In ancient Hawaii, there was a strict system of laws known as kapu that regulated many aspects of society. These rules could deal with religious practices, resource management, and behaviors relating to gender and social class. The punishment for breaking kapu could be death, unless the offender was able to flee to a sacred place of refuge, known as a pu’uhonua.
During the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials, 19 people were wrongfully convicted and hanged by order of the court. Given the lasting impact that the trials have had on the city, one would assume that the execution site would have remained well known. However, this was not the case. In the prevailing centuries, the location was generally forgotten by the public on multiple occasions. Thanks to scholarly research, the lost site was rediscovered and confidently confirmed in 2016. A year later, a memorial was dedicated there, ensuring that the area will not fade back into obscurity.
I’ve talked a bit about vampire killing kits before on this blog. These enigmatic objects are the subjects of debate, and encountering one many years ago led me down the path of writing my book, Vampires of Lore. This time, I’d like to share a picture of one that can be found in Orlando, Florida.
Nestled in a park in Salem, MA, is Pioneer Village, a living history museum designed to portray life in the city as it would have been in 1630. This places it 62 years before the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Thus, it generally depicts a world that the older participants of the trial would have been familiar with. Beyond its relevance for history enthusiasts, the site was also a filming location for a beloved Halloween classic.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and is intimately tied to the culture there. As such, it’s not often you encounter a Shinto shrine outside of that country. A handful of shrines can be found in Hawaii due to the state’s strong Japanese heritage. One is Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii, which I took the opportunity to visit during my stay in Oahu.
One of the many distinctive aspects of New Orleans is its approach to cemeteries. Rather than just rows of headstones, the burial grounds of the Crescent City often feature unique, aboveground tombs. These structures create an atmosphere of something not unlike a neighborhood. This is so much the case that the great American humorist, Mark Twain, referred to the cemeteries of New Orleans as “cities of the dead.”
The Roman Baths, which give the City of Bath, Somerset its name, are a profound window into the world of Roman Britain. In ancient times, this site was a popular spa built around hot springs and dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. People would come here for bathing, relaxation, and the hope of healing.
Nestled in the woods of Salem, NH is a site that’s filled with mysterious stonework. There are long-running walls and secluded chambers, as well as prominent standing stones. There’s even a large grooved slab that some say was a sacrificial table! Today this place is known as America’s Stonehenge, though it was formerly called Mystery Hill. The origin of these structures has been debated for years. Do they date from the 19th century or are they ancient?
During my stay on Hawaii’s Big Island, I was fortunate enough to explore Waikoloa Petroglyph Field, which is an amazing site filled with ancient petroglyphs. Visitors are able to walk a path on the lava rock and, ultimately, be surrounded by thousands of these enigmatic carvings. While their exact meanings are not entirely known, the petroglyphs are historical and cultural treasures that I was thrilled to experience.
I’ve heard it said that Hawaii is a place where East meets West. One of the most immersive examples of this can be experienced by visiting Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe, O’ahu. Situated at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains, this stunning Buddhist temple was dedicated in 1968, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the arrival of Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants. With its beautiful sanctuary, architecture, and grounds, this sacred space invites reflection and contemplation.
