Ravens Cove, An Iconoclast Thriller, sets the stage for a series deeply entrenched in mystique and enigma. What many overlook is that the genesis of my tales lies in the real, tangible world, sparked by an object of eerie significance. For Ravens Cove, the spark came from an ordinary yet extraordinary tree – one that bore an uncanny resemblance to a human form, with limbs outstretched like arms and a canopy of leaves forming a semblance of hair. This arboreal enigma, dubbed the Hag Tree, became a central motif in three volumes of the Iconoclast series, embodying a persona all its own. Yet, it was in Gorgon, the third installment, that the true spirit harbored by the Hag Tree was unveiled.
In my pursuit of the supernatural, I stumbled upon an intriguing article concerning tree spirits – an excerpt from The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. According to Guiley's research, trees have long been believed to be favored haunts for the lingering souls of the departed. Across diverse cultures, tales abound of spectral entities dwelling within the silent embrace of ancient oaks and towering pines.
In Northern India, local shrines nestled beneath the boughs of sacred trees seek to placate the resident spirits, while in the dense jungles of Mirzapur, the Bagheswar, a tiger godling, is said to dwell within the branches of the Bira tree, striking fear into the hearts of nearby tribes. The stories continue, weaving a tapestry of spectral encounters and eerie phenomena, spanning continents and centuries.
One particularly captivating anecdote emerged from the depths of rural Alabama, where in 1981, a pecan tree in the front yard of Mrs. Linnie Jenkins' home became the focal point of a supernatural spectacle. Dubbed the "crying pecan tree," its mournful wails echoed through the night, drawing thousands from across the United States in search of answers. Despite exhaustive investigations, no earthly cause could be found for the tree's lamentations, leading to speculation of a restless spirit haunting the grounds.
As crowds gathered to witness the inexplicable phenomenon, Mrs. Linnie herself capitalized on the curiosity, charging a modest fee for entry to her property. Yet, as swiftly as the cries had begun, they ceased, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder and mystery.
In our quest for rationality, we often overlook the profound mysteries that lie beyond our understanding. What caused the pecan tree to cry? And what force, if any, brought an end to its sorrowful lamentations? Was it merely a natural occurrence, or did unseen hands intervene, appeasing a restless spirit trapped within the confines of the tree's ancient roots?
Such questions linger in the air, tantalizingly beyond the reach of comprehension. For those who revel in the mysteries of the supernatural, it is tales such as these that fuel our imagination and spark our curiosity, beckoning us to explore the unknown and embrace the inexplicable.
Until next we delve into the realms of mystery and wonder, stay curious, my friends.