Every 25th year on the night of Bhoot Chaturdashi, it is said that the ghost haunting the water of Dub Pukur comes back from beyond. You can hear wailing screams from the ghost thought to be a witch over the dark water.
Hidden amidst the modern buildings of Haldia Township lies a seemingly innocuous pond known as Dub Pukur (ডুব পুকুর). Beneath its calm surface lurks a sinister secret—a tale of witchcraft, murder, and restless spirits that continues to instill fear among the local people to this day.
Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India
Haldia is today an industrial port city in West Bengal by Haldi River, coming from Ganges. The surrounding area of the Zamindari used to be ruled by the Mahishadal Raj family and it is in connection to these royals, the ghost story comes from.
The Haunted Pond: Nabaratna Gopaljiu temple inside Mahishadal Rajbari complex at Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal. Is this the haunted Dub Pukur? //Photo by: Amitabha Gupta/wikimedia
The Midwife Witch Haunting Dub Pukur
Legend has it that in the early 18th century, during the peak of the reign of the Royals of Mahishadal Rajbari, a midwife accused of witchcraft and child-devouring faced a grim fate at the hands of a vengeful mob.
The details of this story are sparse, and there is not a lot to go on to dig deeper into the legend of when it started to be told. Some of the few sources claim that the midwife was attacked by witches and they were the one that devoured the child when the Queen gave birth.
Daayans, or witches in Indian folklore are often thought to be a sort of succubi with vampiric traits as they often are said to feed on their victims for power. And as in the rest of the world, old or widowed women were often the subjects of witch hunts. As well as women in certain professions like being a midwife that are often accused of being witches.
In any case, the midwife was blamed and a mob formed. Tied and dragged far from Mahishadal into the depths of the forest along the banks of the Haldi River, she met her untimely end in the murky waters of Dub Pukur on a moonless night.
Dayan Hunts in Modern Day India: Although a creature from folklore, witch hunts still have deadly outcomes in India: “According to the National Crime Bureau records, as many as 1,157 women were branded as witch and killed in Jharkhand between 1991 and 2010. Here pictured in the Star Plus show, Nazar played by Monalisa aka Antara Biswas,
The Bhoot Chaturdashi Haunting
Since that fateful night, Dub Pukur has become a place of dread and superstition, shrouded in eerie tales of paranormal activity. Every 25 years, on the night of Bhoot Chaturdashi, the 14th day of Krishna Paksha, locals report hearing a blood-curdling scream emanating from the depths of the pond—a chilling reminder of the midwife’s tragic demise.
In West Bengal It is believed on the eve of this dark night, the souls of the deceased come down to earth to visit their dear ones. On this night they are also performing rituals to chase away the evil spirits.
But the horror does not end there. In the morning light of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, the lifeless body of a missing person is often discovered floating ominously in the murky waters of Dub Pukur—a grim testament to the vengeful spirit that still haunts its depths.
Most people know about the Salem witch trials and the horror of the hunt. No wonder that haunted rumors about the place have formed in the aftermath of the trials and death.
Along the northeastern shores of Massachusetts, the town of Salem is forever etched into the annals of American history as the site of one of the most infamous chapters of colonial-era terror: the Salem Witch Trials. This dark period in 1692 saw hysteria grip the Puritan settlement, leading to the tragic execution of innocent men and women accused of witchcraft.
Today, Salem is most known for this tragic ordeal. Places like The Haunted House of The Seven Gables in Salem is perhaps the most famous building in the town which inspired Nathaniel Hawthorn to write his novel. But the ghostly echoes of those who died are said to linger elsewhere in town, particularly at Gallows Hill and Old Burying Point, where the spirits of the accused are said to still roam.
Salem Witch Trials: The witch trials were a product of mass hysteria. But also the following interest, representation and stories about the trial has been somewhat fanciful. Representation of the Salem witch trials, lithograph from 1892.
The Historical Tapestry of Salem
Founded in 1626, Salem was initially a thriving Puritan settlement, built on religious conviction and a stringent moral code. Its early prosperity stemmed from a bustling port and a community tightly knit by shared beliefs. However, the seeds of paranoia and superstition were sown deeply within its society, setting the stage for one of the most notorious episodes in American history.
By the late 17th century, tensions in Salem were running high. A combination of religious fanaticism, political instability, and a harsh frontier environment led to an atmosphere ripe for fear and suspicion. In this climate, the Salem Witch Trials erupted—a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked fear.
The Witch Trials: A Tragic Descent into Madness
The Salem Witch Trials began in the spring of 1692 when a group of young girls in the town claimed to be possessed by the devil, accusing several local women of witchcraft. What followed was a frenzy of accusations, leading to the arrest of more than 200 people. By the time the hysteria subsided in 1693, 19 men and women had been executed by hanging, one man had been pressed to death, and several others had died in jail.
The Young Girls: The witch hunt started with Betty Parris (9), Abigail Williams (11), Ann Putnam Jr. (12), and Elizabeth Hubbard (17). The accusations centered around the concept of “affliction”, and the women accused of having caused physical and mental harm to the girls through witchcraft.
The Salem Witch Trials were fueled by a combination of fear, religious extremism, and the desire for social control. The accused were often those who stood out in the community—women who defied traditional roles, outcasts, or those who held properties that others coveted. The panic and cruelty that characterized this period left an indelible mark on Salem’s history, one that continues to resonate today.
Gallows Hill: The Site of Execution
“This was the field where superstition won her darkest triumph […] the high place where our fathers set up their shame, to the mournful gaze of generations far remote. The dust of martyrs was beneath our feet. We stood on Gallows Hill.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne, Alice Doane’s Appeal, 1835
Gallows Hill at the intersection of Manswell Parkway and Witch Hill Road was the site where the accused were believed to have been executed for centuries, according to local lore hanged from locust trees. They believed this was the spot much because historian Charles Wentworth Upham said so in 1867, although there were murmurs about that the place was not the correct one. According to legends, the ancestors of those involved in the Salem Witch Trials went to Gallows Hill and revealed the location for the dead to those who came after them. The writer Nathanial Hawtorn was one of them, being the many times great-grandson of Judge John Hathorn, the man responsible for sentencing the victims to the gallows for witchcraft. But how much of this local lore was actually true?
Salem, from the lookout on Witches’ Hill
Nevertheless the Gallows Hill and the area around has long been shrouded in mystery and legend. Screaming is said to come from the wooded area that surrounds the hill. The specter of a lady in white is said to appear in the night.
According to the locals, they say that this place is a common spot for suicides as well. Paranormal researchers have long thought this fuels the other. The sadness of the area draws souls to it, and creates this haunted aura of the place. In October in 1992, there were almost 200 people from nearby churches gathered to “cleanse” the dark energy from the hill. Did they manage it?
