This is an account of my experiences working as a tarot card reader for a psychic hotline. I am in no way implying that every agency operates in the same way. This is simply my truth based upon personal dealings with one organization. As with most things in life, it wasn't exactly what I expected.
A lonely stretch of road in upstate New York is said to be home to an earthbound spirit whose life came to a tragic end on her wedding night. Trapped in a world in which she no longer belongs, she is doomed to walk the roadway in search of her lost love, to the horror of many a hapless motorist.
Health care facilities of all varieties are known hotbeds of paranormal activity. One such institution is the notoriously haunted White Sanitorium. With a history steeped in suffering and questionable medical practices, the building is said to retain energies of the past that refuse to be forgotten.
While most tales of visitations from unearthly creatures are far too outlandish to be based in fact, evidence to the contrary does crop up every now and then. This is the story of how the English countryside once played host to an otherworldly entity whose origins remain a mystery to this day.
Most communities have a plethora of ghost stories to share with the world and San Antonio, Texas is no exception. One of the region's most notorious entities is a disfigured specter who, unable to forgive the wrongs she suffered in life, terrorizes all who dare to cross her path in death.
While haunted houses are believed to exist in nearly every corner of the world, an Indiana property known as Whispers Estate is in a category all its own. Rife with spirits, both benign and otherwise, this historic home is a ghost hunters dream, and an occupant's nightmare.
Unconventional notions can be found everywhere, including the great outdoors.The following are a few odd beliefs involving the world that exists outside the comfort of our homes.
Fear of flying is no joke, as many who suffer from this phobia will tell you. Rather than leaving their destiny up to chance, some people allow their superstitious nature to take over before embarking on a flight. Discover nine unconventional practices people employ to help ensure a safe trip.
Those who have an inkling that something paranormal is afoot in their homes often make missteps that, rather than banishing the unwanted presence, only serve to exacerbate the situation. The following are a few of the pitfalls to avoid if you ever hope to return to normalcy.
Burial sites of any kind are solemn places that should be treated with reverence. Unfortunately, either by accident or on purpose, the lines of acceptable behavior are sometimes crossed. These are a few things to avoid when visiting cemeteries and graveyards, lest you offend a spectral caretaker.
How to make just-right hard-boiled eggs, fluffy scrambled eggs, extra-moist cake, simple ganache, and perfectly al dente pasta.
This is the real-life story of a teenage girl who met a tragic end on the night she was to elope with her sweetheart. Unable to move on, she is said to have returned to the last place she knew in life to wreak havoc on all who dare to enter the passageway known as "Emily's Bridge."
One might think that vampires—undead creatures who subsist on the blood of others—are products of imagination with no basis in reality. While this may well be true, there have been instances in which individuals have presented with symptoms of vampirism. The following is one such case.
Earthbound spirits are masters of finding ways to engage with those they left behind. Some choose to make their presence known outright, while others take a more subtle approach. The following are three intriguing examples of the latter.
If one wishes to draw the ire of those who inhabit the land of the dead, there are few more effective ways than to whistle. For unknown reasons, some spirits take offense to the shrill sound and will not hesitate to make their displeasure known, as evidenced by the following accounts.
We all know that inanimate objects are incapable of functioning independently. While that may be, the following account flies in the face of that belief. It tells the true story of a man whose stay at a roadside motel introduced him to a painting that he is convinced had magical properties.
Dementia is difficult to pin down. For some, its devastating effects come on gradually, while in other cases, they strike quickly and without warning, destroying their hapless victims in a matter of a few short months. These are a few things that our family learned after experiencing the latter.
Having the house to themselves for a few days is normally a teenager's dream come true. For one girl, however, the experience evolved into a nightmare when a series of unexplained events led her to believe that she wasn't alone after all. This is her harrowing story.
Most of us like to think that dementia is a slow process that progresses slowly. This is not always the case. This is the story of how my mother fell victim to this heinous condition out of the blue. It would, in only a few months, take everything from her, including her life.
Prophetic dreams are a phenomena in which a person "sees" events yet to come while sleeping. The following is the true story of a woman whose subconscious alerted her to impending danger. As she would soon learn, her ominous vision was not meant for her, but for someone she held dear.
It is said that energies of the past, especially those involving trauma, linger long after the incident itself is forgotten. The following is the true account of a woman whose home not only retained memories of a devastating event but replayed it in perpetuity.
The dark persona of the wolf long ago cemented its place in the world of folklore. The following are a few examples of both the practical and supernatural notions that revolve around one of the animal kingdom's most mysterious denizens.
