
The Southern Witching Hour Podcast
By LadyG
"The witching hour," a time for supernatural events, typically occurs between midnight and 3:00am, but, around here, we know that it can happen anytime!
Especially at twilight!
And so...
I invite you to join me, LadyG, on my back porch as I seek to regale you with 'strange and unusual' tales about Southern spirituality, culture, traditions, superstition and the downright spooky!
By the way, I'd love to hear from you!
Look for new episodes every Friday.
Please subscribe and share!

The Southern Witching Hour PodcastSep 17, 2023

The Veiled Child: Gifted? Lucky? Or Accursed?
In the South, they say that children born with the veil, or en caul, can see and communicate with spirit. It is also said that they can foretell death. Some say that they are lucky. What say you? What do you know about "the veiled child?"
*Some Adult Language
Follow me here and on Instagram @The_Southern_Witching_Hour

What You Won't Do For Love: Deadly Obsessions
If you're looking for something to whet your appetite for the halloween season, look no further!
In this first episode of season two, I am sharing two pieces that I wrote about the chilling lengths that people will go to for "love."
Both works were originally published on my blog, Seekthebestblog, which is now archived.
The first publication, "The Client," imagines a wise rootworker's strong advice to a lovesick young woman.
The second publication, "She Needed Me," is a poem about how a woman's cold hearted obsession led to a family tragedy. This one is told from a "unique perspective."
- Follow me @the_southern_witching_hour, let me know you found me through the podcast and I will follow you back!
- Email me at gwin@thesouthernwitchinghour.com

*Season 1 Bonus Episode: What Happened in Montgomery?
Contains Adult Content and Language
This is the least that I will say about what happened when a violent free-for-all broke out at the Riverfront in Montgomery, Alabama.
This story is relevant to the podcast because it occurred in an area that is "sacred" to the descendants of enslaved Africans in the South. In essence, it once functioned as a port where their African ancestors were trafficked and traded.
Since my parents are from that general area of Alabama, it is quite possible that some of my own ancestors were probably brought down the Alabama River to that very spot and sold right up the street.
Hence, my connection and strong interest.

Southern Cautionary Tales: Happy Family
*Contains Adult Language
In today’s episode we're talking about how, in the South, storytellers often use tragic events in a person's life to tell a cautionary tale.
While I do spend some time discussing the meaning and elements of a cautionary tale, I definitely do not belabor the point--this is not school 😂.
Anyway, like most everybody else in the world, Southerners love talking about folks and we usually credit the origins of the story to “they or them.”
That said, our stories often begin with "They say..."
Listen to today's podcast to find out what "they said" about a "happy family" and how their lives served as a cautionary tale for me when I was growing up.

LadyG's out on the Porch! An UNEDITED Ramble
*Contains Adult Language
Just me rambling on and on. Also a huge thank you for listening!

Southern Cautionary Tales: A Man With A Checkered Past
*Contains Adult Language
In today’s episode we're talking about how, in the South, storytellers often use tragic events in a person's life to tell a cautionary tale.
While I do spend some time discussing the meaning and elements of a cautionary tale, I definitely do not belabor the point--this is not school 😂.
Anyway, like most everybody else in the world, Southerners love talking about folks and we usually credit the origins of the story to “they or them.”
That said, our stories often begin with "They say..."
Listen to today's podcast to find out what "they said" about a certain man with a "checkered past,' and how his life served as a cautionary tale for me when I was growing up.

Southern Cautionary Tales: A Beautiful Woman
In today’s episode we're talking about how, in the South, storytellers often use tragic events in a person's life to tell a cautionary tale.
While I do spend some time discussing the meaning and elements of a cautionary tale, I definitely do not belabor the point--this is not school 😂.
Anyway, like most everybody else in the world, Southerners love talking about folks and we usually credit the origins of the story to “they or them.”
That said, our stories often begin with "They say..."
Listen to today's podcast to find out what "they said" about a certain "beautiful woman," and how her life served as a cautionary tale for me when I was growing up.

The Liminal World of Sleep and Why You Should Never Go Anywhere With Dead Folks
*Some adult language
In today's episode, we're taking a trip into that liminal space called sleep.
We’ll talk about experiences we have while sleeping including:
-Dreams and their meanings
-Physical experiences that we have in our sleep
Once, we're on the porch, I’m going to tell you about a troubling recurring dream that I had as a teen; let’s just say, it includes a cautionary tale about traveling with dead folks.
If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share. Also, consider leaving a positive rating wherever you listen to this podcast. If you do leave a positive comment, shoot me an email and I will give you a shout out on the air.
Contact me here
Follow on instagram @the_southern_witching_hour

Hurricanes: Divine Retribution or the Work of Angry Ancestors?
***Some Adult Language
In this episode I talk about my lifelong fascination with Hurricanes and how my supernatural-loving nature pushed me to learn more about this idea of hurricanes functioning as a means of punishment for moral "violations" or revenge for "evil-doing." I'll be talking about:
- The Charleston Hurricane (1893)
- The Galveston Hurricane (1900)
- The Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
- Hurricane Camille (1969)
- Hurricane Katrina ( 2005)
Also, feel free to take a sip of your favorite beverage every time you hear me say "devastating" or "devastation."
As a writer, I should know better, but sometimes, when I am speaking extemporaneously, I lose my words.
Again, have a good time at my expense :-)
**Oh, and whenever I say "podcasts" I really mean "episodes." LOL!!!
LINKS
- Find me on INSTAGRAM @the_southern_witching_hour Follow me and comment that you heard about me through the podcast and I will follow you back.
- email me here
- Subscribe and if you enjoy what you heard, please give me a positive rating wherever you listen to the podcast.
- Remember to share with your friends!
Let's develop a cool community!

