Yuletide

The Celebration Of Yuletide Is More Than A Decorated Tree

Many people love Christmas and for excellent reasons. However, we know it was stolen from pagans who celebrated the winter solstice. Was it? So, what is Yuletide?

An Overall Look Of Yuletide

Jól is the old Norse word for Yule; in Old English, they called it géohol. It signified the hunting season after the harvest time was over. It would happen in December. But Yule itself is an ancient tradition and celebration of the winter solstice going back thousands of years among the Norse and Germanic people.

Yule was stolen during the Christianisation of the Germanic and Norse people. Christmas happens at the heart of Yuletide to ensure that people observe the religious holiday celebrating the birth of their saviour. Christianisation was quite strict back in those times, and appropriating Pagan holidays would solidify a conversion.

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Vampire

An Introduction To What Does It Mean To Me To Be A Vampire

Most people know little about vampires beyond what Hollywood has portrayed them. But what if I told you that, in many ways, I am a vampire? Come read my story.

Come Peek Into My Vampirish Diary

This article is the first of many I planned to explain and dive into the world of vampires. There are so many fields, categories, genres, and lifestyles related to millennia-old and worldwide known creatures that one article wouldn’t cover it.

However, there is also more to know as to why I wanted to be the one exploring the subject. My passion for vampires goes back to my toddler years, but there is more to it. Not only do I relate to the vampire creature, but I am also a certified vampirologist.

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Horror - Serial Killer

Béla Kiss Is All About Vampires And Human Pickles

Many murderers kept the attention of the public on high alert or passionate to know more about their history. This killer might not be as famous as others, but it certainly will hold your attention. Here is the story of a vampire who likes pickles!

Who Is Béla Kiss, And Where Is He From?

Let us go to Hungary, where a dangerous man was born in 1877, Béla Kiss. As a child, reports say that Béla was a victim of incest perpetuated by his mother, Verona Varga.

Born in the city of Izaák but lived in Cinkota, which used to be close to Budapest but is now neighbouring the city. Béla Kiss was a tinsmith, meaning he made repairs on items made of tin or any metals.

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Gothic - Halloween - Witch - Horror

What Is The True Purpose Of Halloween

Pagans, witches and goths alike were all Hollywoodified and categorized as people who sacrifice for rituals and speak to the devil. Halloween is no exception to the rule. So, what is Halloween?

The Horrible Reality That We Live In

When scrolling around on social media, I came across one person who said she posted a picture of herself in a Halloween costume. Nothing alarming, but then she mentioned Christians trying to tell her that Halloween is a day of sacrifices for Pagans and witches.

I don’t take well to people who spread wrong information. That is because I know how much damage it could cause. The truth and solid facts are important because they can hurt a group of people or anything that isn’t responsible for the lies being spread.

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The Witch Trial Of Salzburg In Austria

The witch trials in Europe spread throughout the continent, and some of the most tragic are the most famous. So, let us visit one of the most famous cases in the 300 years of witch trials!

The Overall View Of The Salzburg Witch Trials

The most known witch trials occurred from 1675 to 1690 in Salzburg. The trial had many names, including the Zauberjackl trials, the Salzburg witch trials, and the Witch Jackls process.

The process of the witch trials led to the death of a hundred and thirty-nine people. Austria wasn’t a kind place for witches, but rather nightmarish, and it is one of the reasons for this case to be so famous. Another reason is that most of the victims were males.

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Antique Film

Hell House LLC Origins, The Carmichael Manor Terror Films Movie Review

Hell House LLC is one of my favourite franchises. It’s one of my top three favourites in the horror movie field. We, fans, have waited so long, not that long, for a new installment in the franchise. It’s here, The Carmichael Manor. Here’s my spoiler-free review!

The Overall View Of The Hell House LLC Franchise

You are missing out if you do not know about the Hell House LLC horror movie franchise! You may not be a fan of the found footage genre, but if you’re part of the horror community, you might know that Hell House LLC is the exception!

Hell House LLC is a very professionally made found-footage horror movie franchise. Many people who dislike the genre appreciate Hell House LLC. The filming is natural and stable, even in moments of panic. The scenes are always clear in imagery and sound.

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Church

Daemonophobia Is The Fear Of Living With Demons

There are many phobias in the world that we know are irrational. All fears are irrational but have roots in either instinct or trauma. So, what is daemonophobia?

TRIGGER WARNING: PTSD | Anxiety | Phobia | Daemonophobia | Mental Illness | Mental Disorder | Paranoia | Medical Terms

The Overall Fear Called Daemonophobia

Daemonophobia is an overwhelming fear that otherworldly beings, primarily demons, can take over their mind and body. The fear is persistent and can, in some cases, be paralyzing. It targets people who believe supernatural or paranormal beings roam freely in the world and can possess a human.

