Conjuring Curiosities

Trigger warning for discussions of infant death: 38:10 - 38:55The monster, the myth, the legend: Frankenstein. You know him, you love him, and you love to tell people that ACTUALLY, Dr. Frankenstein was the REAL monster, and the monster's name isn’t Frankenstein. But who do we have to thank for this cultural phenomenon? The ground breaking novel was the radical, brilliant creation of a teenage girl with a sharp mind and a very complicated life. This week, we’re talking about Mary Shelley, the writer who accidentally invented modern science fiction, horror, and the mad scientist archetype all at once.From The Year Without a Summer to grief, motherhood, and intellectual rebellion, we explore how Mary’s life shaped the monster we can’t stop retelling. There is so much to her, including the constant drama she was surrounded by, and the legacy some may say she far surpassed. This isn’t just the story of a book, it’s the story of how one woman’s imagination rewired pop culture forever. So grab a quill and stay away from sailboats, because this episode, we’re learning about the Mother of science fiction!CORRECTIONS: Regarding the Greek Mythology of Prometheus, he was the god that created humans, which is the parallel alluded to in Frankenstein. He did also bring fire to humans against the wishes of Zeus! Also, Nosferatu was never a book, it was originally created as a movie. See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic!SOURCESNational Review - Mary Shelley among the RadicalsLiterary Hub - Did Mary Shelley actually lose her virginity to Percy on top of her mother's grave?Snopes - Did Mary Shelley Lose Her Virginity on Her Mother's Grave?History Extra - Mary Wollstonecraft: the firebrand feminist thinker with a rule-breaking lifeWikipedia - Mary ShelleyWikipedia - Mary WollstonecraftWikipedia - William GodwinWikipedia - Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of WomanWikipedia - Free loveJane Lark - This week my scandalous woman is Mary Shelley the author of FrankensteinWikipedia - Percy Bysshe ShelleyWikipedia - Claire Clairmont Wikipedia - Lord ByronWikipedia - Ada LovelaceHistory Extra - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: the birth of a gothic monsterHistory Extra - "Mary never shook off the consequences of eloping with Shelley": Fiona Sampson on the life of Mary ShelleyAmusing Planet - What is Galvanism, And How Did it Inspire Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein?Synapsis - Galvanism in 19th Century French Theater: Bringing Dead Words Back to Life The Ex-Classics Website - GEORGE FOSTERAnna Mazzola - Did Mary Shelley Keep Percy’s Heart? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angels, pointing hands, weeping willows, and urns. We’ve all seen them when walking through a cemetery, but what do they mean? This week, Clara takes Sabrina on a guided tour through the graveyard to decode the symbols carved into tombstones, and what they were meant to say about death, grief, and the afterlife. From religious iconography to Victorian symbolism and Secret Societies, Clara explains how headstones functioned as messages from the living to the dead (and to anyone who wandered by centuries later). It turns out that cemeteries are never as silent as they seem. Grab a flashlight and watch your footing, we’re wandering through the graves to see what the headstones have to tell us!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic!SOURCESGravestone studies.org - Symbolism of GravestonesWolfe Memorial - GRAVESTONE SYMBOLS and THEIR MEANINGSCatholic-cemeteries.org - Gravestone Symbols and Their MeaningsThoughtCo. - Photo Gallery of Cemetery Symbols and IconsForest Home Cemetery Overview - Gravestone SymbolsFlickr - Unusual Headstones or Grave MarkersBurials and Beyond - The Grave of Clasped Hands: Love Conquering Death  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a wealthy widow tries to outbuild her ghosts? In this case, a confusing labyrinth of staircases to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and windows that overlook nothing. Back from hiatus, Clara and Sabrina wander the endless halls of the Winchester Mystery House, uncovering how Sarah Winchester turned her fortune (and maybe her fears) into one of the strangest architectural enigmas in history. Was she haunted by the spirits of those killed by her family’s rifles, or simply a passionate architect? Grab a map and stay close as we take you through the winding maze of madness, mourning, and meticulous design!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic!SOURCESWinchester Mystery House - TimelineWinchester Mystery House - HistoryUS Ghost Adventures - Why the Winchester House Is HauntedSFGATE - Everything you think you know about the Winchester Mystery House probably isn't truePaulette Kennedy - THE ONE ABOUT SARAH WINCHESTERBeck Technology - Rebels of Construction—Sarah Winchester and Her Mysterious HouseWinchester Mystery House - The Untold Story of Isabel Merriman: Sarah Winchester's Spirited SisterWikipedia - Sarah WinchesterWikipedia - Winchester Mystery HouseCPI Inflation Calculator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Brief Bewitchments, we’re lighting a candle for the original lesbian icon and lyrical enchantress herself, Sappho of Lesbos! As one of the most prolific poets of Ancient Greece, her words are still widely known today, and Sabrina will dive into the sacred and spell-worthy power of her poetry. Her passionate words can be used in modern witchcraft, and have become a part of queer magic for many who practice. So whether you’re manifesting desires, setting intentions, or trying to increase your sapphic longing, Sabrina will explain how Sappho has got you covered!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like speaking your truth, setting boundaries, or showing your magic might get you metaphorically (or emotionally) burned at the stake? You might be feeling the effects of the Witch Wound, but don’t worry, Sabrina’s here to explain. In this episode, we dive into the ancestral, cultural, and collective trauma passed down from centuries of witch hunts, silencing, and spiritual repression. From the fear of being “too much” to the hesitation to take up space, this wound runs deep, but it doesn’t have to define you. Sabrina walks us through the roots of this wound, how it still shows up today, and how we can start to heal it through reclaiming our power, reconnecting with magic, and refusing to stay small. It’s time to stir the cauldron, break the spell, and put on your high-beams!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Say hello to your Big 3: your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. In this episode, Sabrina breaks down the astrological basics and gets real about what each of the Big 3 actually means. Whether you're a loud Leo Moon with a Scorpio Rising or a triple threat, Sabrina’s here to help you decode your chart without the cosmic confusion. And now, when your tinder date asks you for your time of birth, you’ll know what they’re really trying to figure out!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your phone glitching, your ex texting, and every conversation turning into a full-blown miscommunication meltdown? Don’t panic! It might just be Mercury Retrograde, and Sabrina is here to break it all down (without the doom and gloom). We’re talking tech troubles, travel mishaps, and text messages you probably shouldn’t have sent…but also how to use this chaotic cosmic energy for reflection, rest, and a little bit of magical mischief. So light a candle and back up your files, mercury will be out of the microwave in no time!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready to tie up loose ends, literally and magically? In this episode, Sabrina breaks down the basics of knot magic, one of the oldest and simplest forms of spell-work. Whether you’re binding negativity, setting intentions, or storing energies for later; knot magic is all about using string, thread, or even your own shoelaces to work a little witchy wonder. So grab some rope and get ready to weave some magic into your life!See photos discussed in this episode on our instagramFollow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.