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About the Guest: JJ of Southern Demonology

JJ is the founder and brains behind Southern Demonology, a Podcast that explores a wide range of paranormal topics with an intellectual tone. How did we know you’d like that? Well, if you’re a fan of Homespun Haints, but wish we’d go waaaaay deeper into the theology and history of the supernatural things our guests tell us about, then you’ll really get a kick out of Southern Demonology. Whereas Becky and Diana are overeducated in other fields and learn about the paranormal from their guests on this show, JJ actually has advanced degrees in this field.

Listen to the Southern Demonology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. To follow JJ, Southern Demonology, or the other podcast he regularly contributes to, The Paranormal Rundown, all social links are at linktr.ee/southerndemonology.

Eastern vs. Western Demonology

Ghost stories aren’t universal. The spirits that haunt us reflect the cultures that shape them – a truth JJ from Southern Demonology discovered when he moved from his haunted Tennessee cabin to Tokyo.

Having grown up in “a land of patchworked nightmares” – a 200-year-old log cabin in a town of just 113 people – JJ thought he understood hauntings. His childhood home had its resident ghost, Patrick, who would mysteriously open and close the attic door and leave body impressions on beds. But these Southern spirits paled in comparison to what awaited him in Japan.

Aokigahara Suicide Forest

The contrast became starkly clear during JJ’s visit with friends to Aokigahara, Japan’s infamous “Suicide Forest.” Despite not typically being sensitive to paranormal phenomena, he alone heard an inexplicable sound that drove him to leave after just 20 minutes. Others have described the sound as either a monk chanting sutras or a baby crying. The experience was so disturbing that he won’t return to the Sea of Trees.

Can Yokai Enter Without Permission?

Most chilling was his encounter in Tokyo, where an entity appeared on his balcony, demanding “hairu” (to enter) – a Japanese word JJ didn’t know at the time. The entity communicated not through normal speech but by projecting directly into his mind, causing physical pain. “I know that if I had opened that balcony door, I would no longer be in this world,” JJ explains.

Differences Between Eastern and Western demonology

JJ’s academic background provides context for understanding these cross-cultural demon differences. In a whopping 14 languages including ancient Hebrew, JJ traces how entities like Lilith evolved from Akkadian wind goddesses to Jewish folklore figures, demonstrating how spiritual beliefs transform across cultures. He also goes a little bit into different types of Japanese yokai (yurei, oni, tengu, kami, and tsukumogami).

Have You Seen A Demon?

If you’ve been approached by a demon, what was it like? Are you familiar with an even scarier type of demon than those in Appalachia or Japan? Why not apply to tell it on Homespun Haints? Ready to hear how demons differ across Eastern and Western cultures? Listen now, and have a spooky day!

The post Ultimate Demonology Smackdown: Appalachia Vs Japan appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Watch this video episode of Homespun Haints Podcast on YouTube:

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About the Guest: Ashley Stinnett from WV

Ashely, is an actor, author, and promoter. He’s also an Appalachian from West Virginia, which means he likely grew up hearing ghost stories, much like Becky. But he wasn’t even grown up yet when he learned that ghosts can hurt you. His family home in West Virginia was overcome by an unseen, evil force.

When he’s not acting, Ashely works with US Ghost Adventures, prolific provider of some of the best ghost tours in the country. Even working in the ghost storytelling business wasn’t quite enough to satisfy his curiosity. So he recently wrote a whole book of Haunted Tales from Appalachia: Ghosts, Spirits and Other Strange Happenings From the Hills and Hollows.

Check out Ashley’s latest film credits on IMDB.

Here are some of the best tours that US Ghost Adventures offers:

Ashley recommended some of his favorite places to take a ghost tour on this episode. Have you visited any of these?

• The Villisca Ax Murder House
• The Lizzie Borden House
• Trans Allegheny Asylum
• Colonial Williamsburg, VA
• Wilmington, NC
• Gettysburg, PA
• Deadwood, SD
• Phoenix, AZ
• Neptune Ghosts in Virginia Beach
• Manhattan, NY
• Charleston, WV

And this best-of list just barely scratches the surface of all the ghost tours they offer. For the best deal, book your tour directly through U.S. Ghost Adventures at usghostadventures.com.

Can Ghosts Hurt You?

Well, Hainted Loves, are you convinced ghosts can hurt you after this episode? Have you had a paranormal experience that corroborates (or contradicts) this? Leave a comment on the YouTube video to let us know your opinion! Or, if you’re brave enough, submit your story for a chance to be a guest on a future episode of Homespun Haints!

Speaking of opinions, Becky needs your advice! Her neighbors have teamed up on her giant lawn skeleton—which is in no way a Halloween decoration—and she needs strength to carry on the fight. Head over to Patreon to take the survey: What should Becky do with Dana Skelly? You don’t have to be a paid member to vote, so we can all vote whether or not Becky’s neighbors will continue to have a spooky day!

The post We Don’t Know How You’re Not Dead appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Cynthia of the North Carolina Foothills saw her first apparition at age 3. So did her daughter. In fact, most of the strange paranormal things she sees have been corroborated by someone…usually in her own family. Watch her family ghost stories now:

Or listen to part one here:

Then, watch part two:

Or listen to part 2 here:

About the Guest: Cynthia

Cynthia’s first experience with seeing spirits was when her Sicilian grandma and great Uncle Tony came down from the attic in a shaft of light to talk with her when she was 3 years old. Then, an angel tapped them on the shoulder, and said it’s time to go. The same thing happened to Cynthia’s own daughter at the same age, but she found it scary. When her daughter cried out, Cynthia ran into the room and had a feeling as though she was passing through static. Was she passing through the ghost of a family member?

In her formative years, she lived in the Adarondack Mountains, very near to where Dennis Rader, aka the BTK killer, was active at the time.

The book Cynthia recommended in this episode was Open Mic For Animals: Evidential Fairy Tails by Shannon Spring.

Cynthia’s Family Ghost Stories

Living near the Ramsour’s Mill Battle site, the area around Cynthia’s current home is a hotbed of paranormal activity. So active, in fact, that a ghost literally started speaking to her in the middle of this interview! In the first part of her interview, she details several unusual paranormal things she’s observed and interacted with there.

Strange paranormal things Cynthia has seen that have been corroborated by others

• Cynthia’s toddler daughter also received a visit an angelic grandmother figure, just like Cynthia did at that age.
• The ghost of a young boy runs into the road in front of both her car and her husband’s car.
• She sees “things” (big black blobs) that cross the road as well at night. They almost look like a cross between a turkey and a tumbleweed. They like to hang out in the empty house across a road. A group of high school students saw one once, and freaked out that an animal had gotten hit by a car.
• She sees elementals that look like old, very tall figures that live in the trees behind their house. They have deer-head-shaped heads, with deer antlers, and they communicate through crows, or telepathically through pictures. Since they act as guardians of the land, Cynthia leaves them offerings for it so it protects their chickens. They also see this creature crossing the road, and sometimes waving to them from the tree line.
• She also saw a scary Not Deer, with one eye, on the other side of the highway. She tries to avoid that one.
• She also often witnesses time slips, but these happen mostly in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. She describes the time slip as walking by something that feels out of place in time, and everything looking melty and not quite right, and they only last a brief time. Her husband corroborated her time slip at the governor’s house, and they both saw several dark shadow figures walking out of an archeological dig site there.
• As a kid, Cynthia often visited an open-air living history museum called Old Cowtown in Wichita, KS. There, she saw cowboy ghosts and spirits of saloon ladies. She thought they were costumes, until she realized her brother couldn’t see them. In the grand tradition of not talking about ghosts in the Midwest in the latter part of the 20th century, her mom told her she wasn’t supposed to talk about the ghosts…but it’s likely Mom could see them, too. A lot of the women in Cynthia’s family have inherited psychic gifts.
• A doppelganger trying to imitate a family member knocking at the door. Her husband also saw it, and he knew it wasn’t actually her when she spoke without moving her mouth.
• A ghost that manifests as a little girl in the dressing room of her family’s favorite haunted theater. She suspects the entity is more of a thought form than a spirit. The Ghost Radar phone app goes wild in the theater, with words from a ghost named Dr. Wilson, who simultaneously appeared on multiple security cameras right before a power outage occurred.
• The spirit of a young man named Phil, who was in a fatal accident nearby her daughter’s work. His spirit helps her mechanic daughter find missing tools and parts at her garage, in exchange for her telling his story.

