The Mystic Crone ~ playing it safe, or playing the wild card

 

Link: click HERE

Audio Version

Check out The Mystic Crone, she's been up to mischief.

So, which is it going to be -- are you going to play the wild card, or are you going to play it safe? Read on before you make your final decision...

Paranormal Tales ~ Celebrities' Laurel Canyon Haunted Mansions

 

Laurel Canyon

While there isn't a definitive list of haunted houses in Laurel Canyon, the area is known for its haunted reputation, and several notable locations are rumored to be haunted. The Houdini mansion -- the home of Rick Rubin, and even some residences of famous musicians are mentioned in connection with paranormal activity.

Courteney Cox's Laurel Canyon House

She sold this house because she believed it was haunted, as it was the site of several unsettling occurrences.

 (actual photo of Cox's house)

Paranormal experiences:

Cox experienced several unsettling events, including seeing strange faces and lights, and a plant moving, which she initially dismissed as jet lag or sleep-related.

The woman on the edge of the bed:

Friends who stayed at the house told Courteney they had an encounter with a woman who was sitting on the edge of the bed. Cox initially dismissed their claims, as well as those of the legendary singer-songwriter and previous owner Carole King, who told her that an ugly divorce had taken place in the house and that it was haunted.

The UPS driver:

The experience that finally convinced Cox to sell the house was when a delivery driver came to the door. After she answered, he asked if she knew the house was haunted. When she asked why he thought so, he responded, "Because there is someone standing behind you". This chilling encounter was enough for Cox to sell the house shortly after.

A seance with Carole King: 

Cox bought the house from Carole King, who warned her that it was haunted due to a particularly ugly divorce that occurred there. Cox initially dismissed the idea.

Cox mentioned that she and Carole King even conducted a séance in the house to try and get rid of the ghost. However, Cox admits she was too starstruck by King to pay much attention to the séance itself.

These experiences, along with the unsettling feeling she developed after the delivery driver's comment, led Cox to decide she "couldn't sleep there alone ever again" and that it was time to sell the property.

Houdini Mansion

The Houdini Estate in Los Angeles, also known as the Houdini Mansion, is a location with a rich history and a reputation for paranormal activity, including reports of Houdini's ghost. While not confirmed to be Houdini's primary residence, the estate was a place where he spent time, practicing escapes and enjoying the grounds. The property features tunnels, a swimming pool (where Houdini practiced water escapes), and gardens, and has served as a recording studio and event space.

(actual photo of Houdini's mansion)

History:

The estate was built by Ralph M. Walker, a friend of Houdini, who also owned a guest house across the street that Houdini used. Houdini would use the tunnels and elevators connecting the two properties.

Houdini's Connection:

Houdini spent time at the estate practicing escapes and enjoying the grounds. His widow, Bess, even held a seance there after his death.

After her husband, magician Harry Houdini, died on October 31, 1926, his wife Bess held annual Halloween séances for ten years in an attempt to contact him. Before his death, the couple had devised a secret code – "Rosabelle – answer – tell – pray answer – look – tell – answer answer – tell" – which translated to the word "Believe". Bess hoped Houdini would use this code to prove a medium's authenticity if he could communicate from the afterlife.

The séances also served to debunk fraudulent mediums, aligning with Houdini's own efforts to expose spiritualist hoaxes during his lifetime.

In 1929, a medium named Arthur Ford claimed to have received the coded message, but it was later revealed to be a hoax.

Bess's final Houdini séance took place on Halloween in 1936 on the rooftop of the Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood. After ten years of unsuccessful attempts, Bess extinguished a light bulb that had been burning beside Houdini's portrait since his death, saying, "Ten years is long enough to wait for any man." She publicly declared her belief that spirit communication was impossible, marking the end of her quest to contact Harry. 

Paranormal Reports:

There have been reports of ghostly encounters, including sightings of Houdini's ghost wandering the grounds. Some artists recording at the estate have reported strange occurrences, including photographic evidence and temperature fluctuations.

Current Use:

The estate is now available for rent for film shoots, weddings, and other events. It has also been used as a recording studio by Rick Rubin, where many famous bands have recorded albums.

Rick Rubin's Mansion

Producer Rick Rubin's recording studio, known as The Mansion, located in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, has a reputation for being haunted.

(actual photo of Houdini's mansion)

 

Brief history & paranormal experiences:

Built in 1918, The Mansion has a long-standing association with paranormal occurrences.

While recording their album Blood Sugar Sex Magik in the 1990s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers captured a mysterious "wisp of an entity" in a photo taken at the house.

Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers reportedly found the haunting presence comforting, while guitarist John Frusciante claimed to have an erotic experience with a female apparition.Corey Taylor of Slipknot, while recording there, recounted seeing visions of ghosts, including a man in a tuxedo in his bathroom, according to Far Out Magazine.

A publicist for Rick Rubin, Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald, recounted a personal experience of a ghostly woman in white walking down the staircase.

Despite the spooky stories, many prominent artists like Audioslave, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, and Young Thug have recorded at The Mansion under Rubin's guidance.

Some artists believe that the unique atmosphere and the presence of spirits may even act as a second muse, enhancing their creativity.