Proctors Ledge: The Actual Location for the Executions
However, in 2016, it was proved that the exact place was Proctors Ledge, named after the victims John Proctor and his wife who died in the Salem Witch Trials. Proctor doubted the accusation of the girls and even proclaimed that any Devil in Salem was within the accusers – not the accused.
This exact place is a ledge on a small hill between Proctor Street and Pope Street in Salem, overlooking a Walgreens in a residential area. It got a memorial placed there in 2017.
They were also said to have been hanged, not by locust trees, but on traditional gallows.
Execution of Reverend George Burroughs: On August 19, 1692, Martha Carrier, George Jacobs Sr., George Burroughs, John Willard, and John Proctor were executed. Elizabeth Proctor was given a temporary stay of execution because she was pregnant.
The ghost tours and visitors have now started to accept the fact that this was the place and now direct their haunted focus on Proctor’s Ledge, which now starts to have the same haunted legends about the woman in white appearing to visitors, the disembodied voices and orbs floating around them. One thing about Proctor’s Ledge is that many believe that it also acted as a temporary burial ground for the victims before they were discreetly moved for a proper burial by their family members. So even if their bodies are no longer there, could their spirits be?
Proctors Ledge: Much more discreet than other memorial places, the actual location of the Salem Witch Trials was most likely here at Proctors Ledge. Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Old Burying Point: The Resting Place of the Accused
The Old Burying Point Cemetery, also known as Charter Street Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, dating back to 1683. Buried there are even passengers from the Mayflower. It is also the final resting place for many of Salem’s notable figures, including some of the judges involved in the Salem Witch Trials.
The graveyard is said to have the spirits from the accused from the witch trials as well. But is this true? Is this the final resting place for the victims of the witch hunt? The short answer is, we simply don’t know for sure. While none of the accused witches were officially buried here and many were interred in unmarked graves or simply discarded according to lore.
Now, is this part true? The same answer applies. After the hanging, there was a lot happening. Some say that the victims’ families discreetly took the hanged victims and moved them away to give them the proper Christian burial they were denied. Did they manage to sneak them into this graveyard as their final resting place? No matter what the truth is, the cemetery is still steeped in spectral lore.
Legend has it that the spirits of the accused roam the cemetery, seeking justice and acknowledgment for the wrongs done to them. Visitors to Old Burying Point often speak of ghostly apparitions, strange lights, and the sensation of an otherworldly presence. The cemetery, with its weathered tombstones and ancient trees, exudes an atmosphere of haunting beauty and melancholy.
At the graveyard, the same story of a ghost of a woman in white is said to haunt as well. A specter of one of the accused and murdered woman haunting her grave? Attracted to the final resting place to the people who sentenced her to death?
The Ghost of the Judge Condemning the Salem Witches
Another one said to haunt this place is the ghost of Judge John Hathorne. He was asked to lead the trials and was harsh when questioning them all, convinced they were witches and in league with the devil. Among the locals he was known as the “hanging judge”, because of his tendency to send the accused to the gallows and abuse his power for his own gain.
At the Salem Witch Trials he accused seven months pregnant Sarah Proctor of being a witch, sending her to jail where her baby died a few days after being born. He sentenced her to death, leaving her 4 year old daughter an orphan. Before she died, local lore say that she cursed the Reverend Nicholas Noyes presiding over her execution. “You are a liar. I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life, God will give you blood to drink,”
Examination of a Witch: Painted in 1853 by T. H. Matteson, inspired by the Salem witch trials
Although falsely accused, one can almost wonder if the words uttered by Sarah Good ringed true for many of the ones in charge of her trial, as many of them are said to have died horrible deaths, like the Reverend who died of a hemorrhage that brought blood to his mouth. And the case with Judge Hathorn, who is said to have lingered in the world as a ghost.
His ghost is said to haunt the Old Burying Point Cemetery as well as the Witch House close by, made with the intention to keep witches and other paranormal creatures at bay. It used to belong to his friend, Jonathan Corwin. One can wonder how a ghost could step into a house like that, proving that the measures made to keep them out didn’t really work.
Honoring the Accused: A Shift in Perspective
In modern times, Salem has transformed its legacy from one of persecution to one of remembrance and education. The city now honors the memory of the accused witches, emphasizing their innocence and the tragedy of their unjust treatment. Each October, during the annual Salem Haunted Happenings festival, thousands flock to the city to remember the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial, located near Old Burying Point, serves as a poignant tribute to the 20 individuals who lost their lives. The memorial features 20 stone benches, each inscribed with the name of an accused person and the method of their execution, symbolizing the enduring need to remember and honor their stories.
The Enduring Haunt of Salem and the Witch Trials
The haunting legends of Gallows Hill and Old Burying Point serve as stark reminders of the horrors of the Salem Witch Trials. The echoes of the past are palpable in these hallowed grounds, where the spirits of the accused are said to linger, a testament to the enduring impact of fear, injustice, and human suffering. Today, Salem stands not only as a historical site but also as a beacon of reflection, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to resonate with future generations.
Now a part of southern folklore, the Bell Witch Haunting is still said to haunt the town of Adams in Tennessee. For years she was said to haunt the Bell family, but what was she really? A witch? Demon or ghost? A product of mass hysteria?
Deep in the misty woods of Adams, Tennessee, where the Cumberland River winds through the countryside, lurks one of America’s most chilling ghost stories—the legend of the Bell Witch. A tale whispered for over 200 years, this haunting legend is not merely folklore but a documented case of relentless paranormal activity that tormented the Bell family and left an entire town in fear.
With reports of eerie voices, poltergeist-like attacks, and a vengeful spirit with supernatural intelligence, the Bell Witch remains one of the most terrifying hauntings in American history. Although there definitely were more stories after the initial haunting, all the way up today, especially around the Bell Witch Cave, we will here focus more than the original haunting.
The Bell Family and Their Mysterious Torment
In 1804, John Bell and his family settled in Robertson County, Tennessee, purchasing a 320-acre farm in the quiet town of Adams by the Red River. Back then the Tennessee frontier was a wild place of dense forest and houses built miles away from each other. Originally a barrel maker, he married his wife, Lucy Williams in 1782 when she was twelve years old. Being born in 1750, he was 32.
The Bell Family: An illustration of the ninteenth century home of the Bell family of Red River (now Adams), TN. From the novel by M. V. Ingram, “The Authenticated History of the Bell Witch” published in 1894.
