5 Christmas Ghost Stories to Make Your Holidays Spooky

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

It’s Christmas! After you’re done opening presents and enjoying a wonderful dinner, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a story. Keeping with tradition, what’s Christmas without a good ghost story session?

The Headless Horseman

via History Haunted

When I see anything to do with “Headless Horseman”, I’m immediately taken to Washington Irving’s story and images of Ichabod Crane. But this isn’t quite the same story, but it’s just as charming and spooky. Located in Suffolk, Roos Hall is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the United Kingdom. The hall dates back to the 16th century and has seen a lot of history in its time. With lots of history, come stories of ghosts and specters. Inside one of the cupboards, there are reports of the Devil’s cloven hoofprint.

There’s also a hanging tree rumored to be haunted. Also known as Nelson’s Tree, the tree was on a gibbet where multiple criminals were executed. Now to the Christmas ghost story. Every Christmas Eve, a headless horseman is seen galloping down the driveway. But that’s not all. He’s pulling a coach with four horses. The horseman and his crew rush silently towards the hall before disappearing. Why does this happen? It’s a mystery.

Brooklyn Doorbell Dasher

via The Bowery Boys

In December 1878 at 136 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, Edward F. Smith was dealing with a strange occurrence. You can read the original story here if you have an account with the New York Times. A few weeks before Christmas, his doorbell rang. When he went to answer the door, no one was there. Sure, maybe this was a case of Edward being the victim of doorbell dash. But then the ringing happened again. Edward checked the door again…no one. The ringing continued throughout the night with the same result; no one was there. Then, the ringing escalated to banging. But no one was at the door. This continued nightly.

Edward enlisted the help of family and friends and stationed them throughout the house, trying to find the culprit. He even sprinkled ash and flour along with the doorway and the path leading up to the door. Nothing. He also called the cops, and detectives were sent to the house. The detectives were blown away by the occurrence and they came back with reinforcements the next night. That same night, a brick was thrown through the window. But again, no one was there. Even the cops stationed outside didn’t see anything. The house was also checked for wires and anything indicating fraud. Again…nothing.

Anne Boleyn

This may be one of the most heartbreaking holiday ghost sightings. We know Anne Boleyn as the second wife of Henry VIII. Even though Henry went through so much to divorce his first wife so he could marry Anne, he still had her beheaded after a whirlwind of wrong. Anne had a hard time in life, and she truly didn’t deserve what happened to her. She grew up at Hever Castle in Kent, UK, and it seems that where she was the happiest. According to legend, every Christmas Eve, the spirit of Anne Boleyn glides over the River Eden heading towards Hever Castle.

The Singing Spirit

May Yohé | Victoria & Albert Museum, Lafayette archive circa 1899

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania there sits the Hotel Bethlehem. This is a location very familiar to paranormal investigators, as there are a number of reports of hauntings. One such story is that of May Yohé, a stage actress whose talents earned her critical acclaim around the world. She married a wealthy lord and she soon joined the British aristocracy. However, that wealthy lord went bankrupt. May’s life went down a terrible path. She eventually married an American soldier, but he too robbed her of her wealth. Throughout her life, May said that she spent some of the best days of her life in Bethlehem. Visitors at the Hotel Bethlehem have reported seeing May Yohé’s spirit next to the Christmas tree. She’s in elegant attire and is sometimes heard singing songs next to the piano.

Brown Lady of Raynham Hall

via Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain

Most paranormal investigators and researchers are familiar with the famous photos of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. But what many don’t know is that the ghost story tied to this photo is actually a Christmas ghost story. In the 1700s, Charles Townsend married Dorothy Walpole. They lived in wedded bliss until Charles started becoming paranoid that Dorothy was cheating on him. Instead of sorting through it like a rational human, Charles locked Dorothy away in Raynham Hall. He actually told her friends and family that she had passed away. Dorothy lived the rest of her days in captivity and secrecy. All she could do is wander the halls of her home. Since then, a woman in a brown tattered dress is seen around the hall.

The first report of the Brown Lady was in 1835 by Lucia C. Stone during Christmas time. One of the reports even said that they saw a woman with a glowing face and empty sockets where her eyes should have been.

Grieving is Part of the Christmas Spirit

Alex Matsuo

Christmas time is fast approaching. For anyone who has dealt with the loss of someone they love, that loss stays with them. Because of this, grief tends to permeate harder during the holidays. Yes, there’s Christmas cheer and merriment. However, it has lately turned into toxic positivity where the grieving may feel guilty for not being festive.

Even though I’m looking for spirits throughout the year, there’s something about the holidays that just doesn’t put me in a great place.

I find myself grieving just a bit more every year. It’s another Christmas without my mom, grandma, and grandpa. I’m celebrating another Christmas after a rough year of isolation, canceled shows, canceled events, and more. People this year will be hurting more than usual because COVID-19 sucks. It’s okay to not be cheerful and to feel out those emotions.

Does this mean everyone should feel depressed during the holidays? Of course not. But if grief hits you, embrace it and feel it out. Christmas isn’t just about being positive and cheerful all the time. It’s a time to embrace all those emotions because…it’s the Christmas spirit.

Charles Dickens Felt This Way

Yes, the man who created Christmas as we knew it believed that we need to embrace the dead more than anything during the holidays. But one of these beliefs didn’t really stick to modern-day; that Christmas necessitated ghost stories. Ghost stories are not only entertaining, but they also make us reflect on our own losses and ghosts.

Did you know that in 1851, Charles Dickens lost his father, his infant daughter Dora, his sister, and his sister’s son? Yes, it was the Victorian times and death like this wasn’t uncommon. However, losing four critical members of your family in one year is a lot to deal with. Because of this tremendous loss, Dickens firmly believed that we should remember the dead during Christmas more than any other time of the year. That same year, Dickens wrote a heartbreaking essay called, “What Christmas Is As We Grow Older.” I think it’s especially appropriate for this year.