The Mansion's basement is connected to a network of tunnels, which were reportedly used to deliver alcohol during prohibition in the 1920s.

 

Other Residences

Various homes of famous musicians, like Joni Mitchell and Frank Zappa, are also rumored to be haunted, though less definitively so. The area's history as a haven for artists and musicians, coupled with its secluded and sometimes mysterious atmosphere, likely contributes to its reputation for being haunted.

From The Witch's Desk ~ Spilling the Tea

 

Stepping up to the plate

You didn't think this one simple innocent individual, or this one obvious (to you) choice, could throw such a wrench in your relationship, your marriage.  But there it is.  Truth is, you didn't even do anything wrong.  You were just being responsible, making decisions that need to be made, stepping up to the plate, as they say, taking care of business, taking care of someone who can't take care of themselves.  

But your partner didn't see it that way, did they?  And this surprised you, didn't it, stunned you actually.

Suddenly the quaint idea of "we're in life together", "what affects you, affects me", "we'll handle life's problems side by side"... it all kind of fizzled into empty cliques, didn't it?

You expected your partner to be as willing to step up to the plate as you are, but this didn't turn out to be the case, did it.

Now what?

You've been through all the arguments together and experienced the nasty words thrown around trying to work this out; you've been through all the wishful thinking you could manifest; and you've worried that your relationship may not be strong enough to survive this, or you might not be strong enough to stick to your decisions.

Stepping up to the plate isn't always easy for the responsiblie partner.  Being a partner to someone who suddenly finds themselves stepping up to a very unexpected and not particularly pleasant responsibility isn't easy either.  Neither one of you saw this coming, to be honest, and you both had very different reactions to it.

Now what?

Someone's got to draw the line somewhere -- both of you, actually -- and you'll find that your boundaries are going to be very different. You have to acknowledge that there are "deal breakers" for relationships and marriages, and you may have just run into one. You might be finding yourself having to choose between this new responsibility and your relationship, literally. You might find yourself caught in a stagnant stalemate, at least for a while. And you most definitely will find yourself at a crossroads, and ultimately, you are the one who will have to make that final decision.

You can do it.  Do you know how I know this?... You already stepped up to the plate.

From The Witch's Desk ~ Spilling the Tea

 

Affairs of the Heart

To the mistress...

She's watching in calculated silence, the two of you.  She's not done with him, no siree, though he might think she is.  The decisions that were made, the division of assets, the landing of the money, where it all went, who benefited, who was left out -- it's not over, it never is.

She's no longer working alone, by the way, she found a partner almost as hedonistic and calculating as she is.  But he prefers to stay in the background, working in the shadows, so to speak.  You should just know that if she wins, he wins, so he is pretty invested.

Maybe you should think twice about where this is going -- or where this all started, and was it really a good idea?  Maybe not, in hindsight, these sordid little tales rarely are.  It was rather shady, wouldn't you agree?... who made the first move, who told the first lie, who was the first to slip up, and wasn't it a war zone when the shit hit the fan.

No one can keep secrets forever.

To the wife...

The only way to lift the weight of this off your shoulders is to shine a light on those things that are best kept in the dark.  Not everyone will want to look, but it just takes one person with enough courage, the right person.  And, voila, the world will know and bells will toll.  You still won't be completely innocent, aka not at fault, but you might be able to successfully kid yourself... for a while.  It takes two you know, both for success and for failure.

It wasn't all bad.  It really wasn't.  And if you can throw just enough salt on the bitch to tarnish her new-mistress image, he might see her for what she actually is.  She's all smiles and aquiesence and unlimited sex right now, but we know this is a facade.  Remember, you two have a history together.  You've been through things, you experienced stuff.  You have memories, however warped some of them might be.  Hang on to that, because right now, that's about all you've got.  Some might say this is wishful thinking, and others might look at it as unabashed optimism.

Just remember, however this turns out, whatever your idea of "winning" might be...

He's done this once, and he will do it again.

Cryptids of the Appalachian Mountains

 

It's good to know what's out there if you plan on visiting the Appalachian Mountains anytime soon. I think this is one of the most interesting locations as far as myths and legends go. It is rife with mythology and legends of the people indigenous to this area, as well as being filled with the colorful stories of the mostly Scots, Irish, and German settlers. Not to mention, there's all those first hand accounts of experiences from wide-eyed traumatized travelers.

So grab a cuppa' and lets dive in...

Several cryptids are said to reside in the Appalachian Mountains, some of which are described in folklore as potentially dangerous or unsettling.

Raven Mocker: 

Rooted in Cherokee mythology, Raven Mockers are described as evil figures that fly at night in fiery shapes, making eerie raven cries. They are said to steal the lives of the dying.

The Raven Mocker is a figure from Cherokee mythology, depicted as a malevolent being, often described as a witch or evil spirit that prolongs its life by consuming the hearts of the dying. They are said to fly through the night making cries like a raven and are invisible to most, except for skilled medicine men who can detect and repel them.

What you need to know:

Appearance:
Raven mockers typically appear as old withered beings, often resembling old men or women, but can also become invisible.

