Paranormal Q and A: What type of scientist are you? How do your peers feel about your medium work?

Each week, I'll answer a question about the paranormal, whether a general question, or one about human or animal ghosts (Earthbound) or spirits (crossed over). Here's this week's question:

 QUESTION: What type of scientist are you? How do your peers feel about your medium work? 

 ANSWER: I'm a meteorologist. I don't talk about my gift with fellow scientists, but the ones that do know "get it" that it's all about energy! I think that once science catches up with the paranormal, it will just be considered normal!

 For Rob Gutro's 6 books on the paranormal, visit: www.amazon.com. All of Rob's books were written to help explain the paranormal, and teach readers how to find signs from spirit.

A Haunting Word and History: Taphephobia, Witch Trials, Malleus Maleficarum

In today's blog, you'll learn a haunted word, get a short lesson on the Witch Trials and find out what Malleus Maleficarum means. 

he central figure in this 1876 illustration of the courtroom is usually identified as Mary Walcott.

 Being a paranormal author, I came across a word that describes a serious fear about a gruesome death, that many people suffered throughout history, especially those accused wrongly of being "witches." 

HAUNTING WORD OF THE DAY:   taphephobia

[taf-uh-foh-bee-uh] 

noun, Psychiatry.

1.  an abnormal fear of being buried alive.

Sadly, throughout history and in Europe and America, people were burned at the stake for witchcraft. The witches were accused by religious people who claimed the witches made deals with the devil.

 

Suspected Witches Burned Alive in Kenya (UK Daily Mail)

Apparently it still happens in countries like Kenya. According to an article in the U.K. Daily Mail on Nov. 4, 2012, in 2009 there was an uproar after a video emerged on the internet showing five people burned in the village of Nyamataro, Kisii, in the east of Kenya, over witchcraft allegations. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227693/Elderly-Kenyans-burned-alive-witches-refusing-desirable-coastline-land.html#ixzz3pgL9qFr5

 

A Look at History of Burning Witches at a Stake:  In the U.S. the town of Salem, Massachusetts became infamous for its witch trials, but the accusations went back hundreds of years before that in Europe.

SALEM WITCH TRIALS:  The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of 20 people, most of them women, and with some of their families murdered after their persecution. 

  Historians agree that the episode is one of the nation's most notorious cases of mass hysteria, and has been used in political rhetoric and popular literature as a vivid cautionary tale about the dangers of isolationism, religious extremism, false accusations and lapses in due process.  LEARN MORE at the Salem Witch Museum: https://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/ 

  (I've been there- and it's a fascinating and twisted history)

 

A LOOK AT EUROPEAN HISTORY: 

Malleus Maleficarum, Swiss Inquisition, Pope`s Guard, Templars & Burning "Witches"

WHAT WAS the Malleus Maleficarum?

The Malleus Maleficarum (1486) is the best known of the witch-hunt manuals. It was first submitted to the University of Cologne on May 9th, 1487.  While general consensus is that The Catholic Church banned the book in 1490 by placing it on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (“List of Prohibited Books”), the first Index was, in fact, produced in 1559 under the direction of Pope Paul IV. MORE: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/ 

 

Questions about the Paranormal? For answers about many questions you may have about ghosts, spirits or the afterlife, check out my book "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" by Rob Gutro. I wrote the book to answer all questions on the paranormal, and used personal experiences or shared stories to convey answers to questions and provide proof. 

  Available on Amazon.com in paperback and E-book

Haunted U.K.: The Isle of Man's Castle Rushen

 This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

This photo of Isle of Man is courtesy of Tripadvisor

CASTLE RUSHEN

It was a short visit, so the only place we saw at the Isle of Man was the medieval Castle Rushen.  Castle Rushen is located at the historic capital Castletown.  The castle is used as a museum and education center.  This castle was built in 1200.  It was built for the last Norse King of Man who died in 1266. Robert the Bruce destroyed part of the castle in 1313 during his siege.  Sir William de Montacute in 1344 rebuilt the castle and brought the castle back to it’s former glory.  One of the reasons why I wanted to visit this castle, because I heard about the mysterious Gray Lady.  According to legend, the townsfolk believe she killed her son.  She was arrested for murder.  She was tried and found guilty.  The people of the town hung her.  After she was executed, the townsfolk learned that her son had actually died of natural causes.  Now the ghost of the Gray Lady is seen walking with her ghostly son on the drawbridge.  I heard about the legend of the Gray Lady and was fascinated by the story.  Special Note: Castle Rushen served as a prison and executions took place at this castle.  Other ghosts seen at this castle have the following names: White Lady, Rose, and the Woman in Black. There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering.  Tourists have named this male spirit Sune, because a United Kingdom ghost hunter claims that he asked the spirit its name and captured a deep male voice saying “Sune”.  So it appears that this male ghost has been identified. 

