Murder at the Treasurer's House, York

Murder at Treasurers House York

Ghosts aren’t just for Halloween, or at least not in York. A city with over 2000 years in the bag, and many aged properties to boot, well, it’s hardly surprising some former residents refuse to leave! Space is at a premium within the city walls, and the living are forced to share with the dead. Or so the rumors would have us believe.

Reports of ghostly mischief are rife, fueled by the many guides keen to relay York’s darker side, but how many of these rumors really stand up to scrutiny? Death is a certainty, but what comes after is anything but. The paranormal proves provocative, with skeptics on one side and believers on the other, while the rest float somewhere in between. But whose view bears most weight? And why?

I worked in Pompeii and at the British Museum before completing a Master’s in Forensic Archaeological Sciences – clearly, I have a preoccupation with death. Moving to York, a city fixated with ghosts seemed the natural next step; the idea for paranormal investigator Porter Biggleswade was born.

Dubbed ‘the Shadow Reader’ for her ability to see ghosts, Porter investigates paranormal activity for a living. ‘There’s nothing normal about the paranormal,’ as Porter would say! While, I can’t claim to share Porter’s ability, I have had experiences which I struggle to rationalize. One occurred not long after my move to York.

Allow me to set the scene. It was a chilly, dry December afternoon and, having spent the morning immersed in research for my Porter Biggleswade series, I needed air. My walk took me in the direction of York Minster to Chapter House Street, a cobbled lane at the side of the Treasurer’s House. I was nearly upon the door when the temperature plummeted. It was both fleeting and unnerving. I can’t claim to have seen anything, but it felt like someone had passed through me. I didn’t linger.

Photographer: Erik Müller | Source: Unsplash

I was alone, it was cold, and my head was filled with ghostly shenanigans, I assumed I was just jumpier than usual. Perhaps it was a natural phenomenon, infrasound, or a rise in the electromagnetic field, which some argue can induce a sense of unease. I was also walking by the Treasurer’s House, a centuries old property steeped in history.

Numerous ghosts are alleged to haunt this property including former owners George Aislaby and Frank Green (who restored it to its former glory before leaving it to The National Trust). The most chilling encounter involved a league of ghostly Romans who terrified apprentice plumber Harry Martindale in the property’s cellar in 1953. This was all fresh in my mind, so maybe I had fallen foul of my imagination.

Fast forward eight years, and I found myself imparting my odd experience to fellow writer Anna Rogers. Anna is paranormally sensitive; she was understandably curious. We decided to join forces in January under the guise of ‘Anna and Amy Investigate’ to investigate the hauntings of York. We don’t have an arsenal of equipment to document paranormal phenomena, but we film our endeavors in the hope of capturing anything out of the norm (plus it hinders us from embellishing any experiences after the fact!).

Our first film was about an experience Anna had had in 2010 (now infamously known as Anna’s ‘Woman in White’). I filmed and interviewed Anna while she retraced her steps from that terrifying night and was amazed by her reaction to certain buildings years after the fact. It inspired me to make a film about my own experience on Chapter House Street - I was curious to see how Anna would react to the place. I was hoping she would pick up on something I had felt that day, and perhaps offer me a little insight.

Anna agreed, and we arranged to film there one bright, blustery morning. I suggested we start in the Treasurer’s House garden before moving onto Chapter House Street. Anna was in good spirits until she ventured through the gates into the garden when her demeanor inexplicably changed. Her smile slipped, and she suddenly appeared hunched. I hadn’t seen her like this before, and Anna was equally thrown by her reaction.

It quickly became apparent this film wasn’t going to be about my experience. Ghosts are nothing if not unpredictable!

Anna reads buildings by touching them. It sometimes induces a physical reaction with nausea being at the extreme end. Watch our films and you’ll see for yourselves! Anyway, I suggested she touch the Treasurer’s House to see if we could unravel why she was suddenly feeling so troubled, but she found herself drawn to the front steps. She followed her urge to sit down, and what happened next stunned us both.

Anna felt herself falling forwards. It took her a moment to understand what was happening, but when she did, we were horrified. She had been shoved.

Anna struggled to unravel what she was experiencing, but she sensed a young woman standing at the top of the steps. The figure was taking advantage of a quiet moment to admire the view. With York Minster dominating the vista it’s easy to see why. Someone stole upon her while she was distracted and pushed her. Hard. The woman fell and hit her head on the steps.

"It was murder."