Powers:
Raven mockers can fly through the air, often with a fiery appearance and the sound of a strong wind and a raven's cries. They are said to steal the life force of the dying.

Motive:
Raven mockers are driven by an insatiable hunger for the life force. They seek to prolong their own unnatural existence by consuming the hearts of the dying.

Vulnerability:
While feared, Raven Mockers can be detected and repelled by medicine men with strong spells. Recognizing a Raven Mocker in its true form is said to cause its death within seven days.

Impact on Victims:
Raven mockers are believed to torment the dying, even throwing them from their beds, before consuming their hearts.

Symbolism:

Raven mockers represent greed, malice, and the dark side of Cherokee beliefs about life and death.

In Cherokee Folklore:
Raven Mockers are one of the most feared types of Cherokee witches. They are associated with the night and sickness, targeting those on the verge of death. The legend serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and the importance of respecting the natural cycle of life and death.

Modern Depictions:
The Raven Mocker legend has been featured in various forms of media, including novels and haunted attractions. Some examples include Scott Nicholson's novel "They Hunger", Manly Wade Wellman's "The Old Gods Waken", and P.C. Cast's House of Night Series". There's also a haunted experience at Mountainside Theatre based on the legend.

 

Sheepsquatch - White Things - Devil Dogs: 

These creatures are described as large, furry, or woolly white beasts, sometimes quadrupedal and sometimes bipedal, with dog-like heads, goat/ram horns, and sharp teeth and claws. While they were initially described as fleeing from humans, some reports indicate they have become more aggressive over time.

The Sheepsquatch is a legendary creature from West Virginia folklore, often described as a large bipedal or sometimes quadrupedal creature with white fur, horns, and a strong resemblance to both a bigfoot and a sheep. It is known for its aggressive nature and reported attacks on livestock.

What you need to know:

Appearance:
The Sheepsquatch is typically described as a large hairy creature with white or light-colored fur and horns resembling those of a ram or goat. It is often depicted as being either bipedal, like a bigfoot, or quadrupedal, similar to a large sheep or goat.

Size:
Accounts vary, but it's generally described as being large, with some reports suggesting it could be as tall as a bear when standing upright.

Behavior:
The Sheepsquatch is often portrayed as aggressive, with reports of attacks on livestock, particularly horses and other farm animals. Some accounts also describe it as having a strong sulfurous odor.

Habitat:
The creature is primarily associated with the Appalachian Mountains, particularly West Virginia, with reported sightings in areas like Boone County.

Folklore and Theories:
The Sheepsquatch is thought to be a relatively recent addition to American folklore, with stories gaining popularity in the 1990s. Some theories suggest it might be a misidentified bear or a genetic anomaly, while others believe it's a unique cryptid.

Sighting Accounts, Early Reports:
Some accounts suggest sightings date back to the 1960s, with a book referencing the creature in 1965. The 1990s saw a surge in reported sightings, particularly in Boone County, West Virginia. There are also more recent accounts, including one involving campers in Fulls Run, Virginia.

The Sheepsquatch remains a popular and intriguing cryptid in Appalachian folklore, captivating imaginations with its unique blend of sheep and bigfoot characteristics.

Wampus Cat:

A beast with origins in Cherokee folklore, often depicted as a cat-like creature or half-woman.  It's said to have glowing eyes and an eerie scream. Encountering a Wampus Cat is said to bring bad luck or foretell tragedy.

The Wampus Cat is a creature shrouded in mystery, a staple of folklore in the Appalachian Mountains and a fascinating example of how indigenous myths and local tales intertwine.

What you need to know:

Origins:

The Wampus Cat's roots can be found in Cherokee legends, often involving a woman's transgression and a subsequent transformation. One common narrative involves a woman who disguised herself as a mountain lion to observe a sacred ceremony reserved for men. Upon being discovered, she was cursed by a medicine man, condemning her to roam the wilderness as a fearsome half-human half-feline creature. Another version suggests the wampus cat acts as a protector, a cursed entity safeguarding sacred lands and repelling evil spirits.

Description:

Descriptions of the wampus cat vary across stories, ranging from a terrifying shadowy predator to a mischievous trickster. Common characteristics include glowing yellow or green eyes capable of hypnotizing and paralyzing prey; a feline body, often described as similar to a bobcat, mountain lion, or cougar; along with sharp claws and fangs. Some accounts even suggest the creature has six legs. The wampus cat has also been dscribed has having a muscular feline body covered in dark matted fur with a long sinuous tail. It's been noted that they make eerie sounds that strike terror into those who hear them.

Sightings and Interpretations:

Reports of encounters with the wampus cat often describe a large shadowy feline figure with glowing eyes. These encounters have been reported throughout the Appalachian region, particularly in deep forests or remote areas. Skeptics often attribute these sightings to misidentified large mountain lions or bobcats. Believers, however, maintain the wampus cat's supernatural nature. Historically, newspapers  have reported on livestock deaths attributed to the creature, further fueling its legend.

Not Deer: 

This creature resembles a deer but is said to move with unsettling, unnatural motions, sometimes described as having forward-facing eyes and an eerie presence.