Christmas Is More than Cheerfulness

Not only did Dickens believe that we should remember the dead aggressively during Christmas, but he also believed in celebrating everything. What does this mean? It means celebrating and reflecting on not only successes but failures as well. That also includes heartbreaks, financial losses, plans abandoned, and goals unachieved. That’s a startling difference from what Christmas has become today. For me, this outlook makes more sense, and it makes me feel a bit more validated.

Since my grandma died in 2000, I’ve had this melancholy outlook on Christmas. I realized that year that she was the glue that held my entire family together. I also realized that Christmas would permanently be different. The Christmas after, I had my first devastating heartbreak. Every Christmas after, there was some devastating loss or traumatic event that seemed to damper the holidays. Since then, I always felt like I was a fraud for putting on a happy face during the holidays. Who knew I was celebrating Christmas the way Dickens intended?

Valid and Loved During This Time

This idea of completely embracing all the sides of myself during the holidays has been a challenge. It’s truly a roller coaster of emotions. I guess my reason for writing this blog is to not only tell myself but to also tell my dear readers, that it’s okay to embrace it all. You’re not a fraud for trying to fake a smile during the holidays. You’re not a grump because you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit. If anything, you are capturing the true nature of Christmas. This has truly been the hardest year we have experienced as a collective population. Grief is in the spirit of Christmas. You are valid and loved during this time.

I think one of those most beautiful, and yet sad, parts of A Christmas Carol is that Scrooge is shown shadows of his past. He is shown his broken childhood, his heartbreak, and everything that made him the person he is today. He’s faced with his hurts head-on. This was an integral part of Scrooge becoming a changed man…or in this case, healed.

8 Things Paranormal Investigators Are Tired of Hearing

Alex Matsuo

Interpersonal communication is so important in the paranormal field. At some point, you have to interact with someone in the paranormal, especially on social media. As I continue to get requests to work with certain people, I’ve heard it all. I’ll be honest and say that this list mainly consists of the things that *I* am sick of hearing.

1. “A team like nothing else…”

Newsflash, if you have to promote that your team is unique or different “like no other team out there”, chances are, you’re just like everyone else. Unless you’re doing something experimental like using Jell-O and zombie squirrels as a trigger object or something. Or, you managed to recruit aliens from several different galaxies and you’re investigating other worlds. It’s okay that we’re all pretty similar. It’s fine.

2. “You’re closed-minded…”

Paranormal investigators mainly run into this when they’re debunking someone’s evidence. I find this statement so ironic because the person who usually says it is more closed-minded than the investigator. If you’re asking people for their opinions and thoughts, it’s a bit rude to clap back with statements like this. Most paranormal investigators won’t tell you what you want to hear, especially when it involves an orb.

3. “No one is an expert…”

This one…is weird. Of course, when it comes to solving the mysteries of the other side, yeah no one is an expert. But, there are experts in the field in different specialties like psychology, architecture, photography, videography, socialogy, and certain areas of history. But yet, I’ve watched people ignore some really sound advice and input because “no one is an expert.” Yeah, maybe we can’t say what a spirit is, but we can at least listen to the folks in other areas who know more than us. Especially if you’re doing residential cases and working with the general public.

4. “Ghosts don’t do that…”

So, if “no one is an expert”, then why do the same people then tell us what ghosts and spirits can or don’t do? It’s like the whole argument that spirits disappear after 200 years. I’ve had people argue with me until they’re blue in the face saying this is a thing. Based on what? There are many problems with statements like these because, even though they’re not proven, they’re being used as facts. But I thought there were no experts?

5. “It’s a demon…”

If you ever want to get a paranormal invesigator to roll their eyes harder than bread dough, say this. This is problematic for so many reasons. For one, how do you know it’s a demon? Especially if you’re just watching a video or looking at a photo. Just because something may freak you out or give you bad vibes, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically a demon. A lot of things can give us negative vibes and it’s because of our flawed personal interpretation. Yes, I said it. Sometimes we misinterpret things and go flying off the handles. It happens. But awareness of said behavior helps prevent it in the future.

6. “Well, I’ve been on TV…”

So have many many many other people. If you’re a regular star on TV, okay, yeah, I’ll give you kudos. I’m impressed by how many people get catapulted to “celebrity status” in the paranormal field because they were on a mainstream show for 30 seconds. But then again, I see this happening beyond the paranormal field. If you were an extra on The Walking Dead, you can walk into almost any fan convention and have a line to your fan table out the door.

7. “Well, I know _________”

The paranormal community is a small world. It’s likely you’ve interacted with someone who’s been on TV at least once. That’s cool and such, but it’s not a replacement for education or credibility. I know some folks who will name drop like they’re throwing rocks. I’m usually okay with that until they use it as some sort of clout or trying to assert some sort of authority. I’ve already gotten that a few times from folks who want to be a guest on my podcast.

8. “We’re a professional team…”

Everyone should act professionally in this field. Period. Yet, the paranormal field is one of the only communities I’ve encountered that throws this word around. Again, like point number seven, it’s used as clout. It even goes back to point number one like it should be something unique. It’s not. And thank goodness it’s not. There are tons of investigators out there who act professionally. Using this term has the potential to be so problematic and it causes unnecessary discord when it’s being used to seem like they’re “better” than other teams. Another bit of irony: The folks who keep bragging that they’re professional are usually not. It reminds me of that quote that says, “A lion doesn’t have to say it’s a lion.”

