A story from my Gettysburg Ghost Walk

I promised to tell you one of the ghost stories that I heard on the ghost walk in Gettysburg. The one that stood out in my mind that night happened here.

The area you see here may not look like much now, but on July 4, 1863 this area was known as WILLOUGHBY RUN. It was all dirt with a creek running through it. During the combat, the Confederates used the seven foot banks of Willoughby Run both as an entrenchment and a place to get some relief from the blazing sun and the heat of the battle.
It's said that on the last day of the battle as the troops were pulling out that a sudden thunderstorm hit the area and cause a flash flood of Willoughby Creek (there actually was a storm like that on July 4th.) It trapped several troopers and drowned them, and you're supposed to be able to hear their cries to this day. The stream crosses town, and it's been reported that if you get too near a storm grate that ghostly hands will grab at your trouser cuffs in an effort to pull themselves out of the surging waters. We were told that the little stream and a footbridge were still there a few years ago, and that when the city went to close it off (as shown in the photo above) that they found both fossil type claw marks and human finger nails embedded into the sides of the dirt. We were also told that Some of the wounded soldiers were down in the entrenchment and that for several days after the battle that the water ran red with blood.
Now I don't know how true any of this is, but it made for a good ghost story, and I don't mind admitting I hurried across that area and on down the sidewalk.

The World Around Me..Rosewell Ruins

Today I returned to Rosewell Ruins in Gloucester VA. I had visited this location last spring and had been wanting to return. All was quiet today but I can certainly see why this place is suppose to be haunted.

Stories have been told at Rosewell. Everything from slaves buried in the Cellar walls, to a mysterious lady who walks the front steps every night.





From Wikipedia,

Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County, Virginia, USA for more than 100 years was the home of members of the Page family, one of the First Families of Virginia. Begun in 1725, the huge brick Rosewell mansion overlooking the York River was one of the finest in Virginia. Through much of the 18th century and 19th centuries, and during the American Civil War, Rosewell Mansion hosted the area's most elaborate formal balls and celebrations.



Rosewell Mansion and part of its history were described by author James Joseph McDonald in "Life In Old Virginia" (The Old Virginia Publishing Co., Norfolk, Va., 1907) thus:

"The mansion is substantially built of brick, three story and basement. The foundation walls are three and one-half feet thick. The reception hall is large, the ceilings lofty, and the whole mansion is indicative of refined taste and wealth. From the upper windows, a magnificent view is had of the surrounding level lands and the waters of the creeks and the York River.
"During the life of Governor Page, Thomas Jefferson was a frequent and welcome visitor there. While on one of his visits he wrote the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence in what is now known as the 'Blue Room,' situated on the northwest corner of the second story of this house."
The elaborate Flemish bond brickwork, the towering three stories, and the siting of the mansion were all meant to recall elaborate London homes of the era. In that sense, Rosewell was among the most sophisticated early buildings built in America.

The Rosewell Mansion was destroyed by fire in 1916. Today, a largely undisturbed historic ruin, the site has been the subject of archaeological work which has revealed many artifacts and shed light on some aspects of colonial life and architecture previously unclear.



Page family of Virginia
Governor of Virginia John Page (1744-1808) was the grandson of Rosewell's first owner, Mann Page (I). He grew up there, and was a classmate of Thomas Jefferson at the College of William and Mary in nearby Williamsburg where he graduated in 1763. John Page fought during the American Revolutionary War, attaining the rank of colonel. He also served multiple terms in the U.S. Congress and the Virginia General Assembly.

Other notable members of Virginia's Page family also include Governor Page's brother Mann Page III, his great grandfather, Colonel John Page of Jamestown and Middle Plantation, author and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Thomas Nelson Page, and Virginian Railway builder William Nelson Page; Confederate General Richard Lucian Page.




A family legend says that the courtship of John and Margaret Lowther Page began with an exchange of poems.


In 1790, John Page was a 47-year-old widower serving in the First Congress of the United States. Congress was meeting in New York, and it was there that he met Margaret Lowther, who was about 30 at the time. According to the legend, John escorted Margaret to a party and later realized that she had left a glove in his carriage. He sent the glove back to her with a note reading


"Taking 'G' from 'Glove' leaves 'Love'

Tis that I offer thee."


Margaret replied with another note:

"Taking 'P' from 'Page' leaves 'Age,'

And you are too old for me."


Perhaps Margaret was only teasing, or perhaps she soon had a change of heart, for the couple was married a few months later. They continued to write and exchange poems during their marriage.

