The cult of the witch has a long and intriguing history, spanning across various cultures and time periods. It is believed that the practice of witchcraft dates back to ancient times, with evidence of witchcraft rituals and spellcasting found in archaeological findings. Throughout history, witches have been both revered and feared. In some cultures, witches were seen as powerful healers and wise individuals with a deep understanding of nature and magic. They were respected for their ability to communicate with spirits and provide guidance to their communities. However, as societies became more Christianized, the perception of witches changed dramatically.
The Bell Witch
The legend regarding the Bell Witch is one of the most interesting we have in America, and definitely one of the most unique. It is one of the most well documented cases of a haunting, and even resulted in the spirit taking a man’s life.
So, of course, I decided it would be a good idea to go check out the Bell Witch Cave.
An American Haunting, The Bell Witch Haunting, and Bell Witch: the Movie were all based on this legend.
An episode of Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel was filmed there.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story of the Bell Witch, I’ll give you a quick history:
From what I can gather from various sources, including the current owners of the property, the Bell family was plagued by a spirit, commonly referred to as a “witch”, that made their lives miserable. The entity would knock on the walls outside the home. Then inside. It would manifest itself to others, with the ability to speak and even change voices. It would claim to be dead natives buried on the property, or sometimes even claimed to be everything. But most commonly, it liked to claim the name of a peculiar woman in town by the name of Kate. So, frequently, that’s what they refer to the spirit as – Kate.
Word of the paranormal activity at the Bell property spread, even reaching Andrew Jackson, who decided to pay a visit and see the witch himself. On his way, his wagon was stopped, and the spirit spoke to him and the men traveling with him, promising they would meet again, later.
Over time, things grew worse. Mainly, the two most targeted members of the family were the father, John Bell, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Bell, who was frequently tormented, even being pushed so far that she ended an engagement because the spirit was threatening her.
But the most drastic event involved John Bell’s physical suffering and, ultimately, his death.
John had grown weak, his tongue “acting with a mind of it’s own”, and spitting food back out. Eventually, he became bed bound. Then, John took a turn for the worse, and the voice took credit for his demise. Lucy Bell, John’s wife, found a peculiar medicine bottle in their cabinet with a black liquid inside. The witch told them that was her special medicine for John. Lucy gave it to one of the animals, which ended up dying as John had.
So, while I was in Tennessee, I decided it would be cool to check out the Bell property, and hopefully the cave.
Replica cabin you can visit.
I thought it was interesting that they have a warning about taking anything, such as rocks, etc, from the cave. Not for any stealing type reasons, but because it never goes well for the people that have taken anything. I witnessed this firsthand, but I’ll get to that later. If you didn’t believe them, they offered PLENTY of letters from people apologizing and sending back whatever they’d taken home with them. In some cases, it was even items they had purchased in the gift shop.
I had joked, as we were parking, that I would take a stone from the cave. My mom didn’t find this very funny. Later, I decided it was definitely something I should not do.
The cabin, which was a replica, wasn’t the most remarkable thing. It was cool to have a room to be in while the audio played and told the history for those that didn’t know it. But I’d done my homework, so I was eager to get my new hiking shoes into that cave.
Before we went in, we were given a rundown about the graves around the entrance and inside the cave. Yup. Bodies.
That’s all I could think about, going in.
Apparently, 2-3 thousand year old Native American graves were both outside the cave entrance, and actually within the cave, itself. Some bodies had been disturbed already by the former owners, as well as people that snuck in and stole a body. Not to mention, the bodies disturbed by the Bell children in the 1800s.
Yeah. You read that correctly. Someone stole a body.
Stone box grave where the Native American girl’s body was, before it was stolen:
I’m glad that I’m used to hikes and climbing around on rocks and such, because this would have been rough for anyone with poor balance. But what do you expect in a cave, right? Haha.
The cave itself was beautiful and fascinating to explore. But as you continued into the cave, it became more and more cramped. A few times I felt like a Tetris piece.
There were a few instances that I did feel like there was something watching me. I learned later that I wasn’t the only one.