Isn’t it interesting that someone else in her family shared nearly all of Cynthia’s ghost experiences? We guess that’s just what it’s like to have a family full of open, intuitive, and receptive individuals.

The Lake Lure Inn

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, stars of “Dirty Dancing,” stayed at the Lake Lure Inn during the film’s production. So did Becky’s family last week. For more historical insights, visit the inn’s official page here.

Is The Lake Lure Inn Haunted?

Becky’s young son heard a ghostly little boy giggling in their room in the night. Later, the hotel’s staff corroborated his story; there’s a little boy ghost who has been seen by other guests, not just Becky’s super-haunted family. And they recently caught the ghost on camera in the dining room!

The hotel’s dining room is purportedly the most haunted part of the old Inn. A photographer recently took a photo of an ice sculpture, and inadvertently caught the transparent apparition of what appears to be a little boy.

We think it’s probably so active because of the giant antique music boxes, player pianos, busts and statues, all of which give the hotel lobby a highly anthropomorphized feel.

As for Lake Lure itself, Becky refuses to swim in its muddy waters. She’s paranoid about the extremely unlikely event of an encounter similar to the swimming pool flooding scene in Poltergeist. We can’t say whether or not there was a cemetery under the land that Lake Lure sits on now. It wasn’t uncommon, however, to flood entire communities when these lakes in the region were created. Maybe we’re just being unnecessarily fantastical. If you have information about what’s really under Lake Lure, let us know if it’s as spooky as our imaginations suggest!

More Episodes About Angels

• My 5 Best Dead Friends Are Ghosts of Celebrities
• The Possessions in D-Hall Dorms

Most Dangerous!

Today’s Most Dangerous segment is about (no, not Becky’s driving, but) the most dangerous animals that can come out of your toilet! Oh, the terror! For your own safety, we advise peeing standing up. These devices can help you achieve that goal, if your anatomy isn’t accommodating. Don’t get bit!

In the follow up episode, we guess the most dangerous foods people actually eat. Our money says you’ve eaten one of these risky dishes, and probably recently!

Tell us your family ghost stories

Have you seen an apparition that someone else in your family can corroborate? We love to host joint interviews that include multiple family members! We’ve simultaneously interviewed several couples, and some mothers and daughters. So wrangle up your siblings, parents, children, or great-great-step-cousins-twice-removed, and apply to tell your family ghost stories on the next episode of Homespun Haints, for another spooky day!

The post My Angels Are Telling Me It’s Time To Go: appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Watch this episode of Homespun Haints on YouTube:

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About the guest: Whitney Johnson

Appalachian Forager (Whitney) is a full time forager, content creator, and Appalachian ambassador. With over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on Appalachia and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides. 

Born and raised in eastern (by God) Kentucky, she developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager). 

Her accolades include being named Appalachian Arts and Entertainments Awards’ Best Social Media Influencer, Appodlachia’s Appalachian of the Year and Content Creator of the Year, as well as being featured in numerous news segments and articles, including multiple appearances on The Weather Channel. Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive… with a dash of humor.

You can find her at appalachianforager.com, or follow her on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Or visit her as a vendor at several events around east Kentucky.

Snake Charming

Can you tell the difference between a scuhry snek and a happy helpful snake? Can Becky’s puppy tell the difference? We’ve talked before about the infamous Appalachian snake charming fiddler…will Becky be the next one?

Listen to that throwback from season 4 of Homespun Haints here:

The Gartwhinzean Hotel in Powmill, Scotland

Whitney recounts a spooky experience she had while on a high school trip to Scotland, at the Gartwhinzean House Hotel. We’d love to visit and find out more, but the Gartwhinzean has since been shut down and boarded up. If you’re into abandoned haunted places, here are some photos of the abandoned Gartwhinzean House in 2009.

What were those strange lights in the woods?

Whitney witnessed a mysterious moving orb of light during a meteor shower. The light moved almost like a sentient being, and totally unlike a headlight or a meteor. Was it a supernatural orb, like the one Becky’s mom saw outside her bedroom window? Could it have been an alien presence, brought by the astronomical event? Was it a ghost car under the water? Or is there some mundane explanation for these strange lights in the woods that we’re missing? And why did they completely forget to whip out their phones to document the mysterious lights? Wouldn’t that be your first response?

There’s a good chance you might’ve missed the story about Becky’s mom’s orb…it was part of our first Christmas special. Listen now if you missed it:

A Haunted House in the Holler

Whitney then brings us further back in time, to tell us ghost stories from growing up in east Kentucky. Specifically, we revisit the night a full-body apparition disappeared from her friend’s porch in a streak of white light. Sleeping over at that same house, Whitney experienced terrible night terrors (only in her friend’s mom’s bedroom) full of sleep paralysis demons chanting, as though preparing her for a ritual of some sort. Other paranormal things happened in the house, like intense loud window shaking for no discernable reason.

What could’ve motivated Whitney to move into this haunted house she had such spooky encounters in during middle school? interestingly, the paranormal activity significantly receded after her friend’s mom moved out. Could it be that her friend’s mom was haunted, and not the house? Or was it all due to the gifted book of dark magic? How DO you dispose of a haunted grimoire?

The Catfish Man of Morgan’s Creek

Who is the mysterious creature bearing the head of a catfish haunting Morgan’s Creek? Several locals have told of seeing a humanoid being with a man’s body, and the elongated, wide-mouthed head of a catfish. Papaw, uncle, and dad spotted it while hunting. Apparently there’s a Lawrence County, Kentucky, history book that documents several first-hand accounts of Catfish Man sightings, as well as other ghost stories and local legends.

Have you seen the Catfish Man? What is he? Do you think he’s just a very unfortunate-looking dude who lives in the woods? Or could he really be a cryptid…something supernaturally half man, and half fish? How does this tinge your enjoyment of fantasy creatures like mermaids? Because he sure sounds like the opposite of a mermaid to me.

How to make tomato pie

Plant 30 ‘mater plants in your garden. When you have too many, layer slices of tomatoes into a pie crust, intersperse layers of cheese, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, top with more cheese, and bake it. Apparently, it’s so good, you’ll feel like you’re sledding down a hill on a greased tomato, having a spooky day.

The post Foraging for Ghosts: True Ghost Stories from the Appalachian Mountains appeared first on Homespun Haints.

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Haunted places in Tri-Cities Appalachia

The Broad River Inn in Chimney Rock, NC

You may recognize Chimney Rock from the film “The Last of the Mohicans.” This inn provides a picturesque setting along the Rocky Broad River, in Western North Carolina. In addition to quaint and cozy rooms with separate balconies, the property includes a restaurant and a miniature golf course. We didn’t notice an elevator, so ask about accessibility at booking.

This inn is good for travelers to the area who would like to stay somewhere more rural and peaceful than the city of Asheville. Or, for those who’d like to potentially witness some mild paranormal activity in an otherwise cozy setting.​ You can visit the Broad River Inn website here.

Is The Broad River Inn Haunted?