"Not Deer" refers to a modern cryptid legend, originating online, describing a creature resembling a deer but with unsettling, often monstrous characteristics. These creatures are often depicted with forward-facing eyes, unnaturally long limbs, and jerky movements. Some accounts suggest they can stand on their hind legs and may even exhibit predatory behavior.

What you need to know:

 Appearance:
At first glance, a "not deer" appears to be a normal deer. However, upon closer inspection, the observer notices unsettling details.

Unnatural Features:
These include forward-facing eyes, potentially extra joints in the legs, or legs that seem too long or out of proportion.

Behavior:
Not deer are often described as moving with an unnatural, jerky gait, and they may not exhibit the typical fear of humans that deer typically display.

Online Origin:
The term "not deer" is relatively recent, with origins on platforms like Tumblr and TikTok.

Cryptid Status:
While not a traditional legend with deep historical roots, the "not deer" has gained traction as a modern cryptid, capturing the imagination of those interested in the unexplained.

Variations:
The specific details of a "not deer" can vary between accounts, but the core concept of a deer-like creature with unsettling and unnatural features remains

Snallygaster: 

This winged creature, resembling a half-bird and half-reptile, is said to terrorize the countryside, preying on livestock, and even attacking humans by silently swooping down from the sky to snatch victims. It is also believed to have a beak lined with sharp teeth and octopus-like appendages.

The snallygaster is a legendary monstrous creature said to inhabit the rural areas of Frederick County, Maryland. Described as a half-bird half-reptilian beast, it's a prominent part of the region's folklore, with origins dating back to the 1730s. The name is believed to have evolved from the German phrase "schnelle geist" meaning "quick ghost".

What you need to know:

Appearance:
It's often depicted as a winged creature with reptilian features, sharp talons, and a long beak-like snout with rows of teeth. Some descriptions include tentacles emerging from its throat.

Legend:
The snallygaster is said to swoop down from the sky to snatch children and livestock.

Origins:
The legend of the snallygaster is thought to have originated with German immigrants who settled in the area and brought with them tales of a "schnelle geist". While the snallygaster is a creature of legend, it has gained recognition beyond local lore. It was even the subject of a newspaper hoax in 1909, which led to reports that President Theodore Roosevelt was considering hunting it. The American Snallygaster Museum in the DC - Maryland - Virginia area showcases art, artifacts, and pop culture pieces related to the snallygaster.

Dwayyo: 

This humanoid-appearing cryptid is described as a cross between a human and a wolf, standing a massive nine feet tall. It is said to have an evil disposition, and it attacks animals. There are also reports of it attacking people.

The Dwayyo, also known as the Dewayo, is a cryptid primarily sighted in West Middletown, Maryland, and to a lesser extent, Wolfsville, Maryland. This creature, sometimes described as a werewolf, is said to be a mammalian biped with a bushy tail and features similar to a wolf but with the stature and arms of a human. In early accounts, the Dwayyo was described as a 6-foot-tall black-haired creature with a bushy tail.

The Dwayyo is known as the mortal enemy of the Snallygaster, a cryptid described as a flying blood-sucking reptile sighted in the Maryland Blue Ridge Mountains. Their encounters are said to be vicious and date back to the early settlements in the Middletown valley.

 
Based on folklore, the Dwayyo is believed to have originated as a heroic human soul trapped in an animal's body, transforming when the spirit feels it hasn't completed enough good deeds. It is typically depicted as preying on creatures that threaten human communities, such as the Snallygaster, rather than attacking humans directly. However, some later accounts from the mid-to-late 1900s describe a more aggressive, predatory, werewolf-like Dwayyo that resembles a bipedal wolf.

The cryptid's official name is Dwayosapientherapsida Australopitecus Rexus. Research from the University of Maryland suggests its lineage can be traced to the Dway from the Amazon River and the Yo from the Yangtze River plateau, which migrated via a glacier bridge. Its origins may also be linked to the Hexenwolf legend in German folklore.

Sources & Recommended Reading:

Appalachian Cryptids & Creatures

by David J. Hardie

@ Amazon

Appalachian Folklore Unveiled

by Carmen Carrion

@ Amazon

Cryptids of the Appalachian Heartland

by Jannette Quackenbush

@ Amazon

Appalachian Nightmares

by Edward Turner

@ Amazon

From The Witch's Desk ~ Spilling the Tea

 

Weathering the Storm

You played hard to get, you made him work for it, that's for sure, and he was more patient about it than most people would be.  He gave you way too much leeway if you ask me, and you did.  

But just as everything seems to fall into place, just as the festivities are planned and ready to proceed, there will be a wrench thrown into the middle of everything, a wrench made up of harmful, notorious words -- this means a shocking revelation; this could mean insults; this could mean that he does have a limit and you have pushed him to it.  

There is also the possibility that a third party is going to step forward, a third party that is looking out for him, and they're going to say to him, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"   And, gawds forbid, they're going to encourage him to stand up for himself; they'll encourage him to stop giving in to your every whim; they'll enourage him to rock the boat and not lose himself in a manipulative relationship.

A storm will follow, yes indeed, it certainly will, because this will all be a new experience for you, someone actually telling you "no".  Tantrums will no longer work, though they obviously did when you were a child, but those days are over.  You are going to have to weather the storm, lick your wounds, and hopefully come away wiser, with some of Life's Lessons to help you in the future.

