The Crystal Ball is a standard stock-in-trade for any fortune-teller, especially those of the carnival variety. It is both pervasive and mysterious and has a history of prevalent use back to the Druids. But what is it about crystal gazing that has hung on for so many centuries? In pre-industrial times crystal gazing was commonly practiced by the Pawnee, the … Read More
The Journal of Angela Ashby: The School Carnival
When I was a kid, one of the best parts of going back to school was the school carnival. Who could resist a chance of wandering around the school in play clothes, not having to be cooped up inside a classroom. And you had a chance to see your teachers in a new light … wearing comfortable clothes, maybe with … Read More
Madame Vadoma
When Angela and Mallory noticed the dilapidated tent at the far end of the school carnival, I got excited … because I knew inside the tent was spooky, but also cool. As Angela summed it up, “Sometimes being scared was fun, like in a haunted house, because nothing bad would really happen. But this felt different.” There is nervous anticipation … Read More