CastlesEarly Middle Ages 500-1000 CEEarly modern period 1500-1800 CEFolklorefortificationsHigh Middle Ages 1000-1300 CELate Middle Ages 1300-1500 CEMiddle Ages 476 CE-1492 CEModern History 1500 CE-PRESENT
Kaiserpfalz Castle
Among Germany's castles, few spots capture the character of Düsseldorf fortifications quite like Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth. Just north of the city, this site offers timeworn ruins and dramatic stories from the days of the Holy Roman Emperors. Even in its worn state, the castle stands as a powerful reminder of the region’s medieval strength and shifting tides of power.
ArchitectureCastlesEarly Middle Ages 500-1000 CEFolklorefortificationsHigh Middle Ages 1000-1300 CEHistoricLate Middle Ages 1300-1500 CEMiddle Ages 476 CE-1492 CEModern History 1500 CE-PRESENT
Castle Kelinerei
Castle Kelinerei stands as one of the most recognizable pieces of history in Düsseldorf, Germany. Locals and visitors alike see it as much more than just an old building; it's a symbol of the city’s past and a hub of culture today. Düsseldorf, Germany, draws travelers with its artistic energy, rich tradition, and vibrant neighborhoods, but Castle Kelinerei is truly a highlight.
Animism and Ai: Spirit in Stone, Spring, and Silicon
From the spirit-haunted caves of Homo habilis to the glowing circuits of techno-mystics, this groundbreaking work traces the evolving relationship between humanity and the unseen forces that animate our world. Drawing from a lifetime of mythic living and academic inquiry, shaped by the teachings of Anthropologist Bruce Grindal, the magical theories of Real Magic author Isaac Bonewits, and workshops attended with psychedelic visionaries Timothy Leary and Terence McKenna, author Thomas Baurley delves deep into the forgotten, the forbidden, and the freshly reawakened.
Licton Spring, Seattle: An American Holy Well
Nestled in North Seattle, Licton Spring stands out as a rare survivor among American holy wells and sacred springs. It's not necessarily a "holy well" in the traditional sense, as defined by the phenomena around Europe known as "holy wells", but rather a magical spring that was frequented by Native American tribes, who sourced spiritual and magical essences.
Fountain of Youth Movie (PG-13: 2025)
Ah the infamous "Fountain of Youth." I was excited when I saw this, but quickly realized it has nothing to do with Ponce de Leon and his fountain. From the first frames, "Fountain of Youth" invites viewers into a world where ancient tales and elusive springs are more than stories passed down through centuries. The film draws on a rich mix of folklore, magic waters, curses, and cures; subjects that have fascinated both scholars and explorers for generations. These themes aren’t just footnotes in legend; they live at the crossroads of belief and science, where archaeologists and storytellers alike find meaning.
Animism & Ai
If you've ever shouted at your stubborn laptop or thanked your car for starting on a cold morning, you're in familiar company. Animism, the belief that objects, nature, and places can hold spirit, soul, or essence, slips quietly into daily life, often without notice. It's in our DNA. Thousands of years of evolved belief systems around this central focus. Across ancient and modern cultures, the idea of a supreme being (or numerous Deities and/or Spirits) watching over the living world has shaped stories, rituals, and how we speak to the things around us. We also often not only give inanimate items a life force, but we also often give them a gender.
Stratton Spring (Manitou Springs, CO)
Stratton Spring was drilled in 1936 by the Myron Stratton Foundation., The soda-type spring has a controlled flow of two gallons per minute and is drilled to a depth of 167 feet. This site was the junction of early Indian trails and several major mineral springs. Later it became the major access to the Mount Manitou Incline and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and was the loop were Stratton's Trolley Line reversed to return to Colorado Springs.
The Magic and Minerals of Manitou Springs
The little touristy village of Manitou Springs is most famous for its mineral springs, which well up through eight fonts (previously ten fonts, upwards of 50 springs) peppered throughout the town. These springs are free to visit, and each holds its own variation of minerals, magic, folklore, and healing properties that visitors have sought throughout the ages. Each has its unique flavor, natural carbonation, and effervescence.
Lithia / Twin Springs (Manitou Springs, Co)
This is one of the more popular springs along Ruxton Avenue due to its high Lithium content. Two springs combine into one, pouring through this font. The water is very sweet, high in lithium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and a top-rated water source for making sweet carbonated lemonade water. Others describe the taste as sweet, tangy, and minerally. Of all the Manitou Springs, it has the highest concentration of magnesium. The font is located outside a storefront entrance.
Old Ute Chief Spring (Manitou Springs, Co)
One of Manitou's former famous springs now closed off to the public and no longer running. It was famous back then and was one of the sources for the "Ute Chief Mineral Water" and Manitou Springs bottling company. While it is no longer on the Springs trails given out by the Chamber of Commerce, its font still stands even though shut off.