One employee said she experiences fleeting amnesia and disorientation every time she passes through a particular area. Two of our friends had a similar experience in the hallway outside room number 4. They both remembered a full length mirror hanging on the wall where the odd disorientation occurred. Strangely, those of us who didn’t have that experience recall a painting hanging on that wall, rather than a mirror. Perhaps relatedly, the spot where the inn is now used to be a stage coach stop. Both inns and travel stops are liminal spaces. This location followed the trend of liminal spaces being haunted by phantoms that come and go, instead of consistent characters.

In a one-off paranormal event in this inn, an employee told us of a water leak in the bar’s ceiling. Water appeared to be dripping from room number 3. Except when she went to investigate, she found nothing wet in the room above. When she returned downstairs, the leak had vanished.

All five of us had dreams about being in the rooms we were actually sleeping in. This differs from our normal dreams, which usually take place in random locations that have nothing to do with where our sleeping bodies lie.

Chimney Rock is also the location of another very haunted inn. Becky’s family has stayed at the haunted Lake Lure Inn since this episode, where her son had an even more intense ghostly experience.

The Nickerson Snead House in Glade Spring, VA

Originally constructed as a two-room log cabin by Francis Kincannon, the house served as a fort during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War in the mid 18th century. In 1835, Dr. Snead acquired the property, expanding it into an Antebellum mansion. Because of the gradual expansions of the property, inside rooms feature exterior windows and exposed brick and log walls. The incongruity creates an overall sense of disorientation, that really helps amplify the haunted vibe. The house also functioned as a Civil War hospital. As such, its tiny, creepy cellar was used as a morgue during the war.

Over the years, the property changed hands several times. The Mason family owned it from the late 1800s until the 1980s. Ronda Caudill, recent guest on our podcast, transformed it into a museum in 2004. Today, the museum is a delightfully goth menagerie of arcane oddities, intriguing antiques, and goofy Halloween decorations.

The Nickerson Snead House Museum hosts a variety of events. Festivals, séances, and paranormal investigations happen on a regular basis. At Halloween, the real haunted house becomes a haunted attraction. Ronda recently opened the house to overnight guests as a haunted B&B. Becky, Diana, and friends had the honor of being the first overnight guests in the newly opened B&B!

Is The Nickerson Snead House Haunted?

Uhhhh, that’s a resounding “hell yes”! Deaths on the property include a young boy who was kicked by a horse, and two 1-year-old babies named William. The property was a fort that saw combat, and later became a surgery, so surely soldiers perished there as well. Investigators have captured images of several entities on the property. Repeat guests include Dr. and Betsy Sneed, Josephine, and Douglas, as well as a few unnamed children and soldiers.

Perhaps most creepily, Becky had a prophetic dream about this house long before seeing it in person. She tells us about it in this episode. Listen to Ronda tell Becky and Diana all about the ghosts at the Nickerson Snead House:

For more details and events at the Nickerson Snead House, please visit their official website here.

The Exchange Place in Kingsport, TN

Becky volunteered at this historic landmark when she was much younger. We pet a donkey, and saw some nekkid sheep. Initially part of a land grant given in 1750, it was developed by John Gaines post-1812 as a hub on the Old Stage Road for trading goods and currency. Later owned by the Preston family, the property was a significant local economic center until after the Civil War.

Today, the Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee, is a living history farm that illustrates Appalachian life during the 1830s-1850s. It operates as a museum, and a meeting space for quilters and weavers, including educational programs and events. For more details or to plan a visit, see their official site: Exchange Place.

Is The Exchange Place Haunted?

People see the apparition of Aunt El, previous resident of the house before it became a historical landmark. We actually received a tour of the property by a descendent of Aunt El. We’ll let you know on Patreon what we find when we listen for EVPs!

The Deery Inn in Blountville, TN

Originally the building was a post office and general store on the Great Stage Road. The Deery also served as a key inn during the 19th century, hosting historical figures including Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson. During the Civil War, the inn was spared from destruction in the Battle of Blountville through strategic bribery by Gideon Cates. Today, it functions as a museum, managed by the Sullivan County Historical Preservation Association.

Plan a visit at the Deery Inn on the Historic Sullivan site or read about it on the Tennessee Vacation website. And while you’re there, do head across the street to the Ralph Blizzard Fiddling Museum. They have a neato display where you can visualize exactly how different sound waves are generated by the body of a violin. I won’t give away the whole plot here…let’s just say there was A LOT of glitter in that two room cabin.

Is The Deery Inn Haunted?

Ronda has investigated there, and found quite a bit of evidence that yes, the Deery Inn is haunted. While we were there, a bellows apparently moved on its own, according to one docent. We hope to do some paranormal investigating there someday. Until then, if you have any information about the ghosts of the Deery Inn, please get in touch to tell us about them!

The Historic Utopian Town of Rugby, TN

Founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes, Rugby, Tennessee, was established as a utopian community for the younger sons of English gentry. It aimed to create a class-free society focused on agriculture and Christian values. Despite early struggles with disease and fires, Rugby is preserved as a historic site that showcases Victorian-era fronteering life. Historic Rugby, Inc., offers tours, lodging, and cultural events, maintaining an educational focus. For more information, visit the Historic Rugby website. Our friends at History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC, do the nighttime paranormal tours in Rugby.

If you visit, we recommend printing out a paper map. It sure is remote!

Is Historic Rugby Haunted?

Becky and Diana got the most intelligent responses and objective findings they’ve ever found on a paranormal investigation. We also got to play with a new ghost hunting toy—er, tool. This ghost trip wire allowed us to have the most comprehensive and interactive conversation we’ve ever had with a ghost. We’ll be posting the ghost evidence that we caught on our recordings and cameras over on our Patreon soon.

The Old Scott County Jail in Huntsville, TN

The 1904 Scott County Jail originally held about 50 inmates above and the jailer’s family below. 1922 saw the addition of a third floor for maximum security prisoners. Because of safety violations, a new jail was opened in the 1960s, but then the old jail had to be reopened due to inconvenient escapes from the new facility. The old jail permanently closed in 2008, following the construction of a modern justice center.

Today, it stands as a museum operated by History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC. Our friends Miranda Young and Kristy Sumner run the company. They offer tours that explore the jail’s history, paranormal activities, and architecture, reflecting its legacy on the National Register of Historic Places in Appalachia.​ Book a tour at the Historic Scott County Jail here. Or, plan a more comprehensive trip to Scott County here.

Is The Old Scott County Jail Haunted?

The Old Scott County Jail is indeed quite haunted. We encountered some intriguing paranormal activity there ourselves. Listen to Kristy and Miranda tell Becky and Diana all about the ghosts at the Old Scott County Jail and Rugby.

Thanks for following along on our paranormal Appalachian road trip!

If you missed our posts this time around, they’re archived over at our Patreon page. What are your favorite haunts in Appalachia for road trips? Let’s chat on our Facebook Group all about how to have a spooky day there!

The post A Paranormal Appalachian Road Trip: True Ghostly Encounters appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Hear theories behind the Brown Mountain Lights is on YouTube:

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What are the Brown Mountain Lights?

The Brown Mountain Lights are a series of mysterious and unexplained lights, observed near Brown Mountain in North Carolina. They have fascinated observers and perplexed scientists for over a century now. The mystery has given rise to numerous legends and theories about their nature and origins.

Where are the Brown Mountain Lights Located?

Brown Mountain is located in the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina, United States. This rugged area lies in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The mountain itself is located between the towns of Morganton and Linville. It is accessible via several routes, including North Carolina Highway 181 and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

History of The Brown Mountain Lights

The first recorded sightings of the Brown Mountain Lights date back to the early 20th century. Additionally, local Native American tribes reportedly told legends involving the lights long before settlers arrived. The phenomenon typically appears at night as glowing orbs that can vary in color and size. There’s no shortage of theories about the nature of the lights. Yet, no single theory seems to hold up to scrutiny.