Are there teams out there who are unprofessional? Definitely. But it’s best to not give them your attention. They eventually fade away while tripping all over themselves on the way out.

What are you sick of hearing as a paranormal investigator?

10 Reasons Why Christmas Is More Paranormal Than Halloween

Alex Matsuo

If you think that spooky season is over just because Halloween has passed, think again! December and Christmas have more than enough paranormal elements to make it just as spooky, if not MORE spooky, than Halloween. We all know by now that there are a lot of pagan elements integrated into Christmas traditions already. Sure, that’s creepy when you think about it. But there are so many other elements about Christmas that make it supernatural. Should spooky season continue into the holidays? YES!

1. Santa Claus

What being is more supernatural than Santa Claus? I’ve always wondered about Santa. Is he a magical human being? Or is he an elemental? The fact that Santa has the ability to stop space and time so that he can deliver presents to every child around the world is nothing short of impressive. But it’s also mildly terrifying. A being with that much power can certainly dismantle society and the human race as we know it. And yet, he chooses to deliver presents instead. How lucky are we?

2. Spooky Stories Were Told in Winter

Even back before Christmas was a thing, this time of year signaled the end of summer. Mother Earth literally goes to sleep. It’s a time where nature dies, so to speak. And what doesn’t die, goes to sleep. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. Plus, it’s cold outside. There’s snow. No one is traveling, let alone going outside to see friends after dark. So, people were inside their homes much more. Think of a crackling fire and flickering candlelight. It is the perfect setting for telling ghost stories. This was a thing for several centuries even after Christmas was introduced. Even Charles Dickens called Christmas Eve, “the witching hour for storytelling.” Sure, the tradition has died off a little, but it’s making a comeback.

3. Christmas Monsters

I recently covered ten of my favorite Christmas monsters in a recent blog. Seriously, what is more paranormal than monsters, witches, goblins, and more? We have Frau Perchta, Krampus, Gryla, and more! These monsters were mainly used as incentives to behave not only during the holidays but throughout the year. Most of these monsters would come out during the 12 Days of Christmas, which I’ll be covering later in this blog. But seriously, while Halloween has its plethora of traditional monsters, Christmas monsters might be a bit scarier!

4. Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice has both scientific and spiritual significance. It happens the instant the North Pole is aimed furthest away from the sun on the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Also, this is the time that the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. Usually, the Winter Solstice happens between December 20th and 23rd, but most celebrate it on December 21st. Spiritually, it’s a significant event for us because it signifies a shift around the world. It’s a time for rest and reflection as the Earth goes to sleep. It’s a time for personal growth and discovering yearnings within yourself.

5. Flying Reindeer

Flying. Reindeer. Let’s think about that! These reindeer pals of Santa Claus can not only fly, but they can move at super sonic speed around the world. Or, they aren’t affected by Santa freezing time and are able to trying. Either way, flying reindeer might be the most extraordinary cryptid out there. What gives them the ability to fly? Well, most people say it’s magic. But what if they were born with the ability to fly? And why reindeer? Couldn’t Santa’s sleigh be pulled by a legion of Mothman instead? Well, if you didn’t have nightmares before, that’s a doozy for you.

6. Frosty the Snowman

This is another element of Christmas that’s honestly quite terrifying when you think about it. Remember the movie, Jack Frost? Yes, a kids’ movie but also the producer of nightmares. Snowmen are inanimate objects. They aren’t supposed to come to life. That is unless you put a magic hat on it. I’ve always been fascinated by the Frosty lore because it does have significant paranormal ties. The first thing I think of is haunted objects. Could you give something a bit more life by manifesting it into reality?

7. Inhuman Entities

Inhuman doesn’t mean evil! Not to be redundant from the Christmas monsters topic, but can we talk about elves and fairies? Yes, these inhuman entities, or elementals, play a significant role during the holidays. Elves are working tirelessly in Santa’s workshop to make toys. Fairies are contributing their powers to make the season more magical. If you look up different Christmas lore, there are a ton of stories featuring inhuman entities. It’s pretty cool when you think about it. But what I find really funny is that during the rest of the year, these inhuman entities are evil and want to end us.

8. 12 Days of Christmas

We all know the famous song, but what are the 12 days of Christmas, really? Today, we know it as the time between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi. But the 12 days of Christmas has several meanings to different cultures. You might notice in Christmas monster folklore that a lot of these creatures are rampant during the 12 days of Christmas. There’s a reason for this. During the olden days in some parts of the world, these dozen days were considered unholy. Therefore, these Christmas monsters had the ability to roam the Earth. In other folklore, like the Kallikantzaros, the sun stops moving. So, it seems like the 12 Days of Christmas are a holiday version of The Purge for monsters.

9. Magic

Magic is everywhere during the holidays. It’s in movies, songs, and cards. We hear “Christmas magic,” “holiday magic”, “magic of Santa Claus”, the list goes on. Why is Christmas magic more acceptable during the month of December but not for the rest of the year? I may or may not be looking at a certain religious group here. Perhaps it’s not really magic coming into play, but everyone falling for the commercialization of Christmas? I just find it ironic. It seems the holidays are a time where people are less afraid of the occult.

10. Ghosts & Spirits

Besides ghost stories being an old holiday tradition, did you know that more hauntings are reported during the holidays? Well, there hasn’t been an official study on this yet. But there should be! I can only speak for myself and my team about it. We usually get a spike in requests around the holidays. I have a theory. I urge you to take it with a grain of salt, as it is just a thought. With Winter Solstice around this time, plus, the holidays being a time for family, I think spirits want to come back and spend the holidays with their living relatives.

