October 27, 2022

HAUNTINGLY TRUE STORIES A “Changeling” Murder  In March 1895, Bridget Cleary was murdered by her husband Michael, on the grounds that he believed that she was an evil fairy, or a changeling, who had replaced his true wife. The murder made international front-page news—in England, it was proof of Ireland’s superstition, a reflection of the folktale beliefs that ran rampant. But in Ireland, Bridget’s murder spoke to something more sinister—what happened to women who stepped outside society’s expectations.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Disappearing Traditions The Philippine folk tradition known as Pangangaluluwa or in Tagalog, “souling,” is a tradition where adults and children travel from house to house pretending to be lost souls in purgatory on the nights leading up to and including October 31 (All Hallows’ Eve) and November 1 (All Saints’ Day and the eve of All Souls’ Day). Traditionally, the roving performers sang about saints, lost souls’ misadventures, and were often given alms that included money or rice snacks known as kakanin. But today, Pangangaluluwa is rarely practiced. READ MORE → LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Mel Blanc’s Grave Mel Blanc, the Man of a Thousand Voices, gave his heart and soul to many beloved cartoon characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Woody Woodpecker, and more. Today, he is considered one of the greatest and most influential voice actors in history—and to honor him, his headstone reads “That’s all folks!” READ MORE → SPONSORED BY VISIT SEATTLE History in Seattle’s Chinatown History—both personal and societal—is enshrined in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, with loyal locals and visitors alike seeking out time-honored, beloved institutions like Tai Tung’s or the Seattle Pinball Museum. Dive into the whole tapestry of history here, one that unfolds across cultural lines and works to remember all the sacrifices of those who came before. WATCH NOW → ENTER THE CATS Potential Future Danger Signs Deep beneath the surface of one Finnish island is Onkalo, which when it begins operations around 2025, will be the world’s first permanent nuclear waste repository, a product of decades of thinking around the fact that nuclear waste’s potential for harm may outlive entire languages and civilizations. So the question, then: how do you warn people away from radioactive sites like these? Will our universal signs for danger still translate to our descendants? Solutions so far include glowing cats, atomic priesthoods, and other oddball measures. READ MORE → MAMMOTH SPRING, ARKANSAS Mammoth Spring Arkansas and Missouri could be at odds with the true ownership of Mammoth Spring, the largest spring in Arkansas, and the seventh-largest in the world. The mouth of the spring is in Arkansas (only 500 feet from the border), but the recharge area belongs to Missouri. For now, the states are in agreement—the second-largest spring in the Ozarks belongs to Arkansas. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Build Your Own Terrarium In this seminar, we’ll trace the surprising history of terrariums and learn basic science of designing and maintaining them. We'll cover how to select which plants are most likely to thrive, implement sterilization methods to prevent fungus growth, and assemble proper drainage systems—swapping fun design tips along the way. By the end of our time together, you’ll not only have an assembled terrarium, but also the context and skills to support your small ecosystem well into the future. ENROLL TODAY → WORD ORIGINS The Original ‘Nightmare’ Nightmares, as we use the word today, are vivid, personal terrors whipped up by a person’s subconscious just for them—you can fill in the blanks with your own nightmare here. But in centuries past, a night “mare” was a very specific type of frightening nocturnal visitor, a spirit or demon that would sit on a person’s chest and suffocate them. READ MORE → MANĚTÍN, CZECHIA Kostel Svatého Jiří Ghost Church Kostel Svatého Jiří (St. George’s Church) in Luková, Czechia, has been neglected for more than 40 years. Believing it to be haunted, the congregation refused to set foot into the church, which slowly fell into decay. Until it was saved by ghosts. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Romania’s Medieval Past Step back in time with us as we explore Romania's magnificent castles and ruins while traversing its dramatic landscapes. We’ll learn about the fabled land of Transylvania and its millennia of quarrels, alliances, invasions, counter-invasions, occupations, foreign rule, autonomy, and independence, all while admiring its landscapes and tasting its rich food and drink.