The Pale Raven Official

  The practice of post-mortem photography emerged in the 19th century, primarily gaining traction after the invention of the daguerreotype in 1839. It's crucial to understand this ritual within its historical context. At the time, cameras were expensive and rare, not the handheld devices we casually use today. Infant and child mortality rates were tragically high due to disease and lack of modern medicine. For many families, particularly those of modest means, a portrait of their young child while they were alive was often a luxury they couldn't afford or an opportunity they didn't have. Thus, a post-mortem photograph became incredibly important. It was frequently the only visual record a family would ever possess of a loved one who had passed too soon. Far from being a macabre obsession, it was a sincere, deeply personal, and socially accepted act of mourning, serving to immortalize their physical presence. Originating largely in Europe and the United States, this photogra...

Throughout October I will be sharing a daily post that highlights the real history of Halloween/Samhain. These will correlate with my short videos I am posting across my social media accounts. You can follow me on  Youtube,   Instagram , and  Facebook  to view them!    This Blog is a Repost of a piece I posted back in March of 2025 Ah, witches and their broomsticks. It’s one of those iconic images that’s as ingrained in pop culture as pumpkin spice lattes in autumn. But have you ever stopped to wonder why witches are so obsessed with brooms? I mean, of all the household items to choose from, why not a vacuum cleaner or a Swiffer? Let’s dive into the bizarre, slightly absurd, and surprisingly dark history of how witches and broomsticks became the ultimate power couple. The Hallucinogenic Origins: Brooms as Medieval Psychedelics First, let’s talk about the  real  magick behind the broomstick. No, it’s not just about sweeping up dust bunnies. Histori...

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get to witness the Rapture of those committed to Christ. I had full plans to stay behind and care for any animals who were left without owners. I spent too much time scrolling social media and watching some of the “rapture prep” content. There was an alarming number of people who prepared their homes and campers for us lowly, unsaved humans who might need them after they've gone to Jesus. And several who left detailed instructions on the care of their animals, as many Christians don't believe they have savable souls. I'm constantly startled and amazed by how embarrassing we are as a species. The Bible says we won't know when the end times will happen, and it describes separation, war, famine, and natural disasters—all of which have been happening since we graced the earth with our destructive existence. Of course, I do believe there will be an end. There would have to be, as the world i...

  There is a shift happening right now, but this isn't about predictable planetary retrogrades or alignments. While aspiring spiritualists might moan about the current placement of planets, that isn't the topic today. I feel in my soul that something is stirring universally. A spiritual upheaval is happening across the world. It doesn't matter what your faith is; whether you're a Christian, a pagan, or an eclectic spiritualist, a power around all of us is asking us to rise and seek our greatest potential. But while we are being guided to a better path, we are simultaneously being held down by something very heavy. Sometimes it feels like I am crawling out of a hole. I get to the edge, slide down a few feet, and then start again. Each time I reach the opening, I stay there just a little bit longer. Just over a year and a half ago, I was finally exiting a toxic relationship with a narcissist. I can only compare my experience to the hell of trying to release myself from th...

  I looked up at the sky this morning to see a crescent moon aligned with Venus. The universe often reminds us that there is something out there so much bigger than us.  There's a lot of dark things happening in the world. Many people are suggesting the end of times, but I don't think that's what this is. Every part of my conscious and spiritual self is telling me something big is about to happen. A rebirth, a cleansing in each of our lives that will allow us to emerge on the other side plentiful and blessed. If you have been feeling a heavy weight, it should lift soon. And we do not need a palm reader to tell us that. I have personally been weighed down by a lack of spiritual ambition that I usually have. I have admittedly let my gifts sit unopened while I focus on the energy that is pulling me into a darkness that is not meant for me. The general plane I exist in is already a deep and dark path by my own choosing. I perform, prophesize, and manifest much better amongst th...

  I am sure by now everyone has heard of the viral stuffed toys called Labubus. And if you have children, you may even own one. For a while now I have sat on the fence about whether to jump into the discussion. However, now that they are bringing Pazuzu into the mix, I feel it may actually be long overdue. Plus, I can't let them do my guy Paz like that. First, the Labubu is a little creature that to me actually more resembles the characters from the children's book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Due to their current TikTok status, these things sell for anywhere from $50 to close to $200 US dollars. It really seems like everyone is talking about these whimsical little beasts. However, as with anything else, they are now shrouded in conspiracy. Claims that these dolls are vessels for the demon Pazuzu are at the top of the list. There are videos circulating all over the internet of priests actually blessing these children's toys, as well as parents snatching th...

"Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses" by John William Waterhouse   Covens Aren't for Everyone: The Benefits of Being a Solo Witch You're probably not shocked to learn that I'm one of those witches who doesn't play well with others. Group settings have never worked for me, and they never will. And it's not based solely on my disdain for most people in general, nor is it some unhealed part of myself. I always find it interesting when others say, "Well, you need girlfriends. It's just a wall you've put up." No, it isn't. It's the "social norms" that you've been toting around with you since you could form any type of meaningful relationship. So, who has the baggage? Me, or you? It's perfectly acceptable to choose to keep your circle of fellow humans extremely small. Mine, for instance, consists of my partner and my children. I have one or two friends I'm willing to see face-to-face for any length of time. The rest ...