Episode 66: La Befana, the Christmas-ish Witch

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,

In the winter of 1692, the village of Salem, Massachusetts found itself embroiled in a vicious witch hunt. 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 week's episode we will highlight the lives and deaths of Rebecca Nurse and Reverend George Burroughs.Sources for this episode are Wikipedia, the Salem Witch Museum, DigitalHistorySalem.Weebly.com, Famous-Trials.com, “Delusions of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials” by Frances Hill, “The Devil in Massachusetts” by Marion L. Starkey, “Salem Witchcraft, VOL 11” by Charles Upham, and “More Wonders of the Invisible World” by Robert Calef

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, highlighting the lives, trials, tribulations, and deaths of 10 of the accused. In our first episode of the series we will be discussing Tituba, Bridget Bishop, and Sarah Good. Sources used for this episode are Wikipedia, “Tituba, Reluctant Witch of Salem: Devilish Indians & Puritan Fantasies” by Elaine Brenslaw, Sara Jobe’s “Salem Witch Trials in History & Literature” for the University of Virginia, and The Salem Witch Museum

Thomas Edison can take credit for inventing many things, like recorded sound and motion pictures. But did you know he also had a hand trying to invent one of the very first spirit communication machines?

The Stanley Hotel has a reputation for being the most haunted hotel in the United States. Some of that is thanks to Stephen King’s 1977 novel The Shining, but most of it is because it’s actually really, really, really haunted.

Holiday traditions are sacred things. They’re what makes the season joyful and bright. But I bet you didn’t know that some of our most beloved holidays traditions, have their roots in Pagan practices and celebrations. Let’s talk about the history of Christmas.

La Befana is a popular figure in Italian holiday folklore. The little Christmas Witch shares more than a few traits with good Ol’ Saint Nick. This holiday season we’re going to talk about La Befana, and see exactly why she should have a place on our mantel, right next to that Elf on the Shelf.

Forests are naturally known as fantastical places, but none hold a candle to Germany’s Black Forest. Walk into the supernatural history of the Black Forest, get acquainted with some of its more spooky inhabitants, and learn about what exactly inspired the Brothers Grimm to change the world of folktales forever.

When La Casa de los Lamentos in Guanajuato, Mexico opened its doors to tourists, they knew they could make some money showing the home of a deceased serial killer. What they didn’t expect, was that Tadeo Fulgencio Mejia’s victims might still be lingering in the halls. Bonus Episode: When Gertrude Tredwell’s father forbade her from marrying the love of her life, she kept that promise even after his death. But now, years after her own death, it seems as though Gertrude is still mourning that love in that very home she died in.