Cause of The Brown Mountain Lights Phenomenon: Theories

Swamp Gas

Theory: One common explanation is that the lights are caused by swamp gas. Decaying vegetation releases methane, which can spontaneously ignite when it comes into contact with oxygen, creating brief flashes of light.

Criticism: This theory, however, fails to hold up under scrutiny because Brown Mountain and its surrounding areas are not swampy. The terrain is rocky and forested, which is not conducive to the accumulation of large amounts of decaying vegetation needed to produce swamp gas.

Foxfire

Theory: A naturalistic explanation for the Brown Mountain Lights is the phenomenon known as “foxfire.” Foxfire is a bioluminescence produced by certain types of fungi on decaying wood. The mushrooms glow when enzymes in the fungi react with organic compounds, creating a soft glow.

Criticism: Foxfire is a well-documented natural occurrence. Unfortunately, the theory does not stand up well. Foxfire typically emits a very faint light and is usually only visible at very close range. The lights observed at Brown Mountain, on the other hand, are often reported as brightly visible from great distances. Additionally, the lights move around, much like mushrooms generally don’t.

Saint Elmo’s Fire

Theory: Saint Elmo’s Fire is an electro-luminescent plasma caused by a strong electric field in the atmosphere. This stormy weather-related phenomenon manifests as a glowing violet light. It usually appears on pointed objects such as ship masts, airplane wings, longhorns of cattle, or even mountain peaks.

Criticism: Saint Elmo’s Fire, while visually similar to descriptions of the Brown Mountain Lights, does not fully account for them. Saint Elmo’s Fire is directly tied to atmospheric electricity during storms. Thus it would not occur regularly in clear weather conditions. Yet the Brown Mountain Lights often appear in clear weather.

Moreover, this phenomenon clings to conductive surfaces. Saint Elmo’s Fire does not move through the air or across great distances like the Brown Mountain Lights do. These discrepancies make it an unlikely explanation.

Ball Lightning

Theory: Ball lightning is another scientific phenomenon often suggested as a potential explanation for the Brown Mountain Lights. People describe this atmospheric electrical phenomenon as luminescent, spherical objects that vary from pea-sized to several meters in diameter. Unlike typical lightning, it can last longer and move in various directions.

Criticism: Ball lightning itself is unexplained. The true nature of ball lightning remains largely mysterious, as scientists are still not entirely sure what causes it or how it works. While it could theoretically explain the lights’ erratic movements and luminous appearance, ball lightning is exceedingly rare and poorly understood.

Additionally, ball lightning is usually associated with stormy conditions, which is not a consistent factor in sightings of the lights. The duration and behavior of ball lightning vary, but typically last considerably shorter than the observations of the lights. Plus, it just feels lazy to explain a mystery using another inexplicable mystery, no?

Geologic Activity

Theory: The release of piezoelectric charges caused by quartz compression due to tectonic movements, is another suggested cause. Quartz is abundant in the Appalachian Mountains, and stress on these rocks could indeed release electrical charges.

Criticism: The geologic activity theory sounds promising, but struggles to explain the frequency and behavior of the lights. No significant correlation has been found between observed lights and seismic activity in the area. Moreover, piezoelectric effects typically do not produce lights as bright as those on Brown Mountain.

Atmospheric Reflections of Manmade Headlights

Theory: A very practical explanation for some sightings of the Brown Mountain Lights is that they could be the headlights reflecting off clouds, mist, or other surfaces. Certain atmospheric conditions might refract light from more mundane sources and project it onto the clouds or other surfaces. This was, oddly, the conclusion of the research conducted on the phenomenon in the 1920s. You’d think researchers from that time period would be especially aware that headlights were a fairly recent development.

Criticism: This theory could plausibly explain some instances where the lights appear to follow a linear, predictable path. Yet many reports of the lights describe erratic movements that do not align with the predictable paths of vehicles. For instance, the lights are often reported as hovering, darting, or ascending, quite unlike vehicle headlights. Additionally, sightings have been recorded from angles and locations where roads or tracks are not in direct line of sight. Most damningly, reports of the lights predate vehicle traffic in the region. The absence of train tracks on the mountain probably excludes trains as a direct source of the lights as well. Furthermore, the lights have been reported during various weather conditions when such reflections would be highly unlikely.

Hoax

Theory: A more skeptical view is that some or all of the sightings could be hoaxes. This theory suggests that individuals could be using artificial lights, such as lanterns or modern drones equipped with LEDs, to create the illusion of mysterious lights for various reasons, ranging from pranks to attracting tourists.

Criticism: The possibility of some instances being hoaxes could be true, especially in more recent times with the availability of technology. Yet this theory does not convincingly explain the sightings that date back to before such technology. Additionally, the widespread and consistent nature of the reports makes it unlikely that all observations could be attributed to hoaxes. Sightings have been reported by scientists and government officials. These credible witnesses are less likely to be deceived by or participate in a hoax.

Alien Activity

Theory: A more fringe theory is that the lights are related to alien activity. This theory is bolstered by stories of unexplained disappearances and UFO sightings in the vicinity of Brown Mountain. Could there possibly be a secret alien base under the mountain?

Criticism: The alien theory relies heavily on anecdotes and lacks substantial verifiable proof. Additionally, similar atmospheric phenomena observed worldwide have not been convincingly linked to extraterrestrial activity. There’s probably a lot we don’t know still about extraterrestrials. Hopefully someday soon we’ll know more, but for now the theory is unverifiable.

Spirit Orbs or Ghosts

Theory: Some local folklore suggests that the lights are spirit orbs of Cherokee spirits, particularly from the souls of women searching for loved ones lost in battle. Alternately, Becky proposes it might be the spirit of a woman who met a ghastly end on Brown Mountain.

Criticism: There is no universally agreed upon explanation of the exact nature of spirit orbs, making it a less provable explanation. If you’ve directly observed a spirit orb with your naked eye, did it behave this way?

Where to See the Brown Mountain Lights: Directions

Intrigued enough to seek out those enigmatic lights on your own? There are several popular viewing locations that offer a chance to witness the phenomenon. Here’s a map to the Brown Mountain overlook on North Carolina Highway 181; one of the most accessible spots, providing a clear view of the mountain where the lights are often seen. This overlook is located just north of Morganton, NC, and can be reached by a short drive from the city.

Another prime location for viewing the Brown Mountain Lights is the Wiseman’s View in Linville Gorge, a more rugged, scenic vantage point. To reach Wiseman’s View, visitors can follow the signs from NC Highway 183 to Old NC 105 and continue to the Wiseman’s View parking area; from there, a short paved trail leads to the overlooks. Additionally, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a good viewpoint at milepost 301 (Green Mountain overlook), which are easily accessible by car and provide panoramic views of the area where the lights have been spotted.

How to See the Brown Mountain Lights

Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to see the lights while briefly standing at these locations and looking frantically for 15 minutes. For the best chance of seeing the lights, plan to spend the night somewhere you can watch for them for several hours. Visit on a clear, dark night, ideally around new moon phases when less moonlight is present to obscure the phenomenon.

Because you’re unlikely to see the lights for yourself without spending hours or even days gazing into the distance, why not double up on your road trip goals and hit up The Brown Mountain Lights Festival? This tongue-in-cheek, alien-themed music festival takes place each October in Morganton, NC.

Photos and Videos of the Brown Mountain Lights

Good photographs of the Brown Mountain Lights are hard to capture, given the nocturnal and fleeting nature of the phenomenon. Here’s a video of the lights that made the news back in 2016. We’ll try to get a photo of the mysterious lights for you on our upcoming trip to Appalachia.