Sources:

https://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/history/elves.htm

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/dec/22/how-ghost-stories-have-shaped-my-life

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/holidays/articles/its-a-paranormal-christmas

https://exploredeeply.com/live-your-purpose/winter-solstice-spiritual-meaning

History of the Tradition of Elves

10 Amazing Holiday Gifts for a Paranormal Investigator

Alex Matsuo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The holidays are right around the corner, and gift-giving is on everyone’s minds. If you, or someone you care about, is a paranormal investigator and/or ghost hunter, you might be wondering what to get them. Of course, you would make their day if you got them a piece of ghost hunting equipment. Click here to see my list of cool tech items for any paranormal investigator! Books are also great gifts! Here is a list of my favorite books about ghost hunting.

These are just ten of my favorites. For more, check out my favorites list on Etsy. Why Etsy? Because I love supporting small businesses! I did include a few things from Amazon as well.

The gifts on this list include things I would enjoy as a paranormal investigator and celebrate my interests and hobbies. If you’re looking for gifts for mediums, witches, and other spiritual areas, feel free to contact me for recommendations! I hope this list inspires you in your gift-giving adventure!

1. EVP’d My Pants T-Shirt

Who doesn’t love a little paranormal humor? I also love, “This is My Ghost Hunting Shirt.” There are a multitude of different shirts on sites like Amazon, RedBubble, CafePress, and others. I do recommend supporting a local artist for gifts like this, which is why I’ll usually go to RedBubble instead. But Amazon has its perks with Prime and such.

2. Ghost Hunting Mug

A mug is a great ghost hunting gift, or better yet, a travel mug with their favorite type of coffee! You could say that ghosts and caffeine come together like peanut butter and jelly, or cereal and milk. Since your paranormal investigator will likely be fueling up with caffeine, something to help them drink it is a fun gift idea!

3. Huntin’ Ghosts Hat

This hat is absolutely adorable! I love the play on the Dunkin’ Donuts logo. What I also like about this hat is that it works year round in any situation. The white color means it’s not absorbing heat, making it a great hat for exploring battlefields and going on picnics. This is a hat that can also stir up some questions about your favorite past time!

4. Purranormal Cativity T-Shirt

I love cats, and I love the paranormal. Full disclosure, I want this shirt! I love the design, and I love how versatile it is and comes in different styles. It also comes in a tank top, long sleeve shirt, and a hoodie! I have to say BRAVO to this shop owner because this design WINS!

5. Paranormal Investigator Vinyl Decal

Vinyl decals are a ton of fun because they are so versatile! You can put them on cars, coffee mugs, t-shirts, and more. I love this “Paranormal Investigator” vinyl decal because you have the option to buy it in different sizes. Also, “paranormal investigator” is a long word and the designer made it work. Here’s a cute “Ghost Hunter” vinyl decal to add to your collection as well!

6. “Professional Orb Checker” Patch

This made me belly laugh! I can’t tell you how many orb photos paranormal investigators look at on a regular basis. It’s a lot. I often do feel like a professional orb checker even though I’m not getting paid. This patch is absolutely perfect for both the orb believer and skeptic!

7. I’d Rather Be Hunting Ghosts Mask

In our current times, having a “ghost hunter” themed mask is a great way to express myself. Or, freak out a fellow shopper at Target. Since masks are a thing and will likely be a part of our lives for a while, why not get this awesome “I’d Rather Be Hunting Ghosts” mask? Because truly, that’s what I’d rather be doing.

8. Introverted But Willing to Discuss the Paranormal T-Shirt

If there was any product where I truly saw myself in, this is it. I often tell people that if I’m being quiet, talking about the paranormal will get me talking. Pretty soon, you’ll want me to shut up. But seriously, this is an amazing shirt for anyone with similar feelings!

9. Ouija Board Tumbler

I know some people feel funny about the Ouija board. Many people aren’t comfortable using it. Then we have people who love it, love the design, or just appreciate Ouija as a whole This is why I’m recommending this Ouija tumbler. It’s great for drinking your coffee during those long nights of ghost hunting for sure!

10. Protection Bracelet Collection

I left the most expensive item for last. But, it could also be the most valuable. Paranormal investigators are faced with the unknown during every investigation. You never know what you might run into! I found this gorgeous protection bracelet set, and it’s made with black onyx. Many believe black onyx can absorb and transform negative energy, as well as prevent the drain of personal energy.

10 Christmas Monsters to Make Your Christmas Spookier

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

When we think of Christmas, images of lights, Christmas trees, cookies, presents, snow, and Santa Claus flood the mind. We think of the holidays as the “most wonderful time of the year.” Rarely do we think of spooky things. Thanks to the Puritans and Halloween, scary entities like ghosts and monsters are typically kept to the fall. But, in parts of Europe, Christmas monsters are not only an integral part of the holidays, they play a starring role.

The holiday season in Europe, not only includes Christmas, but also the 12 Days of Christmas. They are seen as the 12 days between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the Magi.

In some parts of the world, the 12 days of Christmas were seen as unholy days. This would be when Christmas monsters would be able to come out back in the olden days.

Let’s take a look at ten Christmas monsters to make your Christmas more spooky!

The Kallikantzaros

The Kallikantzaros are from Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore. Their lore is so interesting! Throughout the year, the Kallikantzaroi spend their days trying to cut down the World Tree in the underworld. They use this big saw and work together nonstop. But then, during the 12 Days of Christmas, or when the sun stops moving, the Kallikantzaroi come to the Earth’s surface. While here, they wreak havoc on sinners! They are even known to sit on the door frames outside brothels and attack sinners as they leave. By the time they return to the underworld, the World Tree healed itself. Thus, the Kallikantzaroi start all over trying to cut down the World Tree.