It's what you're going to lose now, within this present scenario, which is the sad part. But you're so sure of yourself, so egotistical, so self-centered, you don't realize it yet...

Quite frankly, don't get so cocky so fast, you might have won the battle, as they say, but you have lost the war.  You don't think he'll ever leave, you don't think he has the courage to walk away, you think you can rule with an iron fist and he will never leave you.  This has always been your armor, your weapon, your certainty.

You would be wrong.

From The Witch's Desk ~ Spilling the Tea

 

Finding the Key

It didn't work out because you tried too hard and put too much effort into manipulating the situation instead of just letting things happen naturally.  Sad, but true.

This is not your first rodeo with this outcome being the result.  You know this, you just don't want to admit it, or maybe you don't know any other way.  This is what makes it so frustrating for you.

Were your parents manipulative?  Did your mother manipulate your father?  Is this the dynamic you grew up with, and this is what you consider "normal", because this is what you've always seen?

Your defenses are just up like crazy.  It would be easier for someone to break into Fort Knox than get through to your emotional soft spots.  You've got those covered.  You do understand, don't you, that this is going to make it all but impossible to find what you're looking for, because you've already set yourself up to make it impossible.

But there's something else here as well, something buried so deep that even close friends would be shocked, people who mistakenly think they really know you.  They don't.  You have secrets.

Is this one of those deals where you've kept something hidden, or denied it so hard for so long, that you might not even remember it now?  Maybe, maybe not.  You'd have to see a professional therapist on this point, someone with all the right degrees on the wall to let you know how you're doing on the sanity scale.  

You'll have to find the key, and then find the courage to use it, to set things straight, to make things right, to have dominion over your worst fears, to have the freedom to take down those barriers.  This means you'll be taking chances, and this is what terrifies you.

 

Cryptids ~ The more obscure variety

 

Momo...

The Missouri Monster a.k.a. Momo is a Bigfoot-like creature said to roam along the Mississippi River. Momo was first cited in 1971 near the remote town of Louisiana, Missouri, by Joan Mills and Mary Ryan, as they hiked along a remote path. The creature was said to be covered in thick black hair resembling shag carpeting, and it put off a terrible smell.

Over the next two weeks, the creature was sighted nearly 10 times by several different people. The creature's tracks were submitted to the director of the Oklahoma City Zoo for testing and deemed to belong to an unknown primate species.

Skunk ape...

The Skunk Ape is a humanoid cryptid that has supposedly been seen throughout the southeastern United States, but most frequently in the Florida Everglades. Known for its horrible odor, the skunk ape has been described as having dirty black fur and glowing red eyes.

The creature was first sighted in the 1960s following police reports in Dale County, Florida. In the year 2000, the Sarasota County Police Department received an anonymous letter with two photographs of what was believed to be an escaped orangutan stealing apples from someone's porch near the Myakka River. Because of the location, the creature has been dubbed the Myakka Skunk Ape.

Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp...

The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp is a humanoid cryptid known to live in the swamp lands and sewers of Lee County, South Carolina. These beasts, more than one, are said to stand nearly seven feet tall and are covered in dark green scaly lizard-like skin.

The creature is said to have incredible strength despite only having three fingers and three toes on each hand and foot. The first time a lizard man was sighted was by Christopher Davis in the summer of 1988. Admittedly, the Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp is one of the strangest and most unbelievable creatures to make our list, but their originality makes them something to be wondered about. And hopefully, they actually do exist.

Pope Lick Monster...

The Pope Lick Monster makes its home under the trestle bridge on the Norfolk Southern Railway, which crosses over Pope Lick Creek in Kentucky. Those who have claimed to see the creature have reported that it has the body of a man with the lower torso of a goat or sheep. Some people even claim the monster has short horns protruding from its forehead. According to differing reports, the goat-man either uses hypnosis or some sort of siren voice to lure people onto the train tracks, where passing locomotives then run them down. Others have claimed that the goat-man drops down onto passing cars from within the trestles.

So, is this just another legend told to keep people, especially children, away from the potential dangers of the trestle bridge? Possibly, but there have been several deaths on or under the bridge after people scaled the 8-foot high fence to look for this cryptid. Some of these people were involved in “legend-tripping,” a pastime where amateur folklorists and monster hunters go in search of their legends. Trains still use the bridge, even with its advanced age and unaware that cryptid seekers have lost their lives here. So, even if the PopeLick Monster is not real, the deaths associated with this area are still tragedies.

Puckwudgies...

Pukwudgies have been a part of Native American lore of the American East for centuries before the coming of the Europeans. Some Native Americans believe that they used to get along well with humans but that something happened that turned them against humans. One of the stories from the Wampanoag tribe claims they called on Maushop the Giant to remove the Pukwudgies from their lands because they were annoying. The Pukwudgies have held a grudge against humans ever since. Most Native American tribes say it is best to give a wide berth to the Pukwudgies if you encounter one. Their name means “person of the wilderness.” It is said that Pukwudgies have humanoid features with pale gray skin tones, but their fingers, noses, and ears are larger than a human’s. According to some sources, Pukwudgies are the oldest cryptid in North America.