Who knows what their marriage was really like, but they certainly were prosperous. For years, the Bells lived peacefully, working their land and raising their nine children. But in 1817, their idyllic life took a sinister turn.
It started with strange noises—unexplained scratching at the walls, knocks in the dead of night, and the sound of chains dragging across the floors. The children reported hearing faint whispers, like a woman’s voice speaking just beyond comprehension.
Then came the sightings—shadowy figures lurking in the fields, flickering lights floating between the trees, and the apparition of a bizarre, half-animal creature with the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit seen by John Bell when he was out one day inspecting the corn field. He tried to shoot it. His son, Drew Bell claimed to see a strange bird on a fence that was much larger than anything else. The daughter, Betsy, saw a girl in a green dress, swinging from a limb of an oak tree by her neck.
Dean Confronts the Witch: 1894, An Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch: The Wonder of the 19th Century, and Unexplained Phenomenon of the Christian Era by M. V. Ingram
Dean, who was the Bell family’s slave, claimed to have seen a large black dog outside when he went to see his wife. The Bell Witch was said to have been particularly mean to the slaves the Bell family kept and refused them entry to the house. Dean was said to have been temporarily turned into a mule by the witch as well and always carried an ax with him.
BetsyBell: An artist’s drawing of Betsy Bell, done around 1894 and published in M. V. Ingram’s book about the Bell Witch.
Soon, the spirit made its presence undeniable, knocking on doors and walls, gnawing on their beds and the sound of chains on the floor. It spoke in clear words, tormented the Bell children, and took a particular interest in John Bell’s youngest daughter, Betsy. The unseen force would pull Betsy’s hair, slap her so hard it left handprints, and throw objects across the room in fits of rage. The activity increased a lot when Betsy became engaged to Joshua Garnder, another local. The witch started to chant: “Please Betsy please, don’t marry Joshua Gardner.” The harassment from the witch got so bad that she eventually called off the engagement in 1821. She instead ended up marrying her former schoolteacher, Powell in 1824.
Dean Turned into a Mule: 1894, An Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch: The Wonder of the 19th Century, and Unexplained Phenomenon of the Christian Era by M. V. Ingram
A Witch or Something Worse?
As the haunting escalated, the entity revealed itself in a chilling way—it could speak. It identified itself as “Kate,” a spirit who claimed to despise John Bell and vowed to end his life. But when asked if she was a witch, a demon, or something else entirely, she gave conflicting answers.
Sometimes, the spirit claimed to be the ghost of a wronged neighbor, Kate Batts, seeking vengeance for an old land dispute.
Kate Batts: said to be an unfriendly neighbor who claimed that John Bell had cheated her in a land purchase. Mary Catherine “Kate” Batts, the wife of Frederick Batts. Although not a poor woman, she was often mocked by others throughout the Red River Settlement in Robertson County. Her improper usage of words, along with her sometimes strange ways, led many to think she was practicing Black Magic or other forms of the occult. In fact, contrary to reports of her claiming that she would get even with John Bell on her deathbed, Kate Batts actually outlived John Bell by many years.
Other times, it said it was the soul of someone buried nearby or even a force older than human understanding. The Bell Witch seemed to possess knowledge of distant events, private conversations, and even future occurrences.
The strange things happening to the Bell family started spreading after James Johnston, a family friend, had stayed over. Soon many people started coming and challenging the witch to speak.
“I am a spirit; I was once very happy but have been disturbed.”
This is what the voice told them when they implored who it was. It said many things, like the disturbance was about the Native American burial mound on the property, although they didn’t really find anything when they looked. It also could recite sermons word for word and local gossip.
Even when an Englishman visited them, the voice took on a British accent, speaking to the man like his parents would. He wrote back to the Bell family later that the entity had really visited his family in England.
Their friend William Porter, claimed that the witch climbed into his bed and he tackled her, trying to throw it in the fire even. But the heavy weight and terrible smell coming from the spirit mad him unable to.
Burn the Witch: Illustration of William Porter attempting to burn the Bell Witch in his fireplace.
It wasn’t all poltergeist activity though, and Lucy, the wife of John Bell was said to be a perfect woman in the witches’ eyes. She would sing her hymns and give her fresh fruit.
Word of the Bell Witch spread beyond Tennessee, drawing the attention of curious townsfolk, traveling pastors, and even future president Andrew Jackson.
Andrew Jackson vs. The Bell Witch
One of the most famous parts of the legend, looking back, involves General Andrew Jackson, who later became the seventh President of the United States. Intrigued by the tales, Jackson supposedly traveled to Adams with a group of men, determined to confront the supernatural force himself.
As Jackson’s wagon approached the Bell farm, the horses suddenly froze in place, refusing to move forward. A sharp, disembodied voice rang out, taunting the men, and an invisible force pushed them back. That night, as they camped on the Bell property, Jackson’s men reported being slapped, scratched, and tormented by unseen hands. One soldier was thrown from his chair, and another ran screaming into the woods, claiming he was being chased by the witch herself.
The next morning, Jackson reportedly told his men, “By the eternal, boys, I never saw so much fun in all my life. This beats fighting the British.” Or his phrasing was: “I had rather face the entire British Army than to spend another night with the Bell Witch”. By sunrise, he and his men had left the scene, some say fled.
Although passed around as true, did Jackson really pay the Bell family a visit? His movement at the time was well documented, and there is no proof that he ever came to or even knew of the Bell family.
The Death of John Bell
As the years passed, the Bell Witch grew more aggressive toward John Bell. He suffered mysterious seizures, his health declined, as the witch taunted him, threatening to kill him. After years, he became completely bedridden. In 1820, he was found dead in his bed. Next to him was a vial of strange, dark liquid.
When the family offered the liquid to a cat, the animal died instantly. A triumphant voice echoed through the house: “I gave old Jack Bell the poison that killed him!”. There were also a lot of drinking songs that interrupted the mourners.
John Bell became the only person in history whose death was attributed to a spirit. The Bell family buried him, but the haunting did not end.
The Spirit’s Departure and the Curse on the Land
After John Bell’s death, the spirit gradually became less active, eventually telling the family it would leave—but would return in seven years. True to its word, strange occurrences resumed briefly in 1828, then faded again.
Read all: Check out all ghost stories connected to witches
To this day, the Bell Witch legend lingers over Adams, Tennessee. The land where the Bell farm once stood is believed to be cursed. A nearby cave, now called the Bell Witch Cave, is said to be a portal for the restless spirit. Visitors report hearing eerie laughter, whispers in the darkness, and feeling unseen hands push them as they explore its depths.