In the back of the cave, as I was taking pictures of everything, I didn’t notice the face in the rocks I see clearly in the photos. Which is, apparently, pretty common there.
While nothing overly disturbing occurred during the time in the cave, there were a handful of weird things. Like a teenage girl there with her family that, despite being warned, picked up a rock. The entire time she was in the cave, things kept happening to her: rocks came from nowhere and hit her, she felt uncomfortable, and eventually ended up crying and wanting out.
We were warned even accidentally bringing things back had nasty consequences.
My mom listened to that, while I did not. Again, while nothing overly disturbing happened to me, I have had a string of odd things, including weird dreams.
Thanks, rocks stuck in my shoe.
Overall, it’s hard to deny that something happened at the Bell Witch Cave. Was it a ghost? Poltergeist? Even a demon? Let me know what you think in the comments!
And if you want me to go on more spooky adventures, let me know!
7 Scariest Places in Tennessee
T ennessee is known for its whiskey, bustling music scene and beautiful scenery, but did you know it’s also known for being one of the most haunted states in the country? In the spirit of Halloween, take a look at seven of the scariest places in Tennessee.
However, as societies became more Christianized, the perception of witches changed dramatically. They were now labeled as devil worshippers and agents of evil, feared for their supposed ability to harm others through their magical powers. This led to the infamous witch trials and persecutions that took place in Europe and the American colonies during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Tennessee State Prison
Nashville, TN
Video Credit: TNECD
A former correctional facility located near downtown Nashville, the Tennessee State Prison is well-known for being featured in The Green Mile and two Eric Church music videos. Built in 1898, the castle-like prison was operational for almost 100 years, but it closed in 1992 due to overcrowding. During its use in the 19th and 20th centuries, it housed some of Tennessee’s most dangerous criminals and was known for riots and jailbreaks. People who have entered in the past have reported what they believe to be the sounds of cell bars clunking, blood-curdling screams and footsteps that seem to echo throughout the halls, solidifying the old Tennessee State Prison as one of the scariest places in Tennessee.
Despite the prison’s popularity among fans of haunted places, the Tennessee State Prison is not open to the public due to unsafe conditions, and access is prohibited.
During these witch trials, many innocent men and women were accused of practicing witchcraft and subjected to brutal interrogation methods, including torture. The trials were often fueled by superstition, hysteria, and personal grudges rather than actual evidence of witchcraft. Thousands of people were executed, primarily women, for their alleged association with the devil. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in witchcraft and the occult. Many individuals are drawn to witchcraft as a means of self-expression, empowerment, and spiritual exploration. Modern witches often practice various forms of magic, divination, and spellcasting, using both traditional and contemporary methods. The cult of the witch has also been romanticized and portrayed in popular culture, with movies and books depicting witches as mystical and powerful beings. However, it is essential to differentiate between fictional portrayals and real witchcraft practices. While the cult of the witch may vary in beliefs and practices across individuals and communities, its core essence lies in the reverence for nature, the harnessing of personal power, and the exploration of spiritual realms. It is a complex and diverse phenomenon that continues to intrigue and captivate people around the world..
Reviews for "Witch Cult Leaders: Charismatic or Manipulative?"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Cult of the Witch" but I was left feeling disappointed. The story started off promising, but as it progressed, it became predictable and lacked any real depth. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were poorly explained. I also found the pacing to be off, with slow parts dragging on and important plot points rushed through. Overall, I was not captivated by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star - I struggled to finish "The Cult of the Witch" and, quite honestly, I wish I hadn't even bothered. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow what was happening. The writing felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and excessive descriptions that added nothing to the story. The main character was unlikable and lacked depth, making it impossible to connect with her. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. This book was a disappointment from start to finish.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - "The Cult of the Witch" had potential, but ultimately fell short for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution was lacking. The pacing felt uneven, with some parts dragging on and others passing by too quickly. The characters, while somewhat intriguing, lacked development and their actions often felt contrived. The writing, while decent, didn't fully immerse me in the story. I wanted to enjoy this book more, but it left me feeling underwhelmed.