Different tribes had different lore regarding the Pukwudgies. The Ojibwe and other tribes around the Great Lakes area consider them merely mischievous, and while they might play tricks on people, they were not considered harmful. However, the Abenaki and other Northeastern Native American tribes considered the Pukwudgies dangerous to people if they disrespected them. But for the Wampanoag and other tribes in Southern New England, Pukwudgies can go either way, they can be helpful to a human neighbor, or they can steal human children and do acts that cause great harm, such as pushing a human off a cliff. They are considered to be quite capricious.

Frogman...

Loveland, Ohio, has one of the more interesting cryptids in my opinion. The first stories of the Frogman began in the 1950s, when a businessman claimed to have seen multiple large bipedal frogs along the Little Miami River. The first official sighting of the Frogman took place in 1972 and was witnessed by two policemen on two separate occasions. Officer Ray Shockey first saw the creature on March 3, 1972, at 1:00 am. Officer Shockey was driving to Loveland, Ohio, when he saw what he thought was a dog in a field next to the road. However, when it stood up, its eyes were illuminated by his car lights, and he could see that it appeared to be a giant bipedal frog.

The cryptid jumped over a guard rail and slid down the hill into the Little Miami River. The officer got such a good look at the creature he could describe it well enough that his sister could draw it. Officer Shockey went back to the station and brought another officer Mark Matthews to the scene that same night. The only evidence they found was the skid marks on the embankment where the creature slid down into the river. A few weeks later, on March 17, 1972, Officer Matthews had his own experience with the Frogman. He was driving and saw what he thought was an animal in the middle of the road. He stopped his car, got out, and the creature got up and crouched in the middle of the road. Then it stood up and climbed over the guard rail. all while keeping its eyes on Office Matthews the entire time. For some reason, Officer Matthews decided to draw his gun and shoot at the cryptid, but he missed.

The most recent eyewitness account occurred in 2016 by a man named Sam Jacobs. It was mid-August, and he was playing Pokemon Go when he saw a very large frog near Lake Isabella. He claimed it stood up and walked away on its hind legs. He estimated the creature was about 4 feet tall.

The Yowie...

North America has Bigfoot, and Australia has Yowie. Its legend reaches all the way back to the Aboriginal people of the continent, with the Kuku Yalanji tribe claiming to have long coexisted with them.

There are two types of Yowie: one that grows only to 4-5 feet tall and another that grows as large as 10 feet tall. It’s described as apelike, with orange fur that grows 2-4 inches long. Indeed, there is Aboriginal cave art depicting creatures that fit this description very well.

There have been hundreds of reported sightings. There are even organized expeditions dedicated to locating and documenting the creature. They have generated some compelling evidence, including a thermal image showing a human-shaped creature towering above four full-grown men as they search for the Yowie in the woods.

Rougarou...

The rougarou, also called the loup-garou, is a uniquely horrifying monster. With the body of a man, but the head of a wolf, it stalks the swamps of Louisiana, hunting for misbehaving children to snap up in its jaws. It is, essentially, a Cajun werewolf, a human who’s been cursed with a terrible affliction.

Those who carry the curse are said to transform for 101 days. On the last day, the first human whom the rougarou attacks and draws blood from will become the next carrier of the curse. It’s also possible to become cursed by running afoul of a particularly vindictive witch.

The rougarou remains a grim belief for Cajun elders to this day. They use tales of the creature to caution their children and grandchildren against misbehaving, and accusing members of the community of being a rougarou has historically led to bloody conflicts.

Crosswick Monster...

Around 20 miles north of the Loveland Frogman’s territory lies Crosswick, home to the Crosswick Monster.  Although the monster hasn’t been spotted in nearly 200 years, the legend of the Crosswick Monster is still told in the area.  According to reports, two young boys were playing on the banks of a small creek when they were startled by a massive snake-like creature. The monster sprouted arms and snatched one of the boys, dragging him nearly 100 yards to a massive sycamore tree that was assumed to be its den.

The Crosswick monster dropped the child just outside a hole in the tree’s bank.

The 26-foot diameter tree was eventually chopped through by dozens of men from the town and when the serpent creature reappeared, the men noted that it was between 12-14 feet tall.  The monster escaped the men, crashing through a fence before darting into a cavern.The full description from the men read:
  

It is described as being 30 to 40 feet long, 12 to 14 feet tall when erect, 16 inches in diameter, and legs 4 feet long. It is covered with scales like a lizard’s, of black and white color with large yellow spots. Its  head is about 16 inches wide, with a long forked tongue, and the mouth inside is deep red.

Although the Crosswick Monster was never seen again, it is remembered as one of the most believable cryptid experiences in Ohio, as more than 60 men claimed to have witnessed it.

Bessie, Lake Eerie Monster...

Bessie, also known as the Lake Erie Monster or South Bay Bessie, is a legendary lake creature said to inhabit Lake Erie, particularly around the South Bay area. Reports of Bessie, often described as a large, serpent-like creature, date back to the late 1700s and early 1800s, with more frequent sightings reported in the last few decades.

