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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.
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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


Book Review: The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
The Grave Artist , the second installment in the Carmen Sanchez and Jake Heron series, delivers a suspenseful and chilling continuation...
Sep 13, 20251 min read


Fatal Intrusion Book Review – Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado Thriller
Fatal Intrusion opens with a chilling premise: a string of murders sweeping across Southern California, connected in ways that baffle...
Sep 13, 20251 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


Star Trek Day
September 8th is officially Star Trek Day , a celebration of one of the most iconic science fiction franchises of all time. The date...
Sep 8, 20251 min read


The Neighbor: A Nine Little Hauntings Exclusive
✨ Nine Little Hauntings ✨ A series from The Hollow—brief encounters with the uncanny, where the ordinary twists and the quiet lingers a...
Sep 5, 20251 min read


The Library Book: A Nine Little Hauntings Exclusive
✨ Nine Little Hauntings ✨ A series from The Hollow—brief encounters with the uncanny, where the ordinary twists and the quiet lingers a...
Sep 4, 20251 min read


The Attic Window: A Nine Little Hauntings Exclusive
✨ Nine Little Hauntings ✨ A series from The Hollow—brief encounters with the uncanny, where the ordinary twists and the quiet lingers a...
Sep 3, 20251 min read


The Mirror: A Nine Little Hauntings Exclusive
✨ Nine Little Hauntings ✨ A series from The Hollow—brief encounters with the uncanny, where the ordinary twists and the quiet lingers a...
Sep 2, 20251 min read


The Phone Call: A Nine Little Hauntings Exclusive
✨ Nine Little Hauntings ✨ A series from The Hollow—brief encounters with the uncanny, where the ordinary twists and the quiet lingers a...
Sep 1, 20251 min read


Finding the Balance: Work, Rest, and Setting Intentions This Labor Day
Labor Day often marks the unofficial end of summer, a long weekend filled with family gatherings, barbecues, and that one last taste of...
Sep 1, 20252 min read


Portrait Painting for the Changing Seasons: Capturing Fall Ambience
Portrait painting is an art form that allows us to freeze a moment in time, capturing the essence of a person’s expression, mood, and...
Sep 30, 20244 min read


Crafting Compelling Character Arcs in Mystery, Thriller, and Horror: A Guide for Writers
When writing mystery, thriller, and horror, authors often focus heavily on plotting: red herrings, dramatic twists, and terrifying...
Sep 28, 20245 min read


National Crush A Can Day: A Fun, Eco-Friendly Celebration
Every year on September 27th, people across the United States celebrate National Crush A Can Day. While the name might sound quirky or...
Sep 27, 20242 min read


Sequel's Book Nook Book Review: Uzumaki by Junji Ito (Deluxe Edition)
In the fogbound coastal town of Kurouzu-cho, a curse like no other lurks. This isn't a curse tied to a malevolent spirit or a vengeful...
Sep 26, 20242 min read


Expressing Mood Through Background Elements in Portraits
When creating a portrait, the subject’s face often takes center stage. However, the background elements of a portrait can play an equally...
Sep 23, 20244 min read
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