Have you ever seen a ghost? This
question came up in one of my Facebook groups and hundreds of people responded. I never encountered any spirits. But I have had some strange experiences.
An odd thing happened two or three
years after a good friend died. One night I dreamed I was speaking to him on
the phone. The connection was not good, and it was hard to hear him, but one
thing came across loud and clear. He said, “Tell my mom I’m doing well, and
everything is fine here.” This dream was so powerful, I was sure it was real. I
don’t have any proof, but I know this message consoled his mother and I believe,
somehow, he contacted me so he could ease her grief. Why not call her directly? I don't know. Maybe he could only get through to me.
My grandmother died more than 30
years ago. We were close and I didn't want her to leave. However,
she lived a long life, and she was ready to reunite with my grandfather. Recently,
I had a vivid dream about her. We talked and she said she wanted me to have
something. When I woke up, I didn’t know what it was and didn’t care. The
important thing was the feeling that she had been right there with me. I told
my husband about it, then let it go. It was comforting, but also sad because it
was only a dream. Later that afternoon, a package arrived for me. When I opened
it, I found my great aunt had sent me a dresser scarf embroidered by my grandmother.
She hadn’t told me she was sending it, just popped it in the mail. Maybe it was
a coincidence, but I truly believe I spoke with my grandmother that night.
In Witch Trial Legacy, the
heroine, Sybilla Sanborn, works with mediums in the Spiritualist town of
Cassadaga, Florida to find a way to break a curse which she inherited.
Here’s
an excerpt inspired by the dreams about my friend and my grandmother.
Sybilla meets with a medium who sees the spirit of Sybilla’s mother and
gives her a message:
She closed her eyes
and her lips moved. When she opened her eyes again, she gazed into the corner
of the room. “A presence is here, someone close to you. A spirit is forming
now. She’s a lot like you in appearance. A relative, perhaps.”
“My mother?” Chills
ran over Sybilla. I’d give anything to talk to her again.
“Yes, she’s nodding.
She wants to tell you that she and your father are fine. They watch over you
whenever they can, and they’re trying to help you find the solution to your
problem. She says you’re right about inheriting powers from your ancestor Alse
Young, and the curse from Matthias North’s line. Somehow, both came together in
you, and you’re paying the price for the actions of those who came before you. Alse
was no witch, but in her desperation and rage, she cursed Matthias and his
progeny for all time. By doing so, she subverted and tainted her gifts. Then,
her daughter Truth made things worse by taking revenge on him through his son.
North was not pure evil, merely a greedy and arrogant man who accused Alse
because of his bruised ego. He did a terrible thing to her, but his descendants
certainly didn’t deserve to live with no one ever believing them. The curse
drove countless innocents to suicide, drug addiction, and confinement to mental
hospitals. The fact you were able to survive this long is a testament to your
strength. Don’t give up.”
Tears formed in
Sybilla’s eyes as she listened. She peered around the room, aching for a
glimpse of her mother. “Mom, I miss you so much. I need you so much.”
Elana slumped in the
chair. “She’s gone. The spirits use a great deal of energy trying to
communicate, and the transmission is always short. What your mother sent was
longer than most.”
“It’s not fair that
I lost my parents so young. I want to see them. Why can’t I, when you can?” Sybilla
grabbed a tissue and held it to her eyes while she sobbed.
Elana poured tea for
herself and refilled Sybilla’s cup too. “Channeling is my special ability, just
like yours are healing and premonitions, which I don’t possess. Everyone’s
aptitudes are different. Some people aren’t sensitive to the spirit world, but
they’re talented in other areas such as singing or art. One must work with what
one has and try to cultivate those talents. That’s why you’re here with me, to
make your gifts work for you instead of against you.”
“I’d give up all the
visions for one moment with my parents. The precognitions don’t help anyone.
They only cause me trouble.”
“Would you give up
your healing abilities? You’ve helped many people with them, and you might not
be able to pick and choose.”
Sybilla hesitated.
“I don’t know. It might be worth it, if I could see my parents, witness for
myself there really is something beyond this life.”
“Are you sure you would believe if you saw
them? How could you prove it wasn’t a dream or hallucination?”
“I couldn’t, and the
thing that means the most to me would be gone. Not a good trade. Well, I don’t
have the option anyway. Guess I should stop wishing for the impossible.”
“You have the
message from your mother. You can keep faith she is watching over you, and all
will be well in the end. Will you do that?”
Sybilla swallowed
the lump in her throat. “I can try.”
The basis of Spiritualism is that people continue on after death and can communicate with the living to help and guide them. Cassadaga
was founded by people who believed this and thought the location had properties
which made it easier to connect with the other side. I’ve always been
fascinated by the paranormal, and so I chose the unique town of Cassadaga as
the setting for Witch Trial Legacy.
Have you ever seen a ghost or had an
experience that makes you believe it’s possible to make contact with people who
have passed? Or do you believe, like Conn, the hero in Witch Trial Legacy,
that it’s all wishful thinking or naïve people being taken advantage of by scam
artists?
Let me know in the comments. I would
love to hear your thoughts!
5 Star Amazon Review:
Witch Trial Legacy (The Cassadaga Collection) by Katherine Smits is a wonderful read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I am so hooked on and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading fantasy.
Buy Witch Trial Legacy:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0977NF15J/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
For a free, exclusive short
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Katherine Eddinger Smits is a direct descendant of Susannah
Martin, who was tried and executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in
1692. Katherine holds a master’s degree in social work. For 20 years, she assisted veterans and their
families until she retired to pursue her writing obsession.
Now she brings
clinical training and experience to her stories of mermaids, mages, and magical
creatures. Within the context of fantasy and romance, her novels explore
real-life issues of self-acceptance, body image, relationship dynamics, fears,
and phobias. Mystery, suspense, and a little sex add spice to her books.
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