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About the guest: Whitney Johnson

Appalachian Forager (Whitney) is a full time forager, content creator, and Appalachian ambassador. With over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on Appalachia and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides. 

Born and raised in eastern (by God) Kentucky, she developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager). 

Her accolades include being named Appalachian Arts and Entertainments Awards’ Best Social Media Influencer, Appodlachia’s Appalachian of the Year and Content Creator of the Year, as well as being featured in numerous news segments and articles, including multiple appearances on The Weather Channel. Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive… with a dash of humor.

You can find her at appalachianforager.com, or follow her on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Or visit her as a vendor at several events around east Kentucky.

Snake Charming

Can you tell the difference between a scuhry snek and a happy helpful snake? Can Becky’s puppy tell the difference? We’ve talked before about the infamous Appalachian snake charming fiddler…will Becky be the next one?

Listen to that throwback from season 4 of Homespun Haints here:

The Gartwhinzean Hotel in Powmill, Scotland

Whitney recounts a spooky experience she had while on a high school trip to Scotland, at the Gartwhinzean House Hotel. We’d love to visit and find out more, but the Gartwhinzean has since been shut down and boarded up. If you’re into abandoned haunted places, here are some photos of the abandoned Gartwhinzean House in 2009.

What were those strange lights in the woods?

Whitney witnessed a mysterious moving orb of light during a meteor shower. The light moved almost like a sentient being, and totally unlike a headlight or a meteor. Was it a supernatural orb, like the one Becky’s mom saw outside her bedroom window? Could it have been an alien presence, brought by the astronomical event? Was it a ghost car under the water? Or is there some mundane explanation for these strange lights in the woods that we’re missing? And why did they completely forget to whip out their phones to document the mysterious lights? Wouldn’t that be your first response?

There’s a good chance you might’ve missed the story about Becky’s mom’s orb…it was part of our first Christmas special. Listen now if you missed it:

A Haunted House in the Holler

Whitney then brings us further back in time, to tell us ghost stories from growing up in east Kentucky. Specifically, we revisit the night a full-body apparition disappeared from her friend’s porch in a streak of white light. Sleeping over at that same house, Whitney experienced terrible night terrors (only in her friend’s mom’s bedroom) full of sleep paralysis demons chanting, as though preparing her for a ritual of some sort. Other paranormal things happened in the house, like intense loud window shaking for no discernable reason.

What could’ve motivated Whitney to move into this haunted house she had such spooky encounters in during middle school? interestingly, the paranormal activity significantly receded after her friend’s mom moved out. Could it be that her friend’s mom was haunted, and not the house? Or was it all due to the gifted book of dark magic? How DO you dispose of a haunted grimoire?

The Catfish Man of Morgan’s Creek

Who is the mysterious creature bearing the head of a catfish haunting Morgan’s Creek? Several locals have told of seeing a humanoid being with a man’s body, and the elongated, wide-mouthed head of a catfish. Papaw, uncle, and dad spotted it while hunting. Apparently there’s a Lawrence County, Kentucky, history book that documents several first-hand accounts of Catfish Man sightings, as well as other ghost stories and local legends.

Have you seen the Catfish Man? What is he? Do you think he’s just a very unfortunate-looking dude who lives in the woods? Or could he really be a cryptid…something supernaturally half man, and half fish? How does this tinge your enjoyment of fantasy creatures like mermaids? Because he sure sounds like the opposite of a mermaid to me.

How to make tomato pie

Plant 30 ‘mater plants in your garden. When you have too many, layer slices of tomatoes into a pie crust, intersperse layers of cheese, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, top with more cheese, and bake it. Apparently, it’s so good, you’ll feel like you’re sledding down a hill on a greased tomato, having a spooky day.

The post Foraging for Ghosts: True Ghost Stories from the Appalachian Mountains appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Our interview about Ozark folk magic with Brandon Weston is on YouTube:

Or listen right here:

About the Guest: Brandon Weston

Brandon Weston is a guardian of Ozark traditions in three dimensions: he’s a folklorist, an author, and a spirit worker. His books, including the recent “Granny Thorneapple’s Book of Charms,” delve into Ozark folk magic. His writings can be explored further on his official website or through his Twitter and Facebook profiles.

Charms and Spells: The Heart of Ozark Magic

The Art of Secrecy in Spells

In Ozark folk magic, the effectiveness of a spell hinges on its secretive recitation. Practitioners often whisper the incantations or speak them behind their hands to protect their power. Traditionally, a charm can only be shared with three individuals before it loses its potency for the original holder. Charms are only passed from older to younger family members, across genders. This practice seems similar to ancient customs like the concept of the “seventh son of the seventh son.”

Tokens and Omens

Brandon defines “tokens” as omens or signs within the Ozark tradition, where natural occurrences carry messages from the spirit world. For instance, a butterfly signifies a visit from a deceased loved one, and a red bird pecking at your window warns of a looming death of a loved one. Encounters with these signs often necessitate specific counteractions to mitigate their foreboding messages.

The Ozark Spirit World and Its Inhabitants

The Ozark Spirit World

In addition to haints, the Ozark spirit world encompasses fairies, land spirits, and demonic entities. Individuals gifted with ‘second sight’ have the ability to perceive these spirits. He believes, however, that anyone can develop the ability to recognize the tokens they present.

Nature magic is usually highly regional, because it is dependent on the regional flora and fauna. When the early European settlers arrived in the Ozarks, they were excited to see that the red cedar trees grew there as well. Back in the old country, Scotts and Germans used this wood like we might use sage for cleansing. Strangely (or obviously, depending on your worldview), settlers discovered that the Native Osage people were already using red cedar for the exact same spiritual purpose, without any prior crossover communication.

Folk Exorcisms using Ozark magic

Haint lore in the Ozarks encompasses a variety of spirits, from mischievous fairies and land spirits to more malevolent entities. Brandon has refined techniques of “rehoming haints,” which he calls “a kinder exorcism.” Ever practical, he uses a mason jar with graveyard dirt as a haint trap. He tells us that graveyard dirt attracts spirits because it smells like death. He advises collecting this dirt from the edges of cemeteries, avoiding graves, and seeking permission where possible. Apparently, a little bit of graveyard dirt is all you need to catch a ghost.

