn’t sleep after that! The 10,000+ Souls in Colonial Park Cemetery As mentioned before, Colonial Park Cemetery is located in the historic district of haunted Savannah. The historic district itself is built OVER a large potion of the cemetery. My mom and I took a few walks there, checking out the headstones and exploring. There are headstones from as early as the late seventeen hundreds and many old brick family crypts. Surprisingly, my mom came across a gravestone with one of my paternal ancestors’ names! It’s a rare french name I’ve only heard in my family tree research from Maryland. When we used my mom’s EMF detector, it was spiking to red as I spoke to my potential ancestor and as I neared his headstone. When she used it, nothing. Darkness & Faces in Photographs Taken My mom, the paranormal investigator, says when you snap photos to always take at least three of the same setting so you can compare any anomalies. I took hundreds of photos in […]

The post Haunted Savannah: A Witch’s Trip to the City Built on the Dead appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

Top 10 WITCHY Vacation Spots in the U.S. from Salem to San Fran

kitty fields — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 10:57:58 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m a Sagittarius and I love to travel. I have that wanderlust blood that tends to boil if I don’t leave my home-state at least three times a year. Each time I choose a vacation, I pick a destination that ties into my spiritual path of witchcraft. Typically this means historical locations, beautiful natural landmarks, and new age communities. If you’re a modern witch and love to travel, time to book your next witchy vacation at one of our top 10 spots in the U.S.! 1. Salem, MA What? You didn’t expect me to say Salem, did you? In all seriousness, I’ve been to Salem, MA and absolutely adored it. It gets a bad rap by people online, but the truth is – I enjoyed being in such a historical place it didn’t matter if there were “cheesy” witch shops or not. There are also legitimate witchcraft shops, REAL witches who run those shops, delicious food (don’t get me started on the lobster rolls), and lots of haunted and historical sites to see. Don’t skip out on our number one witchy vacation spot! 2. New Orleans, LA New Orleans is another witchy vacation spot in the U.S. that people either adore or hate. If you’re a witch or interested in the occult, you’ll probably love it. New Orleans is known for its myriad of unsettled spirits, including the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Voodoo and hoodoo take up a home in this city below the sea AND the ghosts walk freely day or night. Check out the LaLaurie House, the Garden District, the Voodoo shops and historical parks. Plus, you can’t beat the Cajun cuisine. 3. Savannah, GA This Sagittarius witch is visiting Savannah, GA NEXT WEEK people! I couldn’t be more excited! If you are a witch who enjoys haunted houses and spirit work, Savannah is said to be the most haunted city in the United States. Stay at the Marshall House Hotel (one of the most haunted locations in the city) and meet a little girl ghost. Eat at the Pirate House or Old Pink House to dine with the undead. There are ghost tours that detail the history and hauntings of the city PLUS talk about Hoodoo and the Gullah people’s folk magic traditions. 