The Hidden Pagan Symbols Inside Some of the World’s Oldest Cathedrals
If you’ve ever wandered through the halls of a centuries-old cathedral, you know how easy it is to get lost in the overwhelming beauty. Towering stained glass, impossibly high ceilings, intricate statues of saints and angels carved into stone—everything about these buildings seems designed to emphasize the power and glory of Christianity. But if you…
Read More 5 Places Where Tourists Can Take Part in Ancient Rituals
Traveling is more than just sightseeing. It’s an opportunity to step outside your own world and experience something completely different. And sometimes, that means getting a taste of something ancient—something that’s been around for centuries and still holds meaning today. Here are five places around the world where tourists can take part in ancient rituals.…
Read More Santa Muerte: The Cult of Death and Its Connection to Cartels and Crime
In the dim glow of flickering candles, a skeletal figure looms over an altar adorned with offerings—cigarettes, bottles of tequila, wads of cash, and even bullets. Draped in a flowing robe, clutching a scythe in one hand and a globe in the other, she is both a guardian and a grim reaper. Her name is…
Read More The Initiation Well Explained — The Magic of Quinta da Regaleira
Tucked away in the enchanting town of Sintra, Portugal, Quinta da Regaleira is a place where fantasy and reality blend seamlessly. Among its many intriguing features, the Initiation Well is one that absolutley stands out. This underground structure gives you the chance to dive into a world of mysticism and ancient rites. You will truly…
Read More Exploring the World’s Most Infamous Secret Societies
Secret societies are something that has fascinated humankind for ages. There are numerous movies, books, series, and conspiracy theories surrounding this topic. However, not all secret societies are completely secret. And that makes them even more intriguing and interesting to us. So, if you’re someone who loves to learn about these groups that are shrouded…
Read More Witches’ Markets and Where to Find Them: A Shopper’s Guide to the Occult
Stepping into the world of witches’ markets is like entering a hidden realm where the mystical meets the mundane. These markets, found in various corners of the world, are troves of occult items, from herbs and potions to talismans and amulets. Whether you’re a practitioner of the craft, a curious onlooker, or a collector of…
Read More The Most Terrifying Cults In History and How They Ended
There is something about the idea of cults that fascinates me. Their secretive rituals, eccentric leaders, and the inevitable tragic endings. The members of these groups, who are often just collateral damage, don’t even know what they are getting themselves into. The groups are cloaked in mystery, manipulation, and deception. However, it’s not only the…
Read More Monsters Among Us: The History of the Occult and Supernatural
The world of the occult and supernatural has always fascinated and intrigued people throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern times, tales of monsters, witches, and supernatural phenomena have captivated our imaginations. But why is this the case? And where did it all begin? Those are the questions that we want to tackle today. So,…
Read More Faust’s Pact: A Dual Legacy on Occultism and Its Image
Here’s another piece of occult history that I find simply fascinating: The legendary tale of Faust, a scholar who enters into a pact with the devil, has been a profound source of inspiration for artists, writers, and occultists throughout history. While Faust’s story has fueled the imaginations of those seeking esoteric knowledge and forbidden wisdom,…
Read More Illuminating Mysteries: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and its Occult Legacy
You may know by now that talking about secret orders and the occult is one of my favorite things to do. After all, I am looking to become a master of the occult. And I would be remiss if, in my studies, I didn’t write about the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The late…
Read More Anomalous Artifacts: Unexplained Objects Discovered Throughout History
Have you ever found something near your home that you just haven’t been able to explain? Maybe it’s an old photograph, a piece of jewelry, or even a letter? Well, then you should know that you are not the only one. Throughout history, discoveries of peculiar artifacts have left researchers and historians puzzled, offering glimpses…
Read More From the Explorers Club Annual Dinner
Joining the Explorers Club has been a life-long dream that came to fruition earlier this year. With it also came my very first Explorers Club Annual Dinner, an evening event surrounded by a weekend of activities at the Explorers Club with some of the greatest scientific minds. Join myself and my friend and fellow new…
Read More Exploring Balkan Folklore: The Weirdest Stories And Mystical Creatures Surrounding This Unique Area
