Blair Witch in Madison

[omw]

I have been visiting Governor Island State Park on Madison's north side. It is located right next to the Mendota Looney Bin. Governor Island is not actually an island at all, here is a link for you to check out the geography.

www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=madison+wi&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.751524,79.101563&ie=UTF8&ll=43.125137,-89.400934&spn=0.005411,0.013733&t=k&z=17

I first visited in October and I was curious if this place had any history of hauntings. It is an interesting place. I checked out the book Ghost of Madison and there was a small paragraph in there about people seeing ghost that manifest as either 1. Indians in full garb or 2. A Black Panther. I haven't seen either of these things. I have been to the park a few times, the trail in the the shape of a teardrop, you just follow it around and end up in the same spot you started. I had totally explored the exterior of the park but I had not ventured into the interior area. I kept having this feeling I was going to find something in the middle. A few weeks ago when I went, I saw a small alter about 35 feet off the main path in the direction towards the center. It is under a big pine tree. it is about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is decorated with different offerings. I went back this week I saw it again and now there are all sorts of braided twigs shaped into circles hanging around it. I'm sure its not anything supernatural, but it is odd. Also it indicates that there is probably some sort of witchcraft going on there. If I go back with someone who has a camera (I can't get pictures for you all anymore, my phone was stolen) I will be sure to get pictures.

[darkman]

are you sure people aren't doing the opposite and thats black magic???

[usaftrevor87]

Get some pictures ASAP, its hard to believe something like that, but proof would be a good start. I really want to see em.

[omw]

I don't know what kind of magic black or white. The alter is a bit too elaborate to be some little art that someone did while passing by. Regardless, I will try to get pictures. Does anyone know what the horns would indicate in witchcraft?

[omw]

I don't know what to make of it , maybe it is just art. BTW what I thought were horns was just a branch propped up behind it.

[darkman]

its definately wicca or native american if theres a feather.

[darkman]

I think its some sort of seasonal thing. Try and go there all different times of the year and see if its the same or different. It appears that theres alot of earth elements, like the stones and wood and the feather. If no animal was harmed then it would probably not be black satanic magic.

[hollyberries]

whatever you do dont mess with it as you dont know who or what did it! i would stay away from that area period as you really dont know if it's witch craft, indian ritual or even....devil worshipping....if that was me??? i saw that??? i would of left immediately im too Superstitious

[darkman]

yeah you don't want to mess with it good or bad. If its good you wouldn't want to mess up someones sacred space.

[omw]

I didn't touch anything and I don't plan to. If anything, all I was going to do was make art out of twigs to hang from the trees as an offering. But the more I think about it, I don't think I am going to. If I want to make art to hang in trees, I could hang it somewhere else, not by this alter.

[darkman]

I'm pretty sure that it is native american. A retired guy I work with who used to live in middleton said that there is native land by there and that the yahara river is there and thats a native name, plus if the altar is by water its their water spirits. When I looked at the map of governor's island park there was native land by there as well.

[Raven Hawk]

Apr 23, 2009 19:44:27 GMT -6 darkman said:

I'm pretty sure that it is native american. A retired guy I work with who used to live in middleton said that there is native land by there and that the yahara river is there and thats a native name, plus if the altar is by water its their water spirits. When I looked at the map of governor's island park there was native land by there as well.

You're spot on, darkman.

I checked Maple Bluff's website, when omw first brought this topic up, and while they don't mention Governor's Island, directly, they do say that the entire area around the lake was a very popular spot (camps, mounds, etc.) with Native Americans.

[omw]

I checked it out too, I guess that one of the main trails for the indians to travel was on the north side and went right past Governor's Island. Also I think that the stick figure in front of the alter is Windigo, if you look at it you can see the 2 sticks that form antlers.

[Raven Hawk]

Apr 25, 2009 8:15:03 GMT -6 omw said:

I checked it out too...

I guess great minds think alike.

[hollyberries]

yeah just leaving it alone would be good. They probably wouldnt be too happy if you did decide to add to their ritual.