The Enduring Mystery of the Bell Witch
Unlike many ghost stories, the Bell Witch haunting was widely documented at the time it occurred. Numerous witnesses, including clergy, military officers, and politicians, attested to the events. The legend was passed down through generations, and in 1894, historian Martin Van Buren Ingram published An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch, that was the leading source material for the legends retelling, cementing the tale in American folklore.
What happened in those years? Some point to the symptoms of John Bell to a neurological disorder that they hadn’t discovered back then. By a strange coincidence, Bell’s palsy, discovered by Sir Charles Bell, describes John Bell’s symptoms pretty well, as he had temporary loss of control of his facial muscles among other things.
Both his symptoms as well as his death could be that of heavy metal poisoning, where arsenic has been put forth as the most likely substance. So was he poisoned over the years? By who? He was a fairly wealthy man and had quarrels with neighbors. He also held slaves that for years lived in fear. Poisoning has also historically been something wives did. And what about his daughter?
Other people pointed out that Betsy was the mastermind behind the haunting, even when she was alive. There were many rumours, one being that her father had molested her, although there really isn’t much proof. Many have put forward the theory that Betsy sounds like an example where a child or teenager is behind the poltergeist-like happenings.
Some say her husband, Powell was feeding her ideas, as he was believed to have an interest in the occult. She threatened lawsuits to those who proposed the idea and refused to talk about the witch with anyone other than her family. For the rest of her life she was afraid of sleeping alone.
It is also worth noting that the story came about in the period between the Second Great Awakening and the Spiritualism Movement. These movements were strong in this part of USA and spread through revivals and camp meetings for praying lasting for days. They experienced trance, spoke in tongues and other strange behaviour as a proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Something that in other settings would probably be called demonic possession. This concoction together with believing stories about witches, ghosts and demons put the perfect foundation for a poltergeist haunting like this.
The Future of the Bell Witch Legend
Skeptics argue that the haunting was exaggerated or even fabricated, but believers point to the sheer number of eyewitnesses and the unexplained phenomena that continue to this day.
Was the Bell Witch truly a vengeful ghost? A demonic entity? Or something beyond human comprehension? The truth may never be known. But one thing is certain—anyone who dares to visit Adams, Tennessee, might just hear the whisper of the Bell Witch calling their name. Amy Fluker, a researcher of the Mississippi version of the legend said: “As a historian of collective memory, it matters very little to my research if hauntings are real or not. It does matter that people believe they are. As a result, they can help us understand the perspectives, in this case, of 19th and 20th century Americans.”
On an eternal path to greet the baby Jesus, the Italian Christmas Witch, La Befana leaves candy for the children and a question to the grown ups: Who was she really, and could her origins be older than her own tradition perhaps?
The Befana comes by night With her shoes all tattered and torn She comes dressed in the Roman way Long live the Befana!
Italy, with its rich tapestry of folklore and traditions, adds a unique twist to the festive season with the legend of La Befana. This Christmas witch, who predates Santa Claus in Italian tradition, is a figure shrouded in mystery, magic, and a touch of spookiness.
La Befana: a custom in January in Rome”, Italian illustration from 1821 showing children and women at a market stall with a Befana figure.
The Legend of La Befana
La Befana is an old woman, often depicted as a witch with a broomstick, who visits children on the night of January 5th, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. According to Italian folklore, she flies through the night sky, delivering gifts to children much like Santa Claus does on Christmas Eve. However, La Befana’s tale is much older and imbued with a darker, more mystical aura.
The origins of La Befana’s legend are diverse and multifaceted, drawing from ancient Roman, pagan, and Christian traditions, sources going back as far as the eighth century. Some say it evolved from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia who symbolizes the new year and the seasonal cycles linked to agriculture, or relating to the harvest of the past year, now ready to be reborn as new.
The Goddess Strenua: a Sabine deity associated with the new year, purification, and health, was often depicted with a snake like the Roman God of medicine, Aesculapius. Her cult was introduced by the Sabine King Titus Tatius, and on new year’s day in ancient Rome, her image and branches of bay laurel from her sacred grove were carried in procession from her shrine to the Arx on the Capitoline Hill. The Romans included Strenua in the annual auspices, seeking her blessings for the coming year, and the ceremonies evolved to include the custom of exchanging gifts on the first day of the New Year, often laurel twigs symbolizing good health that were then burned as incense for Strenua.
Some believe that Strenua is the origin of “Befana”. In Italian folklore Befana is an old witch that flies around Italy on a broomstick and comes down chimneys on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) to deliver gifts.On the twelfth night after the winter solstice, the death and rebirth of nature was celebrated through Mother Nature . The Romans believed that in these twelve nights, female figures flew over the cultivated fields, to propitiate the fertility of future crops, hence the myth of the “flying” figure. According to some, this female figure was first identified in Diana , the lunar goddess not only linked to game, but also to vegetation, while according to others she was associated with a minor divinity called Sàtia (goddess of satiety), or Aboundia (goddess of abundance ). Another hypothesis would connect the Befana with an ancient Roman festival, which always took place in winter, in honor of Janus and Strenia (from which the term “strenna” also derives) and during which gifts were exchanged [9] .
One popular version of the story recounts that La Befana was approached by the Three Wise Men during their journey to find the newborn Jesus after the Betlehem appeared in the sky. They asked for directions, but La Befana, busy with her housework, initially refused to help. Later, feeling remorseful, she tried to find the Wise Men and the baby Jesus, bringing gifts for the child. Unable to find them, she continues to search for Jesus every year, leaving gifts for children in the hope that one of them might be the Christ child.
The Spooky Aspect of La Befana
While La Befana is generally seen as a benevolent figure, her appearance and certain aspects of her legend lend her a spooky, witch-like quality. Dressed in tattered clothes, with a soot-covered face from climbing down chimneys, La Befana’s witch-like appearance contrasts sharply with the jolly figure of Santa Claus.
Her annual visit is not without a touch of fear. Italian children believe that La Befana will leave a lump of coal or dark candy if they have been naughty, rather than the sweets and small gifts she bestows upon the well-behaved. The thought of a witch visiting their home in the dead of night can be as thrilling as it is terrifying for young children.
Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season
Moreover, the image of an old witch flying through the night sky, broomstick in hand, evokes classic Halloween imagery, adding a layer of spookiness to the festive season. The idea that she continues her eternal search for the Christ child, year after year, wandering the dark winter skies, gives her story a haunting, almost ghostly dimension.
La Befana’s Rituals and Traditions
In Italy, the arrival of La Befana is celebrated with various customs and traditions. On the night of January 5th, children hang stockings by the fireplace and leave out food and wine for La Befana, hoping to appease the witch and receive her blessings. The next morning, they eagerly check their stockings for gifts or coal, depending on their behavior over the past year.
