Wickedly Dark Podcast

Hungary’s Dark History: The Story of Elizabeth Báthor

Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, is notorious for her alleged crimes against young women. Arrested in 1610, her secretive trial led to the conviction of many servants for their role in her horrific acts. The trial’s secrecy and the lack of detailed records fueled sensational rumors and folklore, merging reality with myth in a chilling historical mystery.

Con Men, Alien Tech, and the Aztec UFO Hoax

The 1949 Aztec, New Mexico UFO hoax, promoted by author Frank Scully, claimed a flying saucer crash but was debunked as a scheme by con men Silas M. Newton and Leo A. Gebauer, who sold fake alien technology. Despite being exposed, some ufologists argue the crash was real, citing an FBI memo based on second-hand information. The enduring myth of the Aztec UFO hoax continues to influence ufology, inspiring books, novels, and the annual Aztec UFO Symposium.

The Legend of Foo Fighters: WWII’s Eerie Glowing Orbs

During World War II, Allied pilots reported mysterious “foo fighters,” eerie glowing orbs that followed aircraft and performed erratic maneuvers, sparking speculation about their origins. Initially suspected to be secret enemy weapons, theories ranged from natural light reflections and electrical discharges to a potential German weapon known as the “Feuerball.” The true nature of these enigmatic phenomena remains unresolved and shrouded in mystery.

Pierre and Marie Martin: France’s Most Notorious 19th-Century Scandal

The "Red Inn affair" of 19th-century France shocked the public with allegations of gruesome crimes—murder, rape, and cannibalism—committed by innkeepers Pierre and Marie Martin and their employee, Jean Rochette. Despite their conviction and execution for a single murder, historians question the trial's fairness, arguing that the evidence was dubious and biased against the Martins. 

Marie Kingué: Haiti’s Most Notorious Healer

Marie Kingué, a Haitian healer and diviner of Kongolese origin, rose to prominence in the late 18th century with her potent blend of African healing, herbalism, and divination. Her ability to treat ailments, expose poisoners, and sway beliefs made her a revered figure among both slaves and colonists, but also a target for colonial authorities who saw her as a destabilizing force. 

The Interrupted Journey: UFOs, Star Maps, and the Hills’ Abduction

In 1961, Barney and Betty Hill, an interracial couple, made headlines with their shocking claim of alien abduction, an experience detailed in the book The Interrupted Journey. Their account, featuring eerie missing time, vivid dreams, and a mysterious star map, sparked fierce debate among ufologists and skeptics alike. 

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans: The Enigmatic Marie Laveau

Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo queen of 19th-century New Orleans, wielded immense power as a healer, spiritual guide, and businesswoman in a city rife with mystique. As a free woman of color, she not only led a thriving community but also inspired countless legends and myths, her true image obscured by misattributed portraits. Her tomb remains a pilgrimage site where visitors make enigmatic X marks, hoping to have their wishes granted by the revered Voodoo practitioner.

From Golden Dawn to Alpha et Omega: Mathers’ Magical Journey

Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, the British occultist behind the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, was a polarizing figure whose claims of mystical connections with "Secret Chiefs" and his translations of occult texts added to his enigmatic legacy, making arcane knowledge more accessible yet fueling controversy. As the Golden Dawn fragmented in the 1890s, Mathers established his own group, Alpha et Omega, maintaining his influence until his death in 1918.

The Confessions of Isobel Gowdie: Scotland’s Dark Witchcraft History

In 1662, Isobel Gowdie’s dramatic confessions of witchcraft captivated Scotland, offering a vivid glimpse into European folklore and paranoia. Her detailed descriptions of witchcraft have ignited debates—some see them as reflecting genuine belief, while others argue they were shaped by manipulation or mental instability. Her story unfolds against a backdrop of social, political, and religious turmoil, revealing the chilling intersection of superstition and the pressures of her time.

Sir Edward Kelley: The Alchemist Who Claimed to Speak with Angels

Sir Edward Kelley, the enigmatic English occultist, dazzled Renaissance Europe with his claims of angelic communication and the secret to turning base metals into gold. His flamboyant career, marked by collaboration with John Dee and connections to figures like Queen Elizabeth I, was shadowed by accusations of forgery and imprisonment for failing to deliver on his alchemical promises. Despite his controversial life and questionable achievements.

Kali’s Killers: The Ritual Murderers of the Thuggee Cult

The Thuggee cult, a notorious group of assassins in India during the 18th and 19th centuries, was led by figures like Thug Behram, believed responsible for hundreds of murders. They followed complex religious rituals honoring the goddess Kali, with strict taboos against killing women and religious figures. British efforts to dismantle the cult were led by William Henry Sleeman, whose campaigns ultimately suppressed the Thuggee. Their practices left a dark mark on India’s history.

The Poisonous Rise of La Voisin: Scandal in Louis XIV’s Court

Catherine Monvoisin, known as La Voisin, rose from fortune teller to orchestrator of one of France’s darkest scandals, the Affaire des Poisons. Operating a shadowy network of poisonings, black magic, and secret abortions, she catered to the elite, including King Louis XIV’s mistress. Her eventual arrest and execution sent shockwaves through French society, exposing the deadly intersection of power, magic, and ambition.

