Episode 81: The Dancing Plague of 1518

Dancing is one of those things that we almost have no control over. But what if you really couldn't help it? What if one day you woke up, walked out into the middle of town, started dancing, and just never stopped? It wouldn't be so fun then, would it?That is exactly what happened to the people of Strasbourg when the Dancing Plague of 1518 hit.

If you study the religions and cultures from around the world that acknowledge possession as a universal experience, you’ll see that there is no specific criteria for who is more likely to become possessed over others. But that doesn’t explain what happened in 1634 to a specific group of people in Loudun, France. It doesn’t explain why of all the people in the world, a group of nuns found themselves at the center of demonic activity.

Special Re-Release Episode 79: Josephine and the Flying DutchmanOriginally heard in Episode 32, Josephine and the Flying Dutchman covers the lore and origins of famed ghost the Flying Dutchman, as well as the story of a young woman determined to concur her fear of the ocean and the ghosts that lurk its waters.

Houska Castle is an impressive gothic structure famous for its beautiful religious frescoes, romantic architecture, and a supposed literal gateway to Hell. How did it get there? What lives within? Let’s find out.

Fear of El Cucuy derives from the fear of the unknown. So let’s shine some light on what we do know about this amorphous, nightmare-inducing creature, and see if it helps dissipate that fear just a little.

New Jersey is known for many things – Atlantic City, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and the Jersey Devil. This demon cryptid is the last thing you want to see during your nighttime stroll through the woods. But what is the Jersey Devil? Where did it come from? And will you be its next victim?

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are releasing a newly remastered version of our episode on Lilith, the Mother of Demons. Explore the history of Lilith and why she is revered as a powerful, feminist icon. Warning: This episode mentions domestic violence and assault. Listener discretion is advised.

DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE MENTIONS THE SUBJECT OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Aokigahara Forest is situated at the base of Mount Fuji, 2 hours west of Tokyo. But despite its beautiful scenery, and serene nature walks, that is unfortunately not what it is most known for.

In the winter of 1692, the village of Salem, Massachusetts found itself embroiled in a vicious witch hunt. A total of 185 people would ultimately be accused of witchcraft, resulting in the deaths of 14 women and 5 men. To commemorate the 333 anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials, Scary Stories for the Soul is releasing one episode a week in the month of February, following 10 of the accused. On this, the last episode of our Salem Witch Trials series, we will focus our attention on Martha Carrier, Ann Foster, and Lady Mary Phips. Sources for this episode are Wikipedia, the Salem Witch Museum, Web.Archive.Org/the Boston Public Library, Ancestors.FamilySearch.org, PressBooks.Pub, “Satan and Salem: The Witch-Hunt Crisis of 1692” by Benjamin C. Ray, “In the Shadows of Salem: The Andover Witch Hunt of 1692” by Richard Hite, the 2003 film “Salem Witch Trials” by Joseph Sargent

In the winter of 1692, the village of Salem, Massachusetts found itself embroiled in a vicious witch hunt. A total of 185 people would ultimately be accused of witchcraft, resulting in the deaths of 14 women and 5 men. To commemorate the 333 anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials, Scary Stories for the Soul is releasing one episode a week in the month of February, following 10 of the accused. This week will be focusing on Martha and Giles Corey. Resources used are Wikipedia, “Martha Corey -Salem Witch Trials in History & Literature” by Jillian Smith and Eliza Pollack, “Giles Corey -Salem Witch Trials in History & Literature” by Heather Snyder, Encyclopedia Brittanica, “Salem Possessed” by Paul Boyer & Stephan Nissenbaum, “In the Devils Snare” by Mary Beth Norton, records from the Court of Oyer & Terminer,