Krampus

As mentioned in this video, Krampus was my gateway Christmas monster. The day before St. Nicholas Day, Krampus and St. Nick go to houses and give away presents or punishment. St. Nicholas will reward the good children with presents. Krampus will “reward” the naughty children in the most terrifying way. He will beat them with birch sticks, put them in a basket, and take them to hell. If you look at the Germanic lore of Krampus, he will actually EAT the naughty children. This seems to be more effective than Elf on the Shelf, right?

Lussi

Lussi is from Norway and Sweden, and she’s another one you don’t want to mess with. Today, Lussi is portrayed as a beautiful woman in a white sash, and St. Lucia’s Day is on December 13th. St. Lucia is seen as angelic, and pleasant. But just a few centuries earlier, Lucia was known as Lussi, and she wasn’t quite so nice. Back then, Lussi is portrayed as a hideous demon who travels by broomstick with her legion of demons, trolls, and other evil spirits. If you aren’t tucked safely into bed, Lussi and her crew would kidnap or kill you!

Frau Perchta

While Krampus was my first love, Frau Perchta is my current love. To be honest, she makes Krampus seem a bit soft. Frau Perchta is the upholder of cultural taboos, especially when it comes to spinning and weaving. You should have your spinning done by Christmas. Plus, eat fish and gruel on Frau Perchta‘s feast day. If you haven’t finished your spinning, or abide by Frau Perchta’s feast day, there’s hell to pay. During the 12 Days of Christmas, she roams the countryside going into homes. She will know immediately if you’re naughty or nice, finished spinning, and ate fish and gruel. If you’re nice, you get a coin. If you’re naughty, she will slit your belly open, take out your insides, and stuff you with garbage and straw.

Straggele

The Straggele are the helpers of Frau Perchta in Switzerland. That’s right, she has groupies! The Straggele are a band of demons that help Frau Perchta during the 12 Days of Christmas. They love feasting on leftovers during this time. If you don’t leave out your leftovers, then they go for something much more succulent; your wallet and your children. According to lore, they will rip your children to pieces. In some variations, they will just rob the kids. In others, they throw the kids in the air while ripping them apart. #FeedtheStraggele

Grýla

If Frau Perchta is my first love, Grýla is a close second. She is a giantess from Icelandic folklore, and she can really scare some kids into behaving! Each Christmas, Grýla comes from her cave in the volcanic mountains, and she will take all of the naughty children in town and puts them in the bag. She will carry all the naughty kids back to her cave. Then, she boils them alive and eats them! The Icelandic government ended up banning the use of Grýla to get kids to behave. She’s also the mother of the Yule Lads, who you will meet next!

The Yule Lads

via Artic Portal

The Yule Lads are a band of brothers you don’t want to mess with. These thirteen brothers wreak havoc in the nearby village. They come to town one by one, visiting kids during the thirteen days before Christmas. Children leave their shoes out on window sills and each Yule Lad will leave a present in their shoe. If the kid is naughty, they will get a potato. The Yule Lads will also cause chaos based on the name. For example, Spoon Licker will lick spoons. Window Peeper will peep into widows and steal stuff inside. Sausage Swiper steals sausages.

Jólakötturinn

via Iceland Review

Also known as the Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn is Grýla’s house cat. Remember, Grýla is a giantess, which means that Jólakötturinn is a giant cat! It is a black cat that prowls the countryside on Christmas Eve that eats anyone who isn’t wearing at least one new piece of clothing. If you’ve ever wondered where the tradition of Christmas jammies and Christmas socks came from, this might be connected. The oldest written account dates back to the 18th century and may have been used to motivate people to finish their chores by Christmas. Why? The reward was for new clothes.

Belsnickel

via DenofGeek

You might know who Belsnickel is if you’ve watched The Office. Belsnickel has many of the same characteristics as Krampus, but he’s not as scary. He’s a crotchety old-man dressed in fur who works alongside Saint Nicholas. He will bring presents for good children and whipping naughty children. He may be based on Knecht Ruprecht. What’s interesting is that he has also been known to wear a mask with a long tongue, which sounds like Krampus.

Mari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd is a delightful custom in South Wales. To put it very simply, Mari Lwyd is a Christmas zombie horse that wants to eat and drink everything in your house. As you can see in the picture, dressing up as Mari Lwyd involves a horse’s skull on a pole while the person is hiding under a cloth. During Christmas, Mari Lwyd stands outside your door and sings songs to get inside. The person living inside has to respond with their own song. This back and forth of singing continues until someone relents. If it’s the homeowner, Mari Lwyd gets to raid their pantry and drink all of their beer.

5 Most Useful Paranormal Investigation Skills To Learn in 5 Days

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

As paranormal investigators, we should be in the constant pursuit of knowledge. Not just in our ghost research skills, but also in real-life areas that can enhance our critical thinking skills. Because learning new things can be overwhelming at times, I picked a few things that can be learned in five days.

Keep in mind, you’re not going to become an expert in five days. I recommend dedicating five days for each category for a basic understanding. Who knows, you might find out you really like one of these categories and dedicate yourself to becoming an expert!

You can’t be an authority on something if you don’t know have a basic understanding of how the equipment works. For example, you can’t claim to be an expert on orbs and spirit video if you don’t understand the basics of a camera and can rule out logical explanations.

Finally, I didn’t include spiritual gifts or mediumship, as I already covered this in my blog, 8 Psychic Tips from Someone Who Isn’t Psychic.

Photography

You don’t have to become a full out photographer to understand how cameras work Cameras can be tricky to learn, especially if you’re a photographer. One of the most critical skills a photographer can learn is the use of light. I firmly believe that every paranormal investigator and ghost hunter should learn basic photography. This is especially true in the age of orbs. I’ve noticed a trend where when an orb believer learns more about photography, they debunk orbs. What’s great is that you can find resources on YouTube and it’s free!