Anna started to retch. She looked terrified. Moving away from the steps helped, but she seemed to shrink even further. She was freezing, and visibly distressed. I hadn’t seen or felt anything but watching Anna’s reaction threw me yet again. I hadn’t expected any of this. I suggested we go back to my house to discuss what had just happened.

We filmed our post-filming talk to document any detail.

Anna described a woman in her twenties wearing an outfit dating to the Edwardian period. Frank Green didn’t have children, but he was known to be a sociable creature who often threw parties. Was she a guest who had come to a sticky end? Anna felt it was a crime of passion, with someone acting impulsively. Was it a jealous lover or fiancé with an axe to grind?

There was no mention of a death on the steps on the internet, but the woman may have died later from her injuries. Or perhaps ‘the incident’ was covered up. Frank Green was said to be a controlling man who wouldn’t have welcomed bad press. His guests going about murdering each other, well it doesn’t look good, does it! The fact he is rumored to haunt the house suggests he isn’t ready to relinquish the property just yet. Did he pull some strings to keep the murder quiet, or did he really think it was just a devastating accident?

Whatever the truth, I believe something happened there. A ghostly Roman, or even Frank Green himself strolling around the garden smoking a cigar would have been a more likely experience, but the randomness of Anna’s account certainly makes it more intriguing.

Inspirational Paranormal Investigator Lorraine Warren Dies Aged 92

Find out more about Ed and Lorraine Warren on https://www.warrens.net/

Lorraine Warren, world-renowned paranormal investigator and the inspiration for the movie "The Conjuring", has died last Thursday at the age of 92. Her death was announced by her grandson on social media. As we mourn the death of one of the world's best-known paranormal investigators, let us take a look back at her life and work.

The Amityville Case

One of the best-known cases that has been investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren is undoubtedly the Amityville house of horrors. The case was so famous, it eventually became the inspiration for a movie.

The Amityville house was the scene of a brutal mass murder, executed by Ronald DeFeo, who claimed an evil being had taken over him as he killed six family members. A year after the murders, the Lutz family would move into the home, reporting voices, levitation, noises, and swarms of flies. Ed and Lorraine Warren were called in later to cleanse the house. Photographs were taken during the cleansing, one showing a boy with glowing eyes.

Only 28 days after moving into the Amityville house, the Lutz family moved out. They would claim they were terrorized by haunting figures during their time, a claim supported by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The family would later retract their statement, saying it was a hoax. Years later, one of the children would state that the statement from the family was retracted due to unwanted media attention and attacks from the public. George and Katy Lutz would later take a polygraph test to prove their claims. They passed the polygraph.

During an interview in 2013, Lorraine Warren stated that the Amityville house was the case that haunted her the most. When the movie, "The Conjuring" was released, she mentioned she would never return to the Amityville house again.

Annabelle

Another famous case involving Ed and Lorraine Warren was Annabelle. Several movies and series have been created surrounding the case. To this day, it still speaks to the imagination, despite the fact the case took place as early as the 1970's.

Altor [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

The original case involved a Raggedy Ann doll, bought by a mother as a gift for her daughter. The doll was purchased at an antique store, so its exact origins has never been determined. However, there was something wrong with the doll, as it started changing positions in the room shortly after it was purchased.

While the owners of the doll originally believe the doll was moving due to the bed being nudged or another explainable phenomenon. Weird occurrences would increase, as the original owners claimed the doll would leave notes behind such as "Help Me" and "Help Lou".

Because of the messages, the owners called in a professional to make contact with the spirit. The medium told the owners Annabelle was the spirit of a young girl who was murdered. The Warrens were called in later, who stated the doll was not possessed by a little girl, but by a deceptive demon. Ed and Lorraine Warren took the doll with them and placed it behind some protective glass in their Occult Museum in Connecticut.

The Perron Haunting

The "true story" behind the movie "The Conjuring" is claimed to be the Perron Haunting, a case also studied by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The case rests on Roger and Carolyn Perron, who moved their family to Harrisville in Rhode Island. They moved to the Old Arnold Estate, which appeared to good to be true later on.

While the owners of the home were not disturbed by the clear presence of the spirits to start, things would take a turn for the worse as spirits started to move furniture and even assault family members. Lorraine believed the worst of the spirits inside the house was Bathsheba Sherman, a satanic witch who hung herself from a tree in the 19th century. It is believed the witch wanted the family out of the house and would do everything to achieve that goal.