4. Sedona, AZ One of my favorite witchy vacation spots in the U.S. is Sedona, AZ. It’s known to be a hotbed for spiritual and otherworldly activity. The entire city is filled with new agers and magical folks, as well as the shops and businesses they run. Want to go on a crystal shopping spree? This is the place to do it. Then hike up a few red rock formations to charge yourself at a spiritual vortex. Maybe you’ll meet a shaman…or an alien (as some people claim!) 5. New York City, NY Why is New York City a top witchy vacation spot on our list? The witchcraft community is booming in the Big Apple, that’s why. If you can handle the city hustle and bustle, there are all kinds of witchcraft, conjure and metaphysical shops throughout the city. Do you have any Irish ancestors who came through Ellis Island? Take a ferry to the spot where your ancestors landed in this country. NYC is such a great place for witches to eat, soak up the culture, visit historical sites and shop! I truly enjoyed my trip to New York. 6. San Francisco, CA San Francisco is one of our top witchy vacation spots for a couple of reasons. First, it has a large witchcraft community as evidenced by the DOZENS of occult shops around the city. Next, the famous haunted Queen Anne Hotel and the infamous ghost Miss Mary Lake. Stay at the Victorian Queen Anne Hotel and stay in the haunted Mary Lake suite to catch a glimpse of the woman in white (who supposedly was into “black magic” according to some sources). Take a road trip from San Fran to San Jose and visit the Winchester Mystery House – a mansion that continually “grows” and changes even after the woman of the house’s death. 7. Tampa Bay, FL Good ol’ Tampa Bay, FL. What an awesome witchy city with so much to do! Chill on the nearby Clearwater or St. Pete Beaches, then do some shopping at one of the dozens of metaphysical shops in the Bay area. Go for a ghost tour in Tampa’s historic district known as Ybor City, which also has a history of Afro-Cuban Santeria and other magical traditions. OR go for a ghost tour in St. Petersburg. Also, try out a dolphin-watching boat or see the manatees at Crystal River (an hour’s drive from Tampa). 8. Portland, OR There’s a spot in Portland, OR called the “Mystic District” with 3 metaphysical shops on one block. People say when you come to Portland, you can feel the “magic” in the air. With lots of open-minded and nature-centered individuals, it’s no wonder Portland is a destination and residence for many witches and pagans. There are dozens of witch “meet-ups” and open pagan circles to try out while you’re visiting! And don’t forget to stop in the (albeit not authentic) but kitschy and fun Voodoo Doughnuts Shop on SW 3rd Ave. 9. Charleston, SC Did you know there were people tried for heresy and witchcraft in Charleston, SC in the eighteenth century almost a hundred years after the Salem Witch Trials? In addition to having a history of witch trials and folk magic, Charleston is one of America’s oldest cities and is also reportedly quite haunted. I hear the food is something to write home about, too! Any wanderlusting witch would be smart to take a witchy vacation to Charleston, SC. 10. Asheville, NC Another spot in the conservative Carolinas you wouldn’t expect to be on the list, but it is…Asheville, NC! First of all, if you go to Asheville you have to tour the famous Biltmore house. It’s haunted, it’s beautiful and […]