Boogers in Ozark Folklore

In Ozark folklore, ‘boogers’ are described as elusive, ghostly creatures that challenge conventional understanding. Brandon says boogers are nocturnal, unusual, and have a solid black appearance without features. They also leave no physical traces such as prints or indentations. Brandon uses divination to uncover the desires and intentions of these mysterious beings, but says he’s still trying to figure out their exact nature and how they differ from ghosts, hell hounds, or cryptids.

You’ve heard a few of our guests talk about boogers before. The subject has always seemed shrouded in mystery, for some reason. Boogers also appear in Appalachia paranormal folklore, but they’re never well-defined. Perhaps it’s part of their elusive nature to be mysterious? Do you believe you’ve seen a booger, or truly understand their nature? Please let us know, as we’re still trying to figure them out!

Cryptids of the Ozarks

Speaking of cryptids, the Ozark region is also home to a variety of other creepy critters.

• Gowrow: A formidable monster reputed to dwell in caves and capable of consuming entire cows. Its presence is steeped in local lore, suggesting a creature of significant strength and mystery. Learn more here.
• Side Hill Hoofer: This unusual creature resembles an armadillo-sheep hybrid. It has legs of different lengths, allowing it to navigate the hilly terrains of the Ozarks. The key to overcoming a Side Hill Hoofer is to tip it over; its uneven legs prevent it from righting itself.
• Underwater Panther: From Muskogee origin myths, this aquatic cryptid is depicted as a formidable black panther. Oddly, it is an amphibious panther, lurking in bodies of water, attacking its prey from beneath the surface.

Ozark Folk Magic

If you find these Ozark folk magic practices intriguing or have your own stories to share, join the discussion at Homespun Haints Facebook Group. Or, consider submitting your story to Homespun Haints for a chance to be a guest on the show. And next time you’re out on the lake, pray that you don’t spot a large, dark, lithe, furry body speeding at you just under the surface, or you’re sure to have a spooky day!

The post How to Train Your Haints: Boogers and Tokens in Ozark Folklore appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen to the full episode:

About our guests: This Paranormal Life

Rory and Kit are childhood friends who take turns researching strange paranormal phenomena, and then try to convince one another that their researched story is true. You can find their podcast at thisparanormallife.com.

We ask the hosts some of their favorite stories, and they regaled us with tales of the White Lady of Union Cemetery in Easton Connecticut, the Kuchisake-onna (or slit-mouthed woman) of Japan, and the Jikininki, also from Japan.

When Rory asked us about one of our favorite ghost stories, we told them the story of the hellhound at Rotherwood Mansion.

This Paranormal Life‘s upcoming tour

Rory and Kit will be touring the U.S. in October of 2023! Check out their schedule here and be sure to grab tickets if you’re near one of the cities they’ll be visiting!

Love discussions of Irish cryptids and folklore?

In this interview, we discuss how the E.U. recently made leprechauns a protected species, and the other Irish cryptids Rory and Kit learned about in grade school. Like This Paranormal Life, we ourselves have heard stories about banshees, skunkapes, and bigfoot from our podcast’s guests. We also love hearing about cryptids in Scottish lakes and the chupacabra in Mexico and parts of the U.S. And we can’t wait to hear more strange Irish ghost stories and Irish cryptid stories, which can’t help but lead to a spooky day!

The post Exploding Ghosts and Buckets of Blood: Interview with This Paranormal Life appeared first on Homespun Haints.

The Loch Ness Monster, of course

The Loch Ness Monster might just be the most famous Western paranormal entity that involves water. 3rd century stone carvings near the lake depict a flippered aquatic beast. The monster was first documented in writing in 565 CE. In the 1930’s, a London surgeon took the first and by far the most infamous photo of “Nessie” rising out of Scotland’s largest lake. Ever since, there have been numerous sightings, and theories abound about what this creature might be.

One popular theory suggests that Nessie is a prehistoric creature that somehow survived extinction. Possibly a plesiosaur. This dinosaur went extinct about 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous Period. Or perhaps, most of them did. Other Nessie believers attribute her to something more otherworldly. And, of course, many claim she’s just a hoax, with the famous “Surgeon’s Photo” now properly debunked.

What is so special about Loch Ness?

But is there something especially paranormal about this lake, in particular? Some special quality that would allow a unique creature to survive in this one single place and no other? Loch Ness is special in that the water is especially dark, due to peat runoff. It maintains a steady temperature, always cool, but always above freezing. It also sits on a fault line large enough to be visible from space, formed about 400 million years ago. None of those things are very unique in themselves. But perhaps the combination is just special enough to house a rare aquatic creature. Perhaps a random lucky dinosaur found a way to survive in the unique loch.

The idea that a prehistoric species could survive an extinction event by hiding underwater is not that far-fetched, is it? Some species of sea turtles and crocodiles survived the very extinction event (the K–Pg event) that killed off the plesiosaurs.

What is Nessie?

Sorry to bum you out, but out of 250 samples from Loch Ness, none of them contain any plesiosaur DNA. The most recent data on the Loch Ness monster suggests that, if Nessie exists, she’s probably an overgrown eel. Basically, Loch Ness’ freshwater eels usually move out into salt water to breed, and die after breeding. Some eels are born with a genetic mutation that makes them sterile. These rare eunuch eels are immune to peer pressure, and don’t head out to sea just because “everyone else is doing it, Nessie.” As almost every member of its species dies due to reproducing, it’s impossible to say just how large one could get or how long one could live unburdened by a ticking biological clock.

Even if Nessie is just a big old ace eel, she’d still be the largest freshwater European eel by about double. Please don’t stop believing in Nessie, just because scientists say she’s probably a massive eel. Her legend serves a purpose. The researchers at Otago University in New Zealand who surveyed the DNA in Loch Ness in 2018 believe they may never have had the platform to perform such a complex study, or ability to promote it to the public, if not for the fascination with finding the monster. Researching Nessie specifically, instead of just doing boring generic DNA surveys, inspired the general public to conceptualize the value of environmental DNA studies. Whether or not her resume is completely, partially, or in no way true, Nessie and Loch Ness are both unique. Plus, the legend of Nessie contributes about $80 million to Scotland’s tourism economy annually.

Scotland’s Stronsay Beast

The Stronsay Beast is another creature of the Scottish lochs. This one is different, in that the evidence of its existence is based on its beached body, rather than live sightings. The beast’s bloated carcass floated ashore on the Orkney Islands in 1808. It had thick, elastic gray skin, and was apparently quite blubbery. Its body was 10 feet around, and 55 feet long, even though it was missing part of its tail. It had several pairs of flippers. Its skin had many tiny backwards barbs, like a cat’s tongue. Longer bristles on its back and fins glowed in the dark when wet.