Sleep paralysis is our body's way of preventing us from acting out our dreams. In some cases, however, this protective mechanism does more harm than good. The following is a real-life account that is either an example of this phenomenon or a demonic visitation that affected two people at once.
Whether we eat to live or live to eat, food is something we can't do without. These snippets involve beliefs—some conventional and some not so much—that center around this basic life necessity.
The following snippets deal with a handful of somewhat bizarre notions pertaining to the inner workings of the human body. While some are outlandish, to be sure, others hold a grain of truth. Which is which is up to the reader to decide.
The following are six superstitions that revolve around various creatures, great and small. From snakes and rats to goats and fish, each has a role to play in the world of lore.
Centuries ago, in an Italian convent, a young nun claimed to have fallen under the spell of a purveyor of unadulterated evil. This is the story of what she claimed happened during that harrowing period. As you will soon see, it is a bizarre tale that is still unfolding.
Looking for, or being in love, is not always as easy as it seems. The following are a few snippets involving the dos and don'ts of love as dictated by superstition. While not always practical, these bits of wisdom do make one wonder how much of our lives we control, and how much is left up to fate.
While most stories of lore are relatively tame, there are some that are quite frightening in their implications. The following are six examples of these sometimes disturbing beliefs that—if they hold the slightest grain of truth—are enough to send chills down the spines of the bravest of souls.
There is no denying the unbreakable bond that exists between humans and their canine companions. Perhaps due to their almost magical personas, dogs hold a special place in the world of superstitions. The following are a few examples of the lore surrounding these remarkable creatures.
Vampires have a special place in the realm of the supernatural. Stories revolving around these mysterious beings have circulated since the 1600s. The following are a few snippets of lore dedicated to these fascinating creatures of the night.
In this day and age, most of us are aware that those who practice witchcraft most often do so with the purest of intentions. In the past, however, these practitioners were often persecuted for their beliefs. The following are a few of the superstitions that arose from those dark times.
Over the centuries, countless superstitions centered around funerals and cemeteries have emerged. The following are a few examples of these somewhat creepy notions.
With their secretive natures, felines are the perfect fodder for tales of lore. These mysterious creatures reveal only what they want us to see and can be both whimsical and mystical, depending on their mood. What follows are seven far-fetched notions that revolve around the always intriguing cat.
Few can deny that the majority of mothers live and breathe for their children. The following are a few superstitions—some more disturbing than others— that deal with the often bizarre notions that revolve around pregnancy and motherhood.
It would seem that there is a superstition for nearly every aspect of life. The following are seven examples of these somewhat disturbing beliefs that center around our humble homes.
Anyone who has spent time on a farm knows that those who work the land often believe strongly in superstitions and live their lives accordingly. The following are six examples of some of the creepier bits of folklore that were popular among the farmers in my extended family.
Some superstitions, if taken seriously, can be downright frightening. Others, such as the ones you are about to explore, are meant only to bring goodwill to those for whom fate smiles. The following snippets remind us that, in the world of superstitions, anything is possible.
While some superstitions tiptoe around the darker side of life, others address it head-on. The following are a sampling of the latter, some of which you may be hearing for the first time. A few are fairly tame, while others border on the macabre.
The animal kingdom figures heavily in the world of folklore and superstition. These non-human beings are sometimes seen as angels in disguise, while on other occasions, they are harbingers of doom. Their appearance can also bring luck—both good and bad.
Superstitions are usually fairly benign offerings that are meant to be taken with a grain of salt. Some, however, border on the macabre. The following are six such bits of lore that teeter on the edge of darkness.
Superstitions can be both amusing and disturbing—often at the same time. The following seven bits of lore illustrate this point. While some are more familiar than others, they are all interesting in their own way.
Old wives' tales—those pearls of wisdom uttered to keep us from making grave mistakes—are interesting to be sure. But have you ever wondered what they really mean? If you have, look no further. What follows are three of these bits of lore and the stories behind them.
Places that house those who have been removed from society for any length of time have been known to harbor negative energies that are often difficult to dispel. This is the real-life story of one such location in which the tortured spirits of the past quite possibly still linger.
Most of us have, at one time or another, felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. For those who reach a low from which they cannot rise, it is rumored that a bus exists in which troubles are resolved and new paths are forged, but only if the rider learns from what they see along the way.
Some areas attract spirit activity more than others. One such place is an abandoned tunnel in West Virginia. Nestled deep within a state park, it has been the site of many a tragic death in the past. It is also a place where unexplained phenomena and ghostly sightings have been reported for decades.
