Witch Trip Edinburgh is a unique and captivating experience that takes participants on a journey through the dark and mysterious history of Edinburgh's witches. Led by knowledgeable and engaging guides, this walking tour is a must-do for anyone interested in the occult, witchcraft, and the paranormal. The tour begins in Edinburgh's Old Town, where participants gather to hear stories and legends surrounding the city's infamous witch trials. These trials took place in the 16th and 17th centuries and resulted in the execution of countless women accused of witchcraft. As the guides recount the tales of these persecuted women, participants are transported back in time, able to imagine the fear, superstition, and hysteria that surrounded the witch trials. As the tour progresses, participants visit key locations associated with the city's witchcraft history.
Meet Bright Stars: This issue guest-stars a quartet of fascinating Pagan notables. Enjoy a conversation with Llewellyn author Thea Sabin (Wicca for Begginners and A Teaching Handbook for Wiccans and Pagans); thrill to our exclusive sit-down with the one-and-only gothic tribal mistress Sharon Knight of Pandemonaeon; and up-and-coming Australian witch and author Gede Parma.
The offerings that our dedicated contributors gathered together for this issue are a wonderful smorgasbord of the myriad aspects of Air, ranging from academic pedagogy to the simple act of breathing. Pagan short fiction and poetry, a rousing guest editorial by Valentine McCay-Ridell on the place of politics in Paganism, letters from readers, no-holds-barred reviews, and lots more.
As the tour progresses, participants visit key locations associated with the city's witchcraft history. From the Mercat Cross, where public shaming and punishments were carried out, to the ancient graveyards where witches were buried, each stop on the tour reveals a different aspect of Edinburgh's dark past. The guides weave together historical facts, local folklore, and personal anecdotes to create a truly immersive and spine-chilling experience.
Tribal pagan regalia
Hours:
Thursday: 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday: 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. - Fancy Dance World Championships
Location:
White Eagle Park
20 White Eagle Dr
Ponca City, OK 74601
Public Invited – Free Admission & Parking
The Annual Ponca Celebration is free and open to the public. Visitors are reminded that brush arbors, benches and chairs surrounding the circle are for dancers and their families and not to enter the circle. Bring your folding chairs or score a seat in the original bleachers of White Eagle Park and enjoy the food and craft vendors and dance.
Ponca Creates the Fancy Dance
Not a historical dance tradition of any tribe, the Fancy Dance was created by members of the Ponca tribe in the 1920s and 1930s, in an attempt to preserve their culture and religion. At this time, Native American religious dances were outlawed by the United States and Canadian governments.
Traditional dances went “underground,” to avoid government detection. However, this dance, loosely based on the traditional War Dance, was considered appropriate to be performed for visitors on reservations and at “Wild West” shows. Two young Ponca boys are specifically credited with developing the fast-paced dance that the audiences loved and the Ponca Tribe soon built their own dance arena in White Eagle, Oklahoma. Within no time, other tribes continued the practice and created new dances that could legally be danced in public. In the 1930s, the Kiowa and Comanche created new styles of dance regalia that was incorporated into the Fancy Dance.
Even before the Fancy Dance was established, an intertribal Pow Wow circuit had already been organized where various tribes held dance contests. These became an important source of revenue during the Great Depression. In the late 1930s, women also began to perform in the Fancy Dance. The dance is fast paced, colorful, and highly energetic, often including tricks and extremely athletic movements. Dancing regalia includes brightly colored feather bustles and headwear, beaded bodices, leggings, shawls, and moccasins. Clothes are also decorated with fringe, feathers, embroidery or ribbon work, and other rich designs. Beaded cuffs, chokers, earrings, bracelets, and eagle plumes are also worn.
First Intertribal Powwow
When the Ponca People arrived in Indian Territory, they were surrounded by other tribes with whom they had no history. They invited their neighbors to join them for a cultural exchange, the very first intertribal powwow, around 1879. Members of the Omaha, Kaw, Osage, Pawnee and Otoe-Missouria tribes joined them, with some traveling by horse as far as 100 miles.
First Oklahoma Property Listed
on National Register of Historic Places
White Eagle Park is the first property in Oklahoma to be nominated and listed as a traditional cultural place on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located five and one-half miles south of Ponca City in the White Eagle community of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. Located on lands assigned to the Ponca People as a reservation after their removal from Nebraska in 1877, the park is a roughly triangular area of 26 acres lying just north of the Ponca community of White Eagle.
One of the highlights of the Witch Trip Edinburgh is a visit to the notorious Edinburgh Castle. The castle, perched atop Castle Rock, has a long and fascinating history that includes its fair share of witchcraft. Participants hear tales of witches imprisoned within its walls and the supernatural occurrences that have been reported over the years. Standing in the shadow of this iconic fortress, it's easy to imagine the haunting presence of the witches who once resided there. Throughout the tour, participants are encouraged to engage with the guides, ask questions, and share their own stories or experiences. This interactive element adds a personal touch to the Witch Trip Edinburgh and creates a sense of community among those participating. By the end of the tour, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of Edinburgh's witchcraft history and its lasting impact on the city's culture and folklore. They will have walked in the footsteps of the accused witches, heard their stories, and perhaps even felt a connection to the supernatural world. Overall, Witch Trip Edinburgh offers a fascinating and immersive experience that combines history, storytelling, and the paranormal. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of the occult, or simply curious about Edinburgh's dark past, this tour is sure to leave a lasting impression. Don't miss the opportunity to delve into the realm of witches and uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface of this enchanting city..
Reviews for "Witch Walks in Edinburgh: A Guide to Discovering the City's Dark Side"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really excited to go on the Witch trip in Edinburgh, but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The tour guide seemed more interested in telling fictional stories rather than providing accurate historical information. The whole experience felt like a cheap attempt to make money off of tourists' fascination with witches. I would not recommend this tour to anyone looking for a genuine historical experience.
2. Mike - 2 stars - While the concept of a Witch trip in Edinburgh is intriguing, I found this particular tour to be lacking in substance. The guide barely touched on the actual history of witch trials and the role of witches in Scottish culture. Instead, we spent most of our time visiting generic tourist spots that had little relevance to witches or witchcraft. Overall, I felt like I didn't learn anything new or interesting about the topic, and I was left disappointed with the experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Witch trip in Edinburgh, but sadly it fell short. The tour felt rushed and disorganized, with the guide trying to fit too much information in a short amount of time. Additionally, the stories shared were more fictionalized accounts rather than genuine historical facts. I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of the topic, but instead, I felt like I just scratched the surface. I would recommend looking for other tours that offer a more comprehensive and accurate experience.
4. Mark - 3 stars - The Witch trip in Edinburgh offered some interesting insights into the history of witchcraft, but overall it was underwhelming. The guide seemed knowledgeable, but their delivery was monotonous and lacked enthusiasm. Additionally, the tour group was large, making it difficult to hear and follow along. While it was an okay experience, I expected more engaging storytelling and interaction. If you're passionate about witches and their history, I recommend seeking a different tour that offers a more immersive experience.