Throughout Italy, especially in the regions of Rome and the surrounding Lazio area, towns and cities host Epiphany fairs and parades. Dolls are made of her and effigies are burnt and bonfires are often lit. One of the most famous celebrations takes place in Urbania, where thousands gather to celebrate La Befana with a grand festival featuring street performers, music, and, of course, the arrival of the Christmas witch herself.
La Befana in Modern Culture
Despite her spooky undertones, La Befana remains a beloved figure in Italian culture. She represents the blending of ancient traditions with modern festivities, embodying the spirit of both giving and penance. There is even a Viva la Befana in Roma at St. Peter’s Square in the mornings.
In recent years, La Befana has also become a symbol of female empowerment and independence, reflecting the strength and resilience of the old woman who braves the winter night alone. La Befana’s tale is a fascinating blend of whimsy, mystery, and a hint of spookiness. As Italy’s Christmas witch, she adds a unique and eerie charm to the festive season, reminding us that the magic of Christmas is not just about joy and light, but also about the mysteries that lurk in the shadows Her story continues to captivate and enchant, ensuring that the Christmas witch will remain an enduring part of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.
During the Christmas season, tales were told of Frau Perchta, who would visit people’s home and check if they had been good or bad. She would reward the good ones, but punish the bad ones by slicing their bellies open.
Christmas, a season synonymous with joy, love, and warmth, also harbors chilling legends that evoke a sense of fear and caution. Among these eerie tales is that of Frau Perchta, often known as the Alpine Goddess of Winter, The Belly Slitter and the Witch of Christmas, a figure from Alpine folklore whose story casts a dark shadow over the festive season. Known as the Christmas witch, Frau Perchta is a sinister counterpart to the more benign Christmas legends, embodying a blend of pagan and Christian traditions that make her one of the most terrifying characters of the holiday season.
Haunted Christmas Legend: Perechta and goat in the vicinity of Milevsko. Photographed by Štěpán Dvořák around 1910
The Origins of Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta’s legend is deeply rooted in the folklore of Austria, Germany, Slovenia and other Alpine regions. Her name, which varies in spelling and pronunciation, is believed to derive from the Old High German word “perht,” meaning “bright” or “shiny.” However, despite this seemingly benign name, Frau Perchta is far from a benevolent figure. She has been given many names, many being like Perchta, Bertha and sometimes she was known as Posterli,Quatemberca and Fronfastenweiber
Originally, Frau Perchta was a goddess of nature and fertility, associated with the cycles of life and the changing seasons probably stemming from Holda or Frija-Frigg. There are also connections to the women in white trope and belief from German pagan lore.
As Christianity spread through Europe, many pagan traditions and deities were transformed or demonized, and Frau Perchta’s image darkened significantly. Even Martin Luther mentioned her in a negative way. She became a figure of fear and moral retribution, known for her dual nature: rewarding the good and punishing the wicked.
Frigga Spinning the Clouds: Could the ugly witch of Christmas actually come from the legends about Frigga and or other fertility goddesses in pagan times? Many of the more monstrous and witch like characters in Christian folklore, often morphed goddesses like this to more evil and horrible characters.
The Dual Nature of Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta’s dual nature is central to her legend. On one hand, she is a kind and generous figure, rewarding those who have been good and industrious throughout the year, appearing beautiful and white as snow. On the twelfth night of Christmas, known as Epiphany or Perchtennacht, she would visit homes and leave a silver coin in the shoes of those who had completed their tasks and behaved well.
On the other hand, Frau Perchta is a fearsome and malevolent presence. She is often depicted as a haggard old woman with a beaked nose, dressed in rags and carrying a long knife hidden beneath her skirts. This darker aspect of her nature comes to the fore when she encounters those who have been lazy, disobedient, or dishonest.
The Spooky Tale of Frau Perchta
Perchta: Peruchty in Hrdly, Kingdom of Bohem 1910
The most chilling aspect of Frau Perchta’s legend is her method of punishment. According to the tales, Frau Perchta would enter homes on the twelfth night of Christmas to check if children and servants had worked hard and behaved well throughout the year. If she found them wanting, she would do more than just leave a lump of coal or a switch.
In the darkest versions of the legend, Frau Perchta would slit open the bellies of the lazy and deceitful, remove their internal organs, and stuff the cavity with straw, pebbles, or other harsh materials. This gruesome punishment was meant to serve as a dire warning to children and adults alike, ensuring they adhered to societal norms and performed their duties diligently.
That is the main core legend about her today, but there are many stories. Like about when she crashed a wedding she wasn’t invited to and cursed them all and transformed them into wolves.
Traveling the Wild Hunt of Twelve Days of Christmas
She is said to be more of a witch now, flying in the sky, attending the Wild Hunt together with the rest of the demonic forces of Christmas on Rauhnächte, the darkest night of the season. She is followed by her crowd of minions known as Perchten, said to be unbaptised children who died.
Read More: Check out all haunted legends from the Christmas Season
Today in some parts of Austria and Bavaria, there are processions called Perchtenlauft of Schönperchten and Schiachperchten, beautiful and ugly Perchtas during the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany. People are wearing masks, making noise and setting off fireworks.
Schiechperchten: Frau Perchta with her minions in her own parade known as Schiechperchten in St. Johann from 2017. // Source: Holger Uwe Schmitt/Wikimedia
You are supposed to leave her a little tribute as well and that varies from region to region. They gave her dumplings and herring in Central Germany’s Thuringia, a porridge of oats and herring called Perchtenmilch in parts of Austria, or eggs and more dumplings, left on the roof, in Tyrol.
So by Perctentag Eve on January the fifth, you better have your house in order and spinning done, if not, the christmas witch will come and get you.
The urban legend of Veronica Jaja is almost like the Spanish version of Bloody Mary. Say her name three times into the mirror and you will get a visit from the spirit behind the mirror. But why would you risk it as she is mostly there to take your life?
Veronica Jaja… …Veronica Jaja Veronica Jaja!
Say this name three times in a dark mirror and see what happens. Perhaps you will fall victim to the urban legend that claims to get the one that plays, dead.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain
This urban legend of Veronica Jaja seems to have come up pre internet in the early 20th century shares a lot in common with the Bloody Mary game and legend and is one of the Ghost in the Mirror games that is a legend about a ghost trapped inside of a mirror that can be summoned by uttering its name out loud a number of times.
According to the legend she is summoned after speaking her name 3 times into a mirror. Veronica Jaja will then appear and take your life. She comes as a dark figure and immediately starts to strangle those who summoned her, and she wont stop until she has killed them.
