Once upon a time, in a small village nestled at the edge of a dark and mysterious forest, there lived a witch. This witch was not like any other witch. She had a gentle heart and a kind spirit that shone through her deep, piercing eyes. Instead of using her powers for evil, she used them to protect and guide those who were lost in the woods. The villagers were initially wary of the witch, with tales of her cackling laughter and black magic spreading fear among them. But as time went on, they realized that their preconceptions were wrong.
My part of the event will be Friday October 20th @7PM, consisting of a full lecture (with emphasis on the Mississippi Bell Witch and the life of Betsy Bell after Tennessee), a meet-greet, and a book signing. Location: The TIN Space, 16 South Main Street .
On a positive note, although I loved all of the acting but just not the storyline , my favorites were the two females in long dresses who portrayed the spirit. This approach, which is arguably one of the film s strongest points, helps viewers to understand not only important details and developments that have surfaced, but also how the legend came about, how it has evolved, its cultural effect on the region, and its place in American history and folklore.
But as time went on, they realized that their preconceptions were wrong. The witch was not a wicked being, but a guardian of the forest, helping lost souls find their way back home. Every night, as darkness fell, the witch would light a lantern and carry it with her as she ventured into the forest.
An American Haunting: The Bell Witch
Greetings! I’m always up for a good scare or haunting, and when this book came sliding through my hands, I set it aside out of a sense of duty because I am the Yankee who has lived here for twenty-five years and still doesn’t know enough about the Bell Witch to sound respectable around a cracker barrel.
Locals who have grown up with the tradition know to look in the mirror at midnight and say “Bell Witch” three times and then check the back of the mirror to see what happens. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that after having read this book (I live alone in the “boonies” and don’t stare into the woods at night), but I feel now that I have some familiarity with a strong local tradition that still calls to mind fascinating stories from local “people who know.”
An American Haunting: The Bell Witch: Being the Eye Witness Account of Richard Powell Concerning the Bell Witch Haunting of Robertson County, Tennessee 1817-1821
By Brent MonahanThe readability of this book required a little extra work from me. I had to read the introductory material several times to get on track. Also, there are no chapters. The book runs to l92 pages without a break, until it skids into eight pages of notes. Since I read before I sleep at night, I had to “get with my place” every time I wanted to continue my reading, but any extra effort was worth the trouble.
The book claims to be an edited memoir of a man, a local school teacher, who married the daughter of the man whom the Bell witch wanted dead. His perspective on the events that transpired in the early 1820s is both that of an outsider and an insider. As the outsider, he retells the events that the local populace sees, hears, and talks about. The witch is a most interesting character, with four specific and distinct voices and not a few quirks and eccentricities. He tells this part of the story with a great deal of color and the lingering sense of dread that a continual haunting presents.
Later, in the last thirty pages, we reach the climax of the story in the death of John Bell, whom the witch has been tormenting long-term. This is followed by one of the most interesting denouements I can recall—somewhat lengthy but from the perspective of an insider’s point of view and answering nearly all of the questions connected with the haunting. Like a great mystery book, all of the strings are pulled together perfectly in the end. One finishes the book with a fair and even sense of all that the haunting involved and represented, with an almost–respectable Southern sense of it, if it just weren’t for that Yankee thing still lingering in the background.
My lecture will be last, at 4:20PM, just before the paranormal roundtable discussion.
The lantern emitted a warm, glowing light, which illuminated the paths and revealed hidden shortcuts. It was said that the lantern possessed ancient magical powers, bestowed upon it by the forest itself. As the witch wandered through the woods, her lantern guided her, often leading her to those in need. Lost travelers, frightened children, and even injured animals would be guided to safety by the gentle radiance of the lantern. Wherever the witch went, hope and light followed, dispelling the darkness that loomed over the forest. Through her acts of kindness, the witch gained the trust and respect of the villagers. They no longer feared her, but instead admired her for her selfless deeds. The witch became a figure of hope and inspiration, a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that there is goodness even in the darkest of places. The witch's lantern became a symbol of hope within the village. It became tradition for the villagers to venture into the forest with their own lanterns in hand, on the night of the winter solstice. They would light their lanterns and follow the path that the witch had tread, paying homage to her and the light she had brought into their lives. As years went by, the witch grew old. But her spirit remained as vibrant as ever, and her lantern continued to shine brightly. When her time came, the villagers mourned the loss of their beloved witch but took solace in the knowledge that her light would live on. To this day, deep in the heart of the forest, there is said to be a shrine dedicated to the witch. A small, flickering flame burns eternally, a testament to the witch's unwavering compassion and the illuminating power of her lantern. So if you ever find yourself in the woods on a dark night, keep an eye out for the faint glow of a shining lantern. It might just be the witch, still watching over lost souls and guiding them back home..
Reviews for "The Witch's Shining Lantern: A Bridge Between Worlds"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Witch with a shining lantern". The story felt disjointed and confusing, with no clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and I didn't feel any connection to them. The writing style was also lacking, with flat dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found it to be a boring and uninspiring read.
2. Emily - 3 stars
While "Witch with a shining lantern" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also minimal, leaving me wanting more depth and detail. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and complexity, making it hard for me to invest in their journey. While it had potential, I ultimately found the book to be average at best.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I struggled to get through "Witch with a shining lantern". The plot was convoluted and difficult to follow, with too many subplots and unnecessary distractions. The writing style was also confusing, with jumbled descriptions and inconsistent tone. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it hard for me to care about their struggles. Overall, it was a disappointing read that left me unsatisfied and confused.
4. Michael - 1 star
I couldn't finish "Witch with a shining lantern". The writing was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors, making it a chore to read. The plot was also predictable and unoriginal, lacking any surprises or twists. The characters were generic and lacked personality, making it difficult to connect with them. I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.