The Stronsay Beast must be real; it has a Latin name

At the time of its discovery, the Edinburgh Natural History Society deemed it a new species of sea serpent. They dubbed it Halsydrus Pontoppidani. Unfortunately, with no further evidence forthcoming, this one “real” aquatic animal reverted to cryptid status. Later, others have speculated that it might have been a supposedly extinct plesiosaur, like some call the Loch Ness Monster.

More likely, it’s an overgrown oarfish. But the largest documented oarfish ever found was 26 feet. The biggest could theoretically get as large as 36 feet, but with a fairly narrow diameter and no flippers. It might also be a very large, atypical basking shark. The largest documented basking shark was 40 feet long, and it certainly does not have glowing bristles.

If it is one of these two non-extinct species, its incredible size would make it the largest by far. “Sure, but this was 1808, so perhaps the measurements of the mysterious carcass were less than accurate,” you say? Well, all we can say is 2 farmers and a carpenter measured her. We usually trust them to be more accurate at measuring twice and cutting once than some educated society popinjay of the early 19th century.

Unfortunately for cryptid-lovers everywhere, in 1980, the even more trustworthy Dr. Geoff Swinney, fish, reptile, and aquatic lower vertebrate expert, confirmed that the Stronsay beast was just an overgrown basking shark. Or at least, it had a skeleton identical to a basking shark’s skeleton. Just to demonstrate our disappointment, here is a video of a basking shark pooping.

The Beast of Loch Oich

Loch Oich is connected to Loch Ness by a 4 mile river, so it’s reasonable to assume the Loch Ness monster might summer there. But accounts of the cryptid haunting the waters of Loch Oich are somewhat different. Bridge keeper Simon Cameron described seeing a beast with a shaggy dog-like head and a six-to-twelve-foot body. The beast dog-paddles with its flippers, and can apparently both propel itself out of the water and stand straight up in shallow water and on land. You could try to explain away the beast as a giant river otter. But then we’d also expect you to explain what it’s doing on the wrong side of the globe at up to twice its normal size.

According to late 19th century folklore, the Loch Oich monster attacks by standing on the banks, looking docile. Guileless children mount the beast, mistaking it for a deformed pony. It’s all fun and games, until the cryptid dives beneath the water, taking the children with it for goodness knows what purpose.

The Morag of Loch Morar in Scotland

One thing all Scottish sea monsters seem to have in common is each one is rare. They are therefore highly location-specific. So it’s not surprising that there exists a creature only ever spotted in Loch Morar. Even more specific, she only ever surfaces to portend the death or defeat of someone of Clan Morar.

In behavior, the Morag acts much like a banshee, howling and wailing in the night. In appearance, however, she’s more of a mermaid. Legend describes the Morag as a long serpent-tailed (or sometimes salmon-tailed) creature with the upper body of a human woman.

Imagine a dark form bowling through the moonlit water straight towards your boat. As she nears you, she surfaces, long yellow hair flowing out behind her. Her skin is the translucent white of deep water creatures, her huge boobs drip with cold loch water. She opens her mouth to release a horrible howl, long pink grilse tail propelling her ever closer, closer. Her howl ends in a sob, and she dives below the surface. Her 15-foot-long violently flipping tail rocks your boat dangerously, and the water’s surface stills. The howl ringing in your ears leaves you with the certainty that one of your clan will soon perish.

How to protect yourself from the Morag

This aquatic cryptid isn’t specifically dangerous, and is does not attack. She only portends death, she doesn’t cause harm. The Morag appeared in connection with several human deaths from 1887-1898. It was first documented in the writings of Alexander Carmichael, in 1902.

In 1948, nine people spotted a 20ft-long creature swimming swiftly alongside their boat on Loch Morar. She was also reportedly hit by a boat for the first time in 1969 (boat speeds have increased to near Morag speeds since 1898). The frightened sailors fending her off with an oar and a rifle. Interestingly, these witnesses may have never heard of the Morag, and might not have had a clue what they were reporting. Carmichaels writings were lost for a century, only turning up again in 2011.

There’s nothing super special about Loch Morar. But it is 1,017 feet deep in some places, making it the deepest documented freshwater body in the British Isles. Perhaps it is the depth which has allowed this legendary busty cryptid to hide so thoroughly in her dark aquatic refuge for over 130 years.

Lizzie of Loch Lochy

So, remember how we just called Loch Morar the deepest loch? Well, perhaps we spoke too soon. In 1977, Cryptozoologist Cameron Turner went monster hunting on Loch Lochy. The team’s sonar detected an 18-foot-long creature swimming hundreds of feet below the surface. As they chased the supposed monster, multiple sonar readings indicated random holes in the bottom of the loch, with total depths of over 2000 feet. These holes, if confirmed, would make Loch Lochy the deepest inland European lake by far.

Meaning of course an environment perfect for aquatic cryptids, right? Indeed, two game wardens spotted what they thought was a tree moving through the loch in 1929, only to presumably poop their pants when the tree turned out to be a giant beast. The mysterious beast swam alongside them for a mile. In 1960, ten people spotted a huge creature with flippers standing up in the middle of the loch. Only one of these witnesses had binoculars, and he affirmed that the creature was 30-40 feet long. A fisherman may have caught her with a fishing rod in 1996, but fortunately for him, she got away.

And as usual, not much is more Scottish than a deadly monster with a cute feminine nickname. “Lizzie” has the classic three-hump sea monster form. She’s black on top and pale underneath. With her giant flippers, she is as likely to be a plesiosaur (or an old ace eel) as Nessie is.

Loch Quioch’s Monster

Witnesses also see an enormous serpentine creature in the waters of Loch Quioch. The lore surrounding this copycat cryptid makes us peg her as the least unique aquatic monster of Scotland. Like her more famous Loch Lochy cousin, she is also sometimes called Lizzie. Like the other Lizzie, she looks like a long, flipper-less serpent with a horse’s head.

It is a challenge to track this one, since the original witness chose to remain quiet. Lord Whatshisname was fishing on Loch Quoich, when he saw a snakey beast laying on the shore. Instead of going public, he swore his fishing guides to secrecy, in fear of being called a crazy drunk. A separate local fishing party also spotted a large unidentified underwater animal around the same time, but perhaps not much came of it since they were likely unaware of the other hush-hush encounter.