The ghost eventually got her way, as the Perron family decided to move out. While the film states that Lorraine and Ed Warren were able to remove the spirit from the home. The real life case states that the spirit still remains and the the paranormal investigators were not able to remove it. Interestingly, those who owned the Perron house after the family moved out have reported paranormal activity too.

The Enfield Poltergeist

The Enfield Poltergeist case was the real-life inspiration for "The Conjuring 2", a case who took place in 1977 England. The case met with as much skepticism as it did genuine interest, prompting Ed and Lorraine Warren to investigate.

A lot of things were claimed during the initial report, mainly due to the immense media attention the case attracted. It was claimed that the children had witnessed their toys being thrown around and furniture moving on its own. A police officer called to the house would also state he saw a chair moving on its own.

While the Enfield Poltergeist is certainly a famous case, it has been dismissed by many paranormal investigators as a hoax. Of course, others believed in it, with Guy Lyon Playfair writing a book in the 1980's about the case. In "This House Is Haunted", he stands behind his belief.

The Demonic Werewolf

One of the more intriguing cases surrounding Ed and Lorraine Warren is that of the demonic werewolf. A man called Bill Ramsey had been showing signs of wolf-like behavior since he was nine years old. During his childhood, he would repeatedly bite his family members and have seizures.

While originally thought as a mental health problem, Bill admitted himself to a mental health institution to cure himself, mainly after he felt a strong urge for have blood. During his treatment, he would attack a nurse and bark like a dog. After being released from the institution, he went on to attack a police officer in 1987. It took reportedly a total of six police officers to control the man.

Shortly after the incident with the police office, Ed and Lorraine Warren were called in. They believed Bill was possessed by a wolf demon. A priest called Father McKenna was called in to expel the demon. The exorcism is said to have been successful. Bill has not shown any signs of werewolf-like behavior since.

Skepticism

Despite the many infamous cases worked by Lorraine and Ed Warren, the couple were often met by skeptics, mainly due to the fact their cases always attracted a lot of media attention. Leave aside the skeptics, both Lorraine and Ed Warren have brought the world of the paranormal to the forefront. Where such things were complete taboo in the past, they are more acceptable to talk about these days. I have no doubt that paranormal investigators such as Ed and Lorraine Warren have certainly contributed to that. Their work and their legacy will last for a long time to come.

The Nature Of Evil Ignorance

The Nature Of Evil and Ignorance - Safe or Sorry!

It has always been a common perception within the spiritualistic community to deny the existence of evil - especially when one is communicating through the agency of mediumship. On one side of the fence, there is the medium who will say, “Well in all my years of working and developing da da da da, I have never come across anything evil.” Then also following with the recourse that if you just keep your energy high and ask for divine protection, you will be ok.

I am certainly not picking on or pointing any fingers at our spiritual colleagues, but one must consider the nature of evil or everything that is in opposition to the light which have of course existed since time immemorial. There are countless examples of nefarious or negative entities that have caused pandemonium, not only to a medium, but within the environment or particular target. Is it not safer to accept, rather than refute the existence and nature of evil within the world and also within our spiritually enhanced energetic environment.

The Problem With Denial

You can deny the existence of evil all you want, or bad spirits, but that does not mean they do not exist. All this means is that deep down inside your own consciousness, there is a part of you that will not face the reality and truth of the polar opposite. Think about this: if you did not know dark, you would not know light, if you did not know pain, you would not know health. The reality of our polar opposite is real because it is also a necessary part of our growth. Nevertheless, there is a polar opposite that has its own will, its own laws, which of course are governed by divine law and its own modus operandi. You may never experience this and that’s ok, but there are people who do. It is an event or events that are never forgotten.

Personally, I am not supportive of telling someone something does not exist or not to worry about it when there are examples and cases from almost every belief system or spiritual text and from the plethora of communications from the other side. It is real, it exists and “Knowledge Gives Strength to the Arm.” It is therefore better, in my opinion, to keep the door of the stable bolted than to let it open and let the horse out.

The individual who is developing or who is beginning to study the mechanics of the other-side are lulled into a false sense of security and though it does not happen so often, things can and will get out of control, should the chink in the armor be weakened. Imagine the responsibility you have on your shoulders and those who look up to you and you tell them something does not exist and not to worry about it. How would you feel if that person’s life was turned upside down and all because you never prepared them enough?