Southern Cookouts and Old School Games |The Summer Solstice Shift From Stories of Day to Night
This episode is all about Southern Cookouts and what goes down at them! I also share more summer memories and old school 1970's and '80's games we used to play.
***BONUS: My 77 year-old Dad, in his own words, shares one of his favorite childhood games from the 1950's, "The Red Head Devil."
If you are from a different region of the U.S. or from another country, you may have trouble understanding his thick Southeastern Alabama accent--his accent is much thicker than mine.
Don't let it bother you though, just enjoy the beauty of it.

A Super Short Lesson on Southern Vernacular and Colloquialisms
*Includes Adult Language
In today's episode, I'll provide a super short lesson on the vernacular and colloquialisms spoken in my neck of the woods. Why? Because it's important for you to understand me--should I happen to veer from the conventions of formal or standard English! Trust me, it happens from time to time.
Also, be aware that vernacular and colloquialisms will vary from region to region in the South.
By the way, it's important to note that not everyone here uses this informal language. Some Southerners are sticklers for speaking proper English--even if it is cloaked in a distinctive twang!
Understanding our vernacular will become increasingly important as we start to explore more stories and themes from this the South.

Real Talk On The Porch: Tina Turner! Put some RESPECK on Her Name & Stories From My Lifetime of Gay and Lesbian Friendships
*Contains Adult Language and Themes
In this episode we go straight to the porch for some real talk on Tina Turner. I also tell some funny stories about me and my gay & lesbian friends with all of our shenanigans in the 1970's, '80's and '90's!
Happy Pride to the entire LGBTQIA+ community!
*Rest In Peace David and Ernest

Hot Fun In The Summer Time
In today's episode, you get to imagine summer break from the perspective of a Southern girl growing up in the 1970's and 80's.
#storytelling
Email me here for comments!

It Must Be Magick!
In today's episode, we're talking about magick; including a very brief overview of the following:
- Definitions of 'magic' and the distinction between the traditional spelling of 'magic' vs the alternate spelling with the added 'k.'
- Types of magick practiced in certain Southern states (LA, MS, AL, GA)
- Magick practitioners
- People who seek the assistance of magick practitioners and some reasons why
- Where to find magick practitioners
I also share my own personal experience with folks who have either been on the giving or receiving end of magick!
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted in the episode, everything discussed in this podcast is my own opinion and I am certainly no expert so your mileage may vary!
Feel free to reach me via email! I love reading your feedback.

Take Me To The River: Supernatural Water Lore and More
In today’s episode, I'll talk about supernatural lore related to bodies of water. I’ll also discuss several possible reasons why bodies of water, specifically rivers, are a logical setting for stories about witches, ghosts, sea serpents, and superstitions.
Also, in this episode, I’ll read snippets about:
- The Yazoo City, Mississippi Witch, who is said to have made good on her promise to get revenge
- A mysterious sea creature in the Chattahoochee River
- An evil entity who haunts the marshes, creeks and bogs along coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida
I’ll also briefly mention an event that occurred near St. Simons Island, Georgia, where a group of enslaved Africans from Nigeria are said to have committed mass suicide---or did they?
Hmmm…Let's talk about it.
Now you know we won't stay shut up inside the house on a beautiful evening, so we’ll saunter out onto the porch, drink some sweet tea, and have a conversation.
While we're out under the stars, I’ll share some crazy childhood memories of fishing with my parents and my grandfather in Augusta, GA and Eufaula, AL.
By the way, here's a GeorgiaBama fishing quiz:
- What are "whitecaps?"
- What are "crappies?"
- What's a fish fry?
By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to define all of the above! LOL! Sorry for the tangent, that's just the educator in me messing with you. If you know, you know!
Finally, I'll spill some tea on what investigators keep finding in the Chattahoochee River around the I-20 stretch near Atlanta.
Right now, it remains a mystery but there is talk of ritual sacrifice.
As always, my loves, take what resonates and chunk the rest!
***NOTE: The article on Tie Snakes uses the word "Indian," to describe "Indigenous" people native to Columbus, Georgia and surrounding areas. So please don't @ me, I'm just reading their words verbatim.
Links:
Contact LadyG
Instagram: @the_southern_witching_hour
email: gwin@thesouthernwitchinghour.com