The post Top 10 WITCHY Vacation Spots in the U.S. from Salem to San Fran appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

Sacred Pagan Pilgrimages: The Importance of Spiritual Pagan Journeys

kitty fields — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:42:47 +0000

Do you go on vacation every year? Do you go to the same place over and over without variety? Have you ever thought about taking a sacred pagan pilgrimage for your next trip? In this article, we explore the sacred pagan pilgrimage: what it is, why go on one, and where to go. What is a Sacred Pagan Pilgrimage? Ever heard of a pilgrimage? It’s defined as a “pilgrim’s journey” or “a journey to a place associated with someone or something well-known or respected.” When Christians and Muslims make pilgrimages to Jerusalem or Mecca, they are engaging in a physical journey for a spiritual purpose. Pagans can go on pilgrimages too! So to define a sacred pagan pilgrimage – it’s a journey or trip taken by a pagan to a sacred pagan site. This sacred pagan site can be a place with spiritual significance or a place where a person or thing is located that holds spiritual significance. Why Take a Sacred Pagan Pilgrimage? What’s the point in taking a sacred pagan pilgrimage? We are all so caught up in our routine daily lives, we don’t have time to really make a connection with the land and with our own souls. A sacred pagan pilgrimage will not only get you out of your comfort zone, it will teach you things and help you grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll find a connection with the land you visit, and maybe even with the people there. You might even forge a deep connection with your ancestors and/or with the gods of the land. At the very least, a sacred pagan pilgrimage will give you time to reflect on your life and provide a little peace to your soul. Where Do Pagans Go on Pilgrimages? We’ve defined the sacred pagan pilgrimage, but now we’ll explore some possible sacred pagan sites. My first suggestion is this – if you can’t afford an expensive trip to a far-away pagan site like Stonehenge in England, go somewhere close to home. Take a day-trip or a trip only a few hours away! I guarantee there’s a sacred pagan site closer to you than you think. Historical Sites Research sites with ancient historical value like Native American holy places in the United States or stone circles in England and France. Caves with prehistoric cave paintings, pyramids in South America and Egypt, ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, all of these places could be your sacred pagan pilgrimage. Wilderness & Natural Places If you can’t travel to an ancient site, go somewhere far out in the wilderness or secluded – the woods, the seashore, the mountains. The point is to go somewhere you’ve NEVER been and feel a spiritual calling to go. Are you a water person? Stay near a lake or the ocean. Prefer hiking and fresh air? Camp in the mountains. Ancestral Homeland If you’re able to, plan a sacred pagan pilgrimage that takes you on a journey to the land of your ancestors. Be it Ireland, France, England, India, China, etc. Plan your sacred journey somewhere you feel drawn and from which your ancestors originate. Go where your budget allows, or start saving now! Sacred Pagan Pilgrimages in the U.S.: Montana Megaliths Ohio’s Petroglyphs ANY places located on a Ley Line: learn more HERE Viking rune-stones in the U.S. Witchcraft Museums and Exhibits Real Historical Witches’ Houses and Cottages Grand Canyon Red Rocks in Sedona, AZ Mesa Verde National Park Salem, MA Great Smoky Mountains Carlsbad Caverns Bryce and Zion in Utah New Orleans, LA (French Quarter and Historical Sites) Yosemite National Park Glacier National Park Florida Keys Yellowstone National Park Bear Butte, SD What to Do On Your Sacred Pagan Pilgrimage If you’re journeying to an ancient pagan site, consider camping out if the location allows. Most national parks in the United States allow for hiking and camping twenty four hours a day. Research the location and whether or not overnight camping is allowed in the vicinity. Can’t go camping near the site? Stay nearby and plan a day or more hiking the area or sight-seeing. The key is to explore ALL of your options on your sacred pagan pilgrimage. Make it a peaceful, yet exciting experience. One that you’ll never forget! You don’t have to do anything incredibly spiritual-related such as take a yoga class or go on a retreat to have a sacred pagan pilgrimage! You only have to enjoy the journey and reach your destination with intention. Stormy’s Sacred Pagan Pilgrimage to Germany Stormy had felt a calling to Germany all her life. When she was a little girl, she read every fairy tale ever written by the Grimm Brothers. She loved her grandmother’s German cooking and read all there was to read on Germany from the school library. As she got older, her interest in Germany blossomed along with her spirituality. Stormy began identifying as a pagan and weaved old Germanic traditions into her spiritual practice. One day she decided – she’d take a vacation to Germany. This vacation turned out to be a sacred pagan pilgrimage: she hiked the Black Forest, floated in the ancient thermal springs in Baden-Baden, and stayed in the German town her ancestors resided before migrating to the U.S. Not only was her vacation fun, it filled her with joy and provided spiritual enlightenment in many different ways. Sacred Pagan Pilgrimages Worldwide: Stonehenge in England Glastonbury Tor in England Sphinx, Pyramids, and Temples in Egypt Chichen Itza in Mexico Temple of Confucius in China Prambanan Temple in Indonesia Roman Baths in Rome Bagan Temples in Myanmar Thermal Springs in Germany Mount Kurama in Japan Macchu Picchu in Peru Ta Promh Temple in Cambodia Saint Brigid’s Well in Ireland Isle of Skye in Scotland Sanctuary of Delphi in Greece Newgrance in Ireland Where will you go on your sacred pagan pilgrimage? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Sacred Pagan Pilgrimages: The Importance of Spiritual Pagan Journeys appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