Those who do survive this ordeal though are said to be haunted by nightmares for their entire life.
According to the legend, there are plenty that summoned Veronica Jaja for fun, only for it to be the last thing they did. It is said that more than one have been found dead in their bedroom without sign of struggle.
The Girl who Played with the Occult
But who is this Veronica that is summoned through the mirror? There are variant legends. One of them is that Veronica was a young girl herself that god mixed up in the supernatural. She was a teenage girl that played around with something she shouldn’t have, most often it is said that was a ouija board.
Through her careless game with the occult she managed to invoke some evil spirits and the next day she was found dead. Because of her lack of respect she became trapped between the world of the living and dead and became the very thing she tried to play around with.
The Girl with the Beautiful Hair
Another version was that she was a vain girl with wonderful hair she brushed a hundred times every day. All she cared about was her hair, and she loved to stare at it in her mirror.
One day a man hid in her closet to play a prank on the girl with the beautiful hair. When she sat in front of her mirror and brushed her hair, he came out and held her mouth with a handkerchief so she wouldn’t scream. Then he cut off all of her precious hair.
She was too distraught to look at herself in the mirror without her hair after the attack. Because of her trauma she killed herself. In this version she can be summoned by looking in the mirror while brushing your hair 100 times as you summon her spirit by calling out her name three times.
Connected with a real case?
The many variations of the Veronica Jaja game can remind a lot of what happened to the real Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro. She was a teenage girl that was found dead in her home without an explanation in 1991 in Madrid, before the growth of the urban legend of Veronica Jaja throughout the 90s.
According to her parents they blamed it on her fondness of the occult and it was said that she had played the ouija board game not long before her death as a way to contact her friend’s boyfriend that had died in a motorbike accident.
Seeing that many variations of the urban legend started to circulate in the late 90s, it is highly likely that these two things are connected. It was made into a movie based on her death and strange circumstances around it named: Veronica.
Veronica Jaja the Witch
There is however, a long history concerning these so-called ghosts in the mirror, and there are those stories that predate the death of Estefanía Gutierrez Lázaro in the 1990s and we did have several stories about the ghost in the mirrors long before the 90s as well.
In this version her origin is much more vague and a lot older. She is sometimes called a daughter of Satan or a witch that was burned at the stakes centuries ago.
Some variations of the legend centers around a young woman named Veronica Jaja from northern Spain, who was accused of practicing dark magic and witchcraft and burnt to death for her crimes.
During the Spanish Inquisition, thousands of men and women were accused of practicing witchcraft and sorcery, like in the case of the Basque Witch Trials or the Witches of Zugarramurdi case that happened in Northern Spain. The fear of the supernatural and the unknown led to mass hysteria, with innocent individuals being persecuted and executed.
The witch trials served as a backdrop for the creation of many urban legends, including the Veronica Jaja legend. The tales of witches and their alleged powers became ingrained in the collective consciousness of the Spanish people, giving rise to stories that would be passed down through generations.
Popular Variations and Retellings of the Veronica Jaja Urban Legend
Over the years, the Veronica Jaja urban legend has evolved and taken on various forms. Different versions of the story have emerged, each with its own unique twists and turns. One popular variation of the legend tells that if you say her name 5 times it will make her more powerful and make her appearance more likely to happen.
There are also those that swear to say her name backwards or in reverse order will also help those that desperately need her.
Similar Urban Legends from Around the World
While the Veronica Jaja urban legend may be unique to Spain, similar tales can be found in different cultures around the world.
The closest one is probably the Bloody Mary legend, and this too seems to have roots to much older history, tracing back to Tudor times in Britain with the Mary Queen of Scots who were known to have burnt countless people on the stakes to earn her name. But also with this legend, there are now so many variants that sometimes even cross over with each other and it is difficult to claim what came first
In Japan, there is the legend of Hanako-san, a ghostly figure who haunts the school bathrooms. Like Veronica Jaja, Hanako-san is said to appear when summoned, bringing fear and unease to those who dare to invoke her name.
The Ghost in the Mirrors
As we come to the end of our exploration of the Veronica Jaja urban legend, one thing becomes clear – the enduring allure of urban legends. These tales of mystery and intrigue have captivated our imaginations for centuries, allowing us to escape into a world of the unknown. The Veronica Jaja legend, with its dark origins and chilling retellings, continues to fascinate and intrigue, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the human fascination with the supernatural.
So, the next time you find yourself in front of a mirror, take a moment to ponder the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. Who knows what secrets and legends may be waiting to be discovered?
According to local legend, the entire stretch of the National Highway 66, formerly known as NH17 in India, is haunted. Travelers are warned about not carrying meat with them, as it is said to attract blood thirsty witches.
The National Highway 66
Travelers beware: NH17, the Mumbai-Goa highway, is more than just a scenic route; it is a stretch of road cloaked in dark legends and eerie encounters. This notorious highway stretching for 1640 kilometers from Mumbai along the coast through five states to Goa. Today it is under the name,
The National Highway 66 as it is called today is cutting through the lush landscapes of western India and if we are to believe the legends, the highway is whispered to be haunted by a coven of witches with an insatiable hunger for meat.
As the sun sets and the tropical darkness envelops the road, these spectral entities are said to emerge, prowling the The National Highway 66 in search of their next prey.
Flesh Praying Witches
So where does this peculiar legend come from? It is not often you hear about witches accumulating around the highways, although, India seems to have plenty of roads thought to be haunted. What type of witches they are not often specified. Are they spirits, are they even human?
Local lore advises against carrying non-vegetarian food items while traveling along NH17, particularly after midnight. The presence of meat is believed to draw the witches, triggering a series of terrifying events. Witnesses have recounted how their vehicles, otherwise in perfect working order, have inexplicably stalled or veered out of control as they passed through the most haunted stretches of the highway.
The Legend of the Couple on the Road
The most relayed legend is about a couple that was driving to Goa after midnight, when something went wrong. Their headlights started acting up, flickering and the car gave some strange sounds as it was something wrong with it.
They pulled to the side and went out of the car to check. When they exited the car, the doors locked automatically behind them, and although they tried their best, they were unable to get back in.
Black smoke started to seep out from the car and the doors unlocked themselves. When they checked the car, all their food was gone. That is when the woman screamed and when the man went to check on her, she had scratches on her face.
Quickly they jumped in the car and sped away. First after they got to their destination and told about what happened, they understood what had happened. They had been carrying meat, something that would attract the witches.
The National Highway 66 and the Haunting
But exactly where does this happen, because after all, it is a very long stretch of road through five states. The story about the witches is especially said to happen around Kashedi Ghat, a mountain pass along The National Highway 66 near Poladpur with a deadly dangerous curve, perhaps the worst one in Maharashtra, the neighboring state to Goa.