Haunted U.K.: The Isle of Man's Milntown

This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

(Photo: MIlntown. Credit: https://www.visitisleofman.com/experience/milntown-house-tours-p1292351) 

MILNTOWN

Milntown is a historic house on Lezayre Road, just outside of Ramsey. It has extensive gardens and a restaurant. The main part of the house is said to be where the ghosts sightings have been and it’s reported to be the most haunted house on the Isle of Man! There are two main ghosts that have been reported here, the former lady of the house (known as the Milntown Lady) and the other is a malevolent, aggressive spirit who likes to frighten visitors (known as the Narky Poltergeist).  

About Milntown from Visit Isle of Man.com

The Christian Family lived at Milntown since at least the early 16th century and parts of the house date from that period. During the seventeenth century extensive alterations and additions were made. After this period the Christians moved to Cumberland and let the house out to tenants, but in 1830 Deemster John Christian returned to live in Milntown after having the mansion house redesigned to substantially the condition in which it appears today and as shown in this photo.

Following the death of William Bell Christian in 1886, the house was run first as a private school by his widow, Vio, and their two daughters, Rita and May; and then as a hotel. It reverted to being a family home when Charles Peel Yates (of Yates’ Wine Lodges) bought it in 1947.

The interior of the house is as decorated and furnished by Lady Edwards and her son Sir Clive prior to his death in 1999 but there are still many features dating from Deemster Christian’s 1830 refurbishment and earlier periods. The front of the house includes the coats of arms of The Christian Family and that of Sir Clive Edwards and is in the Gothic Revival style and dates from the early 1830s.

Ghosts and smugglers and the First and Last pub at the end of Britain

I've been to England twice and each time I visited I encountered a lot of ghosts who stayed behind for various reasons. The Travel channel has put together the most haunted hotels in Wales. I also had the pleasure of visiting the UK and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.   Here's this week's haunting:  Recently Cornwallis Live shared a story about a very haunted pub near "Land's End" in England. Here's the story:  

Ghosts and smugglers and the First and Last pub at the end of Britain 

 It's not just the fact that it's the last pub in England that makes Sennen's First and Last Inn so famous. The pub which has seen many stars pop in for a pint over the years is steeped in local history.

Since the 17th century the pub has gained a notorious reputation as a headquarters for smugglers and wreckers - and is even said to be haunted by its own ghost.

According to its website, Joseph and Annie George ran the First and Last in the 1800s and managed to blackmail the landlord, Dionysius Williams, a wealthy farmer, into letting them live rent free, due to their knowledge of his local smuggling business.

The story goes that Williams eventually decided to remove the couple from the First and Last, which infuriated Annie, who then turned King's evidence against him and he was sent to prison.

But Annie didn't stop there and her enemies increased as she turned on others, including Christopher Pollard of Madron, who was found not guilty, the Vingoe family and even Joseph's brother, John George, following an argument over a tobacco deal. He was said to have been convicted and hanged as a result.

The villagers of Sennen soon had enough of Annie for turning against them and took their revenge. To punish her, they staked her out on the beach at low tide, where she drowned as the water rose.

The First and Last Inn in England (Image: J Thomas)

Her body was placed in her bedroom before she was buried in an unmarked grave in the cemetery next to the pub. According to the website, Annie still has her own room at the pub that she doesn't like anyone else to sleep in.

And the First and Last has had an unusually large number of landlords over the years which may or may not be due to the infamous ghost spooking them.

Kate Craven, the current landlady, said one of her predecessors "up and went" after claiming she saw the ghost of Annie.

She added: "She is supposed to haunt the pub and I have heard a lot of stories from people who say they have seen strange things over the years, like glasses coming off the shelves.

"But I haven't seen anything, I guess she must like me."

Ghosts and smugglers and the last pub in England

View gallery

The pub is home to smugglers' tunnels which run down to the cliffs of Sennen. The tunnels were used when Annie ran smuggling and wrecking operations with the local parson.

Visitors to the pub can look down into the tunnels which are now filled with water and see goldfish swimming around.