The World’s Best Witchcraft Museums and Magical Exhibits

kitty fields — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 15:25:44 +0000

If you’re looking for a wickedly magical exhibit or witchcraft museum, I’ve got you covered! Witchcraft Museums are located all over the world, including the United States, England, Spain, and Iceland. Take an unexpected and intriguing tour of the world’s best witchcraft museums and magical exhibits! World’s Best Witchcraft Museums & Exhibits 1. The Witch House in Salem, MA The Witch House, located in Salem MA, is the last standing house with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. No, a witch did not live there, but Judge Jonathan Corwin did. Legend says he might have conducted private witch trials in his own home. When you visit The Witch House, be sure to have time to browse the intriguing witchcraft exhibit on the first floor including witch bottles, poppets, and all manner of creepy witchcraft items from Colonial times. There’s definitely an air of magic to the place, be it good or bad. And if you don’t enjoy witchcraft exhibits, you’ll most certainly enjoy the historical aspect. Side note: it was my favorite place in Salem to visit! 2. Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall, UK The Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall, UK is world-famous for its robust collection of witchcraft items from the past. The Museum of Witchcraft was established by Cecil Williamson, a friend of Gerald Gardner and pagan, in 1960 and today features over three thousand witchcraft objects and over seven thousand books. Visit between April and November for tours lasting between thirty minutes to an hour. Learn about past cunningfolk practices and folk magic, as well as ritual magic and more! 3. The World Bewitch’d Exhibit at Cornell University There was a big hub-bub last year when Cornell University in Ithaca, NY hosted a witchcraft exhibit known as The World Bewitch’d. Visitors to the Kroch Library had the pleasure of viewing a large exhibit of antique books and manuscripts on witch hunting, as well as more modern witchcraft paraphernalia like movie posters from the twentieth century. I am not sure if the exhibit is still open, as the website states it was available until August of 2018. I sure hope it is as it’s supposed to be the largest witchcraft exhibit in the United States holding over three thousand pieces. 4. Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft & Magick in Cleveland, OH Ever heard of Raymond Buckland? Buckland was a twentieth century male witch and occult author who was also known to be a friend of Gerald Gardner (Wicca’s founder). The Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft and Magick began as Buckland’s personal collection of artefacts in his NY home’s basement. It grew and grew and eventually Buckland opened a museum to display his witchcraft exhibit. The witchcraft museum has moved a few times but is now located at a permanent residence in Cleveland, OH and is run by new owners (Buckland died in 2017). The more intriguing items featured were once owned by famous occult names such as Sybil Leek, Aleister Crowley, and Anton Lavey. Hours are spotty so be sure to look up house of operation before traveling. 5. Zugarramurdi Witchcraft Museum in Spain The Witch Trials happened almost all over Europe, and Spain was no exception. In Zugarramurdi, Spain is a witchcraft museum detailing the witch hunts of the sixteen hundreds in the village. You can also visit a nearby cave where the supposed rituals of the local witches took place. The Zugarramurdi Witch Museum is open on select dates September through December, so be sure to check the times before visiting. 6. The Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft & Sorcery in Iceland A world-famous witchcraft museum is located in the village of Holmavik, Iceland. The museum houses an unique and sometimes chill-worthy display of witchcraft items including a pair of pants made of human skin! Apparently the exhibit tells the details on how to make oneself a pair of “necropants” which has supernatural money-drawing abilities. I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to put a dead man’s skin on me just to have a couple extra bucks in my bank account. In addition to the grisly pants, there are old magical staves as well as frightening dolls. The owner is very knowledgeable and will explain the exhibits to you. This witchcraft museum is worth a go! 7. Magicum Museum in Berlin, Germany The Magicum Museum in Berlin, Germany has everything from witchcraft exhibits to parlor magic. Learn about the witch trials in Germany, as well as alchemy. This magic museum differs from the others in that it is interactive – it encourages its visitors to get involved with the exhibits including reading your own tarot cards! The museum is located in an artsy part of Berlin and they are open every day from 10am to 8pm, with special hours on holidays. Check their website for upcoming events and ticket information. 8. Salem Witch Museum in Salem, MA The Salem Witch Museum differs from The Witch House Museum with large displays of the historical events of the Salem Witch Trials. There are thirteen life-size displays based on actual historical documents from the trials. The museum takes about an hour to tour and is open daily except holidays. I’ve heard mixed reviews on this museum – some say it’s intriguing, others say it’s boring. While I was in Salem, the museum was closed…so although they say they’re open daily the hours may vary. It’s worth checking out on your next visit to Salem. 9. Hexenmuseum in Switzerland If you’re ever in Switzerland, namely Granichen, take some time to visit the witchcraft museum called Hexenmuseum Schweiz. I’ve heard it’s one of the best witchcraft museums in the world. Here’s an excerpt from the Hexenmuseum website: “You want to know what are lightning stones and dragon tongues, why the mistletoe helps against dizziness, black cats supposedly bring misfortune, where the magic word Abracadabra comes from and what exactly happened in the witch trials in the Middle Ages and early modern times?” Yes, please!

The post The World’s Best Witchcraft Museums and Magical Exhibits appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

12 REAL Historical Witches Houses, Cottages, and Caves

kitty fields — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 18:08:49 +0000