We all know that mannequins are manufactured objects that do not possess souls, hearts, or brains and cannot function on their own. Be that as it may, the following story deals with a series of bizarre encounters a young couple had with mysterious beings they say closely resembled living mannequins.
We have all heard stories of people who can predict events that have not yet come to pass. While some might consider this a blessing, others—such as the woman in the following true account—view it as a curse. Hers was the unenviable ability to smell death on those whose days were numbered.
We have all had rough patches in life that we normally work through with the help of family and friends. Not everyone, however, has such a support system. This is the real-life story of one woman's ill-conceived attempt to seek guidance from the other side, resulting in a terrifying brush with evil.
Objects that have been around a while often have stories to tell. Not all—as one can imagine—end happily. The following is a real-life account in which a woman unknowingly brought something sinister into her home via an antique stand-alone cabinet.
It isn't unusual for a child to enjoy the company of a playmate only they can see. Sometimes, however, the possibility arises that this invisible friend is something more than a product of imagination. Such was the case in the following true account, which straddles the line between life and death.
This true account tells of a woman whose life was turned upside down after signing the lease on a new apartment. The frightening disturbances that followed would ultimately convince her that she was sharing space with entities from a bygone era who were unwilling to let go of the past.
These true tales recount visitations from beyond. The first involves a woman who received a message from her deceased mother, reminding her that love changes but never dies. The other tells the story of a troubled man who defied fate in order to say a last goodbye.
It has been said that cats are more connected to the other side than any other living creature. Perhaps that explains their reputation for lingering between worlds after death. The following are two of many instances in which these mystical beings refused to go gentle into that good night.
Most would likely agree that wishing misfortune upon another is seldom a good thing. Even so, there are those who do just that in order to right perceived wrongs. This true account details the devastating losses an innocent family suffered after dark forces were called upon in the name of vengeance.
Choosing a suitable dwelling is an endeavor not to be taken lightly. After all, one never knows who might be residing next door. The following story involves a couple who moved into a quiet suburban neighborhood only to find their lives turned upside down by an evil that was too close for comfort.
There are no shortage of ghost stories to be found in these United States. Every region has its share of spooky tales and Ohio is no exception. The following are two such instances with which you may or may not be familiar. They are, as you are about to see, as different as they are chilling.
It is said that junctions exist where the walls between this world and the next are at their most vulnerable. These crossroads are portals in which the living can communicate with those who have passed on. They are also places where, for a price, deals can be struck with the forces of darkness.
We've all heard that if you lead a good life and treat others fairly, you will be rewarded with a ticket to paradise when your days are through. What awaits in the hereafter— for those who spend their lives causing misery to others— is not nearly as pleasant. These true tales illustrate.
We all know that dolls are manufactured objects that cannot think, feel, or act independently. At least, that's what we like to believe, though the subjects in the following true tales would beg to differ. Sometimes, there is more to these human replicas than meets the eye.
When someone dies, those they leave behind often long for a sign that their loved one has found peace on the other side. Sometimes, however, the interactions that take place are neither solicited nor desired. The following real-life stories are examples of what happens when spirit contact goes awry.
Stop for a moment and think about how many times you phone, text or email someone on any given day. The number may surprise you. Given this, it shouldn't come as much of a shock that spirits have been known to use our reliance on telecommunication to their advantage, as these incidents illustrate.
Growing up in a superstitious family, it seemed as though unseen entities bent on wreaking havoc were always within earshot. The following are examples of superstitions, like pictures falling off the wall and stepping on a grave, and their meanings.
Most of us are familiar with at least a few urban legends. Although it is assumed that these spooky tales are purely works of fiction; many have their origins in actual events. The following are two urban legends. One is well-known while the other is a captivating bit of local lore.
Anyone who has been through the process of preparing a house for sale knows that it can be stress-inducing, to say the least. I learned a few tips as a realtor that proved to be invaluable to sellers. There are any number of things one can do to make their home more appealing; here are just a few.
The dream world is one steeped in mystery. What is meant to be a period of rest can sometimes provide a window into events yet to come. The following are two instances in which dreams brought eerie predictions of tragedies just around the corner.
Personal safety is something that we are all concerned with on some level. We would all like to think that we are safe while on the job, but that isn't always the case. The following stories detail instances in which workplace danger was hiding in plain sight.
Any tragic event that involves loss of life can have repercussions for years following the incident. In the two cases we are about to explore, untimely ends brought with them more than simply grief and sadness. In these instances, death and destruction were only the beginning of a greater mystery.
Second sight can allow one to foresee events which have not yet occurred. Those who possess this ability are usually aware of their unique gift, but that is not always the case. The following true stories involve people whose dreams foreshadowed the future, sometimes with terrifying consequences.
