Wednesday, October 30, 2024

On Halloween Eve, we hunt these hills for the dreaded Mothman, learn how pointy hats became holiday essentials, hop to beer’s superpower, step into Irish hell caves ... and—even scarier—explore the food noise in your head.

These mountains are older than the rings of Saturn. The Mothman, Wampus Cat, and Raven Mocker are but three of the many creatures said to haunt the dark, ancient hollows and deep folds of Appalachia. Go deeper—if you dare!

Related: The tragic backstory to one of the most haunted roads in America 

- These are the most haunted places in the United States 

- These brave souls live in haunted houses—and they love it

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHEN ALVAREZ, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC IMAGE COLLECTION 

This European city has an obscure, 2,000-year-old link to Halloween, which it celebrates annually amid archaeological remains connected to magicians, death hexes, and naked cult rituals. Which city is it?

A. Budapest
B. Dubrovnik
C. Helsinki
D.  Oslo
E. Prague 

Related: The Irish hell caves where Halloween began 

Also: How to do the spooky season right in Salem 

Today’s Soundtrack: Ô travers, Zaho de Sagazan  

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter. It was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Amanda Williams-Bryant. If you want this health newsletter in your inbox next week, sign up here! See you around!