Haunted U.K. The Isle of Man: Castletown

 This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

            (Photo: Smelt Monument in Castletown. Credit: SilverTravelAdvisor.com) 

CASTLETOWN

If you’ve been to Castletown, you have seen the Smelt monument in the town square. On one side is a wooden plaque that states the fate of a local woman who was accused, along with her son, of riding broomsticks around fields to encourage crops to grow. Both were held as prisoners at Castle Rushen and on their last day were dressed in white gowns and taken by cart to Peel where they were put on display as a caution to would-be witches. Afterwards they were taken back to Castletown for execution by fire.  Leslie McKinnon says that she has a actually seen 2 figures on fire riding broomsticks under the light of a full moon in Castletown.  These 2 figures are known as the Castletown Fire Witches.

Haunted U.K.: The Isle of Man's Malew Churchyard

 This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

MALEW CHURCHYARD
There are many famous vampires that we know of, such as Dracula, Edward Cullen of the Twilight series, Bill Compton of True Blood, Nosferatu.  Even Lilith and Judas from the Bible have been accused of being vampires in various novels and movies.  But, here is a story of a true life vampire named Matthew Hassall.  Matthew was just an ordinary fellow until the day he died.  Many of his friends and family gathered around at his wake.   At the wake he startled everyone by sitting straight up.  At that point of time he was declared a vampire and could not be buried on hallowed ground with his deceased wife Margaret.  The legend goes that his grave was dug from behind the stone wall that the grave stands against (the old boundary of the church yard) and his body placed inside that way. Just to make sure he didn’t rise again, a stone slab was placed over his corpse and iron stakes and chains cover the grave to keep him in. These chains have remained from the 1800s to this very present day.

Haunted U.K.: The Isle of Man's Peel Castle

 This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

                                   (Photo: Peel Castle, Credit: Visit Isle of Man.com)

PEEL CASTLE

Peel Castle was was built in the 11th century by the Vikings, under the rule of King Magnus Barefoot. The castle was originally built with wood and later local red sandstone was used.  Red sandstone is plentiful on the island.  People claim that they see phantom black dogs at the castle.  The most famous black dog of Peel Castle is Moddey Dhoo. During the 17th century Moddey Dhoo was seen many times over wandering the grounds of Peel Castle.  It was mostly seen on a regular basis.  It would seem to emerge from or disappear into a passageway that connected the guard room to the apartment of the Captain of the Guard.  A guard had a mild stroke after encountering Moddey Dhoo and because of that they sealed up the passageway.  This ended the sightings of Moddey Dhoo. In this passageway unearthly screams were heard and a guard came out of the passageway as white as a ghost.  After the experience, it was said he was lethargic and eventually passed away.  Another black dog that is seen is called Mauthe Doog.  Mauthe Doog is said to come out during a full moon and his silhouette is seen along the hillside.  Recently another strange black dog was seen roaming the grounds and the tourists who were witnesses to this phenomena call the dog “Silvermane”, because he is all black, but has a silver streak going up his snout and over his head.  One tourist claims she heard him howl.

About the Island - from Visit the Isle of Man: 

https://www.visitisleofman.com/experience/peel-castle-p1291861

St. Patrick’s Isle was once home to Christian missionaries, Viking warriors and kings. The impressive fortress dominating the Isle was a royal residence, centre of government and military stronghold. Wander the extensive grounds, enjoy panoramic views and let the informative audio guide help you unlock the stories of the castle. 

Constructed by the Vikings in the 11th century, the Castle stands on St Patrick's Isle and remains an impressive feature on the Sunset City's coastline. While no longer used, the red sandstone walls of the castle remain intact and provide an intriguing walk through history as you walk through the ruins of the Castle's Cathedral and Round Tower. 

Over the years there have been many stories about the Castle, including the story of the 'Moddey Dhoo' black dog that roams the halls and old tales of the site being a possible location of the Arthurian Avalon.

The castle has also been the site of many spectacular historical finds, including the 10th century grave of the 'Pagan Lady' which included a well-preserved example of a Viking necklace and a cache of silver coins dating from about 1030 which are now on display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum. 

The Castle also provides panoramic views over Peel and out to the Irish Sea, where you may even be lucky enough to spot the local seals and basking sharks which are often seen nearby. Whatever your interest, you will find layer on layer of Manx history to pique your interest within these ancient walls. 

Haunted U.K.: The Isle of Man's Gaiety Theatre

 This is one of several blogs of haunted places in the United Kingdom's Isle of Man, that was written by Paul Dale Roberts, Halo Paranormal Investigations’ Esoteric Detective (www.cryptic916.com/) . I also had the pleasure of visiting England and you can read about my encounters with the ghosts there in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK Haunted Place on the Isle of Man:  

GAIETY THEATER

A special seat at this theater is said to be haunted.  Seat B14.  The B14 Old Lady haunts this seat.  People have seen an old lady sitting on that seat laughing or crying and acting like she is watching a show.  Legend has it that she lost her husband in the war and she remembers the fun times that she had at this theater with her husband watching shows.  Her favorite seat was of course B14.  Sandra Barr who visited this theater said that she encountered the B14 Old Lady and that the B14 Old Lady got up from her seat, walked towards Sandra, walked through Sandra and went into a wall and vanished.  Sandra was astonished that she for the first time encountered the paranormal. 