That individual may take it upon themselves to delve further, without the proper knowledge or discernment and could find themselves in tremendous hot water. Should they become the interest of a negative spirit, it does not need to be a quick turnaround either, it can simmer and develop over years. The fisherman often has tremendous patience to catch the big catch and that’s the same when there is a potential hook on the line for the agency of what is understood as evil.

The Philosophical Argument With The Nature Of Evil

The nature of evil is not only a philosophical issue, but also has its roots in folklore and differing belief systems. However, the reality of EVIL can simply be understood as the separation to a greater extent of that which is divine or good, the total opposite. Now, I deliberately make reference to the extent of the division because in reality that which is considered evil was of course created by the same divine essence of all of creation.

Within the Kabbalah, it is understood as the absence of light.

In Christianity, it is that which is in opposition to good.

The argument of whether or not there is a governing deity of Evil such as the Devil, Satan or its namesake in many other cultures, does not matter. Evil is evil and it hates anything that perpetuates from light.

The Great Spirit guide Silver Birch alludes to the presence of Evil within man’s perception"

“But do not forget that you are the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is you. The power which belongs to the Great Spirit, which belongs to you, can raise you triumphant over all matter. It is a power which, properly understood, can enable you to resist all evil, to overcome all sickness and to fight every obstacle. But few of you use it.”

In many past seances and even within the psychological work of Carl Wickland, there are a plethora of statements from those communicating spirits that describe the negative and evil spirits that try to gain hold of those spirits trapped within the consciousness of a host.

The philosophy of it all can be argued till the end of time but the reality remains that it still exists, whether manifested in thought, material manifestation or by divine order - It exists. No matter if your perception believes in it or not, the truth of the matter is the existence of evil in multitudinous forms.

But essentially, we can break evil down into three particular sections: Theological, Logical and of course, Evidential. Consequently, all of these separations are continually argued, but again, I challenge you to prove that Evil does not exist just the same as you will challenge a skeptic to prove the afterlife does not exist. Both exercises are futile and therefore break down further into faith and perception.

How Can You Be Sure When You Are Not Sure Of Yourself?

We as spiritualists have a greater responsibility to not bury our heads and not lead anyone astray. As we look toward the beauty and majesty of a flower and argue the reality for divine order within a chaotic universe, how then can we separate the evil that permeates the universe and claim it is null and void or does not exist and is a mere illusion or creation of man’s failures. There is no one here that can be 100 percent sure and though you may not have come across anything of a real diabolical nature in your career, it is foolhardy to claim the non-existence of it. If you think it, it exists, no matter in what energetic form.

Our pioneers of the past within mediumship have warned us about nefarious spirits and negative energy. Think about it, you say a prayer of protection at the beginning of a circle, why? You keep your vibration as high as possible, why? Simply, because there is a negative aspect within that realm. This is clear in all spiritual concepts and in all religious texts.

Photographer: Steinar Engeland | Source: Unsplash

What If You're Not Ready

Do you think you would be ready to face the challenge should it be presented? It is not enough to run around with woo woo sticks, prayers with no power and an ignorant mindset of Evil and how to face it. Most of us will never face real diabolical power in our lives and we thank the Great Spirit for that, but for some the reality is real and often very different from that which is perceived in the real world. The person who takes up the burden of helping others who are experiencing or have experienced evil, will forever be a target and will forever have to maintain a high vibration in thought, word and deed. There is no adulation for those who serve in this capacity.

It is not enough to have knowledge or even theory, for everything we experience in life is within. Nothing exists as an external experience, all is within. I am sure you have heard that statement a million times, but there is a reason the statement keeps permeating our consciousness, and that’s because it’s true. So the power is within. It is your discernment and divinity that is the seat of your power and it's important to be guarded with it and to continue in its reverence to the divinity within.

The Process Of Discernment

In the previous statement, Silver Birch tells us that most of us don’t use it. This is the same within all of our perceptions and the influences around us which cause separation from that divine power. So discernment is not about perceiving what is good or bad, it is harnessing the divine power within you that is over and above that which is in opposition to you. It is not something you learn, it is beyond all knowledge, it is something you are. It is better to maintain an understanding and healthy respect, for without yin, there is no yang.

In Conclusion

Evil exists whether or not you believe in it. Even if you don’t believe in gravity, it will not stop you falling.

Ouija Board Dangers - Should You Play?

I get a lot of questions on this, so here I go. Are there Ouija Board Dangers, or is it just a toy?

