There’s been a lot of buzz on the blogs I frequent about writers helping — or, more specifically, not helping — one another. I’ve harbored the same concern for quite a while, and I’ve done my fair share of complaining. After deep consideration and a brief consult with the genius of Benjamin Hoff (The Tao of Pooh) and his insight into the “Confusionist, Desiccated Scholar,” I’ve decided to stop worrying about those who wish to horde information as if it were the rightful property of only a select few and move on. In short, I’m shutting up and putting up.
Below is a list of sites I encountered during my research into occult and magical studies for this novel. There used to be more, but a good number of the links have drifted into oblivion since I began this collection over three years ago. Others were lost with a hard drive crash last summer.
I hope one or more of them will help one or more of you find that extra something to curl the toes of your readers. To those of you who don’t write fantasy, horror or any other genre in the paranormal/toe-curling family, I’m sorry I don’t have anything for you, other than a list of fascinating reads that just might make you want to come over to the dark side.
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University of Virginia’s Religious Movement Project — Covers topics on religions across the United States, with an interesting section on cults.
About.com’s Book of Shadows — Although About is a pretty common site, I’ve included this direct link to basic principles of Wicca that’s broken down into smaller sections on things like altar appearance and symbols.
National Occult Research Association — Dark Magic, paganism… Something for everyone.
Archives of Western Esoterica — The mother of all occult sites! All the archaic magical knowledge you can handle. Make sure you check out the Key of Solomon and the Lemegeton (the Lesser Key).
The Catholic Encyclopedia on Demonology — About demons, by the Catholic Church
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance — Contains a good overview of many different beliefs, including Wicca and Vodun.
Waning Moon — Information on the Dark Pagan path. The bulk of the information on this site seems to be missing right now, but the link page gives a good selection of links to other sites (a few of which I’ve mentioned here).
Hermetic Fellowship’s Virtual Library — More esoteric documents.
The Alchemy Website — All things alchemical.
Monstrous.com — You guessed it, all things monster. I’m a fan of the demon section.
Sacred Texts Online — Bring your wading boots and lots of patience; it’s a huge site with a sea of religious info.
God Checker — Not sure if you’re dealing with Ninhursag or Inanna? Check!
The Serene Dragon — All things dragon.
Death and Dementia — I’ve only been to the paranormal anomalies section, so I can’t account for what you might find elsewhere on this site.
Ex Oblivion — The site’s owner has a collection of personal essays on a host of dark beliefs/practices.
Traditional Religion in Africa: The Voudon Phenomenon in Benin — Article by Barthelemy Zinzindhohoue.
DMOZ Open Directory Project — This link connects to their religion and spirituality directory.
Their Vodun
section is quite large.
Maryland Paranormal Research Society — Mostly pertains to Maryland stuff, but still an interesting site.
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Maybe next week we’ll talk books.
Hell and Wheels 
January 29th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
SQT, I wouldn’t say that much. But, if you insist, would you please say it into this tape recorder?? What? Your wife hasn’t done this for you already?
January 28th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Stewart, I’ve also run into too many of the competitive type. I suppose my belief is that I’m the only person who can stand in the way of me being published.SQT, I wouldn’t say that much. But, if you insist, would you please say it into this tape recorder??
January 27th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
You are a God among men! Thanks for the links.
January 26th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Avery, this is a great list. I agree too about writers helping writers. I also know others who will state: These are competitors, why should I help them.In the last few months (I’ve only been blogging since September), I’ve met so many wonderful writers who extend helping hands to other.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Lilith is a secondary character in my book. She’s one of The Seven (the gods who have set Res’ fate of battling The Eighth, Ta-gul). I lost most of my links to her in that hard drive disaster, but here’s one from U-Penn:http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Topics/Lilith/overview.html
January 25th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Thanks for the links. I use to have some really good ones and I lost them. Sometimes my favorite section gets so full that I try to save some of the links over onto a document. I thought I took care of those lists, but now I can’t find this link on Lilith that was really good and a link on sexual dysfunction. That sounds wrong, BUT it’s research. lol. I love saying that. “It’s research!” Okay, you might have figured it out, I’m not completely awake yet. Everything sounds funny to me. That was a pet peeve of mine too, writers who liked to keep info quiet. Now I just listen extra hard, though lately the time I’ve spent with writers is here on the internet. Yeah, I’m being anti-social.
January 25th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Kate and Spy, Glad I could help. That was, after all, the intent. Happy writing to the both of you.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Wow, that’s so funny. I saw your post earlier and thought, how nice, but I don’t think I need to bookmark that.And then my editor asked for more short stories and BAM! Idea hit, inspired by some connection to the paranormal and the monstrous.com link you posted gave me an idea!So cool! Thanks!
January 24th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Cool, Avery–thanks for sharing! (Plus, it’s right up my alley) 🙂 The dragon link is particularly timely for me right now.