Read also: Check out more stories from Haunted Roads around the world
This particular piece of stretch is every driver’s nightmare with its twists and bends. Many stories about people seeing apparitions on The National Highway 66 as well as thinking that they have fallen into a loop where they cross the same place again and again are many. Even the the road traffic police have reported about the strange things that are said to happen on this road.
These stories have been told for decades by now, and it seems like some of the locals still think it is best to just take their precaution as the witches is seemingly going no where. Travelers, take heed: if you must journey down this path, leave your meat behind, lest you become the next victim of the witches’ nocturnal hunt.
The cult classic Practical Magic is a movie about witches, spells and curses. But did you know that a witch actually cursed the film production when they worked on it? And did you know there is going to be a sequel about the family of witches?
The 1998 cult classic Practical Magic is not just a beloved witchy film—it also has an eerily enchanting history behind its production. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, the film tells the story of two witch sisters navigating love, loss, and a family curse. With an all-star cast, including Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, Practical Magic was filmed at the height of late 90s nostalgia for magical and supernatural tales.
Read Also: Check out all haunted stories from the USA.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film features the characters enjoying “Midnight Margaritas,” a spontaneous, tequila-fueled bonding session. Behind the scenes, the cast really did get tipsy on the cheap tequila Nicole Kidman had brought on set, leading to authentic moments of tipsy joy that made it into the final cut.
Midnight Margaritas: The booze in the Margarita was real tequila. Were the curses in the movie real as well? If we are to believe the stories, the witch consultant really did leave a curse on the whole movie.
In addition to boozy fun, Practical Magic became an unexpected sisterhood for the actresses. Though the film was directed by Griffin Dunne, a man, the female cast formed a powerful, almost mystical bond. As Kidman recalled, they synced their menstrual cycles during a full moon while filming, teasing Dunne that they might soon “turn on him.”
Musically, the film drew on the talents of self-proclaimed witch and Fleetwood Mac legend, Stevie Nicks. Nicks not only contributed her song “If You Ever Did Believe” to the film but also re-recorded her classic “Crystal,” both featuring Sheryl Crow.
Yet, what many don’t know is that the film’s making was just as otherworldly as its plot.
Was Practical Magic a Haunted Set?
Behind the camera Practical Magic was plagued by darker forces as well as in front of it is we are to believe the rumors.
Stories about supernatural occurrences circulated during filming from both cast and crew. Cast members reported eerie noises, especially during the climactic coven scene at the film’s end, raising suspicions that the fictional witchcraft may have stirred something real.
As the director said: “It’s something I will talk about now, but at the time I would sort of deny it. I didn’t want the vibe. As the line from the movie that Aidan has [goes], “I didn’t want to give the curse any strength.” Not that I believed in it. But if you believe in it, you’re giving it strength.”
So was the movie set really haunted, or was it simply the witchy vibe of the set something to the atmosphere. The scariest thing by far was when the witch consultant they had hired cursed the entire movie, as well as the director when they didn’t give into her demands.
The Exorcism Scene: The scene where the witches gathered for a huge spell was thought to bring with it a strange atmosphere people borderline chucked up to a paranormal one.
The Witch Consultant’s Curse
Originally brought on to help ensure the accuracy of the film’s portrayal of magic, things took a sinister turn with the witch consultant they had hired. They had hired the witch through a friend of the director put them in touch with. The friend has never stopped apologizing for the introduction because of how badly it ended, according to the director.
Read More: Check out all stories concerning Witches
The witch was, according to the director, paid very handsomely by Warner Brothers for her consulting on spells and such. The director thought it would be fun to bring her out to Los Angeles where they were filming a lot of the movie. They wanted to put her in a nice hotel as he wanted her to meet Bullock and Kidman, who were dying to meet her.
The Owen Sisters: Nichole Kidman and Sandra Bullock played the sisters in the movie. In the plot, the sisters are cursed as well, and any man who loves them or they love will die.
This all greatly backfired though as the witch got offended. She said to the producer in a phone call: “I’m going to put a curse on you. I’m putting a curse on this movie, and I’m putting a curse on Griffin.”
She wanted three gross points of the profit the movie would make as well as the right to publish a Practical Magic cookbook. She also left an ominous voicemail as well to Griffith: “There is a land of curses!” and started to speak in tongue on a voicemail before threatening to sue Warner Bros as well.
Griffith brought the recording to the legal department and played the curse for them. Only halfway through they stopped the tape and wrote her a check.
A New Age Exorcism for a New Age Movie
The threat of the curse rattled the crew, especially when tragedy struck: a crew member’s father died suddenly. Though he was elderly and already ill, many on set believed it was the witch’s doing. In response, Griffin Dunne arranged a New Age exorcism to cleanse the set.
“It was a very simple, New Agey ceremony that was about as silly as the idea that someone would curse you over the phone,” he told Vulture when he talked about the whole ordeal. “It was mostly chants and smoke and shit like that. “I just did it to cover my bases.”
Though he admitted it was “silly,” the ritual provided some comfort, and filming continued without further incident. The incident did however inspire the creator of the movie to write one of Aidens lines: “Curses only have power when you believe them.”
Critic Reviews and the Supernatural Vibe
Despite the fun behind-the-scenes stories, Practical Magic wasn’t initially well-received. Critics like Roger Ebert and Entertainment Weekly panned the film, calling it “muddled” and “cursed,” as if the alleged witch’s hex truly took hold of the production and made it to as badly as it did on the box office. In fact, it was the last feature film the director did for ages, and he said it certainly didn’t help his career.
However, over the years, the film gained a cult following, embraced for its charming mix of romance, sisterhood, and spooky magic. Today the movie is considered a classis by many, a thing put on every fall to get you in the spooky October mood.
As if continuing the magic of the original, in 2024, news broke that both Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman would return for a much-anticipated sequel. The announcement reignited fan excitement and speculation that the witchy energy from the first film might soon stir again. But the question is: how would a sequel fare if there truly is something like a curse put on the production?
At the old marketplace in Barcelona Mercat de Santa Caterina there are stories about the devil that made an appearance after witches used to congregate on this place for black masses.
Barcelona, a city steeped in history and rich in culture, has its fair share of haunted tales. Among the many haunted locations, Santa Caterina Haunted Market stands out as one of the most intriguing.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain
The city’s turbulent past, marked by wars, plagues, and religious conflicts, has left an indelible imprint on its architecture and folklore. Barcelona’s ancient buildings and narrow streets seem to hold the secrets of a bygone era, and whispers of the past still echo through its cobblestone alleyways. From the Gothic Quarter to the Montjuïc Castle, stories of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena abound. This is also the case with the Santa Caterina Haunted Market that truly captures the imagination, drawing in thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike.