In a pickle

I bought and hung my newest Christmas ornament today.
A Pickle.
Yep, you read it right. A great big bright green PICKLE.
I've seen these around for years and just haven't bought one. I won't start the tradition below this year, but will probably do it next year and buy a little something extra for under the tree to the one who remembers to look for the pickle

A pickle used as an ornament on the Christmas tree seems odd at first, but this is an old German tradition.

When decorating the Christmas tree, it was a practice to hang the pickle ornament last, hidden among the twigs. The first
child on Christmas Eve to find the Christmas pickle ornament would receive an extra gift.

One rumor tells of a Bavarian-born Union soldier fighting in the Civil War named John Lower who was captured and sent to prison in Georgia. In poor health and starving, the prisoner begged for just one pickle before he died. A merciful guard took pity and found him a pickle. Miraculously, John lived, and after he returned home he began the tradition of the Christmas Pickle, promising good fortune to the one who found the special ornament on Christmas Day.

I also bought my grandson an ornament today (I forgot to photograph it before I gave it to him). It is a cute glass box turtle. A family friend gave him a real box turtle a few weeks ago,so I knew he would like the ornament.
It seems we were on the same wave length today because when he came over tonight he had an ornament for me too. He picked it out by himself and was so proud that I bragged about how much I loved it. Of course I insisted he help me hang it on the tree which made him even more proud.
Grand kids are so sweet. Here is the one he got for me

Weather Folklore

Burning wood pops more before rain and snow.

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves
by Florence Holbrook
Winter was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the air was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the cold world of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its way to the trees as well as it could, to ask for help.

First it came to a birch tree. "Beautiful birch tree," it said, "my wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your branches till they come back to me?"

"No, indeed," answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves away. "We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do nothing for you."

"The birch is not very strong," said the little bird to itself, "and it might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak." So the bird said, "Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live on your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?"

"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long way off. How do I know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for something to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns."

"It may be that the willow will be kind to me," thought the bird, and it said, "Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the springtime?"

The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and said, "Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people whom we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds. Leave me at once."

The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet strong, but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone far a voice was heard. "Little bird," it said, "where are you going?"

"Indeed, I do not know," answered the bird sadly. "I am very cold."

"Come right here, then," said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her voice that had called.

"You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose."

"Will you really let me?" asked the little bird eagerly.

"Indeed, I will," answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. "If your friends have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is the branch where my leaves are thickest and softest."

"My branches are not very thick," said the friendly pine tree, "but I am big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce."

"I can help, too," said a little juniper tree. "I can give you berries all winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good."

So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The other trees looked on and talked together wisely.

"I would not have strange birds on my boughs," said the birch.

"I shall not give my acorns away for any one," said the oak.

"I never have anything to do with strangers," said the willow, and the three trees drew their leaves closely about them.

In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for a cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched fell from the tree.

"May I touch every leaf in the forest?" asked the wind in its frolic.

"No," said the Frost King. "The trees that have been kind to the little bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves."

This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always green.

Grace Sherwood The Witch of Pungo Virginia

I have had a fasination with witches since I was a small child. I first heard about Grace Sherwood as a teenager. I attended high school not far from where her home stood. I remember a group of us kids riding out to the old house when it was still standing. It was an eerie feeling. I put my thoughts of Grace on the back burner for years, until my own children came along. Once again her name came to mind. After all she is a local legend. When my oldest was young I bought a book entitled The Witch of Pungo. It told the story of Grace along with other local history. My kids grew up hearing about her. I never forgot her. I have gone down the road where she was dunked in the river many times.

Here is her story.

Grace Sherwood was the wife of James Sherwood and the mother to three sons. She was said to be strikingly attractive, strong-willed, and a non-conformist by nature. These traits were resented by her neighbors, who began spreading rumors about her witch-like behavior. Being a very tall woman, she was threatening to many. She wore men’s pants and did not wear dresses.
She was accused of bewitching a neighbor's crop in 1698. Allegations grew over time until the Princess Anne County government charged her with witchcraft. A jury of women were ordered to search her body for suspicious or unusual markings, thought to be brands of the devil himself, and naturally the jury found, “marks not like theirs or like those of any other women.” However, neither the local court nor the Attorney General in Williamsburg, would pass judgment on declaring her a witch. It was finally decided that Grace, “by her own consent, be tried in the water by Ducking, (dunking).” Water was considered to be the purest element and the theory was that it would reject anything of an evil nature. Based on this theory, the accused was tied up and thrown into the water. If the person drowned, he was declared innocent of witchcraft; if he could stay afloat until he could free himself, he was declared a witch.