Bessie is typically described as a large, snake-like creature, sometimes with appendages resembling arms or fins. Reported lengths vary, but she is often described as 20 to 40 feet long, and even up to 50 feet.

While sightings are reported throughout the lake, she is most often associated with the South Bay area near the Lake Erie Islands.

 

Minerva Monster...

Yet another Bigfoot-type creature lurks in Ohio, this time near Minerva. The Minerva Monster was first spotted by the Cayton family in the late 1970s, when they followed the sound of their barking dogs to a pit on their property where they disposed of trash.

Inside the pit, they found a massive 7-foot tall 300-pound creature, covered in fur, staring at them as they approached.

The creature returned to the family’s property so often that it was witnessed by several other friends and family members and even investigated by the sheriff.  During the creature’s final appearance at the property, two creatures were spotted after the home was pelted with rocks while the family was inside.

Although sightings continued in nearby counties, none were as detailed as the Cayton families, whose stories remained unchanged for decades.

Sources & Recommeneded Reading:

Top 10 Most Obscure Cryptids
by Altamashattar

medium.com

Top 10 Lesser Known Cryptids
from Around the World
by Ricky Rodson

discover.hubpages.com

Top 10 Cryptids You've
Never Heard Of
by Regina Paul

listversee.com

10 Creepy Cryptids You Might
Not Know Much About

 by Robert Pace

listverse.com

The 11 Most Bizarre Cryptids &
Monsters from Ohio

by Chelsea Wiley

columbusnavigator.com

The United States Cryptids:
A Tour of American Myths & Monsters

by J.W. Ocker

@ Amazon

Freaky Folklore

by Carmen Carrion

@ Amazon

Forget Me Not:
A Tale of Bessie

by Carol Gyzander

@ Amazon

Skunk Ape Files
by Brad Bertelli

@ Amazon

The Yowie:
In Search of Australia's Bigfoot

by Tony Healy & Paul Cropper

@ Amazon

How many ways are there to dream?

 

Let us count the ways...

Dreams come in many forms, from ordinary reflections of daily life to extraordinary experiences like lucid dreaming and prophetic dreams. Common types include normal dreams, vivid dreams, nightmares, recurring dreams, and daydreams. More unique dream types are lucid dreams, false awakenings, and even dreams that seem to predict the future.

The more common dreams include:

Normal Dreams...
These are the most frequent, often reflecting daily experiences and thoughts without strong symbolism or emotional intensity.

Vivid Dreams...
These dreams are characterized by intense realistic imagery and strong emotions, sometimes pleasant, and sometimes disturbing.

Nightmares...
These are distressing or frightening dreams that can cause feelings of anxiety or terror and may wake the dreamer.

Recurring Dreams...
These are dreams that repeat themselves, often featuring the same themes, settings, or characters, and may reflect unresolved issues or anxieties.

Daydreams...
These are conscious imaginative experiences that occur while awake, often involving fantasies or escapes from reality.

The more unique and less common dreams include:

Lucid Dreams...
In these dreams, the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and may even be able to influence the dream's events.

False Awakenings...
These occur when a person dreams they have woken up, only to realize later that they were still dreaming.

Prophetic/Precognitive Dreams...
These dreams are thought to involve glimpses of future events.

Night Terrors...
These are different from nightmares and occur during non-REM sleep, often involving screaming, flailing, and a lack of memory of the event upon waking.

Healing Dreams...
Some believe that dreams can play a role in physical and emotional healing.

Creative/Problem-Solving Dreams...
These dreams can offer insights, ideas, or solutions to waking life problems.

Epic Dreams...
These are dreams that are particularly vivid, memorable, and emotionally intense.  If you have had an epic dream, you will never forget it.

What is the rarest kind of dream?

That would be a "shared dream".  

Shared dreaming is the rarest type of dream, where two or more people enter the same dreamscape, according to some dream researchers.

I believe that I came close to shared dreaming with one of my daughters.  Although we were not in the dream together, both of the dreams we had on the same night were linked in a rather horrifying way:

The other night, on my way to see a movie with my daughters, I told them about my dream the night before. One of my daughters was intensely excited when I told her that I had a disturbing dream the night before, because she said she did too, and she wanted to compare them. As I began relating my dream to her, she said, “Oh, my!”, and virtually started bouncing in her seat.

My dream ~ 

There was a shadowy beginning part that was dark and ominous, like black and white quickened clips from a horror movie, most of which slipped from my mind, except that it involvd “A Man”. This man had something to do with the second part of this dream, which in contrast is starkly seared into my mind. Some dreams are like that, I believe, because they are more than just an ordinary dream. And this was one of those dreams.

The second part -- there was a knock on my front door. I opened it and heard someone say, “The police want to talk to you.” (Your stomach kind of goes thud when you hear those words.) I went outside, where there was a squad car with two officers sitting in the front seat. I stood by the passenger side, and the officer opened the car door. He was holding a child’s baby doll in his hands. He was crying , and he was retching, and he was trying to get ready to tell me something.

I realized in one sickening moment that it had to be something unusually gruesome and extremely horrific because of his reaction. I don’t think I wanted to hear what he was going to say. I woke myself up, which sounds odd, but I believe that I deliberately pulled myself from this dream.