The post Brown Mountain Lights: Spooky Appalachian Legends appeared first on Homespun Haints.

These paranormal stories from East Tennessee are on YouTube:

Or listen here:

About the Guests: Kristy of Soul Sisters Paranormal and Miranda the Ghost Biker

We first interviewed Kristy Sumner in 2020, in one of our best paranormal podcast episodes about haunted jailhouses in the South. Back then, she was doing paranormal investigations in and around Ocala, FL. While she is still a part of Soul Sisters Paranormal, she has relocated to East Tennessee. Follow Soul Sisters Paranormal on their Instagram or Facebook page, and don’t miss their YouTube coverage of investigations.

Kristy now works with with Ghost Biker Miranda, another paranormal investigator we previously interviewed about the phantom monk of East Tennessee. Visit her website at ghostbikerexplorations.com. Then follow her on YouTube for coverage of her investigations and interviews (she even interviewed us), and Facebook of Instagram for updates and events.

Since we last interviewed them, Kristy and Miranda have started leading public overnight paranormal investigations at the historic Scott County Jail in East Tennessee. They also do daytime tours, focused on historical preservation. Find more details on their collaborations through History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC here. Book a tour of the jail here, and don’t miss the escape room in a genuine maximum security prison wing!

They also host the nighttime ghost walks in Rugby together now. Check Facebook for Rugby ghost tour information and special events.

Paranormal Investigations in East Tennessee with History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC

Kristy and Miranda still do paranormal investigations all over East Tennessee and beyond, but nowadays they are focused on two specific locations. We can’t blame them, as some of their findings at these places are truly out of this world.

Historic Village of Rugby

In the 1880s, Thomas Hughes founded Rugby, Tennessee, as a groundbreaking experiment in community living. This agricultural commune aimed to create a class-free sanctuary for England’s “second sons,” e.g. the younger brothers of heirs. These backup heirs grew up in opulence, but inherited none of it, making their adult lives seem rather pointless.

Situated in the scenic Cumberland Plateau and leveraging the newly built Cincinnati-Southern Railroad, Rugby quickly attracted residents from both Britain and America. Hughes had a vision of a cooperative, cultured society. Soon after formation, when the town was still basically just tents, Rugby boasted a theater company and a literary society, Kristy tells us.

But winter was coming. One of the worst winters in the plateau’s history. The previously well-to-do new residents of Rugby began to think they may have made a mistake focusing on cultural activities instead of the realities and hardships of the fronteering life. The community’s growth stagnated, as the number of people leaving was roughly equivalent to those arriving. Still, Hughes continued to invest over the decade that the commune thrived, eventually creating a loveable little village, with 60 adorable Victorian buildings and several diverse residents.

When the Tabard Inn burned in 1889, it took with it one of the main economic drivers of the town. Many of the 500 settlers left. A few families stayed, however, and the town persisted. Today, it stands as a historic site, with some of the 14 original structures open to tourists.

The Paranormal Activity of Rugby Village in East Tennessee

Kristy and Miranda suspect that many Rugby residents loved the town so much, they never wanted to leave. They catch more photographs of ghosts here than anywhere they’ve ever investigated before.

And it’s not just ghosts haunting the village. Miranda and Kristy have seen some inexplicable oddities in Rugby, including:

• A distant, large, glowing rectangle, like a monolith, or perhaps a door?
• Slashes appeared 9 feet up a pole, just outside of the house they were investigating at the time…was it a bear, or a Bigfoot? Black bears in the region would typically scratch about 5 feet up, or 7 if reaching. Squatches, though…who’s to say?
• Mysterious healing waters.
• A glowing humanoid figure walking across a driveway, captured by a video doorbell. It certainly wasn’t any of the town’s residents. Could it be extraterrestrial?

Paranormal enthusiasts save the date: Rugby hosts an expanded haunted attraction called Ghostly Gathering the last 2 Saturdays of October.

Historic Scott County Jail

The haunted Old Scott County Jail is one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to 1904. Throughout most of its century-long history, the jail actively housed about 50 inmates. The jail closed in 2008, following the opening of the Scott County Justice Center.

In 2021, Kristy and Miranda re-opened the jail as a museum. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are dedicated to preserving the history of this East Tennessee landmark, in addition to supporting paranormal investigations there.

The Hauntings of Scott County Jail

Since beginning restoration, a worrisome number of metal shivs and razors have been discovered, purportedly hidden in nooks and crannies by former inmates. Fascinatingly, upon putting these blades on a table and leaving for the night, the blades disappeared, never to be found again. According to Kristy, even laying your scissors on the table and leaving the room is a risky prospect. What are all these spectral inmates going to do with the real shivs they’re collecting?

Then again, Miranda tells us the spirits haunting the jail are overall jovial and friendly. The team believes its the way the living interact with the dead there. They advise visitors to have fun with the spirits, and to avoid interrogating or antagonizing them. Singing or playing a musical instrument will often generate a swell of interactive paranormal activity, which these East Tennessee investigators observe indirectly through various tools. One memorable investigation, someone brought a fart machine for the ghosts to interact with. While none of the spirits took them up on the offer to press the button, they did capture a flatulent EVP, indicating that the ghosts knew exactly what they were getting at. Did the call and response farting indicate the ghosts’ heartfelt approval? We’d like to think so.

Have you witnessed anything paranormal in East Tennessee?

Yet another mysterious tale in our series on East Tennessee legends and paranormal Appalachia! Could it get any weirder? You tell us! Submit your story here to be featured on the next episode of Homespun Haints Podcast…we look forward to sharing a spooky day with you!

The post Sasquatch Vandalism, Glowing Monoliths, and Fart EVPs appeared first on Homespun Haints.

H. Byron Ballard telling us ghost stories from Asheville is on YouTube:

Or listen right here:

About the Guest: H. Byron Ballard

Byron has studied and practiced Appalachian folk magic for half a century. (She tells us that the term Appalachian Granny Magic was a manufactured term, never used by the original practitioners.) She’s a senior priestess at and a founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple, and also a pastor. She also knows a lot of stories about Asheville hauntings, as she’s guided ghost tours there.

Her books on traditional Appalachian craft are published by Llewellyn Press. Order her books from Byron’s local indie bookstore at malaprops.com, and she’ll sign it for you before it is shipped. Also visit her website myvillagewitch.com or follow her on Facebook as H. Byron Ballard, author, Witch About Town, for events and more info.

Show notes

The Lost Sea of Appalachia

The Lost Sea, within Craighead Caverns near Sweetwater, Tennessee, is the world’s second-largest non-sub-glacial underground lake. Craighead Caverns themselves have been in use for centuries, originally by Cherokee under the ownership of Chief Craighead, then for mining saltpeter to make gunpowder during the Civil War, then for bootlegging moonshine during the Prohibition Era.

In the nineteen-noughties, a little boy named Ben was spelunking deep in the network of caves under Appalachia. He came upon a small opening, and squirmed his way inside. When he held up his lantern, he found himself within an enormous underground room. The cavern was so large, the boy couldn’t see the walls of the cave.

Intrepid Ben started tossing mud at the walls, thinking he would use this rudimentary echolocation to determine how deep the cave was…but all he heard was splashing. Indeed, the cavern was full of water, stretching farther than the light could travel. When he finally convinced his father to come check out the cave, the tiny subterranean entrance to the lake was blocked by rising water.

Where does the Lost Sea’s water come from?

The Lost Sea of Appalachia is pitch black, the dark water seemingly bottomless. The only creatures known to live in the lake are the tagged rainbowless rainbow trout that were released there by researchers in the 1970s in an attempt to trace the source of the water. Becky says that, although the water in the lake rises and falls, no human has ever been able to figure out the source. The fish were no help, as they stayed put, slowly starving to death in the isolated and previously lifeless dark water.