ABOUT THE THEATRE- from Visit Isle of Man.com: 

The Gaiety Theatre and Opera House is a theatre in Douglas, Isle of Man which together with the Villa Marina forms the Villa-Gaiety complex. The Gaiety is situated on Douglas promenade, overlooking the sea and adjacent to the Villa Gardens, Arcade and Butts.

Built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house and theatre^[1] the Gaiety, along with the nearby Villa Marina, stands on the site of a lodge occupied in the early 19th Century by Castle Mona architect and Atholl family retainer George Steuart, and then later bought by benefactor Henry Bloom Noble and donated for recreational us

 

U.K. Hauntings: Anne Boleyn's Ghost Appearances

    The United Kingdom has some of the most haunted sites and famous ghosts!   One article covered a number of potential sightings of Anne Boleyn's ghost (she was one of Henry VIII's wives, and one he executed).  

  I encountered Anne Boleyn's Ghost in the Tower of London (which is mentioned in this article) as well as many other ghosts in England, too, and you can read about them in my book "Ghosts of England on a Medium's Vacation," available on Amazon.  Here's this week's UK haunting:   Royal Ghost Stories: Anne Boleyn

By Rebecca Russell 

Many people believe that there is a supernatural world beyond our own; a world where ghosts, spectres and past souls roam free – or perhaps stay on earth to complete some unfinished business. These beliefs have brought up hundreds of reported sightings throughout history, some of which have been thought to be apparitions of famous historical figures. During the spookiest time of the year, Royal Central is taking a closer look at the stories of one former queen who is allegedly still haunting almost 500 years after her death.

Throughout history, one name has continually re-surfaced with reports of alleged sightings. This has happened so often and at so many well-known locations, that this person has earnt the title of the most well-travelled ghost in Britain.

(Photo: Tower of London. Credit: Changing Guard)

The soul in question is that of King Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. The former queen – who was also the mother of Queen Elizabeth I – was accused of adultery and beheaded at the Tower of London on 19 May 1536. She is said to be buried at the church of St Peter Ad Vincula within the Tower’s walls.

Since her death almost 500 years ago, there have been countless reports of ghostly activity at several homes and palaces associated with Anne Boleyn, many of which have been attributed to re-appearances of the former queen.

A famous example was in 1864 when Captain J. D. Dundas was living in the Tower of London. The story goes that one day he looked out of the window and noticed a Yeoman Warder acting strangely whilst standing in the courtyard where Anne Boleyn had been beheaded. He appeared to challenge something, which Dundas said: “Looked like a whitish, female figure sliding towards the soldier”. The guard charged through the form with his bayonet, then fainted. He was only saved from a prison sentence because Dundas testified as a witness at his court-martial.

Another sighting at the tower occurred within Anne’s final resting place of the church of St Peter Ad Vincula. The guard on duty said that he saw a “flickering light inside late one night”. Plagued by curiosity, the Captain of the Guard climbed a ladder to see inside. He recalled seeing a procession of Ladies and Knights in Tudor-style dress – led by Anne Boleyn – parading down the aisle of the chapel. He vividly remembered the former queen stopping by her grave in front of the altar before disappearing.

(Image: By Henry VIII is by Hans Holbein the Younger; Anne Boleyn by unknown artist. ) 

The Tower of London is not the only place where Anne’s ghost has been spotted. In what sounds like something straight out of horror film, an apparition of her headless body has been seen numerous times at Windsor Castle, running through the halls in the Dean’s Cloister whilst clutching her severed, screaming head.

Similarly, it seems her spirit continues to make an annual appearance at her childhood home of Hever Castle in Kent, England every Christmas. Witnesses say she has been seen walking over a bridge across Eden Lake or under a huge oak tree on the grounds as it is where she and King Henry VIII began their courtship.

One of the most notorious stories of Anne Boleyn’s ghost involves her annual visit to her birthplace of Bickling Hall in Norwich accompanied by four spectral horses and a headless horseman. The tale goes that every year on 19 May (the anniversary of her execution) she is seen arriving at the hall with her ghost clutching her decapitated head. It is said she proceeds to roam the corridors from dusk until sunrise.