Jack-o’-Lantern Magic

IF you celebrate Halloween or its coinciding pagan festival Samhain (pronounced sow-in), you probably associate this time of year with traditional macabre symbols, like witches in black garb with pointy hats, ghosts and skeletons, black cats and spiders, bubbling cauldrons and broomsticks, and perhaps most famously, the jack-o’-lantern. For many folks, the jack-o’-lantern is the

El Chupacabra: Legend, Sightings & Facts

What lurks in the shadows, bearing red eyes and a thirst for blood? The name “Chupacabra,” or “goat sucker” in English, may sound whimsical, but for many in Latin America and the southwestern United States, it’s a word that evokes fear, curiosity and disbelief. With the bloodsucking monster’s mysterious origins, conflicting descriptions and the chilling

The 1,000-year-old citadel that rises out of the Atlantic Ocean

Exactly 1,000 years ago this month, construction started on a magnificent island building off the coast of France that, as it rose improbably from the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, would become a lasting symbol of national fortitude. The medieval abbey atop Mont Saint-Michel, a cascade of walls and buttresses descending from a lofty

Medieval ‘vampire’ unearthed with sickle across her throat to stop her rising from the dead

The extraordinary remains of a supposed ‘vampire’ have been uncovered at an archaeological site in Poland. Experts found the female body with a sickle across its throat, pinning it to the ground. ‘The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get

August’s Sturgeon Moon Gives Every Zodiac Sign an Opportunity For Gratitude

August may be a time for enjoying the summer sun, but it’s also a time to appreciate the sturgeon moon, which presents a time to practice gratitude for what you have, where you’ve come from, and the nature all around you. The August 2022 full moon is also the final supermoon of the year, which

May Birthstone: The Emerald

The May birthstone, emerald, was a favorite of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Its rich green color has made it a sought-after gem for jewelry and for centuries, it has been thought to possess healing powers and reduce stress. Learn all about the emerald’s history, meaning, and symbolism! Emerald’s Color Perhaps you recall The Emerald City

Chinese New Year: How to Grow Lucky Bamboo

For Chinese New Year (or any other time of year), an auspicious gift is a lucky bamboo plant. Learn the meaning behind lucky bamboo and get some helpful growing tips! What Is Lucky Bamboo? Did you know that the plant we commonly call “lucky bamboo” isn’t a type of bamboo at all? Despite its appearance,

Bigfoot finds fame in Hocking Hills

LOGAN — He’s everywhere: in yards, on T-shirts, mugs, stickers and even tail lights. He’s big, hairy and sometimes frightening — and he may not even exist. Though elusive, he, she or it is Bigfoot — and has become somewhat of an unofficial symbol of the Hocking Hills. According to data from Bigfoot Field Researchers

The Real Reason Strawberries Are Associated With Valentine’s Day

Every mainstream holiday has some candy or treat representing it. Christmas has candy canes, Halloween has candy corn, and Valentine’s Day has chocolate-covered strawberries. Perfect when paired alongside a bouquet of roses, or just pretty darn good on their own, it’s a great quick last-minute gift, too. Plump and juicy red berries are generally dunked in

The Legend of the Poinsettia as a Christmas Plant

How did a tropical plant became an unlikely symbol of the Christmas holiday? The history of the poinsettia begins with an old Mexican legend and, later, a major American business venture. Discover the legend of the poinsettia! You say poin-set-ee-uh, I say poin-set-uh—but let’s call the whole thing off because the name of the ubiquitous