Ouija Board

I loved my Ouija board and found one in my Grandpa’s basement hidden behind his tool boxes at 14 years old. How was I to know this innocuous object would cause so much turmoil, which today has echoed the thought in my mind "If you play, you pay".

I learned this after using it for 5 weeks.What started as fun became something more and sinister. It started to do many wild things, like moving by itself, telling me what to do, which lead to a very dark path. I got so flipped out one night, my intuition told me to burn it. That was the only way I thought I could rid the spirits with malicious intentions and to banish them.

Ghosts, Malevolent Forces and Ouija Board Dangers!

If you don’t believe in ghosts or malevolent forces, you really have no business using an Ouija Board. It’s marketed as a toy, but it really shouldn’t be used as one. Many believers in the supernatural use them to call to spirits or talk to dead loved ones, and many professionals in these fields won’t touch them at all. Why?

You call one in, you call them all.

Many, think it’s a toy only to find out there are Ouija Board dangers and you are opening yourself up to a whole lot of creepiness and evil when using them. Look at the history of possessions, many of these occurred from the use of this. They generally become highly addictive and one cannot stop the use. It’s as if it calls to you, to play more. Sometimes, non stop for hours. That’s what happened to me.

So, while it can seem like a fun game to play, here are some reasons why Ouija Boards shouldn’t be played with:

• It’s Not Really a Toy I think you’re better off only using this “game” if you’re going to take it seriously and understand the fact that you could reach another plane or some dead people with it. As well as the repercussions it may bring.
• You might learn something you don’t want to know.
• It can reveal information you don’t want to know. If you really do get in contact with a spirit they may give you all kinds of information you’ll regret getting.
• You could become possessed

Dangers of the ouija board

Messing with spirits can put your well-being and your life in jeopardy. There are documented cases, (possession) of ghosts, demons, spirits of ill intent after using Ouija boards. Whether that was the catalyst for their issue and whether or not they were possessed and not pretending may not be able to be proved (and even if proved, some people still wouldn’t believe it), it still should be a warning to be careful.

You may release spirits into your home

even if you don’t get possessed using the board. That doesn’t mean that you won’t let loose some kind of bad spirit into yourself, or your home. Spirit boards are believed to be portholes to other dimensions, and who knows what you’ve made contact with. You may start to hear strange noises, things may start to move around in your home without anyone touching them, and electronic items may even start working on their own.

Spirits lie don’t believe every word that board tells you either. Ghosts and demons lie. Just because the spirit board tells you that you’re talking to your grandma doesn’t mean that you actually are. They are tricksters giving you just enough information so you believe.

My Para File Conclusion

Personal thoughts on Ouija Board Dangers from my own experiences of course. My clients, who reach out to me have the same common denominator. They found one, or got one as a gift. Some have even said that one had just appeared in a cubbyhole, basement, or attic in there house, even some at the top of a garbage can. All, explain feelings of an evil presence, or unexplained phenomena, even sickness or bad luck. Most even are at the starting of IOP. If you have one, burn it. Do not desecrate it, throw it in the trash. As I’ve said, BURN IT. Say a prayer as you do this.

Paranormal Artist Susan Hiller Dies Aged 78

Susan Hiller After Duchamp, 2016 - 2017, 50 color archival dry prints, 30.5 x 30.5 cm (each), 12 x 12 in (each) After Duchamp: © Susan Hiller; Courtesy Lisson Gallery. Photography Jack Hems.

Renowned paranormal artist Susan Hiller, who based her work on subjects such as alien abductions, near death experiences and fairy rings, has died aged 78 after a brief illness. Matt's Gallery in London confirmed the news and described her as “a unique and idiosyncratic voice, a great artist, writer, thinker and mentor to many”. Let us take a look at Susan's life and celebrate her.

Her Early Life

Susan Hiller was born in 1940 in Tallahassee, Florida. She graduated from the Coral Gables High School in Florida and would obtain her B.A. from Smith College in Northampton in 1961. She would go on to study photography, film, drawing and linguistics in New York shortly before she obtained her post-graduate degree at the Tulane University in New Orleans.

Despite obtaining a degree in anthropology, Hiller would become a critic of academic anthropology. Later, during a slide lecture on African art, she decided she would pursue a career as an artist.

Her Influences

Susan Hiller had several influences playing on her work. Minimalism and conceptual art were some of her earliest influences. She would also state that fluxus, surrealism, and anthropology as major influence on her art.