For this article, I will refer to supernatural and paranormal beings as demons, specifically from the Roman Catholic belief. That doesn’t mean that the phobia is only present in people who are of the Roman Catholic belief. However, my knowledge of demons is more significant within these parameters.

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Gothic Medieval Castle Remains

Agnes Sampson, A Scottish Witch, Tortured To Death

The witch trials occurred when everyone could be a victim of accusations leading to torture and horrible deaths. But some of the worst stories of witchcraft lead to Scotland, and Agnes Sampson is one of them.

The History Of Agnes Sampson

Agnes Sampson was a widow and mother who lived in Scotland. She was mainly a healer and a midwife. There is little information on her life or documentation as a citizen because Agnes was the village’s healer and midwife. She was a kind person who kept to herself, most likely, but she was the perfect scapegoat: woman, older, widow, healer.

Why would King James VI need a scapegoat? As mentioned in the previous article about Scotland’s witch trials, the king’s voyage back to English territory was overlooked by a storm. His marriage to Anne of Denmark brought him to Scandinavian lands, and on their way back, the storm forced them to take refuge in Norway.

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Gothic Medieval Castle Remains

The Most Brutal Witch Trials Were In Scotland

The Witch trials happened all around Europe and not just in North America. In fact, there was a place worse than Salem, and its name was North Berwick in Scotland.

When Witchcraft Had No More Place

On Halloween night in 1590, the East Lothian people suffered the accusation of witchcraft. It occurred in St. Andrew’s Auld Kirk in North Berwick.

The Witch Trials lasted for two long years, and over seventy victims underwent the consequences of high treason. The accusations knew no boundaries as the 5th Earl of Bothwell also received the charges.

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Knights Templar

The Crusade, Prince John Of England And Robin Hood

We all know the story of Robin Hood and his mortal enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. However, what about the ‘Phony King of England,’ Prince John?

Who Is Prince John, And From Which Era?

When we think about Robin Hood, we know Prince John was the antagonist alongside the Sheriff of Nottingham. Prince John is also King Richard’s younger brother, from whom he took the crown while away on the Third Crusade.

While the information is assumed from popular culture from known movies such as Robin Hood: Men In Tights and Walt Disney’s Robin Hood, the information on the character is limited. Prince John’s depiction is also quite different from one movie to the next.

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Mabon - Fall - Witchcraft

The September Equinox We Know As Mabon

Fall is many of us’ favourite seasons. We wait for the turning of colours, the temperatures lowering, the rain coming in, the smell of the earth swirling in the wind mixed with hot beverages and comforting perfumes of cinnamon and cloves. So, why not celebrate Mabon, too?

The Wheel Of The Year Stops On Mabon

The Wheel of the Year is a holiday calendar quite precious to us Witches who practice Nature celebrations. Many of us know Samhain due to many movies and Yuletide going through a revival with the Frozen franchise and Krampus.

But if we go in order and remain with the big eight celebrations it starts with the Winter Solstice called Yuletide, then Imbolc, followed by the Spring Equinox called Ostara.

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Crown Royalty

Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Who Is This Bloody Mary?

As a child, we all played that little scary game of going in the bathroom with one candle in front of the mirror to say her name three times. Many legends arose about who she was, but who is she?

Do You Remember The Game From Your Childhood?

Bloody Mary is one of the classic spooky games that requires nothing to play except a bathroom. The goal of the game remained the same. Players must try to summon the ghost of Bloody Mary with a lit candle by looking in a bathroom mirror.

The player stares at their reflection while reciting the name Bloody Mary three times. Some other variation says to do it five times. The player is often a volunteer, but if none speaks up, it is often decided by drawing straws, and who has the shortest straw goes in the bathroom.

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Pilgrims Going To Church by George Henry Boughton

The Contradictions Of Increase Mather in The Salem Witch Trials

It is the Fall season, and here at Gothic Bite Magazine, we celebrate the Witch Age early for our Fall season, from September 1st to November 30th. So, let’s start this Witch Age Season with Increase Mather, an enemy of Witches!

Puritans Leading To The Salem Witch Trials

We all know about the Salem Witch trials of 1692. The darkest and most horrifying Witch trial in North America. It is also one of the darkest pages in the history of the United States of America.

In the State of Massachusetts, Salem was a more considerable territory and differently shaped and Puritans populated the village. But what do we know about Puritans? The term isn’t often used or is linked to the thought of pilgrims and the first colonies of what would become the United States.

