Folklore's Most Wicked Witches
Heart Starts Pounding: Horrors, Hauntings and Mysteries
Deep Dive
Why did Mary Fenwick's parents warn her about ponds?
They warned her because ponds in the countryside could be dangerous if not paid attention to, and there was a local legend about a witch named Wicked Jenny who grabbed kids who wandered too close.
What happened to Mary Fenwick when she tried to retrieve her brother's hoop from the pond?
Mary was dragged into the pond by a witch with large yellow eyes and rotting skin, and her screams died as she disappeared beneath the water.
How did Vasilia the Beautiful manage to escape from Baba Yaga?
Vasilia's magic doll completed her tasks during the night, allowing her to finish her chores and escape Baba Yaga's house with a lit candle.
What is the significance of Baba Yaga in Slavic folklore?
Baba Yaga is a powerful, menacing, and strange witch who lives in the woods, known for eating children. She is both feared and sometimes helpful, acting as an evil fairy godmother.
What is the legend of Ashtabai in Mexico?
Ashtabai is a jungle demon and witch who appears as a beautiful woman to lure men, especially those of Mayan descent, into the jungle where she kills them in various horrific ways.
Why did the ghost of Utzkolel become Ashtabai?
Utzkolel became Ashtabai out of jealousy and rage after her sister's death was celebrated for its sweet smell, while her own death caused a putrid odor. She decided to emulate her sister's promiscuity to seek revenge.
What is the legend of Sarah Torbett in Gadsden, Alabama?
Sarah Torbett is a witch who allegedly sold her soul to the devil for eternal youth and has been murdering children for nearly a century, using their bones and blood in occult rituals.
How did the townspeople of Gadsden deal with the legend of Sarah Torbett?
The townspeople burned down Sarah Torbett's cabin in a fit of rage and fear after discovering the dismembered bodies of missing children in a pond near her home.
What paranormal activities are associated with the site of Sarah Torbett's cabin?
The site is barren with no plant growth, and there are reports of an enormous black dog, orbs of light over the pond, and sightings of Sarah Torbett painting herself with blood from the pond during full moons.
What is the cautionary message behind the stories of these wicked witches?
The stories serve as warnings to avoid dangerous places, not to trust strangers, and to be cautious even of those who seem harmless, reminding us of the potential for wickedness in unexpected places.
- Wicked Jenny is a witch who pulls children into the water when they wander away from their parents.
- Mary Fenwick encounters Wicked Jenny after chasing her brother's hoop into a pond.
- The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of wandering near water.
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