Tales From The Porch: A Supernatural Short Story Set In Florida
Greetings! I am your host, LadyG.
In today’s episode of The Southern Witching Hour Podcast, I expand on the topic of storytelling by talking about the significance of the porch (back or front) where Southern families traditionally gather to talk about daily events and share long drawn-out stories.
I’ll also read a very short passage from Tananarive Due's Last Stop on Route 9.
Last Stop on Route 9 is one of my favorite supernatural short stories. This story has an extra appeal to me because it is set in Florida, home to my maternal grandfather's family. According to my mom, they lived in Quincy, Florida.
Unfortunately, I never got to know him or his people, but my mother remembered visiting the family in Florida when she was a kid.
At any rate, Tananarive Due is one of my favorite short story writers and I'm telling you, if you love contemporary supernatural stories set in the South, she's the TRUTH!
In this episode, I'll focus on what happens immediately after Charlotte, the main character, and her cousin Kai, accidentally hit something on a creepy Florida backroad during a drive to her grandmother's post-funeral luncheon...Southerners call it a repast. 😌
Anyway, having no idea what she hit, Charlotte comes to a stop near a home with a very unsettling atmosphere.
I'll read a bit of what happens after Charlotte gets out of her car, against Kai’s advice, to check her tire. Although she contemplates approaching the house to ask for assistance, Charlotte notes her menacing surroundings and decides against it.
Moments later, she is accused of an 'unforgivable' act.
Last Stop on Route 9 was originally published in Hex Life: Wicked New Tales of Witchery, edited by Christopher Golden. (2019)
Links to Tananarive Due:
Find Tananarive Due at her Medium Blog
Here's a link to her books on Goodreads
(****I do not receive any compensation for referrals of any kind; if I ever do, I'll let you know upfront****)
Links to my post on Medium and Contact Information
Tales from The Porch: A Southern Tradition
Instagram: @the_southern_witching_hour
email: gwin@thesouthernwitchinghour.com

A Grave Encounter: The Four Legged Cemetery Ghoul (A True Story)
In today's episode, I share a true story that my Dad told me about a supernatural encounter that he, his grandmother, and aunts had at an Alabama cemetery in 1955.
It took 64 years to 'solve' this mystery.
In 2020, I recorded the events, as Dad told them to me, in a post on Medium and also on my blog, Seek The Best Blog.
Here's the link:
A Grave Encounter: The Four Legged Ghoul
Interact with me
gwin@thesouthernwitchinghour.com
instagram: the_southern_witching_hour

Southern Lore: The Moon, Love and Money
In this episode, we’ll talk about various aspects of Southern folklore related to the Moon, including beliefs and practices for love and money.
But first, I’ll share a couple of stories and legends associated with the Moon.
Then we’ll get into the thick of it!
I'll share whether or not I've ever tried any of the love and money rituals from this episode and if they worked or not.
Links:
Follow me on instagram: the_southern_witching_hour
email me: gwin@thesouthernwitchinghour.com
Read my post: Show The New Moon The Dime

Southern Signs and Omens: Living In Tune with The Natural World
In today's episode, we discuss how many people in the South planned their lives according to signs and omens they saw in nature. They observed the natural world to determine the best time for planting crops, hunting, and fishing. They also looked for signs and omens in nature to predict the weather and other events that could impact their lives.
Many of these nature-based practices were passed down through generations. Unfortunately, these days, most of us, myself included, don’t rely on natural signs for much, but there are some ways we can return to that way of life.
By doing this, we can experience a deeper connection to the natural world and learn more about the cycles of birth, death and rebirth.
Links:
@the_southern_witching_hour
#thesouthernwitchinghour
#thesouthernwitchinghourpodcast

Southern Supernatural Storytelling
Today’s topic is Supernatural Storytelling in Southern Culture
In this episode, I give you a quick overview of the topic, followed by an invitation to go out on the porch and talk about it.
Overview on Supernatural Storytelling in the South:
Supernatural storytelling has always been a part of Southern culture since the earliest days of its settlement. The Southern U.S. has a rich tradition of supernatural storytelling largely due to its diverse spiritual, cultural and racial makeup.
Bearing this in mind, one of the unique qualities of this form of storytelling is its blending of African, European and Native American spiritual and religious influences.
In the South, stories that revolve around supernatural beings and events and are often used to explain the unexplainable or teach moral lessons. Cautionary tales, and stories involving ghosts, witches and demons, are nearly always woven into a good Southern yarn.
Please stick around for our chat on the porch!
That's where I tell you about my Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts in Alabama.
Warning, incoming trivia alert!
Do you remember Prince Albert cigarettes in the red tin can? The Lawrence Welk Show ? Hee-Haw? How about Roy Clark? You probably have to be a Gen-Xer or Boomer to remember this stuff!
Yessir! I talk about all of these things on the porch.
Oh, I also share a true spooky story that my Granddaddy used to tell.

Welcome To The Southern Witching Hour Podcast!
My name is Gwin, aka, LadyG, and this episode contains a brief overview of The Southern Witching Hour Podcast. The main goal of this podcast is to celebrate Southern supernatural storytelling, customs, traditions and more!