Where the strange and unusual are welcome.
A most delightfully macabre shop has opened its doors in San Pedro, CA. Melissa Johnson of Miss Havisham’s Curiosities and Heather Allison of Veneration of Light have come together to establish a brick and mortar that houses their exquisite creations, which include tea sets and dark fine art. They recently hosted a soft opening, and I had an amazing time exploring their retail space.
Continue reading “Welcome to Miss Havisham’s Curiosities & Veneration of Light”
When we find ourselves needing deeper insights into a particular aspect of our lives, we search for ways to attain that insight. Some go for a long walk to think, others seek advice from a mentor, and certain individuals turn to cartomancy. This form of divination involves using a deck of cards and is believed to have emerged centuries ago in Europe.
Tarot is perhaps the most popular type of cartomancy today, but there are also Oracle cards and Lenormand cards. The Ofrenda Oracle utilizes the Lenormand method while also possessing characteristics associated with Oracle cards. I used the deck for the first time and want to share my experience with it.
Continue reading “Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’”
“As a bruja, you grow to realize that occult forces are always preparing us and positioning us for divine appointments.” –Mexican Magic by Laura Davila
In her newest book, Laura Davila makes Mexican folk spirituality accessible to a wider audience. Mexican Magic places the power to initiate personal transformation in the hands of the reader. I had the privilege of being gifted with a copy by the publisher Red Wheel/Weiser. The fact that this book has come into my possession is an act of magic to me. Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my spiritual connections and have begun researching the spiritual customs of my Mexican ancestors. Davila’s latest work resonated with me on many levels, and I believe others who are on a mystical journey can benefit from it as well.
Continue reading “Inside ‘Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions’ by Laura Davila”
When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.
Continue reading “How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture”
Within Los Angeles County, there’s a city filled with spooky things to do—Long Beach. This SoCal city is where I grew up and holds a special place in my black heart. While there are many creepy activities and events sprawled across LA, I wanted to hone in on this slice of the California coast. I figured it’s time I create a travel guide to the LBC, mapping out macabre places you must check out. Whether you’re a visitor or local who’s pining for new spots to discover, this list is brimming with spooky finds and is meant for the traveler who appreciates the darkness.
Continue reading “The Ultimate Spooky Travel Guide to Long Beach, California”
“Do you like scary movies?” -Ghostface from Scream (1996)
This is the question Ivotres Littles explores through her platform, Horror Movies and Beyond. Her YouTube channel is a treasure trove of horror content, from scary movie reviews to celebrity interviews to explorations into the unknown. Through her features, she analyzes, in an entertaining way, what makes horror so enticing.
Continue reading “Spotlight Feature: Ivotres Littles of Horror Movies & Beyond”
When you’re looking to take in macabre works of art in Long Beach, CA, you head to The Dark Art Emporium, otherwise simply known as DAE. The gallery has been injecting the city with doses of weirdness since 2016, hosting darkly eclectic art exhibits and showcasing a variety of oddities. I’ve attended many of their events over the years and it’s definitely one of my favorite spots in the LBC.
Continue reading “The Dark Art Emporium Resurrects in a New Space in Downtown Long Beach”
It may be difficult for some to believe that the holidays have a dark side, but they do and Krampus is legendary proof. Tales of the demonic figure have existed for centuries, and his origins are shrouded in mystery. However, scholars have managed to uncover a few essential facts over time and truth be told, he’s more popular now than ever. Brace yourself because I’m about to divulge a few ghastly details about this demon of Christmas.
Continue reading “10 Sinister Facts About Krampus”
A tradition that pays homage to the dead and began in Mexico with the Aztec and Nahua tribes is alive and well today. I’m referring to Dia de los Muertos. The holiday is a mix of Mesoamerican and European customs and celebrates the memory of those who’ve departed from this earthly realm. Hollywood Forever Cemetery held their annual Dia y Noche del los Muertos event and this was my second year attending the latter. I’m here to tell you all about it and share photos from the evening.
Continue reading “Hollywood Forever’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration”
For more than 20 years, Hollywood Forever cemetery has established an annual tradition that celebrates the Day of the Dead during the last Saturday of October. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a press event where they gave an exclusive preview of this year’s festivities and introduced the theme. It was an evening filled with delightful music, beautiful rituals, delicious food and vibrant décor.
Continue reading “Hollywood Forever Hosts a Day of the Dead Preview Event”
Vamp Jenn's Corner 