How big is the Lost Sea of Appalachia?

Looking at it from the surface, the massive underground lake is about 800′ x 220′. But divers have found underground rooms adjacent to the part of the lake that is visible from the surface that seem to have no end. Apparently, the divers have always had to turn back before ever finding the boundary. So the Lost Sea could be much larger down deep.

Visiting the Lost Sea of Appalachia

A modern tourist attraction exists there today: The Lost Sea Adventure. Nowadays you can visit the Lost Sea in Craighead Caverns without spelunking your way through dangerous cave cracks. Becky thinks it’s one of the creepiest places on Earth. And she’s going to force Diana to paddle out on the Lost Sea in a canoe, and witness the Feeding Frenzy of Darkness.

We plan to broadcast live from the Lost Sea some time in the first weekend of May, 2024! This will be the same trip where we visit Asheville, to see if the ghost stories are true in person. Follow our socials below for updates and live events.

What are Haints and Boogers in Appalachian Folklore?

In Appalachian slang, the word “haints” sometimes is just synonymous with “ghosts.” “Boogers” are what we call “cryptids” nowadays. They are usually referred to concurrently. Becky points out that in some Afro-Carribean traditions, haints are specifically the type of ghosts you absolutely do not want in your house, as opposed to a benign relative lingering in that rocking chair in the corner. That’s why so many southern houses are protected by haint blue porch ceilings.

How to make an energy trap, or a HEPA filter for negative energy

Byron walked us through the steps on how to make a DIY energy trap for your home.

• Cut out bottom of aluminum pie plan to create a metallic circle.
• Put a dark rock from your own property and a tealight candle in the center of the disc.
• Around the rock, make a circle of heavy salt (like ice cream rock salt).
• Around that, make a circle of regular table salt.
• Light the candle.

But what does a DIY energy trap do?

Byron theorizes that, the way our houses are laid out is ideal for bringing energy in. She says we need to occasionally clean the energy back out of the house so it does not build up. If you haven’t cleared the energy in your house for a while, it can start to take form, or appears to at least. Many of the calls she gets about ghosts are actually just stuck energy. She’s not sure how it works, but 75% of the time, this simple energy trap alone solves her prospective client’s “ghost” problem.

If this energy trap doesn’t quite cut it for you, Byron provides many other DIY field magic tips in Small Magics and her other books. And yes, the tips work even if you don’t live in Appalachia. If you’re not keen on DIY magic, Byron herself might be available to help clear your house.

Why is Appalachian Folk Magic traditionally practiced by women?

If it seems like only women practiced witchcraft in Appalachia, there is a historical reason for that. Traditional gender roles in old Appalachia would’ve delegated nearly all the paid work and political power to men. Basically, men didn’t have any time for practicing magic, because they were the only breadwinners of their families, working 12 hour days in mines and factories. Women, at the time unemployable, traditionally handled the busy work, like searching the woods for wild medicinal plants; dirty work, like dealing with a dead body; and one-off tasks, like emergency healthcare. Whereas now these are valued career fields and have distinct courses of study, remote early settlements wouldn’t have had the work nor resources to support a full-time mortician or doctor. The knowledge would’ve been passed down from and to the people who had the time to learn it: mainly women.

And besides, most Appalachian men had no use for magic, as they had practical power to influence their world. Byron says that the only Appalachian folk magic traditionally practiced by men was Water Witching. Nowadays, as we claw our way ever closer towards true gender equality, Appalachian folk magic is practiced by people of all genders.

But is there some inherent biological process tying field magic to womanhood?

Byron mostly feels and senses spirits, only rarely seeing ghosts visually. She is, however, sandwiched between 2 generations of women who naturally see spirits through clairvoyance. In fact, all the women in her family are told from an early age, that, upon menarche, they will receive an inherited psychic gift. Familial gifts include precognitive dreaming, hands on healing, second sight, clairvoyance, and clairsentience.

She thinks of menarche as having a biological reason to cause a shift in perception: protecting one’s young through intuition. She also advises middle-aged women about the supernatural nature of perimenopause. It is, perhaps, times of great hormonal shifts that awaken the senses to the supernatural world. Because many people who were born with ovaries experience more of these shifts throughout a lifetime than those without (like pregnancy and menopause, in addition to puberty), they may on average have more access to these supernatural perceptions. Interestingly, she also associates the supernatural nature of puberty and other hormonal changes as potential catalysts for poltergeist activity.

Are poltergeists really just bundled up feminine fury?

Byron tells us that many stories of poltergeist activity she’s called out for around Asheville are actually caused by oppressed anger, seeping out energetically, not actual ghosts. So why do people ascribe poltergeist activity to ghosts? Byron theorizes that it’s easier to accept the idea that the house is haunted than to come to terms with the idea that you or your teenager is so full of bottled up rage that it’s manifesting physically. We still don’t have a clear explanation for the nature of this type of manifestation, but this is far from the first time we’ve heard poltergeists explained this way.

Do you have any ghost stories from Asheville?

Have you visited the Lost Sea of Appalachia to feed the forsaken fishes? Or are the women in your Appalachian family vested with psychic abilities? Homespun Haints is looking for people from Asheville and Appalachia with personal ghost experiences to tell their stories on our future episodes—submit yours today to join us, and have a spooky day!

The post All the Haints in Asheville appeared first on Homespun Haints.

These Appalachian paranormal stories from Bump in the Night Society are on YouTube:

Or listen here:

About the Guests: Jennifer and Sean Bowman of Bump in the Night Paranormal

The couple is fortunate to have at least one thing in common: they love researching things that go bump in the night. So much so that, in 2020, they formed Bump in the Night Society, a paranormal research team working to the comedic tune of a wooden recorder. Far from just ghost hunting, their venture also encompasses a wide range of paranormal topics, including cryptids, monsters, aliens, and conspiracies. They share their experiences and insights through various platforms.

The Bowmans’ inspiration for exploring the unknown and sharing their findings lies partly in the legends of spirits in Appalachian folklore. They host a podcast featuring discussions with guests, exploring supernatural topics that range from Halloween haunts and attractions to true ghost stories (Sean used to work at ScareHouse, a seasonal haunted attraction in Pittsburgh Mills Mall). Listen to their podcast of Appalachian paranormal stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Their website tells the story of what sparked their interest in the paranormal. The website also details the services they offer, including consultations, public investigations, and home service calls all over Appalachia to tackle paranormal phenomena.

Additionally, they share videos related to their paranormal activities on YouTube. Their YouTube channels are Bump in the Night Paranormal Investigations and Bump In The Night Paranormal. They hope you dare to join in on the chills by following them on TikTok, where they broadcast some of their paranormal investigations in Appalachia live. Email bumpinthenightsociety@yahoo.com or check Facebook for info on joining them in person for a public investigation. Or check out their Linktree for all of their links.

More notes about Paranormal Activities in Appalachia

Is an Appalachian Deliverance Like an Exorcism?

Those who grew up outside the Appalachian region may hear the word “Deliverance” and begin to feel on-edge. It’s a prejudice implanted by the Yankee perspective of rural Southern Americans exploited in the movie of the same name. But what is deliverance, and what does it mean biblically? Appalachian Pentecostal deliverance and a Catholic exorcism are not unlike each other in their goals (and flamboyant, stigmatizing Hollywood depictions). Yet the two differ greatly in approach, scope, and practice.

Pentecostal Deliverance vs Catholic Exorcism

Exorcism involves a formal ritual performed by a priest or religious leader. This typically (but not exclusively) Catholic practice includes prayers, incantations, holy water, and religious symbols to drive out demons. The “Rituale Romanum” under Pope Paul V established specific, strict guidelines for the performance of exorcisms. The Catholic Church considers exorcism a last resort for severe and verifiable cases of demon possession.

