The Devil, Probably? (Ian Holm & Noah Taylor in Simon Magus, 1999)‘Gnostic’ Practices of Simon Magus I’m only going to touch on the whys and wherefores of the ‘Gnostic’ practices of the Simon Magus, 1st century AD Christian/Zoroastrian mage who supposedly had a run in with Saints Peter & Paul in Nero’s Rome. Briefly: Simon was a Samaritan ‘magus’ or religious figure and a convert to Christianity, baptised by Philip the Evangelist; the act of simony, or paying for position, is named after him, as he tried to buy his way into the power of the Apostles. He is described in the New Testamen ..read more

All You Need is Death (2024)ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH: “an essential addition to the folk horror canon” As well as my various activities as a writer/commentator and novelist, I'm currently co-director of development for movie/TV production company 1185 Films, who have the Irish Folk Horror film ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH released this year. Paul Duane’s forthcoming All You Need is Death, meanwhile, pulls mythology and superstition into the contemporary sphere by telling the story of a young couple, Anna and Aleks, who collect old folk ballads to sell to collectors. When they secretly rec ..read more

Energy vampires wander among us but most of the time, we are unaware of them. So, how can we tell them apart? And more importantly, how do we protect ourselves from energy vampires? Identifying Energy Vampires Energy vampires are usually extremely friendly, meaning most people draw to them. So, they can come across as being very popular and have lots of friends. However, as you get to know them, you will notice that people quickly change towards the energy vampire. You will see people trying to avoid them or looking worn out once they spend time with them. People who aggravate you may also be ..read more

Editorial Note: PDN is proud to welcome Conner Gossel to the Team. He will be heading our historical research into haunted homes and places. You will be seeing much more of his haunting work from now on. Welcome, Conner! Welcome Conner Tennessee has always been a deceptive destination for those involved in the paranormal community. Shrouded in a sprawling expanse of forestry that is the Rocky Mountains, and divided by the seemingly endless network of rivers that dissect the land, the state has a tendency to appear untouched by civilization. If one takes the time to look closer though, beyond t ..read more

Whenever people think of creepy hauntings or grizzly tales, references to decrepit graveyards or famous war sites are often made. Other popular locations for all things spine-tingling are Victorian manors and desolate farmhouses. Unsurprisingly, medieval castles and eerie forests are also favorites for housing a spook or two. All over the world, morbid history and blood-chilling tales have been attached to homes of all shapes and sizes and even land. But what about lighthouses? Most people will struggle to think of a haunted lighthouse; it isn’t difficult to see why. Lighthouses sit quietly, p ..read more

I’m a fan of American professional football. Last year I was following my home team when the team experienced a huge shift in their scoring late in the season due to the sudden emergence of a very talented young player. And suddenly I was looking at the type of controversy I normally only see associated with the paranormal. Things weren’t the way they were supposed to be. Expectations had been shattered. And the kind of reactions I witnessed were all too familiar to me. So here’s what you need to know in order to understand the controversy. (I’m addressing a very specific time frame here, up t ..read more

John Reinhard Weguelin–The Roman Saturnalia (1884): Wikimedia CommonsThe Boisterous Birth of Many Holiday Traditions A look at the traditions and tales of the feast of Saturn or “Saturnalia”, which was was celebrated from approximately December 17th through the 23rd. This boisterous festival birthed many of our own holiday traditions such as feasting, snogging under the mistletoe, lighting candles, wearing silly hats, exchanging gifts and the occasional orgy/knee-trembler. Masters waited on their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike; there was also the ..read more

Native American, Mayan, Aztec and many other indigenous cultures tell us of the legendary 13 crystal skulls that are believed to be scattered throughout the world and possess important information for humankind. It is prophesied that when the 13 skulls are reunited, this significant event will mark a transformational turning point for humankind. But it will only happen if the human race is developed enough to receive this information. Most crystal skulls that have been found are carved from whole quartz crystals and are either clear, smoky, or colorful in appearance. The skulls vary in size, s ..read more

Montague Rhodes James (Wikipedia Commons)BBC Christmas Ghost Stories During the 1970s, UK national broadcaster BBC One would broadcast the special Ghost Story for Christmas Series during the holiday season; usually one of M.R James’ chilling tales, but also Dickens (The Signalman) and Le Fanu (Schalcken the Painter). The tradition was revived in 2005 with sporadic stories, thence becoming a more regular event under the aegis of writer/director/actor Mark Gatiss (Sherlock/The League of Gentlemen/Dracula). BBC Two’s 2023 Christmas offering is an adaptation of Arthur Conan-Doyle’s ‘Egyptomania’ h ..read more

Dowsing emerges as a captivating connection, bridging the gap between the visible and the invisible within a realm teeming with hidden energies and uncharted potentials. This ancient practice, shrouded in mystery and enriched by tradition, finds a vibrant warrior in an individual who is renowned in the field. His name is Raymon Grace—a man who has become synonymous with the art and power of dowsing. Grace wields his tools with mastery and possesses a treasure trove of captivating stories, which not only unveil the Earth's mysteries but also unleash the dormant potential within each individual ..read more