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A 1914 illustration by John Bauer from the Swedish fairy-tale collection <em>Bland Tomtar och Troll</em>, meaning "Among Gnomes and Trolls."
witchcraft

The Real-Life Origins of Taboo Fairy Romance

Long before "A Court of Thorns and Roses," 17th-century Swedish courts investigated supernatural love.
Andrew Coletti December 17, 2024
In the original <em>Dracula</em> novel, the count is able to bite Lucy only after her necklace of garlic flowers is removed.
witchcraft

Banishing Evil With Edible Plants

All-natural monster repellent for spooky season might lurk in your kitchen.
Andrew Coletti October 14, 2024
Indianapolis, Indiana

Magick Candle

Tucked into the heart of historic Irvington, this 56-year-old metaphysical shop specializes in the olde ways.
Kamakura, Japan

Seimei Stone

Associated with Japanese folklore's most eminent sorcerer, this slab of rock is said to be both a blessing and a curse.
museums and collections

Podcast: Showgirl Magic Museum

In San Francisco, learn all about the history of showgirls.
The Podcast Team April 16, 2024
Rose Mackenberg believed in something beyond the world we see—but she didn't believe the mediums who said they were in touch with it.
crime

The Ghost-Busting 'Girl Detective' Who Awed Houdini

As an undercover investigator, Rose Mackenberg unmasked hundreds of America’s fake psychics.
Nina Strochlic March 14, 2024
A large warehouse lined with tables full of produce and goods.
Paramaribo, Suriname

Maroon Market

This "witch's market" is filled with Amazonian herbs, remedies, and the occasional libido-strengthening tincture.
Harvard Bridge Houdini Plaque
Boston, Massachusetts

Harvard Bridge Houdini Plaque

Harry Houdini plunged into the Charles River and performed one of his escape acts here in 1908.
A stone slab with a plaque surrounded by a garden and fence.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Corstorphine Physic Well

A spring purported to have healing properties lies just outside Scotland's capital.
Covington, Kentucky

Hierophany and Hedge

A shop for all your magical needs and notions.
Apatosaurus trackway
List

21 Unexpected Wonders in Colorado’s Vibrant Cities and Small Towns

Uncover hidden gems within Colorado’s charming cities and small towns–like Durango, Golden, Grand Junction, Last Chance, and more.
outsider art

8 Supernatural Spots You Can Only Find in Northern Kentucky

Indulge your proclivity for the paranormal and explore the mystifying side of the Bluegrass State.
Victorian séances led to spook shows, which led to <em>Rocky Horror.</em>
horror

Rocky Horror Has Surprising Roots in Victorian Seances

'Time Warp' all the way back to 1800s spiritualism, magic performances, and spook shows.
Victoria Linchong October 11, 2023
witchcraft

In Early Modern Russia, Witches Were Men and Belief in Magic Was Universal

Terrifying love spells and protective "spells to power" offered the chance for control in a fiercely hierarchical society.
Valerie Kivelson October 2, 2023
Paris, France

Étienne-Gaspard Robertson's Tomb

A phantasmagoric tomb honors a Belgian artist-scientist's contributions to the world of spooky entertainment.
Caerphilly, Wales

Tommy Cooper Statue

Enthusiasts of the mid-20th century magician and comedian erected this statue in the small Welsh town in which he was born, even though the comedian only lived there for three years.
Wyoming's Casper Mountain is home to witches who appear once a year, on Midsummer's Eve, thanks to the rich imagination of writer and artist Neal Forsling.
witchcraft

On Wyoming's Casper Mountain, the Crimson Dawn Witches Appear Every Midsummer's Eve

Nearly a century ago, writer and artist Neal Forsling's magical tales began a local legacy that celebrates family, nature, and imagination.
Michelle Harris June 19, 2023
San Francisco, California

Showgirl Magic Museum

In the basement of a San Francisco performing arts center, a small museum dedicated to the history of showgirls.