It wasn’t until 1933—the same year the Loch Ness Monster rose to international fame—that several additional eyewitness accounts of the creature began to appear in the news. It’s almost like Nessie’s fame paved the way for her less remarkable relative to come out of the closet. We just want to say, you are valid, Other Lizzie.

The Muc-Sheilch of Loch Maree and Loch-na-Bèiste

The Muc-Sheilch is less serpenty, which is clear by the literal translation of its Gaelic name to “turtle-pig.” The fun part of the Muc-Sheilch legend is that the creature had its own Ahab-like pursuer, Mr. Banks. This monster hunter went to Wile E. Coyote lengths in the 1850s to catch the Muc-Sheilch. His tactics all failed, from poison to draining the entire damn loch. Little more is clear about Mr. Banks or the legendary aquatic “turtle-pig,” but we have to wonder if their rivalry was part of the inspiration behind the epic battle between Al Gore and Man-Bear-Pig.

The Nuckelavee of Scotland

So far, we’ve talked only about paranormal aquatic cryptids that could maybe, potentially, sorta be just normal sea creatures who presented themselves to witnesses in an unusual way. After all, there are likely many terrifying water beasts lurking in the dark depths whom we have yet to discover. But now, let’s get really weird. There is one lonely saltwater amphibious monster spotted in the sea lochs of Scotland only once. Once, I’m sure you’ll agree after reading this description, was enough.

Of all the weird mythical sea creatures in the Scottish islands, the rarest and absolute worst has to be the nuckelavee of Orkney. There is only one known first-hand account of this cryptid, which comes from an island farmer named Tammas. According to Tammas, the nuckelavee has a man’s torso attached to a horse’s back. The torso’s freakishly long arms hang all the way to the ground. Also, the man torso has a 3 foot wide human-ish head it can obviously barely support. The horse body has a 2nd, horsier head, with a single giant flaming red eye an a huge gaping mouth that exudes poisonous, pungent vapor.

And if you thought a centaur cyclops with 2 huge ugly heads, gorilla arms, and acid breath was bad enough, hold your horses. The nuckelavee also has no skin. That’s right; thick black blood courses through its yellow veins, strapped tight over exposed red muscles.

How can you see a nuckelavee?

Apparently, nothing pisses off the nuckelavee like the stench of burning seaweed. In 1722, the people of Stronsay began burning seaweed to create soda ash. This byproduct is an alkali mainly used to treat acidic soil, and in the making of both soap and glass. The pungent smoke emitted during the process must have enraged the nuckelavee, who took revenge by going on a wild rampage of plague-spreading.

The nuckelavee’s uber-nasty horse breath can wilt crops, sicken livestock, spread epidemics, and produce drought. In its revenge against the islanders for burning seaweed, the nuckelavee infected the horses on Stronsay with a deadly disease, which the islanders called mortasheen. The infection quickly spread to all the other islands involved in the soda ash industry.

How to defend yourself against a nuckelavee

Fortunately, the nuckelavee’s weakness is very plentiful in the area: freshwater. Tammas lucked out and was able to splash the fearsome cryptid with freshwater from the loch. This briefly distracted the monster, who can only tolerate salt water. The distraction, although not seriously harmful to the nuckelavee, inspired Tammas to wade out into a nearby channel of fresh water. This turned out to be the perfect move, since the nuckelavee wouldn’t cross the fresh water to pursue him.

So many Scottish water cryptids, so many questions

These are just the most famous of the many Scottish aquatic beasts of lore. Don’t forget the Croc of Loch Lomond, the lake-horse of Loch Arkaig, the 12-legged Beathach Mòr Loch Odha, the Seileag of Loch Shiel, and the Searrach Uisge of Loch Suainbhal, among others. What is it about the Scottish lochs that make them so ihabitable to aquatic cryptids? If they’re all just big old ace eels, why do they all look and behave so differently? Why are they so ubiquitous and yet so rare? Are there really holes in the bottoms of some of these lochs going down thousands of feet? Why, with all of our technology, have we never been able to take a reliable photograph of one of these beasts, or even catch one? What would happen if we did?!

Do rare deep sea creatures qualify as aquatic cryptids?

A cryptid is just a creature or species that exists only within anecdotal evidence, right? A being witnessed and believed to exist by multiple people, yet whose very existence is debated and mostly dismissed by the general public and scientific communities.

Plus, many of the creatures living deep in the ocean just feel supernatural or alien to us humans. We recently talked about a jellyfish that is the longest animal on the planet, and potentially psychic octopi. We might associate deep water creatures with the paranormal simply because they’re just so foreign to us land-dwellers. Each time we discover a new deep water creature, what was once an aquatic cryptid turns into a real species. Who knows if, someday, we’ll discover all of these aquatic Scottish cryptids are real? That will, for sure, be a spooky day.

The post Aquatic Cryptids of Scotland appeared first on Homespun Haints.

So what exactly is a Pukwudgie and do people still see them today? We break it down for you in our bonus episode, which you can listen to below.

Are Pukwudgies real?

You might call pukwudgies cryptids, faeries, or mythological creatures. It is uncertain whether or not ancient Native Americans believed pukwudgies were real or merely mythical. Yet more than one person has reported seeing a real one in the natural world, so it might be reasonable to wonder: are pukwudgie real?

Where do Pukwudgies come from?

Tales of Pukwudgies appear in Lenape and Wampanoag folklore, and date back at least 9,000 years, marking them as some of the oldest mythical creatures in North America. The mythical origins of Pukwudgies lie in a creation story told by the Wampanoag Tribe and some other northeast Algonquian tribes. These little creatures are believed to have originated in Hockomock Swamp in Massachusetts. This area has had a reputation of being home to spirits for millenia, and it’s no coincidence it’s located in Massachusetts’ notorious Bridgewater Triangle.

Where do they live now?

You may encounter pukwudgies across what is now New England. From Massachusetts down to Ohio and Indiana, and up into parts of Canada. There’s a good reason for why these creatures are so widespread: they were thrown there.

Pukwudgies in Native American Folklore

According to oral history of some tribes, the pukwudgies originally tried to live in harmony with Native Americans; even help them. The humans didn’t understand or appreciate the help, and the Pukwudgies eventually decided that the humans were ungrateful and not worth helping. The formerly friendly Pukwudgies felt especially spurned by the appreciation humans had for the creation giant of Cape Cod, Maushop. So they started being little pains-in-the-ass: stealing food, throwing sand in peoples eyes, those sorts of nasty tricks.