On July 10, 1706, Grace Sherwood, was marched from the jail (which is located near the present day site of the local Old Donation Church) down the dirt road (now the every day traveled Witchduck Road), tied and cast into the Lynnhaven River. This portion of the river has since been named Witch Duck Bay in memory of the occasion. Grace Sherwood was tied crossbound with the thumb of her right hand to the big toe of her left foot, and the thumb of her left hand to the big toe of her right foot, and thrown into the water. As predicted by her accusers, Grace managed to stay afloat until she could free herself and swim to shore. After she reached the shore she told the on lookers."Before this day be through, you will all get a worse ducking than I!". A torrential thunderstorm rolled in after Sherwood was pulled from the water. She was jailed and awaited trial for witchcraft for nearly eight years, when the charges against her were dropped due to the softening of her accusers hearts, and she was set free. After her release, Grace paid the back taxes on her property in 1714, returned to her farm, and worked the land until her death at age 80 in the autumn of 1740. Her husband had died in 1701, so her children had been sent away to live with relatives. Grace Sherwood, Virginia's only convicted witch tried by water.

On Saturday, April 21, 2007 After 300 years to the hour, at 10 a.m., Grace Sherwood was exonerated by Governor Timothy Kaine.

Grace Sherwood is known today, 300 years belated, as the only deceased person in Virginia to be exonerated.

Magical Guardians

Magical Guardians

Many people believe in Dragons, and it is said that they were once a common sight everywhere - in the skies, the sea, and on the ground.

But nowadays they have sadly become a rarity with very few sightings, even in Great Britain, where they used to exist in abundance. In fact we are told that they have never, or rarely ever been seen in North America, Australia, the Pacific Isles, or Tropical and Southern Africa.

In the east however, where these creatures have always been revered and honoured, people insist that they can still be seen. And, even in the western world dragon amulets and images are quite easily found, for they are supposed to bring long life, good fortune and marital happiness.

It is also believed that dragons are a symbol of the Earth Goddess, and represent her powers of fertility and wisdom.

The word "drakon" comes from the verb "to see" or "to watch". Hence, dragons have long been regarded as guardians of wisdom,

Because of their loyalty, they were often used to protect magical items such as the "Golden Fleece" and the "Golden Apples of Hesperides", and even the virtue of wives and young maidens.

They have also been noted for their keen eyesight, and all are supposed to be wise and sharp-eyed.

Species

Dragons are reptiles, although some species may be warm blooded. They are fiercely territorial, and protective of their mate, and in some cases their young.

Most of them have an internal organ or gland, which allows them to "breath fire", but this is usually only used as a defensive action or warning, and sometimes during mating rituals.

Apart from these attributes, there are many differences between the various types.

Most species are carnivorous, but only eat occasionally on such things as deer, oxen or sheep. Some eat fish and some of the smaller kind eat insects, berries, fruit and vegetation.

Several species of dragons fly, but not all with the aid of wings. As with some birds the prevailing winds and the earth's magnetic field are often used.

Dragons can reach sexual maturity from 25 years, in some species, to 300 years in others. They lay egg clutches ranging from one to 30, although some water types may give birth to live young.

Unusual earthquakes or earth lights have been blamed on dragons eggs hatching.

Parental care varies from species to species. Some give no care at all, whilst some will care for their young for 50 years or more, even carrying them on their backs as they fly from place to place.

Habitat

Dragons used to be found in a wide range of habitats - mountains and hills, valleys and woods, rivers and lakes, seas and the sky. This gives rise to an array of species or types.

Although rare, dragons are around today. They can be found in lakes and rivers, ancient woodland, remote places and magical elemental areas. They need to have a natural space with trees and plenty of nooks and crannies, free from chemicals.

All prefer to be near water and, contrary to popular belief, often use water to hide, as it renders them almost invisible, yet will not put out their fire.

Magical properties

Dragons used to be hunted when plentiful, as their bodies where thought to give a whole host of magical and supernatural items.

Dragons heart was eaten to understand the beasts of the wing.

Dragons tongue would allow the consumer to outwit any man in an argument.

Dragons blood was thought to guard against injury from the blade.

