Weekly Witchy Challenge - Magick for the Season
This Challenge is going to be informational and informative. This is the first time I did research on my hometown and wrote about it. I have heard many “scary” stories throughout my childhood but that did not stop me from watching horror movies as long as someone was there. “Scream” really terrified me.
"New York has a surprisingly rich history of witches and witchcraft. These stories are known locally in the towns where they occurred but have Witches and Warlocks of New York is a collection of legends and historical accounts about witches and warlocks from the Empire State" (1)
**What are some of the best upstate NY Ghost Stories? **
The White Lady might be one of the best-known ghost stories in Upstate NY, but it’s far from the only one. New York State history meets myth at many historic sites across the state, including: The Sagamore Hotel, Bolton Landing: Sightings of a little boy who used to sell golf balls until he was hit by a car. Willard opened in 1869 and housed 1,500 patients by 1877, making it the largest asylum in the country. For one day a year each spring, the grounds of Willard Asylum in Seneca County are open, with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people attending each year. Spook Hill, The Fox Sister’s, and the list goes on.
Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane.
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I read this book about the Willard Asylum and all the ghost’s that wandered the halls at night. The screams coming from nowhere and everywhere. I was left in awe for days. For as long as I can remember, I always hard about this place. I believe all parents in the 60’s and 70’s use to threaten kids with the asylum. If we were bad, they would tell my sister and me to get in the car, they were taking us to Willard. I forgot they use to say that to us…hmm. I could not believe what happen to those people. They were thrown out into the streets without anything. No meds, no clothes, no shoes and no personal possessions.
Ghost hunts in Upstate NY: Where to take paranormal tours this fall: (Kanaley, 2016)
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THE HAUNTING OF THE WHITE LADY
The origins of the stories that surround the hauntings of “The White Lady” in this Rochester, NY park are open for interpretation. But what is real…is that for decades, a White Lady has been spotted along the roadways of this park near Lake Ontario. Rumors in these parts suggest that even the local law enforcement have seen things that they cannot explain. Is it a daughter that never returned? Or a widow waiting for her husband’s ship to arrive? The stories told for decades cannot be ignored. (5)
Spook Hill
Legend has it this spot in Yates County is a former Native American burial ground, with spirits still at the scene. If you drive your car along Route 364 to Middlesex, then turn left on South Vine Valley Road and left on Newell Road, you’ll find a big hill where your car rolls backwards up the hill. Look for Spike Road down the hill, stop just before the sign and leave your car in neutral. (6)
I have been here at Spook Hill, and it is just like it says. It is a wild crazy ride because there is no scientific explanation. I was 18 years old when me and some friends drove up there. Knowing the “things” I know now, science has nothing to do with this. It is on a old burial ground … should I say more?
Conclusion
I will be going to “The Haunting of the White Lady” to brush up on my intuition, try to sense, find, or feel any portals or Demon Energy. This place is almost on the lake, and I live just up the road from Durand Eastman Park. I am going to bring my older grandkids with me. I am looking forward to spending time with them. Doing research for this Challenge has shown me that within 25 miles of my house, there is a lot of stories of Witches and Witchcraft. I am going to start a spot in my Book Of Shadows on unexplained hauntings, Demons, paranormal activity, Witches, and Witchcraft that are local and try to examine what the situations might be and what spells or potions could have been used. For me, this is a great way to enjoy the Season of Magick.
Source:
- State of New York State History Witches in America: A Tale of Three New Yorkers May 15, 2018 by Peter Feinman
- 1493063413 (ISBN13: 9781493063413) Witches and Warlocks of New York: Legends, Victims, & Sinister Spellcasters by Lisa LaMonica,State of New York State History
- https://www.thestar.com/The Witches of New York an “enchanting” read that’ll leave you horrified,Tara Henley, Sun., Oct. 30, 2016
- https://www.newyorkupstate.com/Ghost hunts in Upstate NY: Where to take paranormal tours this fall, Allison Kanaley, Oct. 07, 2016
- https://youtu.be/O8EeON571dI Spook Hill
6.13 creepy stops to make on a haunted tour of Upstate NY - newyorkupstate.com 13 creepy stops to make on a haunted tour of Upstate NY Published: Apr. 18, 2016, 12:00 p.m.
By Nick Canedo | ncanedo@newyorkupstate.com - Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane. Willard, New York. | chetter.com sealless,March 30, 2016