Reflections
It all started with a blog about death, mourning, and culture. Read the original articles.
OCCULT LEGENDS OF GRIGORI RASPUTIN
Mind control, secret cults, prophecy, and murder all surround the infamous advisor to Czar Nicholas II, Grigori Rasputin. The story of Rasputin's life and gruesome end is murky, but as time progresses more and more details reveal themselves about the true extent of his influence of the Russian aristocracy.
CURE COTTAGES IN THE AGE OF CONSUMPTION
During the tuberculosis outbreak of the late 1800s, families flocked to cure cottages in the rural country. Cure cottages were part of a new treatment method which involved exposing the afflicted to fresh air while being kept on complete bedrest. While visiting family this past weekend in the Adirondacks, I took some time out of my visit to venture out to Saranac Lake, NY; ground zero for the cure cottage movement.
GHOSTS OF GETTYSBURG
With great sacrifice, pain, and toil, one can understand why some historical locations are teaming with residual or active hauntings. One of the most infamous of these commemorated places is Gettysburg, PA.Having lived in Pennsylvania for roughly 4 years out of my life, its no surprise to me that every corner of this state seems to be teaming with stories of the paranormal. New Hope, the Pennhurst Asylum, to Gettysburg, every location has such a rich history. And with such a rich history, also comes tales of sorrow and loss.
MASS GRAVE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Many New Yorkers are oblivious to the existence of a mass grave right below their feet. The AOL series "What Remains" did a fantastic episode on the Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York. The crypt in the park holds over 11,500 bodies of POWs from during the American Revolutionary War. Take some time to watch this episode and learn how the abandoned bodies, left to time on the sandy banks of New York City, made their way to be interned in the Fort Greene crypt.
THE TASTE OF BLOOD: NEW ORLEANS VAMPIRE JACQUES SAINT GERMAIN
While walking in New Orleans it's easy to miss the large brick building with the bright red door at the corner of Ursuline and Royal street. In 1902, it would be home to one of the most infamous vampires in the world outside of the Vlad the Impaler.
A DAY AT THE CIRCUS: BIZARRE EXPLOITATION
Bring the kids for a fun filled, light hearted day of spectacular sights are the circus! During my childhood I remember books like Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Circus and going to a few circus shows in local school gyms after my parents got discounted tickets. Looking back I realize these spectacles were cruel and exploitive of the animals involved in the performances, but never the less, at a young age they enchanted me. However, it's important to note that the history of the circus also includes the origin of the sideshow. The freaks which society would normally shun had a spotlight shone on them in a moment of grandeur and curiosity.
MEET YOU AT THE CEMETERY GATES: SAN JOSE CEMENTERIO
A couple of weeks ago while running errands I found myself driving some backroads I don't take on my normal route. Out in Montopolis, southeast of the center Austin, TX, I passed some unconventional cemetery gates which framed some severely overgrown grounds. Remnants of last year's Dia De Los Muertos still apparent from the dried marigolds strewn from it's gate. I had to find out more about San Jose Cementerio.
DOLLHOUSES FOR THE DEAD
Dollhouses are definitely a horror trope. If you've got one in your house after you're age 7 you're probably in for some sort of demonic haunting. ( I mean, have y'all seen the trailer for Hereditary yet?) One woman chose to embrace "dollhouses" and miniatures in her work late in life. Frances Glessner Lee's work isn't famous for any hauntings surrounding it, but instead for it's subject matter. Murder scenes.
THE HAND OF GLORY: A THIEF’S BEST FRIEND
Over the centuries, the folklore surrounding The Hand of Glory was passed down between generations as an extremely powerful token. The Hand of Glory, or main de gloire, is a severed human hand from the body of a hanged man. Carrying mystical powers, stories tell of it being a prized possession of thieves and criminals for it's potent powers.
DISSECTED GRACES: WAX WOMEN DURING THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Made of wax, the anatomical venus is a striking resemblance to a living, breathing woman. Her skin has a translucency. Her real human hair long and flowing. And all of her internal organs sit perfectly in her torso ready to be taken out and placed back in. Known alternatively as "Slashes Beauties" or "Dissected Graces", the masses at the time became enamored with her.
OLD PHOTOS OF FINNISH WITCHES AND MAGIC RITUALS
Most people are familiar with the Salem Witch Trials, but not many with the Finnish Witch Trials. The witch trials took places between 1520 - 1750. Finland, then a part of Sweden, was known for it's large population of practicing witches. Both male and female, as shown in the photos before, were put to trial with over 1,200 convictions.
SECRETS WRITTEN IN BONE
A shady bone trade? A mystery skeleton? Did you know most skeletons in our science and art classes were formally living, breathing people just like you and I? This is a really interesting look at uncovering the history of one school's skeleton.
THE LOST CRAFT OF VICTORIAN HAIR ART
The Victorian era (from 1837 to 1901) was a time when people were surrounded by death. Many families were forced to confront death directly whether it was because of the lack of medical advances, the mourning of Prince Albert by Queen Victoria (the queen after which the era was name) 40 years after his death until her own, or the Civil War that was being waged in America where over 620,000 soldiers lost their lives. This period is unique since we see such a strong development of mourning culture. Many of the historical tales I'll share on this blog took place at this time, but today I'm going to focus on Victorian hair art.