Humans in the area complained to Maushop’s wife, Granny Squannit, who relayed their gripes back to the giant himself. Maushop then asked the humans to gather up all the pukwudgies they could find in the woods and bring them to him. The humans obliged, and Maushop collected and flung the captured pukwudgies across what is now southern New England, into the Great Lakes Region. Perhaps this is how Pukwudgies ended up all the way in Indiana.

In one version of the pukwudgie mythology, the little creatures returned with a vengeance. After being so abused, the tricksters turned deadly. Now instead of pranks, the pukwudgie began kidnapping children, luring people to their deaths, and burning villages. Maushop sent his children to eradicate them again. The pukwudgies lured them into deep grass and shot them with magic arrows, killing all five sons. In some versions, they may have even killed Maushop, or Maushop’s wife.

What does a pukwudgie do?

This little wild man creature hides out in the woods and causes serious trouble for the humans who annoy it.

What are the powers of pukwudgies?

Pukwudgies may have the ability to become invisible, appear and disappear, and perhaps even to shapeshift.

Are Pukwudgies dangerous?

Although they are only small creatures, legend says pukwidgies are very dangerous animals. If you encounter a pukwudgie, leave it be. Pukwudgies are still bitter about past grievances with humans, and can cause all sorts of problems if you bother them.

If you leave them alone, at worst they’ll mess with you a little (they are tricksters, after all). But piss them off, and you could be facing serious or fatal injury, as they may have magical abilities, poison arrows, and have been known to kidnap people and lure people to their deaths.

What does a Pukwudgie look like?

Those who have seen pukwudgies describe them as a small humanoid creature, appearing half troll, half human. They are knee-height (or about two to three feet tall). They have large ears and noses, so they may be mistaken for dwarves or duwende when first spotted. They may also have smooth gray skin, resembling stones.

What really makes pukwudgies unique is the sheath of porcupine spines that runs from the top of their heads all the way down their backs. In fact, when you see one from behind, you may mistake it for a porcupine that walks upright…until it turns around and gives you the stink eye.

Pukwudgie pictures

As far as we know, there are no authenticated real pukwudgie photos. Pukwudgie art and literature is based on the oral stories passed down through generations within Native American cultures. Since we couldn’t include a real pukwudgie photo, Becky sketched this image based on the eyewitness description our recent guest gave.

Pukwudgie etymology

“Pukwudgie” translates approximately to “little person of the wilds.” The Wampanoag word pukwudgie may have descended from the Ojibwe prefix bagwaji- (“wild”). The Wampanoag people, who are indigenous to parts of present-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island, speak a dialect of the Algonquian language family. The exact linguistic roots within the Wampanoag language are not well-documented in mainstream etymological sources. If you know more about the etymology, please let us know so we can share it here!

Pukwudgie pronunciation guide

The pronunciation of “pukwudgie” is typically pronounced “puck-wuh-jee,” or in formal diacritics can be represented as /ˈpʌkˌwʌdʒiː/.

How to spell pukwudgie

“Pukwudgie” is the most common spelling for the mean little people of the Wampanoags mythology. You may also see spellings like “Puckwudgie,” “Puk-Wudjie,” or “Puk-Wudgie”, though they are less common.

How to draw a pukwudgie

What does a pukwudgie look like? Becky created this process drawing video so you can see (and draw) a pukwudgie for yourself!

Pukwudgies in popular culture

• The CW show Legacies, spin off to The Vampire Diaries, features both a character with pukwudgie powers and a pukwudgie cryptid itself. You can see the later in this clip, although the image may be a bit more Muppety than what pukwudgies look like usually.
• In the Harry potter series, Pukwudgie House is one of the four houses at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is the North American counterpart to Hogwarts.
• Mounds State Park in Indiana hosts a pukwudgie-themed nighttime nature hike.
• In a 2017 April Fool’s Day prank, newbedfordguide.com wrote about how there were so many sightings in the Freetown State Forest near Freetown, Massachusetts, that the police would be installing a Pukwudgie crossing sign during the mythical creatures’ mating season.
• There is a film in pre-production at the time of this writing (March 2024) called The Ledge, Curse of the Pukwudgie.

Listen to the episode for more details!

The post What is a Pukwudgie? appeared first on Homespun Haints.

One theory posits that water amplifies spiritual energy. Water can have an impact on human behavior and emotion, in both normal and paranormal contexts. This same spiritual amplification makes it easier for ghosts and spirits to travel through liquid than solid objects, or even air. But instead of moving through he liquid by displacing molecules, ghosts may travel through water similar to the way electricity does. Many people believe that ghosts can use water as a conduit to interact with the living world. From lakes and oceans, to swimming pools and hot tubs, there have been countless cases of ghosts communicating with people through water.

Exploring the Link Between Water and Ghosts 

Because water is a medium between the physical and spiritual worlds, it is quite possible that ghosts use water as a conduit for manifestation. The theory suggests that by using the energy found within water, ghosts are able to create an environment where they can interact with the living world. Paranormal television shows and movies often depict water as being a source of ghostly activity.

For example, since ancient times, many cultures have believed that drowning victims become ghostly guardians who protect their surrounding waters from evil forces. Several cultures have practiced the intentional sacrifice of a living being at the construction of bridges. This construction sacrifice is believed to create a perpetual protector.

Listen to an episode about ghosts and bridges:

Do ghosts use water as a conduit for manifestation?

When it comes to ghosts using water as a conduit for manifestation, there are a couple of theories. Here are two of them. One theory suggests that when ghosts come into contact with large bodies of water, such as lakes or oceans, they are able to draw on the energy from those waters and use it to manifest themselves on earth. The other theory proposes that when spirits come into contact with smaller bodies of water like streams or rivers, they are able to draw on their own energy. This allows the ghost to create an environment where they can interact with the living world without drawing too much attention. 

In addition to providing a medium for ghostly manifestations, water also plays an important role when it comes to humidity and temperature levels in an area. When there is an increase in humidity or temperature levels in an area due to high levels of moisture in the air (such as near a river or lake), it can lead to increased paranormal activity. Sightings of apparitions or cold spots may be more common in humid areas. This could be because higher humidity makes it easier for spirits and other supernatural entities to manifest physically on earth. The ghosts are using the water vapor suspended in the air as a conduit.

Are there any famous places that are haunted because of water?