Ever wondered what real historical witches houses and cottages look like? Often we think of spooky Victorian houses, houses made of candy, and cabins on the hill as witches houses. But some witches lived in castles, caves, and old city buildings. Take a journey with me to England, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S. to the scariest and most intriguing witches houses on the block. 12 Real Historical Witches Houses and Cottages Whether the accused were real “witches” or not, these are the closest places we have to real historical witches houses and cottages today: Biddy Early’s Cottage Boleskine Manor The Witch House John Dee’s House Crow Haven Corner Bell Witch Cave Pendle Witches House Hever Castle Bathsheba Sherman House Marie Laveau’s House Dame Alice Kyteler’s House Rose Hall in Jamaica Biddy Early’s Cottage Witch: Biddy Early Location: County Clare, Ireland Visitation: Private property Called a witch by some, a wise woman by most, Biddy Early once lived in a cottage in County Clare, Ireland. Biddy was known to be a healer and claimed to have a connection with the fairy folk who gave her advice on how to effectively use herbs. There’s a story about how Biddy Early looked into a bottle for the fairies’ advice. Her little cottage is in ruin but still stands in Feakle, County Clare. It’s covered in vines and was even up for sale a few years back with no buyers. People still visit it today and leave Biddy offerings of coins, shells, and stones in hopes she will grant their wishes on the other side. Boleskine Manor Witch: Aleister Crowley Location: Loch Ness, Scotland Visitation: Private Property While not a witch per se, Aleister Crowley’s name will go down in history as the “most wicked man on earth”. Crowley was a man with an unhealthy love for the occult. He began his journey into the world of magic by joining the Order of the Golden Dawn. After leaving the order, he eventually went on to establish his own religion called Thelema which still gains followers worldwide today. During the course of his life, Crowley purchased a home called the Boleskine Manor in Scotland. He chose this home as it was the perfect location for a certain ritual he wanted to perform. People claim it’s still haunted and there have been numerous tragedies at the house since Crowley’s time there. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin fame bought the home in the 1970’s to write music there. He didn’t spend more than a few months at the house and had a friend keep up the place following his departure. The friend, a man named Dent, claims to have had numerous terrifying experiences with spirits in the house. The Witch House Witch Judge: Jonathon Corwin Location: Salem, MA, U.S. Visitation: Open to Public – Museum I’ve visited the Witch House in Salem, MA and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits there. The Witch House is called such because it is the last standing home in Salem with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. In fact, a witch didn’t live there but a judge named Jonathon Corwin did. Corwin was a judge during the Salem Witch Trials and it’s said he might have held secret Witch Trials within the home. Today when you visit this real historical witches house, you’ll see various real witchcraft and folk magic artifacts in the home, and you may even feel the presence of Corwin and the witches themselves. John Dee’s House Witch: John Dee Location: London, England Visitation: Private Property (plaque visible to public) John Dee was a famous occultist and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I in sixteenth century England. He was a mathematician and philosopher whose earthly mission was to create unity of mankind through his means of angelic magic and divination. While not necessarily accused of witchcraft, Dee’s magical endeavors are well-known today and his magical tools are on display in the British Museum. John Dee lived at his mother’s home on Mortlake Street in London, which is also known to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth I. Today it is part of Mortlake Tapestry Works but a plaque on the wall commemorates John Dee’s magical residence some five hundred years ago. Crow Haven Corner Witch: Lorelei Stathopoulos Location: Salem, MA, U.S. Visitation: Shop Open to Public Also in Salem, MA, you can visit a witch shop called Crow Haven Corner that is also a real witch’s house! Lorelei Stathopoulos is Salem’s resident “love witch” and expert who runs the shop Crow Haven Corner beneath her two-floor apartment. The shop was once ran by Laurie Cabot, the “Official Witch of Salem”, who sold it to Stathopoulos some years back. I had the pleasure of visiting Crow Haven Corner last year, and it was simply enchanting! The building is black and the shop’s ceiling is covered in witch’s balls (glass ornamental balls with magical ability of trapping negative energy). I purchased a spell candle for success from Salem’s love witch and listened briefly to a love reading being given at the back of the store. You can visit this real witches house (only the shop part is open to the public). The Bell Witch Cave Witch: Bell Witch Location: Adams, TN, U.S. Visitation: Private Property with Tours in Summer & October Ever heard of the legend of the Bell Witch? If you haven’t, it goes something like this – back in the early 1800’s, a man named John Bell moved into a home in what is now Adams, Tennessee. The Bell family began to be haunted by a ghost of a woman who claimed she was going to kill John Bell. The whole family experienced violence at the hands of an unseen specter who would come to be called the Bell Witch. An old woman’s disembodied voice haunted the Bell family for years, confirmed by numerous people outside of the family including Andrew Jackson. A cave close to the Bell homestead came to be called the Bell Witch cave. Betsy Bell, John Bell’s […]

The post 12 REAL Historical Witches Houses, Cottages, and Caves appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

Metaphysical Stores in Tampa Bay from BEST to Worst: An Honest Review

kitty fields — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 02:17:04 +0000