Susan Hiller - Psi Girls, 1999 Video installation: 5 synchronized programs, 5 projections, color with stereo sound, real-time audio processing, Program duration 20 minutes, Psi Girls: © Susan Hiller; Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

Even though Susan started to practice art in 1970, she would not have her first art exhibition until 1973. She displayed her art as a part of a group show in London's Gallery House. Her exhibition would give her the nickname 'Hace Possible', which stands for 'make it possible' when translated from Spanish.

During her career, Hiller would draw inspiration from the everyday, but also from valued cultural artifacts and paranormal phenomena. From UFO sightings and fairy rings to horror movies and postcards, they all served as inspiration for Susan's inspirational work.

Hiller did not only have a career as an artist, she also found a calling as a lecturer. During her life, she lectured at the Slade School of Fine Art and California State University.

Displayed Work

Much of Susan's work is available for the public to view, although some of her work belongs to the private collection of art collectors. Some of the locations where her work can be viewed include, the Lisson Gallery In London whom we are grateful to receive rights to reproduce her work here, and Centre Pompidou in Paris, The Tate Gallery in London, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Few artists have had such and impact on the paranormal scene, bringing it into the art and culture era. Her life and works will continue to adorn the walls of collectors and many will continue to question - what is possible. If you are in London and you are a serious researcher and collector, visit the Lisson Gallery to see her works and other wonderful artists.

Image Reference:

https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/susan-hiller/gallery/10478

© Susan Hiller; Courtesy Lisson Gallery. Photography Jack Hems.

https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/susan-hiller/gallery/13735

Psi Girls: © Susan Hiller; Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

"A Murky Path Down Archer Avenue" Short Documentary

Few things make me happier than figuring out how to construct documentary projects through research and shooting plans.  Everything is safely practical during those planning stages but, once the production actually begins, it's an entirely new reality of headaches, revisions, and inevitable screw-ups.

I have an independent horror film coming up later this year.  It involves an updated camera hard drive and constant editing learning curves.  Doing documentary projects can be relaxing experiences in the best scenarios so, I figured, what a better way to try out some new horror-centric content than to do a documentary revolving around real, creepy, pre-existing scenes?  I didn't want this documentary to be too easy since it's a sort of drill for that bigger shoot.  A few years back, I had done a short doc about the spirits of Detroit--it's literally called "The Spirits of Detroit"--and I wanted to do something in a similar vein in my usual home city (I was born and raised in the metropolitan Detroit area and I now live in Chicago).

Chicago has too many ghosts.  Doing a documentary about the spirits of Chicago would encompass too much so I decided to stick to one general area.  Archer Avenue isn't one spot, per se; it's a far-reaching street that begins in the South Loop district and stretches beyond the city limits into the southwestern suburbs.  Slicing through hundreds of years worth of multi-layered, unpleasant history, the road serves as a microcosmic sample of what this American region represents.  A well-worn Native American route collided with European immigrants and the psychospiritual baggage that they dragged along with them.  The result is a very long, appropriated, and renamed boulevard lined with myth-drenched cemeteries and woodlands.  The Archer Avenue area is absolutely beautiful and you can feel the history surrounding you.  

This sinister little project was designed to be speedy so I did the best that I could to rush viewers through a Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired jaunt mixing the archived past with a large helping of urban myths and local pop culture.  Whatever's going on with Archer Avenue has staying power.  These are old tales passed down through generations, constantly being remixed and updated.  

Are there actually haunted places on Archer Avenue?  People swear that there are.  The energy in these places, speaking through firsthand experience, seems to back this up.  Did a couple of weird things happen?  Yes.  But I made this documentary to reflect Archer Avenue's potent mesh of history and paranormal rumors, not to present some kind of video diary.  It's an old-fashioned approach: location cinematography and actors in costumes used as live-action illustrations, fleshing out stories.  The supposed scenarios revolving around Archer Avenue and its various locations read like fragmented scripts from B movie horror films.....so why not offer a glimpse at these scenarios utilizing some custom-made B movie horror film fragments?  It makes perfect sense.  Research, narrative compression, and a little bit of technical exercise for me and a thoroughly unnerving, quick, paranormal history adventure for viewers.  If you enjoy the possibility of running into monsters, dead monks, and cursed damsels, there's a few places in Chicago that you may want to visit.  All that you have to do is take a trip down a specific street.