The Bermuda Triangle is perhaps one of the best-known examples of a paranormal phenomenon related to water. This area of ocean between Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico is notorious for its mysterious disappearances. Many planes and hundreds of ships have vanished without a trace there over the years. The disappearances have been attributed to everything from alien abductions to supernatural forces. Some believe that underwater geologic activity—such as powerful methane gas bubbles or unexpected currents—could be responsible for the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. And yet, there’s a strong air of paranormal mystery and fear surrounding the unexplained occurrences in the area.

Perhaps because of its vastness, the Earths oceans serve as hiding places for several mythical lands. One of the most famous supernatural places is the Lost City of Atlantis. Thought to be an ancient civilization with inexplicably complex technology, Atlantis purportedly disappeared beneath the sea, and yet still exists and flourishes today. Atlanteans may be normal humans, surviving underwater all this time because of (alien?) technology.

Some say they were chosen by a deity to survive bad times within a protective underwater environment. Perhaps they used their advanced technology to evolve somehow into something that’s no longer quite human. Or perhaps Atlantians were a cross-breed of humans and…insert your favorite paranormal entity here. Does their being not quite human, plus believed in by many yet never quite proven to exist, qualify Atlanteans as cryptids? Or are they a supernatural race that’s not quite corporeal, like elves? Either way, they’re not the only underwater-dwelling paranormal entities.

Water and paranormal entities

The Loch Ness Monster is probably the most famous paranormal entity that involves water in the Western world. One popular theory suggests that Nessie is a prehistoric creature that somehow survived extinction. It’s actually possible for a prehistoric species to survive an extinction event by hiding underwater. Others attribute her to something more otherworldly. And, of course, many claim she’s just a hoax. Most of the theories revolving around Nessie imply she’s an actual physical being, and not a spirit.

There are many more supernatural entities associated with water in Eastern mythology, both corporeal and non-corporeal in nature.

Many of the creatures living deep in the ocean just feel paranormal or alien to us humans. We might associate deep water with the paranormal simply because it’s just so foreign to us land-dwellers. But is there something special about water in general that allows supernatural creatures to flourish?

How does water help spirits manifest?

Static electricity increases when salt or other substances are added to water. This is due to the electrical current generated by ions in the water. The ions may also create an environment conducive to carrying spiritual energy from one place to another. It would thus make sense to assume that salt water is, on average, more haunted than fresh water. But on the other hand, bodies of freshwater tend to be much smaller than the vast saltwater oceans. It’s possible humans experience more freshwater hauntings than saltwater hauntings simply because we have interactions with a higher percentage of bodies of freshwater. There may be many hauntings deep in the ocean we’ve yet to experience.

Scientific studies have shown that bodies of water contain higher concentrations of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) than the surrounding air and land. We’ve covered in the past how ghosts may use EMFs to manifest or communicate with the living. The high EMFs of large bodies of water could explain why so many people report paranormal activity near lakes, rivers and oceans. Many people have reported seeing apparitions rising out of the ocean or lake just before dawn or at dusk – times when EMF levels are at their highest.

Listen to our episode about EMF fields:

These experiences are not limited to natural or large bodies of water. There are also numerous reports of supernatural experiences in bathtubs! Some people claim they have seen entities emerge from bathwater during deep meditation sessions—an experience which further suggests that EMFs play a role in connecting us with the spirit world. 

Do ghosts use water to travel?

It seems clear that water plays an important role in paranormal activity and ghostly manifestations. By understanding how spirits use water as a conduit for interaction with our world, we can better understand how they manifest themselves in our lives and how we can better protect ourselves from unwanted encounters with them. All things considered, it seems likely that paranormal entities may indeed make use of our vast waterways as a way to move freely between different locations across the globe without being detected by humans—if only we could figure out how they do it!

Our guests have had some theories, based on their first-hand experiences with the paranormal having to do with water. Listen to some of these spooky water-related ghost stories to inspire some thoughts on how ghosts and paranormal entities interact with water.

• What Do We Smell Like To Monsters?
• It Came Up The Drain!
• The Slimy Butt Burglar and other Distractible Creatures
• Haunted Waters of the Holston River

After you listen, please comment with your theories! We’d love to hear about your thoughts, and if you have any personal supernatural water stories, please consider telling them on our show! That way we can all have a spooky day.

The post How Ghosts Use Water as a Conduit for Manifestation appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Or listen right here:

Summary of this Strange Paranormal Podcast Episode

Do you believe in fairies? What do you think they look like? What do they sound like? If you saw one while you were driving down the road, would you stop to say hi?

Shane is obsessed with cryptids, fae, and UFOs because he has encountered so many strange unexplainable phenomena in his lifetime. He shares several stories of ghosts and fairies. It’s up to you to decide what it is he saw on Christmas Eve outside of Asheville, NC.

This is our last episode of Season 4! We’ll be back in February, 2023. If you miss us and want more content between now and then, we’d love it if you’d join our Patreon at patreon.com/homespunhaints.

A Strange Paranormal Podcast

About Our Guest Shane

Our guest today has become used to the high strange. In fact, he himself has a strange paranormal podcast devoted to the unexplainable happening around us all the time. Because he himself has seen some things that will give you pause. Shane co-hosts Dark Notes, a podcast about music, horror, and high strangeness, with his friend Lisa. Check out Shane’s podcast Dark Notes on Spotify and YouTube. You can also follow him on Instagram @ufobigfoot.

The 12 Orbs of Christmas

On Christmas Eve, 2014, Shane was in the process of moving to Asheville, North Carolina. Passing through the little town of Hickory, NC, he witnessed a mystical ballet of orbs by the side of the road. When he went online to report the event, he learned that he wasn’t the only one to witness the phenomenon.

What do you think these orbs could be? Were they really communicating with Shane? Also, why do sightings of inexplicable lights seem to correlate with sightings of Bigfoot?

Bigfoot sighting similarities

I guess the term “unidentified flying objects” applies to orbs, when speaking generally. But Shane definitely felt like the orbs he encountered were not extraterrestrial in origin. There are however plenty of accounts where Bigfoot sightings coincide with sightings of orbs and/or UFOs. And perhaps at least one sighting of Bigfoot wearing a belt?

Anomalous Music

Shane also mentions hearing music that “wasn’t there.” As a musician, he is usually pretty good about picking out individual instruments within a composition. But in this case, the tune was an un-replicable musical phenomenon that existed only within Shane’s mind, for only an hour, only once. Like Tartini‘s dream score, the magic of the tune may have existed within its inability to be heard with physical ears.

Hopefully you’re not stressed enough to be haunted!