My daughter’s dream ~ 

My daughter told me that she also dreamed of “A Man” on the same night. She said it was a terrible frightening dark and horrific nightmare. The man kidnapped her, and she said she tried and tried to escape from him, but she couldn’t.

Note:  This phenomenon, where multiple individuals share the same dream, is estimated to occur in only about 1 in 10,000 people.

What are dreams trying to tell you?

“Dreams are often about identity, because we're figuring out who we are and what we need, and the beliefs and perspectives we hold,” says Wallace. “If you feel unfulfilled, undervalued or not the person you want to be in waking life, your dreams will often reflect that."

What types of dreams should you absolutely not ignore?

I've chosen the dreams that strike a chord with me, follow this link for more dreams that may need your attention.

• Being lost or trapped:

Dreaming of being lost or trapped usually signifies uncertainty in a particular life situation, leaving you unsure about the steps to take. These dreams, whether you find yourself lost in a vast building, in the woods, or in a maze, evoke overwhelming feelings of being unable to find a way out. They mirror the complexities and challenges you may be facing in your financial, emotional, physical, or mental aspects of life.

• Falling or sinking

Dreams of falling from a tall building, or sinking into a large body of water like the ocean, evoke feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed. Contrary to popular belief, these dreams are not predictions of death. Instead, they suggest discontentment or dissatisfaction with your current life situation. They may reflect fear of failure in certain endeavors, or risky choices you have made that are causing difficulties.

• Being chased

This dream is most common among individuals experiencing anxiety. It often involves being chased by someone, an animal, or something else. In reality, it represents running away from a specific situation, or an emotion you are not yet ready to confront, such as a breakup or grief.

• Flying

Dreams of flying are often exhilarating. They signify your readiness to make courageous choices, seeking liberation from the pressures of daily life, whether in relationships, work, or other aspects. 

• Being naked in public

Dreams of being naked in public symbolize a fear of judgment. Putting yourself out there can be daunting, requiring courage. Everyone has a fear of exposing vulnerabilities. Overcoming these negative feelings requires embracing self-acceptance. The dream encourages you to appreciate and love yourself, accepting the reflection you see in the mirror each morning.

What does it mean to dream about a deceased loved one?

This is often referred to as a "visitation dream", and people will often find these dreams comforting, or they will come away with needed information, often inspiration, or a resolution to a problem. 

The following dreams are dreams that my former husband and I had on the same night after his father had passed away.  These dreams were an odd combination of shared dreams, visitation dreams, and lucid dreaming:

My father-in-law passed away in a mid-June. He was a very controlling manipulative man. When he died, my husband and I were estranged from him. In my lifetime, I have experienced contact with people who have passed over. I knew that the spirit of this man would come. I just didn’t know how long it would take him to get a decent bearing in his new plane of existence. I was expecting him.

My dream ~

I and my husband’s family were in some kind of house.  I don’t know if it was a country club (that’s kind of what it felt like), a funeral home, or what. There were large, spacious rooms, people milling about, mostly family. A kitchen area was along side these rooms, a galley kitchen. You could walk in one end and walk out the other.

My husband and I were in the kitchen together for a few minutes. I think we were slightly peeved with each other for some reason. On leaving the kitchen, my husband went into one of the spacious living rooms to watch TV, and I turned to the right and went into another.

Not too much later, I was hungry and thirsty, so I got up and walked through the kitchen, coming out at the other end, where there was a small table of food and drinks sat up.  This table was in a smaller nook at the end of the kitchen, where a dining table sat, and several men were seated around it playing cards. My father-in-law was one of these men.

When he saw me at the small table of food, he gathered the cards up and rose from his chair, coming over to me, extending his hand. I thought he wanted to shake hands, so I extended my hand and he took it in his.

In a flash of a split second, I knew I had made a mistake. He didn’t want to shake my hand. He began squeezing it, gradually, fiercely, the look in his eyes evilly gleeful. He was enjoying what he was doing with unabashed devilish delight.

The strangest thing about this dream is that I knew within that split second that I was dreaming, and I knew, within that dream, that I was going to have to snatch my hand away before he could really hurt me. 

I looked into his eyes, and I said, “You bastard!”  Letting him know that I knew what he was up to, and I snatched my hand away at the last second, just before his grip would’ve tightened, and I wouldn’t have been able to get loose.

My former husband's dream ~

The irony of this dream doesn’t end here. When I told my husband about this dream, and the fact that I was expecting his father’s spirit to manifest here in some way, he told me that he had dreamed of his father on the same night. 

In my husband’s dream, his father is sitting on a bench talking quietly and calmly to him. My husband told me that my father-in-law left a message for me... he said to tell me that he apologized.

Sources & Recommended Reading:

Are Your Dreams Trying to Tell You Something?
www.the-independent.com

17 Common Dream Meanings You Should Never Ignore
by Sylvester Sadua
vocal.media/education

A Beginner's Guide to Lucid Dreaming

by Damian Blair

@ Amazon

Conscious Dreaming

by Robert Moss

@ Amazon

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker Phd

@ Amazon

Dream Dictionary

by Tony Crisp

@ Amazon