The Vortex: Conjuring Poisonous Hobbits

Looking for a hobbit who loves to laugh. (source: Scientific American) Arsenic wafers, lead powder, and mouse fur eyebrows – the deadly and gross ways women kept up their appearance in centuries past. [via All Day] Why would I want […]

The Vortex: December 24, 2015

(source: A John Leech illustration from A Christmas Carol, 1842.) THE VORTEX is where we look at what paranormal and new age stories were pulled into our realm this week. What do the skies forecast for you in 2016? [via […]

The Vortex: Dracula’s Italian Death Staycation

Overkill. (source: The Horror Movies Blog) April 19, 2016 We’re working hard on some supernatural renovations on the site that will be unveiled in the coming weeks. But I’m back for a bit to take you for a little spin […]

The Vortex: Dreaming Demon Sensations

Are you ticklish? (source: Inuit Myths) The ever-laughing Inuit demon Mahaha could tickle you to death. [via Inuit Myths] Funeral traditions from around the globe include beads made from compressed ashes, corpses with lit cigarettes in their mouths, and remains […]

The Vortex: Everything Wrong with Political Auroras

(source: Space.com) Ever seen the Northern Lights… from space? Here’s a gallery of “Amazing Auroras” from 2015 that includes a few from beyond the terrestrial. [via Space.com] We know to take what politicians say with a grain of salt – […]

The Vortex: Greatest Post-Mortem Hits

Rock on and on and on and on. (source: Noisey) March 24, 2016 Kids are pretty imaginative and have flimsy filters for the things they say. Sometimes they’re so imaginative it’s creepy. At least, let’s hope this stuff is made […]

The Vortex: January 29, 2016

(source: Business Insider) The paranormal and new age stories that were pulled into our realm this week. Are horror films not worthy of Academy Award noms? Arguably the scripts are too violent and formulaic, but not even make-up, special effects, […]