"A Murky Path Down Archer Avenue" is a short documentary by Derek Quint via Addovolt Productions.  This project is narrated by Michael Marius Massett and features music by Andre Almaraz and Michael Marius Massett.

The Weirdest Facts About Crystal Balls

There are certain objects in the world that have always been associated with the mystical and the crystal ball is one of them. Crossing the barriers of religion and legend, the crystal ball has been a mysterious addition to our world indeed.

It is not strange to believe that there are a lot of weird facts surrounding the crystal ball. If you are curious about such facts, be sure to read our weirdest facts on crystal balls below.

The Crystal Ball Is Related To Scrying

Weird Facts About Crystal Balls

While modern Wiccan techniques see scrying as using a pendant to look for missing objects or people, the root of scrying actually lies with the crystal ball. Those more proficient in Wiccan knowledge already know that scrying actually stems from the crystal ball, where it was believed that starting into it could help one predict the future.

Interestingly enough, the term scrying can be traced to the Ancient Druids, historically known as the Celtics from the Bronze age. They were mainly found in Britain and France, so it is also believed the act of scrying stems from that era.

Some historians believe that the Ancient Druids used the crystal ball to peer in to the future, subsequently accurately predicting it. Of course, this action was quite different than anyone who would do this today, as druids were known to use other reflective surfaces too; this included water.

Practiced Around The World With Crystal Balls

Even though the crystal ball and its alleged ability to predict the future originated from the United Kingdom and France, the crystal ball found its way around the world over time; this once again proves the intrigue of an object such as this.

One of the countries where the crystal ball became a source of fascination was 1888 China. During this time, the yuang-kuang-fuchou - a criminal code - dictated that someone could use the crystal ball to gaze upon the face of a thief. Naturally, this caused some Chinese criminal elements to refrain from robbing those with the ability of foresight.

The crystal ball has also put a mark on Indian history. In fact, in the late 1800s, Khalif Mansur is believed to have used a reflective surface to reveal the nature of the person in front of him. With it, he claimed to know whether they were friend or foe.

Fear Of The Crystal Ball And The Occult

Despite its integration in cultures around the world, the use of a crystal ball or reflective surface for occult purposes was forbidden in many of those cultures. Even religions would frown upon its use, one of the most prominent ones being the old testament, which contained the following.

For these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this." (Deuteronomy 18:14)

While the practice of scrying was largely forbidden and frowned upon in many cultures and religion, its appeal caused its use to continue. In fact, historians believe that these objects were used to protect against evil during the Middle Ages.

Becoming Famous

Considering the fact that the crystal ball has been around for a long time, it is no surprise that there are some famous crystal balls, which have now found their way to a museum. Below, we have listed some of the best-known crystal balls and their locations.

The largest crystal ball currently known is stored in the famous Smithsonian museum. According to official information, the crystal ball stems from 1800s China and is believed to have been mined in Birma. With measurements of 12.9 inches and a weight of more than 106 pounds, it is the largest crystal ball in existence.

Another famous crystal ball can be found in Dallas and is called the Dallas Globe. The crystal ball is believed to date back to 19th century Japan. The impressive crystal ball measures 11.3 inches and is a close second to the larger crystal ball at the Smithsonian.

Surprisingly enough, the third largest crystal ball in the world also stems from Asia. It is currently housed at the Penn Museum and is believed to have been owned by the Dowager Empress of China. While it only measures 10 inches and weighs 49 pounds, the crystal ball certainly has an interesting history. In fact, the famous crystal ball was stolen in 1988, alongside an ancient Egyptian statue. Fortunately, the ball was recovered in 1991.

Of course, famous crystal balls do not always have to be ancient. In fact, one of the best-known crystal balls comes from the movie "The Wizard Of Oz". The ball was such a desired object, it was sold for a whopping $129,000 during an auction in the early 2000s.

So, there you have it! The crystal ball has travelled through time and is still an object of intrigue till this day. Whether you love the look of one in your home, or you have a more spiritual interest, nobody can deny this mythical object has stood the test of time.

References:
https://www.penn.museum/collections/highlights/asian/crystalball.php
https://crowcollection.org/curator-conversations/crystal-gazing/
https://www.penn.museum/blog/museum/chinese-crystal-balls-mysterious-past/
https://medium.com/@UpsideTravel/restoration-revealed-the-original-wizard-of-oz-crystal-ball-ecad4b7e763f