From the Hollow

Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities—a collection of gothic history, strange traditions, haunted places, forgotten folklore, dark symbolism, and the stories hidden behind art and books.

Here you’ll find ancient festivals, eerie legends, Victorian oddities, supernatural inspiration, book reviews, collector features, and the beautifully strange details that shape my worlds. From haunted Pittsburgh to poisonous gardens, from ravens and roses to old rituals and whispered ghost stories, this is where mystery, history, and art meet.

If you love gothic atmosphere, dark fiction, and the allure of the unusual, you’re in the right place.

Halcyon Days: A Journey into Calm, Peace, and Serenity

Halcyon Days is a phrase used to describe periods of calm, happiness, and peacefulness. Often associated with nostalgia or a golden time in life, the term evokes a sense of tranquility and stress-free living. Whether in literature, history, or everyday conversation, Halcyon Days represent moments when everything feels balanced and serene. Origins of Halcyon Days The term “Halcyon Days” comes from ancient Greek mythology. According to legend, Alcyone, a devoted wife, was trans

Dec 14, 20252 min read

Bona Dea: The Enigmatic Goddess of Rome’s Secret Women’s Cult

Mystery. Silence. Sacred rites hidden behind closed doors. Few deities in ancient Rome embodied secrecy and feminine power quite like Bona Dea, the “Good Goddess” whose worship was so exclusive, even her own name was considered too sacred to speak aloud. For centuries, Roman women sought her blessings for fertility, healing, protection, and purity, gathering in ritual spaces men were forbidden to enter. Though her temples once bustled with activity, much of her story has been

Dec 3, 20253 min read

Poseidea: Festival of Poseidon

The Poseidea is a relatively obscure festival from the ancient Attic calendar, held in honour of Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. It took place in the lunar month called Poseideon (roughly late December into January). Although details are limited, the festival provides an intriguing insight into how the Athenians and other Greeks recognized the power of the sea and its perils — especially in winter. Date & Calendar Context The Attic month Poseideon is identi

Nov 29, 20253 min read

Night of Hekate: Honoring the Torchbearer at the Crossroads

Hekate is among the more fascinating deities in the Greek pantheon — a goddess of magic, boundaries, crossroads, the night, and the underworld. While her worship in classical antiquity had specific ritual forms, modern practitioners have also adopted particular dates in November for her honour. This article explores the “night(s) of Hekate,” how they are observed today, what their roots may be, and how you might choose to mark them yourself. The Ancient Practice: Deipnon, Nou

Nov 16, 20254 min read

Pompaia: The Ancient Festival of Protection and Procession

The Pompaia is an obscure yet fascinating festival from the ancient Athenian (Attic) calendar, celebrated during the month of Maimakterion (roughly mid-November to mid-December). Though few records of it survive, scholars and modern Hellenic practitioners have pieced together its likely purpose: a ritual of purification and protection held at the onset of winter’s storms. The name Pompaia derives from pompe (πομπή), meaning “procession,” suggesting a ceremonial parade of sa

Nov 1, 20254 min read

The Theseia: Honoring the Hero of Athens

After a day of beans, grapes, and myth during the Pyanepsia and Oskhophoria, the Athenians weren’t done yet. The very next day, they held...

Sep 30, 20252 min read

The Oskhophoria: A Festival of Grapes, Heroes, and the Gods

While the Athenians celebrated the Pyanepsia with beans and blessings for the harvest, another festival was happening on the very same...

Sep 29, 20252 min read

The Proerosia: An Ancient Festival of First Fruits and Fertile Fields

In the agrarian societies of ancient Greece, the success of each harvest was a matter of life and death. Agriculture shaped not only the...

Sep 29, 20253 min read

The Pyanepsia: An Ancient Athenian Festival of Beans and Myth

When we think of ancient Greek festivals, our minds often jump to the grand spectacles—like the Olympic Games or the dramatic...

Sep 29, 20253 min read

Mabon: The Autumn Equinox Celebration

As summer fades and the air takes on a crispness, the wheel of the year turns to Mabon, the pagan harvest festival that honors the autumn...

Sep 22, 20253 min read

Eleusinia ta Megala: The Great Mysteries of Eleusis

Among the sacred festivals of the Attic calendar, few were as profound, secretive, and enduring as the Eleusinia ta Megala—the Great...

Sep 8, 20253 min read

Basile: An Ancient Attic Festival with Mycenaean Roots

If you’re diving into the ancient Attic calendar, you might stumble across a curious festival called Basile, celebrated on the 4th of...

Aug 28, 20252 min read

Niketeria: Ancient Greece’s Little-Known Festival of Victory

When most people think of ancient Greek festivals, images of the grand Olympic Games, Dionysian theater, or the pan-Hellenic celebrations...

Aug 26, 20252 min read

Zeus Epoptes and the Chthonic Side of Athenian Calendars

When most people picture Zeus, they think of the thunderbolt-wielding sky-god of Olympus. But in the sacrificial calendars of ancient...

Aug 19, 20255 min read

Hera Telkhinia

Imagine a small neighborhood in ancient Athens—Erchia—where locals gather on the 20th of Metageitnion (around mid-August) to honor Hera...

Aug 14, 20252 min read

The Festival of Neith: Celebrating the Goddess of War and Weaving

The Festival of Neith, an ancient Egyptian celebration, honors Neith, the multifaceted goddess of war, wisdom, weaving, and creation. As...

Aug 13, 20253 min read

The Heroines Festival

Today's post will be a little different. I had found the Heroines festival listed on a resource of ancient festivals that I have been...

Aug 13, 20254 min read

Eleusinia: The Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone

The term Eleusinia refers to the Eleusinian Mysteries, one of the most secretive and sacred religious rites of ancient Greece. Centered...

Aug 9, 20253 min read

Lughnasadh: The First Harvest Festival Through History and Modern Times

As summer stretches toward its golden finale and the first hints of autumn stir in the breeze, many modern pagans, witches, and...

Aug 1, 20253 min read

Hathor: The Ancient Egyptian Festival of Joy, Music, and Divine Feminine Power

When we think of ancient Egyptian celebrations, it’s easy to imagine grand temples, solemn rituals, and gold-laden offerings to...

Jul 19, 20253 min read