Best and Worst Metaphysical Stores in Tampa Bay There is a booming metaphysical community in the Tampa Bay area. For those who want to know the best metaphysical stores in Tampa Bay (and the worst), my reviews are below. These are my honest opinions and real life experiences, and I won’t hold anything back. It’s important to me to buy spiritual tools from a positive spirituality shop or source. First, the store’s vibe is crucial to whether I will purchase or not. Next, customer service (which goes hand-in-hand with the vibe) and then selection. All will be revealed here from best to worst. 1. Celestial Circle Metaphysical Shop in Palm Harbor, FL Celestial Circle in Palm Harbor is my absolute favorite metaphysical store in Tampa Bay for a couple of reasons. Located in a strip mall, this new age store feels like its on a dimension all its own – a calming, soothing dimension of love. When you first walk in, the aromas fill your nose and ground your energy. I’ve been to this store on numerous occasions and ALWAYS enjoy it. The inventory is huge and recently expanded, which includes everything from Buddhist statues, incense, and decor to Wiccan and Asatru candles and jewelry, crystals, books, and divination tools. The store clerks are warm and greet with a smile. In the front corner is a “wishing tree”, on which you are invited to write down your dreams and desires on a piece of paper, roll it up, and hang it on the tree for them to burn at the next full moon. A selenite “chair” is provided to allow the customers a chance to sit and take a cleansing “bath” while in the store. I leave feeling grounded and joyful. I couldn’t ask for a more pleasant metaphysical shopping experience. 2. Enchanted Spirits in Dunedin, FL One of my favorite metaphysical stores in Tampa Bay is Enchanted Spirits located in downtown Dunedin. In a standalone building painted bright cheerful blues and purples, the interior of the store’s vibe matches it exterior. Enchanted Spirits’ vibes are positive and peaceful. The selection is not as expansive as Celestial Circle’s, but the products are high quality. Incenses, books, oracle cards, and statues are in the first room, then crystals and stones throughout the rest of the store. Tarot, psychic, and reiki sessions are provided in the back making it a spirituality shop too. The store clerks are always cheerful and friendly and they offer a rewards system in which you receive a free product after so much money is spent. 3. Christy’s Enchanted Notions in St. Petersburg, FL On bustling Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg is an inviting metaphysical store called Christy’s Enchanted Notions. The door is open and there are at least a dozen customers inside perusing the crystals, wands, candles, sprays, and smudge bundles. In the back is a curtain, semi-disguising a tarot reader and client. A friendly woman with tattoos mans the cash register and a beautiful young woman asks us if we need assistance, with a big smile. Christy’s Enchanted Notions is one of the most enchanting metaphysical stores in Tampa Bay. It smells divine and the vibe is busy yet smooth. Prices are a bit high, but the selection is nice and the shop is organized and open to all. I will definitely be visiting again soon. 4. Enchanted Earth in Dunedin, FL This is one of the first metaphysical stores in Tampa Bay I visited. Breezing by Enchanted Earth while heading to downtown Dunedin is an easy feat. Though the store is situated in an older cute cottage-type building, you can pass by it in the blink of an eye as it’s located on Main Street but not in the heart of downtown. Also painted in bright colors, the exterior welcomes its patrons. There are different rooms in the store that was once a small home, but be aware the vibe isn’t quite as welcoming as the other three stores prior to this in my list. When asked if the store carried any books, we were abruptly told “we don’t carry books because we’re not a library. I got tired of people coming in and sitting down and reading for hours.” The store’s selection of herbs, incense, and pendulums is adequate. 5. That Voodoo That You Do in Palm Harbor, FL That Voodoo That You Do in Palm Harbor, FL opened in February of 2018, according to the owner, a friendly woman who busied herself when we walked into the store. This is one of those metaphysical stores located in a haunted house. Feel the ghostly vibes when you walk through the door, but don’t be deterred. It only adds to the effect of the voodoo theme. The staff is friendly; however, I have to be honest in saying the inventory is low and common. There are a few shelves with voodoo and hoodoo themed books, dolls, and such but not anything I haven’t seen on Amazon or other metaphysical stores online. Two middle-aged women emerged from the back, of whom I assumed offered their services to paying clients. I enjoyed the ambiance and the customer service, but I’d like to see more of a selection. 6. Mystic Goddess in Largo, FL Mystic Goddess located in Largo, FL is unfortunately my least favorite of the metaphysical stores in Tampa Bay. I had high hopes for this spirituality shop as it is closest to my home; however, the owner leaves something to be desired. She is somewhat friendly but obviously judgmental. I was lectured on not using rosemary to smudge because it will “get you high”. When I purchased a pack of reiki oracle cards as a Christmas present for my husband a few years ago, I took them home and opened the plastic wrapper to look at them. I realized the booklet was in all French, no English. I returned and asked to exchange them, to which she begrudgingly obliged to refund half of my money because […]

The post Metaphysical Stores in Tampa Bay from BEST to Worst: An Honest Review appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

MOST Haunted Places in Florida: Ybor City, Lake Okeechobee and More!

kitty fields — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 10:00:04 +0000