If someone presents me with something strange in a photo, and I know they have a background in photography and how cameras work, then that can be super interesting. I appreciate it when someone has already tried to debunk their own data and send me what is left. It takes away a lot of extra work.

Video Editing

100% paranormal investigators should learn about basic videography. Not only to be able to rule out things like dust, bugs, orbs, etc., but also be able to know when a video is fake. Video editing has come a long way in the past few years, and it can be difficult to see what’s real and what isn’t. Storytelling in paranormal videos is also important to investigate too. The basics of storytelling involve having a beginning, middle, and end. It’s more than just watching a clip of a shadow figure. There’s a story being told to draw the viewer in. Some of the most viral paranormal videos are heavily edited, but they tell a fascinating story, which is why it went viral.

Debunking

Yes, debunking is a skill. It is a skill that takes some time to learn, but the basics are enough to get by in a pinch. Here is how I approach debunking; I look at who the person is that is sharing the data. It’s crucial to consider that person’s motivation because that is how I tailor my response. I also look at the circumstances surrounding the data. What device was it captured on? Do we have more information about the area or the room? Were there witnesses? What is the pattern of the area? Like are there cars that drive by the window to create a glare? Does the person have pets?

This can be a frustrating area too because we simply don’t know all of the information or the circumstances. I think it’s also important to distinguish what it is that you’re debunking and to have empathy as needed. For example, someone could be share videos of pet dander and thinking it’s ghosts. They also report that they’ve seen the spirit of their grandmother. I make sure to say something like, “I’m so sorry you’re dealing with __________, that must be _______ for you. The anomalies you mention here don’t seem to be paranormal because it’s _____________. But don’t let this discourage you or feel invalidated.” Tailor this to your own needs, but you get the idea.

Interviewing

When you’re interviewing clients and witnesses, it’s important to know how to interview. You don’t want to give away information to the interviewee. You also don’t want to accidentally prime them to believe something that might not be true. Here’s a great video on how to interview paranormal clients and witnesses using a detective approach. It is so important that you know how to interview people in a way that makes them feel comfortable, and you can also get the information you need without tainting the client or witness.

Research

Finally, even if you’re not a historian, you should know how to research. Whether it’s historical research or researching paranormal phenomena, having this skill will make you a valuable investigator. Not only that, this is a powerful skill that can translate beyond the paranormal world. Learning how to research topics, investigate sources, and determine whether or not something is legitimate or not. The best area to start learning research skills is historical research, as that will teach you the skills to investigate sources and interpret the data.

What is the most useful paranormal investigation skill someone can learn in a few days? Share in the comments below!

Why Did We Stop Telling Ghost Stories at Christmas Time?

Alex Matsuo1 Comment

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Today, we don’t associate Christmas with the paranormal. Let alone see it as a time for ghost stories. Those traditions are for Halloween, right? Well, that’s not how it used to be. It’s oddly delightful that the most famous Christmas story of our time is also a ghost story. For hundreds of years, telling ghost stories on Christmas was a tradition. Some believe that the tradition pre-dates Christmas itself.

The History of Christmas Ghost Stories

Wait, so how in the world did ghost stories make it into Christmas tradition in the first place? This goes back to ancient times back to the pagan roots of Yuletide.

When winter came around, the nights got longer. People spent a lot of time indoors together and telling ghost stories was a popular past time. It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Winter was considered a time when Mother Nature was sleeping and everything is “dead”, so to speak. The Earth is going through its process of rebirth during the Wintertime. From a psychological standpoint, people start thinking about death and lost friends and loved ones during the darkest time of the year. Since we’re stuck inside, we have a lot more time to reflect.

Also, it helps that the candlelight created spooky shadows in the darkness. Let’s not forget that the Victorians had an obsession with death as well!

Before Christmas, Winter Solstice and Yule were celebrated. During this time of year, folks considered the veil to be thinner. This means that ghosts have better access to the world of the living. Even during medieval times, Christmas and Yule were a time for telling ghost stories.

Cancel Christmas

The Puritans wanted Christmas out of the holiday narrative. It was a time of debauchery and other sinful activities with lots of indulgences. We’re talking about food, drink, and physical activities. The Puritans wanted it gone, no exceptions. In the mid-17th century, Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell admonished Christmas. He said this based on the argument that the Bible doesn’t condone it. He also included that Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th. Well, he isn’t wrong. Christmas was put on December 25th to appease those celebrating Yule and Winter Solstice.

Before Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, he wrote several other Christmas ghost stories. If you look them up, their plots and themes were eerily similar. They all include a man who despises the holidays, and they change by the end of the story.

Christmas in Dickens’ time was unimportant. People rarely took the day off. The Industrial Revolution had a lot to do with that. However, when A Christmas Carol was published, Britain commercialized Christmas. It resembles the holiday we celebrate today. Dickens certainly had a hand in that.

The Decline of Christmas Eve Ghost Stories

Dickens eventually stopped writing Christmas ghost stories, and that contributed to its downfall. In fact, Dickens thought that he killed Christmas and that its ghost was haunting him. You could argue that Dickens was responsible for the sentimental value of Christmas we have today.

The commercialized Christmas we celebrate today in the United States is based on Victorian customs. Christmas cards, Christmas trees, stocking stuffers, caroling…that’s all Victorian England. Of course, their roots being from pagan customs. But, one tradition didn’t come over; ghost stories on Christmas Eve. Today, we get ready for Santa on Christmas Eve instead of gathering around the fireplace telling spooky stories.

When Dickens took a step back from writing Christmas ghost stories, other authors tried to fill in the void. But they didn’t have that panache that Dickens possessed. Those ghost stories didn’t take off like A Christmas Carol.

