Catherine Monvoisin, known as La Voisin, rose from fortune teller to orchestrator of one of France’s darkest scandals, the Affaire des Poisons. Operating a shadowy network of poisonings, black magic, and secret abortions, she catered to the elite, including King Louis XIV’s mistress. Her eventual arrest and execution sent shockwaves through French society, exposing the deadly intersection of power, magic, and ambition.

Anne Bonny, the infamous female pirate of the early 18th century, is both celebrated and shrouded in mystery, with her life detailed through Captain Charles Johnson’s A General History of the Pyrates: her notorious partnership with John “Calico Jack” Rackham, and her dramatic capture and trial. Debate swirls around Bonny’s sexuality and her rumored relationship with fellow pirate Mary Read, blending fact with speculation to paint a complex portrait of her legacy.

n the late 1940s, the chilling case of 14-year-old “Roland Doe,” allegedly possessed by demonic forces, shocked the public as priests documented terrifying exorcisms. While some saw these events as proof of the supernatural, others have since argued that mental illness, deception, or misinterpretation fueled the spectacle. This haunting tale inspired The Exorcist and continues to ignite fierce debates about the nature of possession and the human mind.

In 1957, Brazilian farmer Antônio Vilas-Boas claimed he was abducted by extraterrestrials while working his fields at night, igniting one of the first widely publicized alien abduction stories. He described a glowing, egg-shaped craft descending from the sky, forcing him to flee before being taken aboard. Though many skeptics believe his tale was a hoax, Vilas-Boas steadfastly maintained his shocking encounter with alien beings until his death, leaving a lasting mark on UFO lore.

Max Théon, mysterious occultist of the late 19th century, immersed himself in mystical practices and secret societies. As the founder of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor & leader of the Cosmic Movement, he shared his esoteric path with his enigmatic wife, Alma. Théon’s influence deeply impacted Western occultism, connecting him to figures like H.P. Blavatsky and shaping Sri Aurobindo’s later teachings, solidifying his enduring legacy in the realm of mysticism.

Pierre Bernard, famously known as “Oom the Magnificent,” captivated early 1900s America with his mysterious blend of yoga and tantra, luring upper-class women and celebrities into his orbit. Despite his shadowy origins, Bernard built a reputation as a charismatic yogi, training figures like boxer Lou Nova and his controversial teachings on tantra stirred whispers, but his influence on American alternative spirituality left a lasting, provocative legacy.

Harry Price, a bold British parapsychologist, made his name by exposing fraudulent mediums and unraveling paranormal mysteries with the flair of a stage magician. From debunking the eerie hauntings of Borley Rectory to dismantling the illusions of infamous mediums like Eva Carrière, Price’s relentless pursuit of controversial investigations, including bizarre feats like fire-walking and the Indian rope trick, earned him both fame and truth shook the world of spiritualism.