How People of the Past Predicted the Future, From Spider Divination to Bibliomancy
A new exhibition spotlights the ways in which cultures around the world have sought answers in the face of uncertainty
Before the Yule Lads Evolved Into Icelandic Versions of Santa Claus, They Terrorized Children Into Following the Rules
Today, the 13 brothers are said to leave presents in well-behaved youngsters’ shoes. But they used to be depicted as frightening monsters
The Ten Best Children’s Books of 2024
This year’s top titles range from an alphabet book of quirky tunes to an authentic portrait of our nation
How a Tale of Demonic Possession Predicted the Decline of an Early Medieval Empire
A new book examines the rise and fall of the Carolingian dynasty, discussing how people across social classes understood the momentous history of their day
To Divine the Future, the Ancients Relied on These Chance-Based Fortune-Telling Tools
Texts like the “Sortes Astrampsychi” promised insights on clients’ love lives, career prospects, financial woes and families
This 19th-Century ‘Toy Book’ Used Science to Prove That Ghosts Were Simply an Illusion
“Spectropia” demystified the techniques used by mediums who claimed they could speak to the dead, revealing the “absurd follies of Spiritualism”
To Trick the Nazis, This Master of Deception Invented Fake Fleets and Armies
During World War II, British officer Dudley Clarke led A Force, a Cairo-based military unit that fed false information to the Germans
Newly Deciphered, 4,000-Year-Old Cuneiform Tablets Used Lunar Eclipses to Predict Major Events
Ancient Babylonians linked astronomical phenomena to pestilence, the death of kings and the destruction of empires
Museums in Paris That Surprise and Delight, From Medical History to Magic to Marie Curie
These eight institutions, from the Museum of Perfume to the Museum of Fairground Arts, fly under the radar in the French capital
How a Bottle Served as a Living Room—and a Prison—for a 2,000-Year-Old Genie
The vessel from 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” now on display at the National Museum of American History, could not contain the exuberance of the beloved character
Spellbinding Cover Art for ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ Could Break Auction Record
The original watercolor illustration of a young wizard boarding the Hogwarts Express was artist Thomas Taylor’s first professional commission
Why Images of Ghosts Have Endured in Japan for Centuries
A new exhibition at the National Museum of Asian Art displays haunting, colorful woodblock prints
Why Is the Year of the Dragon Considered So Lucky?
The only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon has long been associated with prosperity and imperial power
Another Mysterious Roman Dodecahedron Has Been Unearthed in England
More than 100 such ancient artifacts have been found throughout Europe, but nobody knows what they are
117 Fascinating Finds Revealed in 2023
The year’s most exciting discoveries included a stolen Vincent van Gogh painting, a hidden medieval crypt and a gold-covered mummy
An Early Charlotte Brontë Story Speaks to the Author’s Lifelong Fascination With the Supernatural
The 1830 account details an eerie encounter with a stranger who predicted the death of the writer’s father
Dell O’Dell’s Trailblazing Magic Show Cast a Spell on Early Television Audiences
Rare footage of the woman magician’s act captures her magnetic stage presence and range of tricks
How Remedios Varo Became One of the ‘Witches’ of Surrealism
In Mexico City, the Spanish-born artist created dreamlike works that drew on magic, mysticism and more
Bought for 38 Cents, Rare Harry Potter Book Could Sell for Thousands
This first-edition copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is one of only 500 hardback copies printed
14 Fun Facts About Dungeons & Dragons
Before watching the new movie adaptation, here’s what you need to know about the history of the fantasy role-playing game
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