Why Didn’t This Tradition Come to the United States?

Today, ghosts and ghost stories stay in the month of October. Well, at least traditionally. We don’t see ghosts and spooky decor during November and December. Since some of America’s earliest long-term settlers were Puritans, it’s not shocking that Christmas ghost stories didn’t become popular.

Granted, America had Washington Irving and Edgar Allan Poe. However, their stories are rarely associated with winter, let alone Christmas. Irving tried though. He’s responsible for creating our modern depiction of Santa Claus.

Another piece of this puzzle is the immigration of Irish and Scottish immigrants to America. What exactly did they bring? Well, Halloween.

It is a weird blend of Irish and Catholic traditions with Samhain and All Souls’ Day merged. For years, Halloween was a holiday for the Scots. They actually tried their hardest to disassociate Halloween from ghosts and make it more about Scottish tradition. It didn’t catch on. As we know today, their attempt was unsuccessful. Ghosts and all things spooky eventually transferred to the famous fall holiday.

Popular Christmas Ghost Stories

Did you know that The Turn of the Screw was a Christmas ghost story? Yes, the same Turn of the Screw that Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor is based on. The book by Henry James opens with a group of men telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve.

Another Fun Fact: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven takes place in December. It’s a Christmas ghost story!

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
‘Tis some visitor,’ I muttered, ‘tapping at my chamber door –
Only this and nothing more.’

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.”

Excerpt from The Raven, 1845

One of the latest pieces of evidence of Christmas ghost stories came from 1915. Since then, it seems the ghosts and spooks of the winter went to Halloween for good.

So, who do we blame? The Puritans and Halloween.

Sources

https://www.deseret.com/2010/12/23/20367942/telling-ghost-stories-is-a-lost-tradition-on-christmas-eve#kelsey-grammer-as-ebenezer-scrooge-and-geraldine-chaplin-as-the-ghost-of-christmas-future-in-a-musical-version-of-a-christmas-carol-in-the-books-introduction-charles-dickens-himself-calls-it-a-ghostly-little-story

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/plea-resurrect-christmas-tradition-telling-ghost-stories-180967553/#:~:text=Dickens%20discontinued%20the%20Christmas%20publications,of%20its%20own%2C%20and%20other

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-do-ghost-stories-go-christmas-180961547/

https://historydaily.org/christmas-ghost-stories

People Used To Tell Ghost Stories At Christmastime
Why the Heck Does That Christmas Song Talk About Telling Ghost Stories?

10 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Paranormal Investigation Skills

Alex Matsuo

As paranormal investigators and researchers, we should always be looking to improve ourselves. It’s far too easy to remain stagnant in this field and get set in our ways because we find something that works and is consistent. That’s fantastic when that happens, but sometimes it can stunt our growth. Eventually, stunted growth festers and it becomes a problem. But, fear not!

This is a wonderfully diverse community with so much to offer. Here are ten ways to improve your paranormal investigation skills.

1. Believe in Abundance

There is a lot of competition in the paranormal community, but you don’t have to play that game. There is enough room for everyone in the paranormal. There’s plenty of room for everyone to do something significant in the field and have success. Believing in abundance means that you don’t feel jealous when someone is winning. You believe in collaboration over competition. Also, you don’t waste time comparing yourself to everyone else. Not only does it waste time, but it also shifts your focus and it depletes you of precious energy. Embrace what makes you unique. There is no one else like you. You bring something different to the table because you are different. Embrace that!

2. Never Stop Learning

I firmly believe that paranormal investigators should never stop learning. In the age of online learning, if there is anything you want to know, there’s likely an online class for it. I firmly believe that all paranormal investigators should take a basic photography and videography class so that they can understand how the camera catches light. I also believe in taking classes that can improve your investigation and research skills like genealogy, basic psychology, and more.

If you can’t afford a class or taking classes aren’t your best learning method, then look for other resources like panels, discussion groups, listening to podcasts, library books, watching documentaries, the list goes on. There are a multitude of ways to learn from each other in this field that won’t cost a dime. Take advantage of free resources when you can.

3. Think Critically

Critical thinking is a crucial skill if you want to improve as a paranormal investigator. Rarely should you look at a piece of data, a theory, and immediately think, “Okay, that’s legit.” It means you become an active learner rather than a passive sponge of information. You should look at information and figure out possible explanations, question sources, ask questions and see if the sources you have framed the entire picture. If you want to give this a go, click here for an amazing resource on critical thinking.

4. Be Coachable & Open to Feedback

Technically, paranormal people are already doing this, but they’re not liking the results. Really, anytime someone posts a photo or video of evidence, they are putting it out there for peer review. People can analyze and criticize it. They can also give feedback. If someone is a photographer and they debunk your photo, you should take into consideration what they say. If someone asks about conditions surrounding the evidence (setting, temperature, etc.), be ready to provide that information. Most importantly, if you don’t understand, ask questions. I’ve seen many people who, after not understanding peer review feedback, reject any and all ideas and just conclude, “It’s paranormal.”

5. Learn How the Tech Works

Any tech that you use, you should know how it works. What makes it go off? How was it made? What exactly is your tech detecting? This is beyond cameras. You should know what makes your REM-Pod go off. Definitely try to understand how your audio recorder captures sound. It’s possible to understand tech at a high level without diving too deep into the technical aspect of it.

6. Talk to Skeptics & Believers

As a self-proclaimed skeptical believer, talking to the opposite ends of the spectrum has been monumental to my growth as a paranormal investigator. I find that skeptics keep me on my towns and help me make sure that my evidence collection is clean and ethical. Talking to believers helps me understand why people believe what they believe, and how their experiences shape them. All of this better equips me in the field not only in practice but also helping me in how I communicate my ideas on a public forum.