Mercat de Santa Caterina: The old traditional marked in Barcelona was once thought to be the place were witches met to hold black masses and where the devil himself made an appearance. //Source:Enric/Wikimedia
Santa Caterina Market, located in the heart of Barcelona, has a history that dates back over eight centuries. Let’s explore the significance of this market and how it became entwined with the supernatural.
The History and Significance of Mercat de Santa Caterina
This old market of Mercat de Santa Caterina dates back to 1845, but its history is even longer. It was built on top of the Convent of Santa Caterina from 1243. The Spanish government confiscated all of the church property in 1836, and the church itself was demolished only a year after.
Mercat de Santa Caterina was the first market in Barcelona with a roof over its head. Before it got the new colorful roof it is known for today, it was a rattling one, that made violent sounds, scared children and it happened that the tile or ceramic flew off during the worst storms. People started to talk about that it was something else than the wind that made the sounds and rattling, and in these stories, even the devil himself made an appearance.
The Roof: The Santa Caterina Market is clearly visible now with its colored roof. //Source: Fred Romero/Wikimedia
Local folklore and beliefs surrounding the haunted market
The Santa Caterina Haunted Market has long been shrouded in local folklore and beliefs. Barcelona’s residents have passed down tales of supernatural occurrences and strange happenings for generations, creating a rich tapestry of ghost stories and legends. The market’s proximity to the ancient Convent of Santa Caterina only adds to its mystique, as many believe that the spirits of the nuns who once resided there still roam the halls.
Among the many haunting legends and ghost stories associated with the Santa Caterina Haunted Market, one tale stands out as particularly spine-chilling. According to local lore, the market was once the site of a black mass for witches, with the devil himself making an appearance according to numerous witnesses.
Local lore claimed that whenever the Devil passed through Barcelona, he would make a visit to this place at midnight. It is said that during these dark ceremonies, the witches would invoke supernatural forces and perform rituals to harness their power.
The ancient Halloween celebration of Hop-tu-Naa on the Isle of Man has a lot of the old celtic traditions. They also sing about Jinny the Witch, a woman tried for witchcraft centuries ago.
Around the world there are many versions of celebrating the day of the dead and on the British Isles you’ll find many versions stemming from the Celtic Samhain celebrations that turned into the modern Halloween. One the remote Isle of Man, one of them is the Hop-tu-Naa.
Hop-tu-Naa is the traditional Celtic festival celebrated on the Isle of Man every October 31st, marking the beginning of winter and believed to be the oldest unbroken tradition on the island. Rooted in the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, Hop-tu-Naa was originally a time when people believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest, allowing spirits to roam.
Hop-tu-naa turnip: Intricate designs of carved turnips have become an essential part of the celebration. //Source: Wikimedia
The Celtic Legacy on the Isle of Man
The Manx name for the holiday is Oie Houney. The Manx people is the Gaelic ethnic group from the Isle of Man that once ruled the Norse-Gaelic The Kingdom of the Isles and the Gaelic Dál Riata on the western seaboard of Scotland and north-eastern Ireland and Isle of Man is considered one of the six Celtic Kingdoms.
The term Hop-tu-naa is from one of the songs they sing during the festival. The term is pure nonsense, and just meant to rhyme.
Traditions of the Hop-tu-naa
As mentioned, this celebration is singing central, coming from the tradition when waist or mummers went from house to house to perform for gifts, much like the modern Trick or Treating. There is also a traditional Manx Hop-tu-Naa dance, a sort of simple processional dance.
One of the traditional songs that children sing references Jinny the Witch, a local figure in Manx folklore, adding a unique touch of spooky folklore to the festival. According to Hampton Creer, Jinny’s real name was Joney Lowney from Braddan. She was a poor woman who used to beg her neighbors for food. According to the locals, bad luck followed those who refused her because of her proficiency in black magic.
She was tried at Bishop’s Court for witchcraft in 1715 and 1716 where her “crime” was stopping the Ballaughton Corn Mill because she was furious about the poor quality of the grain and told the miller. After she had yelled at him, it is said that his machinery mysteriously stopped working.
The locals thought she had cursed the mill and she was put on trial for witchcraft. She was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment, fined £3 and made to stand at the four market crosses dressed in sackcloth.
In Scotland she may very well have been burn at the stake, but here she lived on for years. One of the many variations of her song goes like this:
Hop-tu-Naa My mother’s gone away And she won’t be back until the morning Jinnie the Witch flew over the house To fetch the stick to lather the mouse Hop-tu-Naa My mother’s gone away And she won’t be back until the morning Hop-tu-Naa, Traa-la-laa
Turnip Lanterns
You also had the jack-o-lanterns, or moots, a tradition of putting light inside of carved turnips for the performers and to ward off evil spirits. Although much of the tradition dates back centuries, it seems this tradition dates back to the early 1900s.
The modern version of Hop-tu-Naa has children dressing up, carrying these lanterns and going from house to house for sweets. Now the focus is on how they carve the turnips, but in the past the children would bring the stumps and batter the doors of those who didn’t want to give them money or sweets.
There’s also a strong focus on seasonal foods, with dishes like “mrastyr,” a mixture of potatoes, parsnips, and fish, traditionally prepared for the night. Any remaining left overs were left outside for the fairies as offerings. They would also set fire to gorse to ward off bad faeries
Power of Divination on Hollantide
As with many of the first day of winter festivals from the British Isles, another central part of the celebration is divination and predicting the future for the coming year. This was because the veil between the worlds was thinnest this night. One tradition involved smoothing out fireplace ashes before bed to see the imprint of a foot in the morning—if the footprint pointed outward, it foretold death, but if inward, it indicated a birth.
Another ritual involved making a “Dumb Cake” (Soddag Valloo) in silence, with young women participating. They would bake the cake on the hearth, eat it quietly, and go to bed walking backwards, hoping to dream of their future husband, who would offer them water in the vision.
Other forms of divination included stealing and roasting a salt herring in silence or holding water and salt while listening to a neighbor’s conversation to divine a future spouse’s name. Some also thought stealing the neighbors herring would tell the future.
Today, Hop-tu-Naa is still celebrated on the Isle of Man with a mixture of ancient customs, turnip carving, and an eerie blend of folklore, continuing to connect modern Manx culture to its deep Celtic roots. The festival’s mysterious and supernatural elements, combined with its long-standing traditions, make it a hauntingly unique way to mark the arrival of winter.
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
