The occult, by definition, boils down to an involvement in the supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, phenomena. In the sixteenth century, the term occult sciences was used to refer to astrology, alchemy, and natural magic. In the nineteenth century, occultism emerged in France and began to be associated with various esoteric groups therein connected to Éliphas … [Read more...] about The Utterly Wicked Truths About “Dark” Magic
witchcraft
Urban Legends: Dark Magic at Malheur Butte in Ontario, Oregon
A seemingly unassuming dead volcano in Eastern Oregon, the Malheur Butte has long boasted a secret history of witches practicing dark magic, as well as strange creatures who appear in the dead of the night to keep visitors away. It is said that the shadowy past of Malheur Butte entails one full of dark magic and that witches used to meet in secret on the rugged tip of this dead … [Read more...] about Urban Legends: Dark Magic at Malheur Butte in Ontario, Oregon
Anna Byrne: Chapter 02 – The Burden of a Witch’s Son
Urban Legends: The Curse of Lafayette I looked up at the loft in my father’s study, my eyes burned from a lack of sleep, but if I was ever going to get broken in to some of the insane notions that my father spoke about the night before this was how I should do it. I felt his hand grasp my shoulder and the kiss he gave me on the back of my head, as he encouraged me to do the … [Read more...] about Anna Byrne: Chapter 02 – The Burden of a Witch’s Son
Urban Legends: The Gypsy Curse of Lafayette, OR
It's said that the town of Lafayette, Oregon has been cursed since the 1800s when a woman was accused of witchcraft and then hung for her alleged crimes. Before her execution, she placed a curse on the town, saying that it would burn down three times--and it has since burned in its entirety twice--those who are wary of the curse she placed wonder when it will happen again! To … [Read more...] about Urban Legends: The Gypsy Curse of Lafayette, OR
Anna Byrne: Chapter 05 – Night of Resurrection
It was a nice walk from the corner store to the cemetery I had marked on my map, it was so alien to see grass that was still green this time of year, and the sun beat down through the thick humid air. I reminded myself to not get used to the length of the days down in the lower forty-eight, it would just make me miss the sun that much more when I got home. Walking through what … [Read more...] about Anna Byrne: Chapter 05 – Night of Resurrection