Most people that visit Florida come here for vacation. The beaches in Florida are some of the most beautiful in the world. But there is a darker side to Florida most people don’t know…a dark side that lurks in unexpected places. Take a hair-raising tour with me to seven of the most haunted places in Florida. 1. May-Stringer House The May-Stringer House is a museum in Brooksville, Florida, full of antiques and home to a collection of war collectibles. By day, the museum is open to visitors of all ages, but by night only the adults are welcome to participate in the tour. The night-time tour is a haunted tour, filled with stories of the haunted house’s mournful past, ending with a bone-chilling view of one of the house’s most haunted spots. This house is possibly the most haunted place in Florida. A Sad Past Built circa 1856, John May moved into the May-Stringer home with his daughters and wife, Marena. They lived happily together for a short time until John May died in 1858. Marena remarried a man named Frank Saxon, eight years after John May’s death. Marena gave birth to a beautiful little girl but sadly Marena passed away in labor. The little girl was named Jessie May Saxon and three years after she was born, she died of unknown causes. There is a haunting cemetery on the premises, though neither Marena’s nor Jesse’s graves have been located. After the May family moved out, the Stringer family moved in. Following the Stringer family, different families have lived in the May-Stringer House. The Haunting Today the May-Stringer House is very much haunted. There are pictures taken in different places in the house showing inexplicable streaks of light and black spots. Among the harmless ghosts, there is a dark spirit called “Mr. Nasty.” His presence gives people the chills and tremors. The most active ghost in the May-Stringer House is the child’s ghost. Toys are in disarray the next morning with no sign that anyone had broken in to tamper with things. Once, Jessie May’s white porcelain doll moved from the crib in the attic to the bed. The next morning, the whole room was torn apart, as if a poltergeist had ransacked Jessie’s belongings. Now the employees keep the haunted doll in the crib and ask the museum visitors not to touch it. Haunted Photos and EVPs There is a picture of sleeping Jessie May on the mantle. But don’t be fooled, she’s not sleeping…she’s lying in her coffin. Photographs of Jessie May’s father are also found throughout the house. Dozens of EVPs of a little girl’s voice in the attic have been recorded. As for the EVPs, one person caught a little girl on tape asking for her mommy and “more cake please”. Do yourself a favor if you live in haunted Florida – this Halloween, take a trip to Brooksville and pay the $20.00 to do the haunted tour at night. The May-Stringer House is one of the most historic and most haunted places in Florida. DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you information about the paranormal and paganism. 2. Ybor City Haunted Ybor City is an historic part of Tampa, Florida. It is a smaller part of the city established in the 1800’s, and started out as a cigar manufacturing town. At its peak of success, it was the largest cigar manufacturing city in the world producing millions of cigars daily. Unfortunately, the city lacked hygienic resources so sickness spread quickly in the cigar warehouses. In the early 1900’s, a tuberculosis epidemic hit Ybor City and claimed many lives. If that wasn’t hard enough, two large fires broke out and wiped out a couple blocks of buildings. The papers say no one was killed in the fires, but how are we sure? Haunted Ybor Today Many shop owners in Ybor have ghostly experiences. One little boy ghost plays tricks on employees by moving objects around and running down the aisles after closing time. There is a lady ghost in a misty dress who has been seen walking down the Cuban Club’s staircase; pianos play by themselves, and disembodied voices talk throughout the night at the Cuban Club. A law firm claims to be haunted. Further investigation into the history of the building shows it was first a bar and was the scene of a deadly fight. The man who was killed talks in Spanish and walks around the law firm at night. Many more places in Ybor have a similar tale, making it one of the most haunted places in Florida. 3. Riverwalk Museum In Fort Lauderdale, the Riverwalk Hotel was recently converted into a museum. Locals know this place as the Stranahan House. Built in the early 1900’s, locals believe the museum is haunted. And, like many older buildings in Florida, it’s haunted by multiple restless spirits. A ghost girl between the ages of five and seven, looks through the second floor window at different times of the day. Passersby have caught a spine-tingling glimpse of her, only to find out the museum is closed.The ghost of a man, in his twenties or thirties, looks through the first floor window. The ghost of a man in his late forties paces the first floor at night; he wears a brown duster and looks like he’s from another time period. Cold spots and the feeling of being watched make the Riverwalk Museum one of the most haunted places in Florida. 4. Round Cypress Head On the St. John’s River in Florida, there is a particular gaggle of cypress trees known as Round Cypress Head. It’s not easy to reach by boat; however, many say the paranormal at this spot is worth the boat ride. A prohibition-age urban legend has it a demon lives among the centuries-old trees on Round Cypress Head. This demon is a shape-shifter […]

The post MOST Haunted Places in Florida: Ybor City, Lake Okeechobee and More! appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.

