WITCHES

‘The Nightmare’ by Henry Fuseli, circa 1871. Frame has been added.

13 Names for the Sleep Paralysis Demon from Around the World

Take a look at these 13 names from across the world that describe sleep paralysis and the demon once believed to cause it.

From the Pragmatic to the Cruel: 7 Ways King James VI and I Changed Society

From uniting the Crowns to whipping witch hunters into a frenzy, King James VI and I left his mark on history.

Carving pumpkins is one of the most famous Halloween traditions.

15 Spooky Halloween Traditions and Their Origins

Love Halloween costumes and spooky decorations? Let’s dig a little deeper and learn the creepy stories behind the holiday's traditions, from carving pumpkins to munching on candy corn.

This pair of men's black leather Blucher ankle boots from the 1840s was found under floor of an old military prison at Weedon, Northants, in 1939.

Lost Soles: When Concealed Shoes Kept Witches Away

The folk magic tradition of concealing shoes to trap witches probably started in the Middle Ages.

Joseph E. Baker, Library of Congress // Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

17 Signs That You'd Qualify as a Witch in 1692

Discover whether you are guilty of maleficium and/or would have been accused of practicing witchcraft according to the laws and evidence used during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.

13 Weird Old Words for Witches and Warlocks

Stick these terms in your cauldron and pass them around your coven.

A stereotypical depiction of a witch, wart and all.

Why Do Witches Often Have Warts?

The reason they’re often associated with the growths goes hand in hand with the same centuries-old superstitions that gave witches an undeservedly bad rap.

The Salem witch trials were a troubling time in colonial America.

11 Facts About the Salem Witch Trials

The 1692 Salem witch trials caused so much turmoil that the Massachusetts town is still synonymous with them.

Emily Hampshire's new graphic novel, 'Amelia Aierwood - Basic Witch' is out April 11.

Emily Hampshire on Her New Graphic Novel, ‘Amelia Aierwood - Basic Witch’

Actress Emily Hampshire has graced TV screens in shows like '12 Monkeys,' 'Schitt’s Creek,' 'Chapelwaite,' and 'The Rig,' and now, she’s coming to bookstores, too: Her new graphic novel, 'Amelia Aierwood - Basic Witch,' is out on April 11.

The Most Popular Halloween Costume in Each State for 2022

Witches and vampires are eternally popular, but Wyoming seems to have a thing for ninjas.

Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Luck?

The pesky belief that black cats are somehow bad luck has endured for centuries.

The Reason Some Vermont Homes Have 'Witch Windows'

Here's how an interesting regional design quirk became a focus of superstition.

If you see a magpie, have an onion ready.

The History of 12 British Superstitions

When it comes to weird and wacky superstitions, the United Kingdom has developed some real oddities

The May Queen at the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh.

10 Bewitching Facts About Beltane, the Ancient Gaelic Fire Festival

The centuries-old fire festival is still going strong.

Scotland Apologizes to the Victims of Its Witch Hunts After 300 Years

After Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued an apology to victims of the country's witch trials, an official pardon could be on the way.

Tompkins Harrison Matteson's 1853 painting Examination of a Witch, which depicts the 17th-century investigation of Mary Fisher in New England.

Catalonia Is Posthumously Pardoning More Than 700 Victims of Its Witch Trials

Europe’s witch trials spanned several hundred years and claimed thousands of innocent lives. Catalonia is making symbolic amends.

14 Magical Gifts for Witches

Whether they're into tarot cards or 'Hocus Pocus' merchandise, these gifts will help the witch in your life embrace their magical side.

An 18th-century painting of an exorcism.

6 Chilling Historical Exorcisms

Exorcism has a fascinating, unsettling history, and it’s left an indelible mark on pop culture thanks to films like 1973's 'The Exorcist.' Here are six historical exorcisms that are every bit as chilling as anything Hollywood can produce.

ColourPop's Hocus Pocus-Themed Makeup Collection Will Put a Spell on You

ColourPop’s 'Hocus Pocus'-themed makeup collection has arrived just in time for Halloween and features eye shadows, lip crèmes, and more.

7 Fun Facts About Strega Nona

Of all Tomie dePaola’s books, ‘Strega Nona’ is by far the most beloved. Here are seven things you might not have known about the story.

Stephen King at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in 2011.

Stephen King Was Too Scared to Finish Watching The Blair Witch Project in One Sitting

To be fair, Stephen King was high on painkillers at the time, and he did eventually finish the movie.

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock star in Practical Magic (1998).

15 Halloween Movies for People Who Don’t Like Horror Movies

Just because you can’t stomach horror movies doesn’t mean you can’t have a Halloween movie marathon.

Macbeth and the three witches in Shakespeare's possibly cursed play.

The Scottish Play: Why Actors Won’t Call Macbeth by Its Title

The superstition that saying “Macbeth” will bring bad luck has been around as long as Shakespeare’s play has.

Civil War-Era ‘Witch Bottle’ Used to Keep Evil Spirits at Bay Discovered in Virginia

The old bottle filled with rusted nails looks like trash, but it was actually used by a Union soldier to ward off evil spirits during the Civil War.