It is interesting to note that the standout supernatural experiences in Shane’s life occurred during periods of intense emotional turmoil. And he isn’t our only guest to draw this correlation. If you’ve had a ghostly experience, do you feel like tension in your life may have had something to do with manifesting it? Are you more likely to see a ghost when you’re stressed? Join the conversation on our FB group and let us know your opinions and experiences.

And until next time, have a spooky day!

The post The Weirder The Better appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen to the episode here:

Episode Summary: Paranormal Iowa

Sometimes ghost stories help to answer the questions we have about the paranormal. But sometimes, these stories only serve to create more questions. When you delve into the world of ghosts, demons, and other supernatural phenomena, you have to accept uncertainty, and know that some questions will never be answered.

Today, we present to you a string of incidents that occurred in the life of a young man living in Iowa. We leave it up to you to decide what to make of his experiences.

About the guest, Bailey

Bailey still identifies as a skeptic because he’s never literally “seen a ghost”. Yet he has seen the hatman; and a shadowy figure that doesn’t show up on camera harrassed him. He’s witnessed a potential alien visitation; and, of course, a mysterious invisible creature bit him while in a bedroom that backed up to a cemetery.

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Sponsored by Acid Queen Jewelry

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Show Notes

Bedrooms that back up to cemeteries

We’ve had a shocking number of guests on this show that have slept in rooms where their view out the bedroom window involved cemeteries in some way. We have to wonder…does living cemetery-adjacent have something to do with their ongoing paranormal experiences? For more view-of-the-boneyard realness, listen to The Woman Who Lived in a Cemetery, Things That Crawl Out of Cemeteries, and We’re Walking Through Blood.

Is a shared imaginary friend still imaginary?

Bailey first starts to question his reality when his older brother has a childhood dreamtime vision of his own imaginary friend, Tim. If both children in the same house have the same imaginary friend, what does that mean? Could it be that one brother picked up on the other brother’s stories, and has a good imagination? Or could it be that Tim existed outside of the imagination?

The Villisca Axe Murder House

Ghost Hunters love to portray The Villisca Axe Murder House as the most haunted paranormal place in Iowa. The locals aren’t all so keen on its sordid past being exploited for it’s touristy present. But there’s no denying that the house has seen an above average number of murders within.

Aside from its sinister history, what makes this house so scary? According to the fabulous article our friends Karly and Tera of The Haunted Housewives Podcast wrote for our blog, “Tour guides, visitors, and investigators hear whispers and footsteps. A lot. People see shadows and catch them on camera. Rumor has it that if you don’t believe in ghosts, you will after spending the night at the super haunted Villisca Axe Murder House.”

The Beast of Land Between the Lakes

It’s a tale as old as time. A group of inebriated college students with too few survival skills and too many beers make their way out into the woods to go camping. As they hike, they come across holes in the ground lined with sticks and tufts of grey fur. As the darkness grows, the students feel like they’re being watched. Then the howling begins. But it’s a howl that sounds almost like maniacal laughter. Human Laughter. A few days later, police discover their half-eaten bodies lodged in nearby trees.

This is an amalgam of the modern reports of encounters with the Beast of LBL. Yet the legend goes as far back as the 1800s, when Shawnee fur traders warned French explorers to watch out for something in the woods. Their descriptions were suspiciously werewolfy. It’s uncertain whether the original beast was a true shapeshifter, or a man with an inherited family trait that caused him to go mad after nightfall. But the fact that people are still reporting sightings and evidence of the beast to this day implies that he must have fathered little beastlings to carry on his terrifying legacy.

(And yes, we know, technically, the paranormal cryptid called the Beast of Land Between the Lakes is from Kentucky, not Iowa. But with the surprising speed at which this wolfman allegedly moves, he just might get around.)

The urge to run up the basement stairs because you feel something is following you

Is this just a childhood thing, as Bailey says, or is it more sinister? Diana also had this feeling quite frequently growing up. The feeling is less since moving back into her childhood home, but still occurs from time to time. But then again, the other things happening in Diana’s basement nowadays are still quite creepy.

What is it about superstitions that allow them to overcome logic and skepticism?

Bailey had a very superstitious grandma, who helped him feel more normal when the paranormal threatened to rock his reality. In this article, Diana breaks down some reasons why we have superstitions. The post explains why you feel the illogical urge to toss salt over your shoulder. And how that might actually be making your life better.

Paranormal Iowa

We hope you enjoyed today’s episode about some of the paranormal encounters Bailey had growing up in Iowa. If you’re from Iowa and have seen strange paranormal entities there, please leave us a comment on our Facebook Group. And if you want to do some paranormal investigation in Iowa, we can vouch that Bailey would be an astute and open-minded companion. He’s also itching to visit the Villisca Axe Murder House and other haunted places around Iowa. So if you’re ghost hunting in Iowa and could use a hand, drop us a line and we’ll hook you up so you can both have a spooky day!

The post What Bit Me? A True Paranormal Story from Iowa appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen to the interview here, then scroll down to hear the bonus episode.

Episode Summary: The Bennington Triangle

An abandoned town. Sightings of cryptids. Strange disappearances. And weird rock structures that no one can explain. It sounds like the start of horror fiction, but there’s a place in New England called the Bennington Triangle where this is all true. Today, we talk to repeat guest Bill Presley, who has collected some interesting folklore from his family’s home in Vermont. After you listen to the strange tales from this area, perhaps you too will have your own theory about what’s really going on.

Sponsor: Acid Queen Jewelry

Thank you to Acid Queen Jewelry for sponsoring this episode! Unique, hand-crafted jewelry featuring motifs from folklore, magic, and battleaxes, because YEAH!

About the Guest: Bill Presley

We interviewed Bill in April, 2022, but since then he has written another collection of stories. This time, about folklore from Vermont, in Death Reflects, soon to be published by Little Demon Books. By day, Bill Presley is a geneticist who studies the molecular basis of pathogenesis in Mendelian diseases. This type of research helps patients with new and mysterious inherited medical issues.

Bill straddles the line between skeptic and believer, analytic and creative. He grew up in a family where many members have “the gift”. The true story of demonic oppression he told us earlier this year is part of an anthology published by Timber Ghost Press. He also crafted the story into his fictional novella Aniela, which serves as the prelude to the series entitled The Apprentice’s Notebook, published by Little Demon Books and available on Amazon. He’s also written a follow-up novella. Follow Bill on Twitter @AnotherPresley for release updates.

