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I see dead people – a true ghostly experience

In Daily Life, The Witching Hour by Louisa WestLeave a Comment

Ever since I was a kid, I knew there was more to this world than meets the eye. I’ve had many experiences with paranormal ‘things’ over the years, but something that always fascinates people is the question ‘What do ghosts actually look like?’. I’ll preface this post by saying that I think this is a highly individualised experience, and that I am fairly sure that the way I see ghosts is not the way everyone sees them. Having said that, I would love to share with you! When I see the spirit of someone who has passed, they actually just …

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Just Me and My Witches – Author/ Character Interviews with Iris Everlee, Marigold Everlee, and Hazel Kinsey.

In Behind The Scenes, Books, TV, Media, Misc., The Witching Hour, Writing by Renee GeorgeLeave a Comment

Renee George: Welcome, Iris Everlee, her sister Marigold, and Hazel Kinsey! Three witches who are the heroines of three different series I write. While they all have a lot to say, it doesn’t always help with getting them to the end of their stories. Even so, they are a pleasure to write, and I’m excited to sit down with them today and talk to them about what makes them tick, what advice they have for other witches, and what advice they might give to an author who is thinking about writing their own unique witches. Now, on to the interview. …

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Cold Blooded or Hot, Hot, Hot? How did they become so appealing?

In Books, TV, Media, Misc., The Witching Hour, Writing by Renee GeorgeLeave a Comment

My first taste of vampires were old black and white movies like Nosferatu (some seriously ugly vamps) and Bella Lugosi’s “Dracula” (1931) (not so ugly vampire, but creepy all the same). For some of us, it was our first introduction to bloodsuckers, but these creatures of the night began in ancient folklore as twisted, terrifying beings. The idea of blood-drinking or life-draining creatures can be traced to early civilizations. Ancient Mesopotamian and Greek legends spoke of demonic beings that feasted on human life forces. For example, the “Lamia,” who I wrote as one of the villains in my book Burning …

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Our Samhain Traditions

In Holidays, The Witching Hour by Yasmine GalenornLeave a Comment

My husband and I are Pagan. I’ve been in the Craft since 1980, and we celebrate the 8 Sabbats (pagan holidays) that are traditional among many “denominations” of paganism. My first 8 published books were magickal nonfiction. One of them, long out of print, was called Dancing With the Sun, which discussed those eight holidays, plus a few others. So, Halloween traditions are based on Samhain, the Festival of the Dead, which takes place from sundown on October 31st through November 1st. Samhain (pronounced sow-een or sow-ehn), is the festival when we celebrate the dark of the year, the ancestors …

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Embrace your ancestors for a meaningful Halloween

In Holidays, The Witching Hour by Louisa West1 Comment

Many of us revel in the fun and fright of the Halloween season,but beyond the costumes and candy Halloween also offers a unique opportunity to honor and connect with our ancestors. Embracing traditions that celebrate our familial past can bring a deeper, more meaningful dimension to the holiday. Here are three traditions to help you honor your ancestors and create a spiritually enriching Halloween. Create an ancestor altar One of the most powerful ways to connect with your ancestors is by setting up an ancestor altar. This special space can be dedicated to your family’s past, where you display photos, …

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Easy Low Carb Pecan Pie Autumn Tarts

In Daily Life, Holidays, Misc., The Witching Hour by Renee George1 Comment

These low-carb, gluten-free mini pecan tarts always remind me of those holiday dinners when pecan pies were the star of the dessert table. The smell alone was enough to make the whole room feel warmer, like the whole family had been wrapped up in a cozy blanket. Everyone had their own way of enjoying it—some went for tiny slivers, others for big, generous wedges with a scoop of ice cream, but my favorite part was always the top layer of pecans. I would eat the crispy, nutty, and sweet halves first. That’s the best part of these tarts! They’re just …

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True Ghost Stories

In The Witching Hour by Yasmine Galenorn1 Comment

So today we’re going to talk about ghost stories — real ghost stories from my life. I’ve always been psychic, and I’ve always known when ghosts were around. I’ve dealt with a number of spirits over the years who were passing through my house, and I feel/see them on the side of the road, especially as the veils begin to thin each year near Samhain. But, in particular, several incidents stand out. A group of us were gathered in our living room on Samhain eve. We always do a silent meditation during the ritual, focusing on those who have gone …

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Unraveling urban legends

In The Witching Hour by Louisa West1 Comment

Urban legends have long been a staple of American folklore, weaving tales that blend fear, fascination, and sometimes a touch of humor. These stories often stem from local legends or myths, passed down through generations and embellished along the way. Today, we delve into six American urban legends, including the infamous Headless Horseman (who I’ve taken inspiration from for one of my series!), to uncover the truth behind these spooky tales. The killer in the backseat This chilling urban legend tells of a driver who is followed by a mysterious car. As the story goes, when the driver pulls over, …

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My Familiars Own My Ass

In Behind The Scenes, Books, TV, Media, Daily Life, The Witching Hour, Writing by Robyn Peterman7 Comments

Yep, I have said many times that I like animals better than people. LOL  And I stand by my words except when my dogs get skunked and my cats bring me gifts. Sadly, the dogs don’t understand that sniffing a skunk’s butt repeatedly ends in multiple baths and lots of swear words from Mom. The cats… forget about it. A gift is a gift even if it causes me to scream and run.  I love them even with their smelly and unappetizing habits.  First thing you should know about me… besides being an author I’m also a collector of stray …

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My BFF Bigfoot!

In Behind The Scenes, Books, TV, Media, Daily Life, Misc., The Witching Hour, Writing by Robyn Peterman17 Comments

What is a best friend? To me, it’s someone with whom you share your deepest secrets. Someone who has your back no matter what. Like when you wore gauchos to a housewarming party and no one would make eye contact with you except for your BFF. Who, I might add, complimented your heinous fashion faux pas multiple times. Or the time you ate so many hot wings and drank soooo many Mike’s Hard Lemonades that you were able to belch half of the alphabet making everyone leave the table… except for your BFF. In fact, he ripped a belch in …