Dragons teeth, when buried, gave rise to the Sparti, an almost unstoppable violent fighting force.

The Dragon's Hoard

In later times, Dragons were portrayed as denizens of the Devil, breathing "Hell fire and Brimstone". They were said to be cruel, miserly, jealous and merciless; hoarding jewels and treasure, and even stealing away young maidens.

.... enter the "Dragon slayer", who bravely battled these beasts to save the people; never mind the chance of gold or a young maiden!

We are told that the truth, however, is more mundane. The Dragon's hoard serves only as bedding and nothing more sinister. Bearing in mind that they could combust most normal bedding materials, this seems quite logical.

Do they really exist?

It is said that dragons, like many other species have been hunted almost to extinction, and it is no wonder they are rarely if ever seen.

So much so that many believe they don't exist at all, and should be left in the realms of myth and imagination.

However, we are assured that they do still exist, but hide away from human contact in much the same way as those of the threatened animal and elemental kingdoms.

They are sometimes attracted to people, but only those with "open and good hearts", for they are said to have feelings just like us, and their magical powers can allow them to see into the "very soul" of the
individual.

Fever Dolls

Fever Dolls
European Folk Magic

© Elizabeth Yetter

In European folk magic dolls were used for many purposes. For
instance, dolls were used to represent a goddess, such as Bride,
during seasonal observances.

Dolls were also used in love magic to bring two people together and
for protection to bind people from doing harm. Less known are the
dolls that were used for healing.

Fever dolls act as scapegoats. They were made out of whatever material
was on hand, and kept overnight under the pillow of a feverish child.
In the morning, the fever doll was removed from the home and given a
mock burial. By doing this, the fever, which moved into the doll
overnight, would also be buried with the doll.

Making a Fever Doll

Items Needed

2"x2" piece of cardboard

White embroidery thread

Fever dolls can be made in the same way that yarn dolls are made. Wrap
the white embroidery thread around the cardboard about 20 times. Slip
the wound thread off the cardboard, cut a piece of thread that is 4"
long, and tie the wound thread. This bend will be where you form the
head of the doll. Next, cut the wound thread opposite of the head so
that you have strands instead of loops.

To form the doll, tie another thread around the neck area to form the
head. Separate equal strands of yarn, about 9 strands, on each side of
the body for the arms. Tie string around the wrist area of each arm.
If the doll is to represent a girl, you are now finished making the
doll. However, for a boy doll you will need to tie a strand of thread
around the doll's waist. Separate the remaining strands equally for
the legs and tie thread around the ankles.

These little fever dolls can be made beforehand and kept safely in a
drawer or in a box on your altar.
Using a Fever Doll

To use a fever doll, light a white votive candle and, standing before
the candle, hold the fever doll in the palm of your power hand. Say to
the doll:

* Burning fire,
* Burning fever,
* Take the heat within you.

Place the fever doll under the sick child's pillow. If you are doing
this for an infant or toddler, place the fever doll under the mattress
or someplace near the crib where the little one cannot reach it.
Return to the candle. Say:

* The flame burns down,
* The fever leaves [name of child].

Allow the candle to burn down and out.

The next day, remove the fever doll from under the child's pillow.
Take it outdoors and bury it. You can make this ritual a simple act of
digging a small hole and burying the doll within it, or you can wrap
the doll in a shroud and bury it with a blessing and a copper penny.

Knotted Cloth

Another piece of folk magic regarding the cure of fevers uses a
knotted cloth. A white cloth, or washcloth was knotted three times,
one knot was made in the upper half of the cloth for the head and two
corners were knotted for hands. What remained was the flowing gown
part that represented the body.

This knotted cloth was then rubbed over the feverish forehead to
absorb the fever. It was then placed in running water, such as under a
faucet, to cool the fever and wash it away.

Medicine and Folk Magic

The fever doll and knotted cloth are in no way meant to replace
medicine and the expert advice of a doctor. Instead, like meditation
and creative visualization, folk magic is meant to compliment modern
medicine. After all, we want to help our loved ones in every way that
we can.

A bit of folklore

When the first baby laughed for the first time,
the laugh broke into a thousand pieces
and they all went skipping about,
and that was the beginning of fairies.

Money Soup

Sorry I am posting this a bit late to do on New Years Eve, but try it anyway, it can't hurt


This money soup can be made New Years Eve, or any time to attract money during the next year. Remove the silver object before eating the soup.