What is the Bennington Triangle?

Well, you know the story of the Bermuda Triangle, right? This is the same basic idea, but on land, and in Vermont. While we haven’t heard a lot of spooky stories from Vermont yet (except we keep hearing about witch windows), but apparently that’s about to change.

Here are some of the strange things the locals know about Glastenbury Mountain:

• A local cryptid called the Glastenbury Monster might roam this mountain.
• There’s a demon door somewhere.
• Tales of a man-eating rock date back to before the Mayflower landed.
• Henry McDowell, who went mad in 1892 and murdered John Crowell by bludgeoning at the behest of the voices in his head, might still be alive somehow.
• For years, there’s been a wilderness cult that nobody can find.

Also, wait until Bill tells us about an ongoing series of inexplicable disappearances linked to wearing a red hoodie.

Not that kind of speculum.

Bill has an enviable collection of antique medical and funerary equipment on display in his home, to his girlfriend’s delight. So when he started talking about a speculum, we just assumed…but actually, in this case, the word means “mirror,” much like the word spectrophilia means both a fetish for ghosts and a fetish for mirrors.

Here’s the bonus episode, Speculating on Specula: Using mirrors to talk to ghosts.

We don’t know (yet) how the medical tool got its name. But a speculum/mirror refers to not only a simple mirror, but any sort of device used for insight. In medieval times, the word speculum used to broadly refer to scrying devices. Bill was talking about witch balls (scrying devices made from glass fishing net bobbers). I have a feeling we’re going to have to do a bonus episode on the topic of speculums, what do you think? In my scrying device I see us both having a spooky day.

The post Something’s Lurking in Vermont appeared first on Homespun Haints.

I mean, where was the Scooby-Doo episode where Shaggy and the gang were trying to solve a succubus mystery? Where was the payoff at the end where the gang rips the mask off a villainous townie who posed as a succubus seducing the locals? Where was the “…and I would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for you meddling kids.”

Full disclosure: that episode resided—in heavy rotation—in my pubescent dreams. And to be honest, the fantasy still lingers like an ever-smoldering ember, owing heavily to my early fascination with the succubus.

The more common Scoob fantasy at that time can be best represented by the debate over who was hotter between Velma and Daphne, or between Shaggy and Fred. It is still hotly discussed in some circles to this day.

But I digress—back to the succubus. Now, when you mention the succubus, you must certainly bring the incubus into the discussion. At this point a defining of terms seems appropriate.

Succubus vs. Incubus

Succubus-
The contemporary version of the succubus—a sexy, stunning, cunning, scantily-clad seductress with only bat-wings, horns, talons, and/or tails giving clue to their demonic pedigree—has little in common with the succubus of the past.

To quote Prof. Geller’s article found on Mythology.net, “From the dawn of their legend well through the medieval ages, Succubi were considered hideous, deformed creatures. They were somewhat smaller than average people, and they stooped and crawled instead of walking upright. Their feet were like raptors, their faces like gargoyles, and their fingers tipped in ragged claws.

The modern succubus differs from the succubus of past in motive as well. The contemporary version being a charismatic beauty who, although you wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of, “ultimately takes pride in her ability to please and manipulate men” (Geller).

As an adolescent what could be more perfect than being visited by a succubus?

“The ancestors of today’s Succubi, on the other hand, had personalities as nasty as their looks. They were sneaky, controlling, and malicious. Despite being sex-crazed, they had no interest in pleasing men. Instead, they used sex for their own purposes—to please themselves, to corrupt the pious, to gain life force, or even to have children!” (Geller)

Incubus-
To simplify, the incubus is the male version of a succubus. For purposes of this article, I will use the term succubus to refer to both for reasons of simplification as well as other reasons forthcoming.

Now let’s address my early fascination with the succubus. Think of it, as an adolescent what could be more perfect than being visited by a succubus? During this stage of human development, you’re being awoken to sexual desires and urges that can be confusing, shameful, and even scary—especially in our Puritan-based culture that offers little in the way of support or education on such matters.

Enter the succubus.

Imagine your own clandestine guide to show you the ropes, the ins-and-outs, all without judgement, guilt or any chance of becoming fodder for the bullies and beasts of the middle school years.

The above-mentioned sentiment can best be encapsulated by an old-time ditty (by underrated singer-songwriter Alan O’Day) that I came across in my research. Give it a listen:

“Undercover Angel” or Demon? Why not both?

As referenced in a past article (Why do ghosts hang out in corners?), there seems to be a propensity to make broad-sweeping generalizations about supernatural entities. And just as it is dangerous to do so with the living, so too it is to do so with the undead.

They have always been non-binary, they have always been gender fluid, taking whatever form best suits their needs.

I mentioned earlier that there were other reasons for referring to both succubi and incubi as succubus, and the reason can be found in my theory of what succubi are:

In the same manner that humankind has evolved since the Middle Ages, so too have the succubi. But even in accepting their evolution, I believe that since their inception the succubi/incubi have never been as binary as depicted. They have always been non-binary, they have always been gender fluid, taking whatever form best suits their needs.

Regarding “whatever form suits their needs,” there exists a double-sided scenario of good and bad, depending on the succubi. Just as in the realm of the living, there are “good” succubi and there are “bad” succubi. This is an oversimplification, but a necessary one to keep in mind.

There are succubi who are the hideous, demonic soul suckers of old with little regard for the humans they exploit. I can imagine these spirits genderswapping mid-encounter and even engaging in what I have coined ghost rape. Some are simply addicts that have a gluttonous thirst for Oxytocin. Some are spirits that, though they’ve left their shell behind, still like to get a little “freaky-deaky” with the living—basically supernatural nymphos. And, most likely, a mixed bag of innumerable variations exists as well. So be careful in wishing for a succubus as, like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get and what you get may be more of a nightmare than the fantasy you imagine.

In summary, the ghost stories about the succubus do exist, but they simply have not been told for reasons listed below:

1. Victims of succubi sexual misconduct fear reprisal from the succubi, mockery by the public or general disbelief by the same.
2. Humans involved in succubi encounters are engaging in self-inflicted slut-shaming.
3. The humans involved feel they have a good thing going and don’t want to ruin it by telling others.

Well, that should about do it.

And in parting, I would like to offer you this…

Sweet Dreams.

Image: Detail from The Bathers. William Adolphe Bouguereau. 1884. The Art Institute of Chicago

The post Musings on the Succubus appeared first on Homespun Haints.