November 17, 2006 – St. Petersburg
Note: Chin and Titania (deceased), the pugs shown above, are not the typical paranormal pugs that I take on cases. I had forgotten this! –ed
On a calm evening, the SPIRITS of St. Peterburg gathered for a double investigation. One member believed that she had a Native American spirit that occasionally passed through her area, and she had spied him in her home. Her house happened to be situated close to the famed Pinellas Point Temple Mound, so the SPIRITS simply investigated both locations that night.
The Pinellas Point Temple Mound is a local enigma as it is one of the best known of the Native American middens and one of Florida’s best hidden secrets. It has a remarkable legend that accompanies it: In 1528, a sailor by the name of Juan Ortiz was shipwrecked in the area. He was at the mercy of Chief Hirrihigua who was upset with the bloody tactics of Narvaez, a Spanish explorer who had invaded the area. Ortiz was saved from death by a beautiful Tocobaga princess, the chief’s daughter, which some believe inspired the story of Pocahontas 80 years later (take THAT, Disney). The princess even helped Ortiz escape when his life remained in danger.
Visitors still can climb the gentle sloping mound (access from Serpentine Circle, off 21st Street S.) and sit beneath a shady oak and wonder what life was like 1,000 years ago. For the SPIRITS, the mound was very peaceful. There were no unusual readings, no unusual images. One member, the homeowner whose house we had visited, brought a small bundle of sage to offer to the spirits. We left that at the top of the mound and left quietly. The mound showed no restlessness and we were not about to change that.
Other resources:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article641944.ece
http://content.floridasbeach.com/cms/index.php?id=419
Investigation Notes:
Indian Mound: This is the Pinellas Point Mound where, according to the signs, a “friendly” priest was clubbed to death trying to bring Christianity to the Native American. The sign lists two different tribes as using the mound so we are uncertain which it is. It may be related to the original Native American mythology (the original “Pocahontas” story may come from this tribe. A Spanish man was captured by the tribe but the tribal princess begged for his life, saving him).
Jen brought a bundle of sage to burn as offering to the Native American spirits of the area.
We did get EMF, and I’m not sure why. There were light posts in the area, but I tested them and they produced EMF in a limited range.
While we were there, Denise sensed a guardian spirit. She sensed that he was there to see who we were, to let us know that he was there. Then he was gone. EMF also stopped when Denise announced that he had left.
No images to report via my camera.
Info on mound:
http://www.virtual-explorations.org/black_history.htm#Indian%20mounds