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They're Watching — 2016

They’re Watching A Review About A Witch’s Cottage

There are many mainstream horror movies out there made to reach out to as many people as possible. But there are little indie movie gems that often pass under the radar. They’re Watching from 2016 is one of them.

 Let’s Get Outside The USA For A Movie

While They’re Watching takes place outside the United States, it is an English movie. What does this mean? They removed us from a ‘movie comfort zone’ and explored new horizons. They’re Watching might not be a huge horror movie, but it has a powerful story.

They don’t make all independent movies on a tiny budget or cheaply with horrible actors. Independent movies are often very resourceful and rely on craftsmanship. They’re Watching is a smaller movie with meat around the bones and an exciting story.

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Vampire

The Odaxelagnia Paraphilia Complex

Many kinks are now part of our daily lives as they make their way into our phones or while browsing. With the inclusion of so many types of romance novels, among other entertainment, one caught my attention, odaxelagnia. Let’s dive in!

The Quick Overall View Of Odaxelagnia

The simplest way to put it, odaxelagnia ranges itself in the paraphilia family. Odaxelagnia is, at its core, achieving orgasmic or sexual arousal through biting your partner or the other way around.

Some researchers consider odaxelagnia to be sadomasochism at a mild level. Often the bites resemble nibbling, which is quite similar to many mammals in the wild when performing sexual intercourse.

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Shudder - Superhost

Superhost Is An Amazing Shudder Original

It’s no secret that I love horror movies. I enjoy quite a variety of subgenres as well. When Shudder came out, I jumped on it! I haven’t regretted it since and covered a few of their movies. So, what about Superhost?

The Official Superhost Summary

Superhost is a Shudder super original movie! Now, let’s take a look at the controlling idea from Shudder!

Teddy and Claire are travel vloggers who run a channel called SUPERHOST where they travel and share their experiences in and around vacation homes, and until recently, had become successful doing it.

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MATTEL - MONSTER HIGH - GEN. 1

13 Years Ago Monster High Taught Goths To Stand Up For Themselves

In 2010, when Monster High debuted on store shelves, nobody knew little goths would emerge from their coffins. 13 years later, goths have a bone to pick!

Fangtastic Goth Collecting Story

I am an obsessive collector of many things: True Blood, Hotel Transylvania The Series, Vlad the Impaler books, and Monster High. You know, goth things! When I was young, the only one I could relate to was Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family until I could read and discover Frankenstein.

The thing is, I was born in 1985, and so Monster High came into my life when I was twenty-five. I fell in love with Frankie Stein! I know the OCD Vampire doesn’t place Draculaura first. What gives? But Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is unique, and Frankie Stein is so adorable!

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Vampire

Vorarephilia Explained: Fantasy, Control, and the Limits of Desire

Often misunderstood and rarely discussed, vorarephilia exists almost entirely within fantasy. This article examines its meaning, psychological roots, and the themes that define it.

Deep within the subconscious of human desire lie fantasies that are difficult to define—and even harder to understand. Among them is the unsettling fascination with being swallowed whole, consumed by another, whether human or something far more predatory.

This uncommon attraction has a name: vorarephilia. It is a paraphilia centered on the idea of consuming a living being, or becoming the one consumed.

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Medieval — Plague Doctor

The Dancing Plague Of The Middle Ages

We all heard of the Bubonic Plague, Black Plague, the Plague, or the Black Death, all synonyms for the same illness that killed a third of the world’s population. But do you know about the Dancing Plague?

But First, The Black Plague!

Europe in the Middle Ages suffered from many illnesses and diseases as they developed in various societies. The popularity of trading ports expanded the horizons of kingdoms but also had them face new pathogens, bacteria and germs their lives did not accustom them to. 

Nothing prepared their immune system for the possibility of contagion. Their limited knowledge of medicine also led them to die in great numbers. The Church spread it was either God punishing them for their sinful ways or Satan spreading its diseases. Either way, the morale was down. 

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Mirror

The Mirror Fixation Challenge

What is it called when your brain starts seeing shapes and changes your face when fixing your reflection for too long? Well, that is a question coming up often and here is the answer!

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall What’s Wrong With You?

I developed a mirror phobia called eisoptrophobia. My phobia is due to self-image issues. It can lead to dramatic changes in someone’s life. When I lost all of my excess weight because of my body dysmorphia, I still wasn’t looking at myself in a mirror. 

I knew what I looked like despite avoiding cameras and trying to look away from mirrors as much as possible. However, one evening I brushed my teeth and looked in the mirror in the bathroom. It’s the only mirror in our house that isn’t covered. 

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