What is Spiritual Deliverance?

Deliverance, on the other hand, is a broader concept found in charismatic Christian movements. It’s not limited to the expulsion of demons, but also addresses other spiritual forces like generational curses, witchcraft, and occult influence. It is a wholistic practice. In addition to the active process of expelling demons, deliverance will likely involve preparation, diagnostics, curse breaking (through not just prayer and spiritual warfare, but also forms of counseling), healing for the mind, body, and soul, and follow-up.

Lay people can perform a deliverance, which doesn’t necessarily follow a prescribed formal ritual. You might think of it as a homespun exorcism. This type of informal spiritual warfare is naturally more common in an area where even emergency medicine has traditionally been homespun by Appalachian Granny Women. The people of Appalachia have always known how to take care of and look after one another, without the need or desire for a formal institution to grant them permission to do so with such things as degrees or licenses. After all, if the closest licensed medical professional is so far away that you’re likely to die in transit, something’s got to give.

For more detailed information, read sources like Wikipedia’s page on Deliverance Ministry and Multiplying Freedom Ministries.

Why is Pittsburgh, PA, the “Paris of Appalachia?”

Diana’s camper van sat frozen in fear at the bottom of the hill. Stopping in Pittsburgh on her way to West Virginia now seemed like a questionable decision. Craning their necks towards the windshield, Amber and Diana couldn’t even see the top of the trees making up the woods in front of them. They could only tell that the road intersected another at a perpendicular crossroads right at the peak. That was their turn-off.

Was there some way to back up? To gain enough momentum in the vintage van to make it to the top? When…IF they made it up, would they be able to make that sharp 35 degree turn off the 35 degree grade? What if a car happened to be speeding from the other street? Or what is there was a sheer cliff on the other side of the hill? Trying not to imagine the potential fall, Amber circled the block at the bottom of the incline, seeking a suitable takeoff runway.

Urban Pittsburgh is perhaps the least paranormal place in the Appalachian Mountains

A quick jaunt to explore Pittsburgh leaves a gritty taste in one’s brain. It’s instantly apparent why the city’s pro-team references metal mining, and gradually apparent that the rest of its history is somehow entwined with that of ketchup. Diana breezed through a traditional Italian deli, thankful she wasn’t the one looking for Strip District parking, exiting with a muffuletta in a greasy paper sack. Later, she went searching up Squirrel Hill for authentic Szechuan off a Chinese-only menu.

The Oktoberfest vibe drew what felt like millions of visitors to the breweries. Even in standing room only, the locals were disarmingly welcoming. Tasting more than her fair share of tiny flight glasses of local beers certainly made the subsequent Pittsburgh tours more interesting. Between microbreweries, Diana spotted workers applying fake rust to fireplugs for major motion picture filming.

As the apex city of a mostly rural region, Pittsburgh has been likened to Paris, France. Both are hubs for higher education and the arts, built upon a history of revolutionary industrialization. Also like Paris, Pittsburgh features a blend of glinting architecture and the tree-covered beauty of the natural world, well viewable from many a cliff or steep hill.

The nickname “Paris of Appalachia” is, however, somewhat tongue-in-cheek. It pokes fun at the contrasts between grand Paris and humble Pittsburgh. Or rather, the cultural reputation of France compared to that of Appalachia. A sarcastic SAT question might summarize this cheeky comparison as Paris:France:Wine:Arts::Pittburgh:Appalachia:Beer:Condiments.

The OTHER Octagon Haunted House in Circleville, OH

We’ve all had nightmares about Becky’s family’s house of octagons, so you already know how haunted a shape it is. Octagonal houses may be fated to severe levels of paranormal activity, considering this other one is the Bump In the Night Society’s favorite site to investigate. They like the location not because of its shape, however, but because of the haunted parts. They tell us tales of how they collect an abundance of haunting evidence every time they visit the building.

In the early 2000s, the 1856 Gregg-Crites Octagon House was slated for a demolition that never happened. Instead, in a remarkable feat of engineering, the Round town Conservancy moved the 480 ton mansion—intact—to park it on a new plot of land half a mile away. This complex process involved inserting steel beams into the basement and mounting the house on a hydraulic mechanism with 96 wheels. Sean says they took the ghosts with it.

The Conservancy plans to restore the mansion, now listed on the National Register of historic places, into a museum. Read up on the tale of its legend on its Wikipedia page here. The Ohio Exploration Society also provides photographs and stories about the house’s restoration progress here.

What are the Brown Mountain Lights?

In the Pisgah National Forest of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, enigmatic lights appear at random above Brown Mountain. The lights were seen shining through the darkness of the forest decades before electricity would’ve been common in the area. Native American legends suggest they might have been observed much, much earlier.

What might cause the Brown Mountain Lights?

The nature of the lights has sparked much speculation, ranging from the scientific to the supernatural. Are they caused by the piezoelectric effect, when quartz rock in the earth generates light in response to mechanical stress? Could they be transient brush fires, or St Elmo’s Fire, from storms? Are they manmade? Could they be ghosts or UFOs? The souls of women looking for their husbands who fell in battle? Other proposed explanations include unusual electrostatic discharges from geological fault lines or natural phenomena similar to ball lightning. Yet despite data from numerous studies, including one by the United States Geological Survey, the true nature of the lights remains unexplained, continuing to fuel storytelling.

Where to see the Brown Mountain Lights

The ideal viewing location is Brown Mountain Overlook, according to Carolinacountry.com. You can get there via Highway 181, turning off between mile marker 20 and 21. Wiseman’s View is another good place to search for the lights. That’s harder to get to, however, as you’d have to take a gravel road 5 miles south of Linville Falls on State Road 1238. Even if you organize an extensive search party, you’re highly unlikely to see the lights on any given trip.

TLDR: see Jen’s TikTok video for a very quick description of the Brown Mountain Lights.

What is the Bellaire Demon House?

Sean told us he saw a possession at Bellaire demon house in Bellaire, Ohio. The child spirit of Emily Davis is seen there yet today. But we now have good reason to doubt she’s a child at all.

Why is the Bellaire House so haunted?

The extremely haunted abode has myriad reasons to be infested with ghosts.

• It was built on a ley line.
• It was also built on the site of a fatal coal mining accident that claimed 42 lives.
• The home is near ancient Native American burial caves.
• Its located in an area affected by the French and Indian War.
• It may have been part of the abolitionist movement.

Perhaps the haunting of the Bellaire House was manmade? Edwin Heatherington, the house’s former resident, was obsessed with contacting his deceased sister Lyde after she died in the house. He conducted numerous seances, which may have led to the opening of portals to other realms within the house. Sean commented matter-of-factly that the house is thought to have 13 portals.

Do you have a true ghost paranormal story from Appalachia?

Whether you’re in Paris or Pittsburgh, Homespun Haints wants to hear your stories, told by you. Submit your story today to be featured on the podcast soon, and have a spooky day!

The post Paranormal Appalachia Goes Bump In The Night appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen now:

About Today’s Guest: Ronda Caudill

Ronda Caudill, PhD, had a very religious upbringing. The strict denial of the supernatural conflicted with her lived experience when, at just 5 years old, she began seeing ghosts. At 15, she shed the mantle of organized religion to become a practicing pagan and witch. At 19, she followed in the footsteps of her paternal grandmother (a table tipper in the 1920’s) and her aunt (an Appalachian Granny Woman), and began offering psychic readings to family.