Growing up in a Balkan country, there were numerous mystical creatures, terrifying tales, and alleged monsters that haunted some of my worst nightmares. But most of these creatures and stories were never portrayed outside of the Balkan region. If you’re someone who enjoys learning about different cultures, weird historic stories, and spooky legends, then you’ll…
Read More The Dark History of Salem: A Tourist’s Guide to the Witch Trials
Even though Salem, Massachusetts is a picturesque coastal town with gorgeous beaches, colonial architecture, and stunning landscapes, when you hear the name, you likely only think of one thing — witches! But how much do you really know about the dark history of Salem? And what is there to see today, almost 350 years after…
Read More The Sacred Sites of Egypt: A Journey to the Land of the Pharaohs
The countless sacred places in Egypt are a wonderful example of the country’s rich history and mysticism. Both believers and adventurers have been traveling to Egypt for thousands of years to take in the wonder of these sacred sites. These places are not only a monument to the genius and spiritual strength of the ancient…
Read More A History of Divination: Runes & Tarot
Divination is a powerful tool and thematic topic that arises again and again throughout human history in different trends. After all, as humans, when things become out of our hands, it is in our nature to reach out to the divine to try and interpret our thoughts and see if we can call forth a…
Read More The Bizarre Origins Of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a pretty weird holiday, isn’t it? Sure, all of the flowers, chocolates, and romantic things are lovely to see. But why do we even celebrate it in the first place? The answer is a bit confusing, and the history of Valentine’s Day definitely isn’t nearly as romantic as people may think. If…
Read More Occult, Paganism, and Friday the 13th, Oh My!
Welcome to our first episode, Episode 1, of the Malorie’s Weird World Adventures Podcast! On this special Friday January 13th, we will discuss what exactly Occult really means versus the reputation it has today after giving you a brief overview of who I am and why I am hosting this podcast. (This will be paired…
Read More Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?
Friday the 13th, a date that has gone down in our history as the unluckiest day of the year, a day we focus on black cats, protecting ourselves from evil, and well, being cautious… just in case. The most interesting thing about Friday the 13th is that, while it’s so ingrained in our history to…
Read More These (Gimmicky) Occult-Themed Locations are a Must-Visit for Magic Lovers
Let’s face it, we’ve always had a bit of an obsession with magic. Throughout our history, the idea of witches has surfaced and resurfaced time and time again, from the witch trials to the popularity of Bewitched. And most recently, since the Harry Potter novels were released more than two decades ago, magical or occult-themed…
Read More The Occult Origins of Christmas (and a Full History of The Holiday)
Christmas, the ‘traditional’ holiday filled with gingerbread, stockings, warm fires, and family gatherings, has been so deeply rooted as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, that it can be hard to believe that it originated from Pagan roots. But like most major holidays we celebrate, Christmas is much more deeply rooted in other…
Read More The Origins of Astrology and Horoscopes
Let’s talk about a really fun ‘Occult’ study today that started in Ancient Mesopotamia and evolved over the years to a practice we know and utilize today. I’m talking about the idea of astrology and the horoscopes we use to predict the future based on the celestial bodies around us. While the practice of Astrology…
Read More The Real Nicholas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone He Supposedly Created
Thanks to our societal love of pop culture, it’s likely that when I bring up either Nicholas Flamel or the Philosopher’s Stone, your mind goes immediately to Harry Potter. While it is true that both of these subjects were brought into the modern eye because of the cultural phenomenon that is Harry Potter, the reality…
Read More Are There Any Occult Ties to Thanksgiving?
By now, most people recognize that the major Christian holidays we celebrate around the US (and the world) generally have roots in deeper, sometimes darker, more occult-like traditions. It’s a well-known fact now that the Christian Church wanted to deter people from celebrating ‘pagan’, ‘occult’, or other traditional activities, so church-approved holidays and events were…
Read More The History of Tarot: From Playing Cards to the New Age
Tarot cards are an iconic symbol of divination and the spiritual world. From something considered occult and evil at one time to being scattered across bookstores, including Barnes and Noble, in dozens of incarnations and novelty looks, they’ve played a huge role in not just the history of divination but also in the formation and…
Read More