There are few among us who have not experienced the loss of a friend, relative, or even a beloved pet. In our grief, we long for assurances that they have found peace as their soul journeys into the next realm. These are a few examples of how those who have passed on reach out to those who remain.
This is the story of a young family and the country home that would prove to be both their greatest pride and worst nightmare. A series of terrifying events would convince them that their dream house had been claimed by spirits who could not rest in the presence of the living.
Graveyards are meant to be the final resting places for those whose souls have departed this world. Rife with sorrow, these sacred grounds tend to be plagued by paranormal activity. Let these stories act as a warning that the living are not always welcome in the gardens of the dead.
Whether it be by séance, black mirror, or Ouija board, the ultimate goal is to make contact with the dead. However, these interactions can come with a price.
Earthbound spirits can remain dormant for years until something, or someone, awakens them. Resting souls have been known to be called to action when the places they frequented in this world are disturbed. The following story recounts an instance in which renovations, quite literally, woke the dead.
Whether or not animals have souls is a topic that is subject to debate. Many believe that animals have spirits that continue on after death. Unfortunately, those souls do not always find peace. This is one woman's account of an animal shelter and the lost souls who called it home.
It is not unheard of for the spirits of the departed to remain behind in the places that they frequented in life. In some cases, these restless souls remain earthbound simply because they cannot accept their mortality. This is one woman's story of her father's death and its unexpected aftermath.
The Ouija board, as we know it, has been marketed as a game for children for over a century. With that in mind, most people assume that it is a tool of harmless folly. This is the story of a group of friends who would learn the hard way that danger can lurk in the most unlikely of places.
Our bodies are amazing creations that house the essence of who we are as people. Out-of-body experiences, a phenomenon in which one observes their physical form from a distance, are not uncommon. These are the stories of two traveling souls and the memories they brought back from their journeys.
Sleep is supposed to be a time when our bodies and minds rejuvenate and recover from the stress of our waking hours. However, for some among us, a restful night is made impossible by a phenomenon known as sleep paralysis. For them, the night holds only terror as their worst fears become reality.
These are the stories of two people who were born acting as hosts to parasites that threatened to destroy them. One of them spent years unaware of the cause of his affliction, while the other was forced to live a life of waking nightmares. These are their stories.
The life which follows this one is shrouded in mystery. Some don't believe that it exists while others spend their time on Earth planning for it. In the end, we will all find out the hard way. Still, there are some among us who have looked into the abyss and it's a sight they will never forget.
Traditional thinking would have us believe that gateways into other dimensions are something that exist only in the world of science fiction. The stories you are about to read are the real-life experiences of people who would challenge that notion. They know the terror a portal can bring.
In 1966, a series of unexplained events would rock the peaceful haven of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to its core. What began with a string of sightings of an unidentified nocturnal creature would culminate in a tragedy that would forever change the town and its citizens.
There are few things as frightening as a long stretch of deserted highway on a moonless night. That is, except for someone—or something—unexpectedly emerging from out of the darkness. These stories of the unexplained all revolve around cars and roadways. Enter if you dare.
We can never know what energies from bygone days remain trapped within the wall of the establishments we frequent. One business, located in the heart of the entertainment industry, has seen more than its fair share of ghostly visitors from the past. Most of them are harmless, with one exception.
If we live long enough, each of us will experience the heartbreaking loss of someone we love. The sudden void is made all the worse by the knowledge that we will never see that person again. That is, unless they find a way to let us know that they have made it to the other side and are at peace.
None of us ever really knows how closely death stalks us. By the same token, we can't know how many times we are spared without ever knowing that we were in danger. The hand of fate is truly fickle, but sometimes we are sent a warning of things to come. The outcome is up to us.
The special bond between humans and their pets is one that is not easily broken. For most people, these four-legged friends are cherished family members. Sadly, their time with us does not last forever. Sometimes, however, they are not quite ready to say "goodbye."
Scores of people like nothing more than shopping at tag sales and antique shops. Everyone hopes to find a treasure hidden amid the relics of the past. Along the same vein, we can never know the true history of the item we are purchasing or what secrets it may be keeping.
It is said that, at the moment of our birth, each one of us brings a guardian angel with us from the other side. This gentle spirit will remain with us throughout our lives and attempt to guide us along the way. The following true accounts beg the question, "Could angels truly walk among us?"
They say that nothing is certain in life except for death and taxes. There is one flaw in that old adage—the assumption that death is truly the end. For many, the lure of the life they once had holds them to this earth. It is when those lost souls clash with the living that the terror begins.