1 coin or small silver object
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, minced
1 small head green cabbage, shredded
4 cups chicken stock
Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil the sliver object to sterilize it. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and saute till light brown. Add the cabbage and cook until tender. Toss in the silver object. Add chicken stock to vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer fifteen minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

(Scott Cunningham)

The Evil Eye

Yesterday I attended our local Greek Festival. Several of the vendors were selling these charms to ward off the evil eye.


The ‘eyes’ here are like charms, blue in color with an eye painted on them to ‘reflect’ the evil and bring good luck. You can wear them on a necklace or hang them in your house or car.

I will keep mine in the house so I also brought this braclet.


They looked like they would be fun things to own and I came home and did a quick search on the evil eye. Here is what I learned


The Evil Eye - It can strike at any given moment. More than likely, you’ve had it happen to you, but you’ve just never realized what did it. Take a moment and think about it. Perhaps there was an occasion that you were dressed up and someone told you how nice you look. A few minutes later you spilled coffee down the front of you or split your pants. Or maybe someone told you how beautiful your new vase was
and a while later it fell to the ground shattering in a thousand pieces.
That’s the evil eye. So beware when a blue-eyed person pays you a compliment, according to the superstition, it could be disastrous.


One way to ward off the evil eye is with garlic. There are rare instances when a single clove will grow into the shape of a small head of garlic. If you’re lucky enough to come across one, guard it well as it is the best thing to keep away the evil eye. You can carry it in your pocket, or as I do, keep it in a hanky in your bra. I know what you’re thinking, but believe me… as long as the skin is left on, it doesn’t smell at all. If you can’t brave the garlic, there is an alternative. When you get a compliment remember to say ‘Skorda (garlic)’ under your breath and spit three times on your own person. If you know the individual that is complimenting you, tell them to spit on you too.



Some Greeks, especially in villages, believe that someone can catch the evil eye, or “matiasma”, from someone else’s jealous compliment or envy. A person who has caught the evil eye usually feels bad physically and psychologically.
To avoid the matiasma, those who believe in it wear a charm: a little blue marble glass with an eye painted on it or a blue bracelet. Blue is believed to be the colour that wards off the evil eye but it is also believed that people with blue eyes are givers of the matiasma.

In regions where the Lucky Eye (Evil Eye) belief occurs, the All-Seeing Eye is one of many forms of reflective eye-charm used as a talisman against this danger. The All-Seeing Eye – a single human eye surrounded by radiating beams of light – appears on the Great Seal of the United States, can be seen on at least one North American Good Luck Coin to “guard” the bearer "from bad omens”, and is among the many beautiful symbols of Freemasonry, where it represents the Great Architect of the Universe.


There are many other defenses against the evil eye including tying bells to horses' harnesses, tying red ribbons to children's underwear, surrounding gardens by jack beans, the shamrock is used in Ireland, and garlic is used in Greece
You can use this Big evil eye in the outside of your house, above your main door. They are suppose to ward off the evil eye and bring good fortune.
Arrow like edges pointing at a house, and electrical posts near building create harmful energy and strong electromagnetic fields. In cul de sacs and T-Junctions invisible energy moves as in straight rivers and streams.Houses at the end of such places are like targets for strong, accelerated energy. Strong bad energy can be harmful to the occupants of these house. Building in roundabouts with heavy traffic are also exposed to strong magnetic fields.



In folklore and the occult the evil eye is generally thought to be a sign of trouble. Few, will agree that there is an accurate definition of the evil eye. To some the curses of the evil eye might be more accurately associated with old wives' tales.The Evil Eye is a kind of negative power we all more or less carry within
ourselves. If we stare too long on a person, animal or even an object we may inflict damage through this power. It is often totally unconsciously, but the staring in itself often comes from admiration or envy, which are perfect channels for the Evil Eye o check if you really have been struck by the Evil Eye or if you just have a hangover or haven't had enough sleep.

To get rid of the spell, you will have to find a person that can break it To do this, they will put a few drops of olive oil in a cup of holy water. If the oil stays on the surface you are OK. Take an aspirin and go home. If the oil dissolves then you have been EVIL EYED (yes, it is a verb in Greek).

You can also purchase a blue beads to wear instead of an eye. Blue is
the color that wards off the evil of the eye, but it is also commonly
thought that blue-eyed people are exceptional givers of it.



I think I will stick to using my charm. I really don't think smelling like garlic or spitting is to cool. Oh well it was fun to learn about cultures from other countries, and I have a fun new bracelet to wear to work.