Ronda has been a professional psychic medium for 18 years and began tea leaf reading (tasseography) at the age of 19. Ronda has also practiced mirror scrying, table tipping, using dowsing rods, pendulums and spirit boards for over thirty years. She’s also a Reiki master and teacher. She is the lead psychic for The Southern Research Society, or SRS Paranormal. She recently purchased the Nickerson-Snead House in Glade Spring, VA (the skinny part between Tennessee and West Virginia), and is in the process of opening a haunted AirBNB therein!

A true pioneer in Pagan education

Ronda is also an author, who uses her talents to educate people about witchcraft traditions. Self-publishing her own books took on a life of its own, and she founded Full Moon Publishing LLC. In 2022, Ronda appeared on the documentary Season of the Witch, produced by Sword & Stone Entertainment and T. Lee Films. This film explores various aspects of and misconceptions around witchcraft. You can watch it on Amazon, Roku, Tubi, or walmart.com.

If you’d like to connect with Ronda, you can follow SRS Paranormal on Facebook and follow Ronda’s Facebook page @rondacaudillphd and Insta @caudillronda.

Show notes

What is Appalachian Granny Magic?

We’ve spoken about the “granny witches” of Appalachia myriad times (although the right words to describe them probably wouldn’t include terms like witch or magic). There might even be a great grandmother in Becky’s family who practiced Appalachian folk magic. Commonly, Southern Appalachian women who practiced this type of folk medicine and faith healing would staunchly declaim the term “witch,” due to its conflict with Protestant Christianity.

Early European settlers of the Appalachian Mountains depended on a local granny witch in the days when the roads were often unpassable. Or when the nearest doctor was so far that there was no chance of survival en-route. Or when the veil of poverty made going to a doctor for something as mundane as flu symptoms seem wasteful.

But did Appalachian Granny Witches practice magic?

Or did they just possess intimate knowledge of local herbs and the common sense wisdom of their ancestors?

The long tradition of folk healing in the Appalachian region can be viewed as granny witchcraft or folk magic, but these are terms most Southern Appalachians won’t use due to their negative connotations within Abrahamic religious communities. According to folklife.si.edu, “Throughout the years of the Spanish Inquisition, religious institutions used the term ‘witch’ to identify someone practicing healing and ritual outside the bounds of the Christian Church.”

Instead, Granny Women’s healing methods were seen as an extension of their strong belief in the Christian God, not as contrary to it. Psalms, Bible verses, and Christian devotions were common elements of their practices. In this context, the term “magic” may refer to the perceived extraordinary effectiveness of their remedies. Also, the deep respect these wise older women commanded in their communities. For most Appalachian Granny Women, their magic existed simply in weaving folk wisdom from generations of common sense and trial and error.

Are there still Granny Women in practice?

Highways and telecommunications have significantly reduced rural Appalachians’ reliance on a local granny witch as a first responder. Since modern medicine’s organized disbandment of as many other healing traditions as possible, traditional and indigenous healing practices in the United States are now viewed as anywhere on a spectrum of ancillary to snake oil (e.g. malicious fakes).

Granny magic is still practiced in modern day Appalachia. Yet today, most people who practice Appalachian folk magic mainly provide services as a gift for their own family, not for the whole community. The more remote the community, however, the higher the chances it will still look to the local Granny Woman before seeking a big city doctor hours away.

What is sympathy magic?

Sympathetic magic, also known as imitative magic, is a type of magic based on the principles of similarity and contagion. It operates on the belief that like produces like (meaning an effect resembles its cause), and that objects once in contact with each other continue to affect each other at a distance after contact has been severed. Even early Western medical scholars followed the belief that like cures like, which they termed the “Doctrine of Signatures.”

In magic, this concept can manifest through traditions like using effigies or objects to influence people or environments, often seen in the use of voodoo dolls, where actions performed on the doll are believed to affect the person it represents. It also includes beliefs in the influence of one object or being on another based on their former contact, a concept evident in various folk magic throughout the world.

What is root magic?

Root work, in Southern Appalachia and specifically the coastal region of North Carolina, is a spiritual and healing folk magic tradition deeply intertwined with nature, especially plants and herbs. Herbal medicine might be labelled as fringe nowadays, but around 40% of modern pharmaceuticals are derived from natural sources like roots and herbs, often developed based on traditional knowledge and herbal remedies. For example, aspirin originated from the 3,500 year-old practice of using willow bark for pain relief and inflammation. Similarly, the antimalarial drug artemisinin was developed from sweet wormwood. Root workers and granny women knew just what local plants could soothe colic, ease flu symptoms, or heal a bad burn. Their reasoning for why these remedies worked, however, may not have aligned with modern medical concepts.

The term “root magic” is mainly associated with Hoodoo. This religion, founded by enslaved African people in the American South, combines old world African spiritualities with indigenous botanical knowledge. It often incorporates Christian elements in spells.

Is granny magic root work?

Appalachian granny magic similarly used intimate knowledge of native plants to treat ailments and provide medical care in isolated, underserved, poor communities. Yet the average granny magic practitioner wouldn’t typically use the term “root magic” for her practice any more than she’d call it witchcraft. Both folk healing practices contain a deep respect for nature and a belief in the healing and spiritual power of the natural world.

Want more info on granny witchcraft and Appalachian folk magic? Don’t miss our interview with H. Byron Ballard, senior priestess and Village Witch of Asheville, North Carolina! Then, come along as we explore the similar yet distinct practice of Ozark folk magic with author Brandon Weston.

What are Ronda’s tips on how to shield yourself during an investigation?

Are ghosts are intruding on your day-to-day life because of paranormal investigating? These are Ronda’s tips on how to take charge.

• Meditate in advance to put oneself in a safe space,
• work hard at having complete faith in your safety,
• envision a bubble of protection around yourself,
• draw representative boundaries,
• say aloud that the entities cannot attach to you or follow you home in any way,
• carry snowflake obsidian, or pretty much any other black crystal as a protective charm.

Kingsport, TN, Ghost Hunting

Ronda has investigated many haunted places near Kingsport, Becky’s hometown, including:

• The Chester Inn in Jonesborough, TN,
• The Tipton-Haynes Historic Site in Johnson City, TN,
• The Old Deery Inn in Blountville, TN, and
• Rocky Mount museum in Piney Flats,TN, of dead sheep fame.

She also mentioned the following paranormal Appalachian (and other) locations:

• The Hinsdale House in Hinsdale, New York,
• Rockwood Paranormal,
• Rarotonga in the Cook Islands,
• Ghost Hunt Weekends with Tennessee Wraithchasers.

Listen to more Jonesborough ghost stories:

The Haunted AirBNB

Ronda now owns the incredibly haunted 1835 Nickerson-Snead house which is build around a 1700s cabin by Francis Kincannon. It was once a Fort, then a civil war hospital and morgue. Now it houses the headquarters of SRS Paranormal. People see the spirit of Betsy Snead wandering the house, calling her “the lady in blue.”

As of March 15th, 2024, it is now a haunted Airbnb! You can check it out at thenickersonsneedhouse.com. And it just so happens that Becky and Diana will be some of the first guests to stay the Nickerson-Snead house in April 2024. Check updates on Patreon to catch us there live!

She’s also planning to rent out her Airbnb at the Nickerson-Snead house for private paranormal investigations led by Tennessee Wraith chasers on two weekends a year. Because she doesn’t live there. She’d never ghost hunt where she lives. Unlike us. Oops.

Was there an Appalachian Granny Witch among your ancestors?

Homespun Haints is currently seeking fellow mountain people from Appalachia with true personal ghost stories! Do you have a yarn you’d like to share, or could you deepen our knowledge of granny witchcraft? Please click this link to submit your story, and we’ll be in touch soon. Have a spooky day!

The post It is Always the Season of the Witch in Appalachia appeared first on Homespun Haints.