Haunts

The Craft, Samhain, and the History of Halloween

The reason for the spooky season...
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this Halloween special of Haunts, Courtney delves into the ancient origins of the holiday we cherish today. From the roots of Halloween in the Celtic festival of Samhain to the powerful influence of witchcraft and pagan traditions, Courtney explores how centuries-old customs like bonfires, costumes, and the touching ritual of the "dumb supper" shaped the spooky celebrations we know and love. The episode traces the evolution of these practices through the arrival of Christianity, the blending of traditions, and the eventual emergence of Halloween as we know it. With a blend of history, reverence, and a touch of melancholy, this episode is a tribute to the mystical and haunting spirit of the season. Whether you're a fan of ghosts or just love learning about Halloween's deeper roots, this is the perfect way to wrap up your spooky season!

The North Berwick Witch Trials

Today we aren’t just gathered to uncover the tyrannical events that lead to the burning of tens of thousands of accused witches. Don’t worry, we will get to that—but first we need to learn how to conjure something much, much darker.
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney explores the dark and chilling aftermath of the Trier witch trials and the ripple effect they had throughout Europe. Beginning with the grim events in Germany, Courtney traces how fear and tyranny fanned the flames of mass hysteria, ultimately influencing King James VI’s notorious witch hunts in Scotland. As the episode delves into King James’s fascination with demonology, necromancy, and the occult—topics he documented in his controversial pamphlet Demonology—listeners are challenged to confront the unsettling connections between these historical horrors and the paranormal beliefs that endure today. From the harrowing fate of Agnes Sampson during the North Berwick Witch Trials to the haunting legacy she left behind at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace, this episode blends history with the spectral, reminding us that the veil between worlds is thinner than we might believe. Stay tuned, but tread carefully—some knowledge may be best left in the shadows.

The Trier Witch Trials

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This week on Haunts, Courtney is joined by a special guest and dear friend of the show, Hannah! 
Get ready to channel some serious 90s sleepover vibes—think late-night storytelling and cozy chats—even as we dive into the darker side of history. Together, Courtney and Hannah take us back to 1581, to the haunting story of Trier, Germany—a town known for its beauty but shadowed by a chilling past. With their signature blend of light-hearted banter and in-depth discussion, they unravel the grim legacy of the Trier Witch Trials, a tragic chapter that claimed 368 lives and became Europe's largest mass execution during peacetime.
So grab your blankets, turn down the lights, and join Courtney and Hannah as they explore one of the darkest chapters in Germany's history. Stay tuned, you won’t want to miss this one!

The Torsåker Witch Trials

There's a little witch in all of us...
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney takes us on a chilling journey into the dark history of witchcraft accusations, beginning with a unique Swedish tradition known as the Easter hags. As children dress up and emulate Halloween customs during Holy Week, we explore the unsettling folklore behind this seemingly innocent ritual.
This episode marks the start of a month-long deep dive into the brutal witch trials of the past, starting with the infamous Torsåker Witch Trials of 1674, one of the deadliest witch hunts in Sweden’s history. With barbaric methods, children as accusers, and a zealous priest at its helm, this tale reveals the horrifying consequences of mass hysteria.
But it’s not just about history. Courtney challenges us to reflect on the traditions we uphold today, asking if the magic we celebrate is a treat—or simply a trick of a haunted past. Tune in to uncover the horrors of witch hunts and the enduring power of folklore.

The Sloss Furnaces

You know what they say about assuming...
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
This week, Courtney explores the infamous Sloss Furnaces of Birmingham, Alabama, where industrial tragedy and ghostly lore intersect. With tales of energy-draining spirits and spectral workers like the notorious James Wormwood, this episode examines the science behind the paranormal, asking if ghostly phenomena could challenge the laws of thermodynamics. Is it possible that the spirits still haunt the fiery remains of Sloss, feeding off the heat that once powered the furnaces?
Tune in for a journey through history, hauntings, and the theories that continue to keep the fires of paranormal investigation alive.

The Parkway Phantom

On New Jersey’s deadliest highway, a phantom lurks—haunting drivers with a chilling warning from beyond the grave.
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney takes us on a journey down New Jersey’s infamous Garden State Parkway, where a phantom has been haunting drivers near Exit 82 since 1955. Known as the Parkway Phantom, this eerie figure has startled countless motorists, vanishing into thin air as they swerve to avoid him. Is this ghost responsible for the area's high fatality rates, or is he trying to protect drivers from sharing his tragic fate? Tune in as we explore the chilling stories, encounters, and folklore surrounding this mysterious highway specter. Buckle up—it’s going to be a haunting ride.

The Moon-Eyed People of Appalachia

Could it be that these legends simply came here, weary and disoriented, after a voyage across the pond? Or could they, instead, have traveled here from somewhere beyond the stars?
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney delves deep into the mysterious legend of the Moon-Eyed People of Appalachia—a little-known but eerie tale rooted in Cherokee folklore. Who were these pale, nocturnal figures that dwelled in the caves of the Appalachian mountains? Were they ancient explorers, a race of fae-like beings, or even visitors from the stars? Courtney explores the many theories surrounding their origins, from Welsh settlers lost to history to extraterrestrial observers. Tune in for a spine-tingling journey into one of Appalachia’s most enigmatic and unsettling legends.

The Lady of Bradley Woods

As they say, kids will be kids, which, I guess, means that ghosts will be ghosts.
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney Hayes delves into the eerie tale of the Lady of Bradley Woods, a spectral figure said to haunt the quiet woodland near Lincolnshire, England. Once the site of a tragic loss, Bradley Woods is now the setting for a chilling legend that has kept generations of local children from wandering too far after dark. From the heart-wrenching origins of a mother’s despair to the unsettling rumors of a shadowy presence, this episode explores how ghost stories like this one are woven into the fabric of communities, serving as both cautionary tales and enduring mysteries. Tune in for a journey through the haunted history and lore that continues to captivate—and terrify—the people of Lincolnshire.

Fearsome Fae Folk

Let this episode serve as a reminder that when you actually fall down the rabbit hole—when you take on the dangerous business of going outside your own door—you might just find that this little escape is enough to become the death of you.
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney takes you on a journey into the mysterious and often unsettling world of the fae. From the eerie beauty of nymphs to the bloodthirsty terror of redcaps, this episode delves into the strange and fearsome creatures that inhabit unearthly realms. Inspired by a curious internet post claiming to provide instructions for entering the fae world, Courtney explores the allure and dangers of escaping our reality for one filled with magic and mischief. Tune in as she uncovers the myths, legends, and cautionary tales that remind us why the fae are creatures to be both revered and feared.

The Wicked Witch of Old Monroe

Through the power of local legend, a living memory is preserved—for better or for worse, for good or for evil. And sometimes it’s that very eye for an eye mentality which makes the legend itself that much more haunting. 
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Huge thank you to the composers at Pixabay for the music in this week's episode. If you would like to support the artists, you may do so at the links provided below--
Music by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer from Pixabay
In this episode of Haunts, host Courtney delves into the eerie tale of Hannah Cranna, the notorious "Witch of Monroe." Known for her vengeful curses and mysterious powers, Hannah's legend has haunted the small Connecticut town for centuries. The story begins with the tragic death of her husband during a fierce storm, sparking rumors of witchcraft. As these whispers grew, Hannah embraced her dark reputation, using it to both protect herself and exact revenge on those who wronged her. But her legacy didn't end with her death—Hannah Cranna's final request for a proper burial was ignored by her neighbors, leading to one last act of karmic retribution from beyond the grave. Tune in to explore the chilling events that turned a grieving widow into a figure of fear and legend.