Astrology has seen something of a resurgence in recent years. Star signs were once relegated to snippets of vague predictions at the back of the newspaper. Yet now, you can find highly skilled astrologers on Instagram and Tik Tok. It’s an ancient discipline, with its roots in several cultures. What we call the zodiac in […]
Why do people still see ghostly monks in the UK?
When you live in a rainswept, often foggy, sometimes melancholy part of the world like the UK, it’s so much easier to see phantoms at every turn. From ghostly monks and nuns, to spectral children and the ubiquitous White or Grey Lady, it would seem the spirits are everywhere. But monks still make up a […]
What is the Commonplace Tarot Deck and why do you need it?
It’s fair to say I’m a big fan of tarot cards and all things divination. I got my first tarot deck aged 18, and over the years I’ve collected a range of decks. One of my favourites is the Commonplace Tarot by Nell Latimer. If you want to learn more about the history and folklore […]
Free Flash Fiction – ‘Pipers Piping’
A piper sits in the square, huddled on the corner of a monument to a forgotten City Father. Passersby see his threadbare stockings through the holes in his battered boots, and they shake their well-coiffed heads. Pipers are not welcome among them, it seems. They tut at his moth-eaten tunic and mutter among themselves about […]
Exploring Strange Tales Of Civil War Ghosts In England
When you look at reports of English phantoms, tales of Civil War ghosts are some of the most common. Haunting battlefields, pubs, castles, and former military sites prove popular locations. In Newcastle, we even have stories of a ‘spinning’ Cavalier. The ghost rises to the ceiling inside Sallyport Tower, revolving as he goes. Some believe […]
These 5 UK Castles Feature A Green Lady Ghost
We’ve all heard of castles and stately homes having a White Lady, or a Grey Lady. I’ve already written about the Grey Lady of the Newcastle Assembly Rooms. Based on that fact, I’d made the point on Twitter that spectral ladies often appear as pink, white, or grey. Lots of people told me they’d also […]
