Unleash Your Inner Child at Magic of Lights Columbus, Ohio

The Magic of Lights Columbus Ohio is a mesmerizing and enchanting event that takes place every year in Columbus, Ohio. It is a magical display of lights and colors that brings joy and wonder to everyone who visits. The event features a stunning drive-through light show that showcases intricate and beautiful light displays that are synchronized to music. As visitors drive through the display, they are transported to a magical world filled with twinkling lights and whimsical scenes. One of the highlights of the Magic of Lights Columbus Ohio is the Tunnel of Lights. This tunnel is adorned with thousands of lights that create a dazzling and unforgettable experience.

He inhaled slowly, struggling with the conflicting desires to dismiss her guidance as utter rubbish or to follow her instructions and see what might happen. Despite his reservations, the image of a thick, strong taproot like that of an ancient pine tree formed in his mind’s eye. “Now what?”

Anthony s fire causes severe convulsions, muscle spasms, delusions, the sensation of crawling under the skin, and, in extreme cases, gangrene of the extremities. Interpreting the experience from the guidance of a practicing witch helps me imagine how my characters might also have the experience and their reactions.

This tunnel is adorned with thousands of lights that create a dazzling and unforgettable experience. As visitors drive through the tunnel, they are surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, creating a truly magical and enchanting moment. In addition to the stunning light displays, the event also features various activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.

How Rye Bread May Have Caused the Salem Witch Trials

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Kathleen Lohnes was an editorial intern at Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2017 and 2018. She received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and creative writing in 2020 at the University of Iowa.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, edited by Charles Dudley Warner, 1896

In 1692 the small Puritan village of Salem, Massachusetts, was plagued by a sudden and brief cloud of witchcraft accusations. After young girls Betty Parris and Abigail Williams exhibited severe convulsions and other strange symptoms, village doctor William Griggs diagnosed them as having been bewitched. Soon after, other townspeople began showing similar symptoms. That’s when the accusations started flying. The town quickly decided that they were going to search for, and execute, all the witches of Salem. By the end of the trials in May 1693, 19 people had been hanged, one had been crushed by stones, and four had died in prison—all accused of being witches. Three hundred years later, we’re still asking: Did witches really haunt the town of Salem? Or was another devil at work?

In 1976 Dr. Linnda Caporael of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found evidence that supported the latter hypothesis. Caporael proposed that perhaps the brief and intense illnesses suffered by so many of the townspeople were not bewitchment but rather ergotism, a disease commonly contracted by rye. Later, other historians agreed: ergotism was not only an interesting theory but also had some footing. Could all of the crazy happenings in Salem really be explained by some rotted rye?

Surprisingly, a lot of them can. With the exception of a few events (which are typically attributed to groupthink and the power of suggestion), the behavior exhibited in 1692 fits the bill of rye-induced ergotism. Ergotism forms in rye after a severe winter and a damp spring—conditions that Caporael and other historians claim were present in 1691 and therefore affected the rye harvested for consumption in 1692. After the rye plant contracts ergot, the fungus grows and replaces shoots on the grain with sclerotia. Ergot sclerotia are purple-black growths that contain lysergic acid and ergotamine. Since medical knowledge was sparse, the presence of darker shoots on rye was probably thought to be the product of overexposure to the sun, so it was most likely eaten despite being poisonous.

Once contracted from rye bread, ergotism (also called St. Anthony’s fire) causes severe convulsions, muscle spasms, delusions, the sensation of crawling under the skin, and, in extreme cases, gangrene of the extremities. Severe hallucinations can also be a symptom, as lysergic acid is the substance from which the drug LSD is synthesized. These symptoms were the same as those shown by the accused in Salem: mostly young girls whose immune systems had not fully developed, leaving them susceptible to diseases such as ergotism. The village doctor, being religious and, so the theory goes, unaware of ergotism as a disease, attributed the strange symptoms to a known evil: witchcraft. He claimed that the girls had fallen victim to the evils of witchcraft, and the girls went along with it. The rest of the townsfolk fell victim to suggestibility, and thus the trials commenced, with accusations of witchcraft being targeted at the outcasts of society by those who were afflicted. According to this theory, the abrupt end of the witch trials in May 1693 happened, quite simply, because Salem ran out of ergot-contaminated grain.

There is, however, still much debate over whether or not this theory should be accepted. Many social psychologists insist that the actions of the girls can be attributed to social and political unrest and that ergotism doesn’t factor into certain social aspects that could explain what really happened. Such aspects include Reverend Parris’s possible ulterior motives and the immense amount of stress put on the population during 1692 due to a smallpox outbreak and a quickly expanding population. Unfortunately, we will probably never know exactly what happened in Salem during the witch trials. All sides of the argument agree, however, that there was probably nothing supernatural at work. According to some people, the real evil might have been on the supper table.

Learn More About This Topic

• What were the Salem witch trials?
• Why is ergotism called St. Anthony’s fire?

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, edited by Charles Dudley Warner, 1896

There are opportunities to take photos with Santa Claus, enjoy festive treats and drinks, and even meet some of their favorite holiday characters. The Magic of Lights Columbus Ohio is a perfect event for families, couples, and friends to come together and celebrate the holiday season. It is a chance to create lasting memories and experience the magic and wonder of the holiday lights. Overall, the Magic of Lights Columbus Ohio is an extraordinary event that showcases the beauty and magic of lights. The mesmerizing displays, enchanting atmosphere, and festive activities make it a must-visit event for anyone in Columbus, Ohio, during the holiday season..

Reviews for "Embrace the Holiday Spirit at Magic of Lights Columbus, Ohio"

1. John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Magic of Lights in Columbus, Ohio. The display was incredibly underwhelming and not worth the price of admission. The lights were dim and dull, with very few intricate designs or exciting features. It felt like driving through a basic suburban neighborhood with a few strings of lights hung up. Save your money and find a better holiday light display.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - I expected so much more from the Magic of Lights event in Columbus. The whole experience was underwhelming and lacking in creativity. The displays were repetitive and unimpressive, with the same lights and decorations being used over and over again. The drive-through format made it difficult to fully appreciate the lights, as we were rushed through the display without enough time to enjoy each scene. I wouldn't recommend this event to anyone looking for a magical and enchanting holiday light experience.

3. Emily - 2 stars - Magic of Lights in Columbus, Ohio was a major letdown for me. The displays lacked creativity and were nothing out of the ordinary. It felt like any other average Christmas light display you could find in a residential area. The expected "magic" was simply not present, and I left feeling disappointed and as though I wasted my time and money. I suggest looking into other holiday light events in the area that offer a more memorable and enchanting experience.

Step into a Winter Wonderland at Magic of Lights Columbus, Ohio