How Traveling to Canada Enhanced My Spirituality & Growth as a Writer

kitty fields — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:32:49 +0000

I’m a Sagittarius. Which means I love to travel. I’m a wander-luster…wanderer…adventure seeker. SO when the website I’d been writing for invited me to a convention in Whistler, Canada, I jumped at the opportunity. The only time I’d been to Canada was as a child and it was a brief visit to Niagara Falls. I’d never been to the Pacific Northwest, nor to Whistler or Vancouver, Canada, so needless to say, I was pumped! Here was a chance to visit another country (a beautiful part of the world) AND network with other writers and publishers. The trip turned out to be a spiritually-enhancing experience, and helped me grow as a writer and a person. First Moments in Vancouver After only having a month to get my affairs in order, which included having my passport rushed to me after realizing my maiden name was still on it, I was thrilled to travel to Vancouver and then Whistler, my final destination. I traveled by way of plane through Denver and landed in Vancouver in the afternoon. Turned out the CEO of the company I wrote for was on my flight from Denver to Vancouver, he and his family. Surprisingly, they sat at the back of the plane. When I arrived in Vancouver, after going through customs, I found the bus that would take me and other writers to the Whistler resort. The first woman I sat by on the bus would come to tell me she makes six figures from her blog. SIX FIGURES. We compared notes on monthly traffic, and she told me something shocking – “for the amount of traffic you’re getting to your articles, you should be making MUCH more than what you are.” It never occurred to me that what this company was paying me was not enough. It got my wheels turning for sure. The Posh Resort & Convention (And My BLARING Intuition) Arriving at the Whistler Blackcomb Resort, I was blown away by the level of flash the company had put into this writers’ convention. I had no clue they had enough money to afford this, but then again, they didn’t pay for the convention – a bigger company had. This bigger company had recently bought out the website I had been writing for for eight years. The whole mission of this new company was to bring a group of successful online writers together to pitch their writing platform. That being said, they put a LOT of money into this convention…to the tune of $380,000 I would later discover. Fancy meals, fancy rooms, fancy excursions (included in the trip for FREE for the invited writers), etc. Now to the part where my intuition sounded off. So at this point, I’m enjoying my FREE trip to Whistler as much as possible but I am also obligated to attend some of the convention’s events/workshops/etc. The moment I met the new CEO and his family, I knew something wasn’t right. You ever meet someone and automatically know they’re evil? That’s the way I could describe this guy – slimy and surrounded in a darkness. This didn’t go well with my revelation that I might have been ripped off for the past eight years. “A Colorful Business History” The first night, while watching the shady CEO give a very vague speech to the crowd, a woman leaned over and whispered in my ear, “do you know who he is?” I shook my head and said yes he’s the CEO. She agreed but elaborated, “yes. And he has a VERY colorful business history. Look him up.” Hmm…interesting, I thought. Later, after a simple Google search on this man’s name and career, I discovered he DID have a colorful past in the business world, to say the least. He had recently been fired for hiding financials from the shareholders of his last web company. Then branched off and established the company that was now trying to get me to move my 500+ articles onto their “amazing” new writers’ network. Suspicious…indeed. What I learned from My Canadian Adventure Following a day and a half of convention workshops in which haughty CEOs and executives bashed FaceBook and Google and ultimately tried to get me to buy into their mediocre writing platform, I gave up on the convention and this company’s mission. I knew in my heart and in my body this company’s CEO was a slimeball and their goals were not in alignment with mine. Not to mention, I was almost 100% sure I was being underpaid for my years of hard work and creativity. SO what did I learn from this experience? Discovering I was being underpaid (and then later confirming it), this trip gave me the information and the inspiration to go out on my own and build my own website. THIS website. When I branched out and began moving some of my content from their website onto my own website, I was told I wouldn’t succeed at generating as much traffic on my own. WELL, I haven’t reached the same traffic YET. But, my growth rate is increasing exponentially every month and I’m on track to getting the same traffic in the next year or two as on the old writing platform in which they were ripping me off for the gods know how long. Cultural Enrichment & Spiritual Expansion In addition to learning a valuable lesson as a writer and entrepreneur, the trip to Canada was filled with a cultural richness I hadn’t expected. I would venture to say EVERY Canadian I met on the trip was friendly and warm. The environment in Canada is well-cared for because the people who live there are environmentally conscious. The mountainous landscape bordered by the beautiful Pacific Ocean haunted my dreams…in a magical sort of way. The city of Vancouver was my favorite – the food, the diversity of people, and the gorgeous sites were enough to say the trip was a success. BUT it didn’t stop there – my day on the […]

The post How Traveling to Canada Enhanced My Spirituality & Growth as a Writer appeared first on Otherworldly Oracle.