Mesmerism: The 18th-Century Theory That Hypnotized the World

In the 18th century, German doctor Franz Mesmer introduced the provocative theory of animal magnetism, claiming an invisible force (Lebensmagnetismus) flowed through all living things, including humans, animals, and even plants. He believed this force could heal the sick and control minds, sparking fascination and controversy. Though dismissed by science, Mesmerism left a lasting impact on spiritual healing.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read: The Pirate Duo That Rocked the Seas

Anne Bonny, the infamous female pirate of the early 18th century, is both celebrated and shrouded in mystery, with her life detailed through Captain Charles Johnson’s A General History of the Pyrates: her notorious partnership with John “Calico Jack” Rackham, and her dramatic capture and trial. Debate swirls around Bonny’s sexuality and her rumored relationship with fellow pirate Mary Read, blending fact with speculation to paint a complex portrait of her legacy.

The Real-Life Inspiration for “The Exorcist “

n the late 1940s, the chilling case of 14-year-old “Roland Doe,” allegedly possessed by demonic forces, shocked the public as priests documented terrifying exorcisms. While some saw these events as proof of the supernatural, others have since argued that mental illness, deception, or misinterpretation fueled the spectacle. This haunting tale inspired The Exorcist and continues to ignite fierce debates about the nature of possession and the human mind.

Antônio Vilas-Boas: The UFO Encounter that Shook Brazil

In 1957, Brazilian farmer Antônio Vilas-Boas claimed he was abducted by extraterrestrials while working his fields at night, igniting one of the first widely publicized alien abduction stories. He described a glowing, egg-shaped craft descending from the sky, forcing him to flee before being taken aboard. Though many skeptics believe his tale was a hoax, Vilas-Boas steadfastly maintained his shocking encounter with alien beings until his death, leaving a lasting mark on UFO lore.

Max Théon: The Hidden Force Behind Western Mysticism

Max Théon, mysterious occultist of the late 19th century, immersed himself in mystical practices and secret societies. As the founder of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor & leader of the Cosmic Movement, he shared his esoteric path with his enigmatic wife, Alma. Théon’s influence deeply impacted Western occultism, connecting him to figures like H.P. Blavatsky and shaping Sri Aurobindo’s later teachings, solidifying his enduring legacy in the realm of mysticism.

Oom the Magnificent: America’s First Yogi

Pierre Bernard, famously known as “Oom the Magnificent,” captivated early 1900s America with his mysterious blend of yoga and tantra, luring upper-class women and celebrities into his orbit. Despite his shadowy origins, Bernard built a reputation as a charismatic yogi, training figures like boxer Lou Nova and his controversial teachings on tantra stirred whispers, but his influence on American alternative spirituality left a lasting, provocative legacy.

Paranormal Mythbuster: The Life of Harry Price

Harry Price, a bold British parapsychologist, made his name by exposing fraudulent mediums and unraveling paranormal mysteries with the flair of a stage magician. From debunking the eerie hauntings of Borley Rectory to dismantling the illusions of infamous mediums like Eva Carrière, Price’s relentless pursuit of controversial investigations, including bizarre feats like fire-walking and the Indian rope trick, earned him both fame and truth shook the world of spiritualism.

Fátima 1917: The Day the Sun Stunned the World

The Miracle of the Sun, which occurred in Fátima, Portugal in 1917, is a controversial event surrounded by claims of a miraculous solar phenomenon witnessed by a large crowd. Witnesses reported seeing the sun dance, emit colors, and move towards the Earth. The Catholic Church recognizes the event as a miracle, while skeptics offer alternative explanations, citing inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts, natural atmospheric effects, and psychological factors.

Blood Moon Murders:: The Werewolf of Bedburg

Peter Stumpp, a wealthy farmer in 16th-century Germany, was accused of being a werewolf, practicing black magic, and committing horrifying murders, including cannibalism. Under torture, he confessed to killing and eating 14 children, including his own son, and claimed to transform into a wolf with the help of a magical belt from the Devil. His gruesome execution in 1589, where his flesh was torn and his body burned, served as a chilling coda.

Queen Anula of Anuradhapura: Sri Lanka’s first femme fatale ruler

Queen Anula of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first female ruler, left a bloody trail of poisoned husbands in her quest for power. During her short five-year reign in the 1st century BC, she eliminated at least four consorts to govern the kingdom of Rajarata on her own. In a time of war, treachery, and unstable rule, Anula’s ruthless ambition made her reign one of the most notorious and murderous in ancient history.

Ireland’s First Witch Hunt: The Rise and Fall of Dame Alice Kyteler

Dame Alice Kyteler, a wealthy widow with a trail of dead husbands, was accused of invoking demons and practicing dark magic, making her Ireland’s first condemned witch. Whispers of secret rituals, poisonous potions, and unholy pacts spread, fueled by the Church’s wrath and her enemies’ envy. As her servant confessed to bizarre, occult rites under torture, the trial spiraled into a macabre spectacle, cementing Kyteler’s place as a dark sorceress in Irish legend.