7. Try New Approaches

There are more than a few ways to investigate the paranormal. Research different methods of ghost hunting, like John Sabol’s Ghost Excavation Method. If you don’t like sitting in the dark asking questions, you don’t have to keep doing that. There are hundreds of ways to investigate the paranormal. I lean more towards John Sabol’s method because it gives me an opportunity to dive deeper into the context of the ghosts, and I get to dress up a bit and really take on a character!

8. Try Something Different

As folks get settled into their role as a paranormal investigator, we tend to gravitate more towards what’s comfortable for us. If you want to improve your paranormal investigation skills, try something you’ve been hesitant to dive into. Perhaps you’re normally setting up tech, try historical research. Or, if you’re doing historical research, try setting up tech, or location scouting. There are so many roles within the paranormal, and becoming a well-rounded investigator will make you much more valuable in the field. Plus, you’ll become more self-sufficient.

9. Study Different Personalities

I’m the last person to put labels on people, because I despise them. This isn’t labeling people. I highly recommend studying the personalities of different people in the paranormal community. What are their likes? Dislikes? What upsets them? What brings them joy? I think this is a critical thing to do in the paranormal community so that we can better understand and interact with each other. In turn, this translates into paranormal investigating. Why? Well, ghosts and spirits are people too, and they may have a similar personality to someone you know in real life.

10. Show Your Data to Experts

While there may be not “experts” in the paranormal, there are experts in photography, sound, and videography. If you know me well, you may already know where I’m going with this. If you’re looking for feedback on your photo of orbs, don’t show it to other paranormal people if they don’t have a background in photography. They know the ins and outs of how that technology works. Show your data to them. I guarantee they will be able to tell you what’s going on in your evidence using logical explanations that are backed up by the science of these devices.

I hope these tips were helpful for you! Please feel free to share your own tips in the comments on how to become a better paranormal investigator.

How This Freaky Thanksgiving Ghost Story Revealed a Historic Murder

Alex Matsuo

Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather together and be thankful for a multitude of things. Tables filled with food and centerpieces are a must each year. But, what about ghost stories?

Yes, ghost stories are usually tied with Halloween. There used to be traditions surrounding telling ghost stories around the holidays. What about Thanksgiving? A quick Google search for, “Thanksgiving ghost stories” doesn’t come up very plentiful.

Sometimes, the supernatural can shed light on the darkest of mysteries. In 1832, over 57 Irish immigrant workers disappeared near Malvern, Pennsylvania. They were almost erased from history.

Here’s how a Thanksgiving ghost story solved an old local mystery!

Grandpa’s Tale

Every Thanksgiving, twin brothers Bill and Frank Watson used to hear a ghost story from their grandfather. A former railroad worker, their grandpa would retell this spooky story of a place known as Duffy’s Cut, located in Pennsylvania.

In 1909, a man was walking home from a tavern. There, he saw blue and green ghosts dancing in the mist on one September night. The Pennsylvania Railroad kept a record of this incident too!

The man said, “I saw with my own eyes, the ghosts of the Irishmen who died with the cholera a month ago, a-dancing around the big trench where they were buried; it’s true, mister, it was awful. Why, they looked as if they were a kind of green and blue fire and they were a-hopping and bobbing on their graves… I had heard the Irishmen were haunting the place because they were buried without the benefit of clergy.”

After their grandpa died, the Watson twins inherited his old railroad papers. Turns out, their grandpa was the assistant to Martin Clement, the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad. From there, they were shocked to find so many correspondances with the blue and green ghosts in the area. According to Frank, one of the correspondances said, “X marks the spot.” Basically, the twins believed that perhaps there was a mass burial ground created when the landfill was made. This area was also the site of the original railroad bridge.

Digging for the Truth

Smoking pipe fragments excavated at Duffy’s Cut, Pennsylvania. Some of the pipes clearly made in Ireland. Museum location given. Credit: Smallbones

Duffy’s Cut was a massive project to basically fill in a ravine so that the railroad could come through. Think of it like leveling a hill. Philip Duffy was in charge of the project. Many of the workers came from Ireland, were poor, only spoke Gaelic and came from a Catholic background. By 1930, Duffy was housing Irish immigrants in his rental home.

So, in 2005, the twins decided to start digging around the area. They were searching for clues. There, they found remnants of a shanty as well as forks. Then, they found a pipe with an Irish flag on it. The brothers realized that they needed more help in order to find more information.

They brought in a geophysicist named Tim Bechtel. His work included earth scans, which is a critical tool to see what’s underground without digging or drilling. As Bechtel started to work on the area by shooting electrical currents through the ground. He soon realized that there were strange areas where the current would stop.

Solving a Murder

Early rail road track or strapping c. 1832, covered wooden stringers (lower). Railroad construction tool (upper). Found at Duff’s Cut near Amtrak Tracks, sort of near Malvern, PA. Location is for the display in Immaculata University. Credit: Smallbones

After researching, Bechtel pinpointed key areas to start digging. This turned into a massive excavation project. In March 2009, one of Bechtel’s students made a horrifying discovery; a piece of human bone.

Janet Monge soon joined the forensics team as a key person to help separate animal bones from human bones. Since the discovery, seven human skeletons have been found around Duffy’s Cut. The skulls had cracks in them that indicate that they died from a blow to the head, either from a bullet or an axe. It’s hard to conclude whether cholera was the culprit at the time of death. But it’s clear that cholera didn’t kill the men they’ve found so far.

Remembering the Forgotten

Enclosure near the Amtrak (formerly PRR) tracks near Malvern, PA, built as a memorial to Irish workers who died during a Cholera epidemic at “Duffy’s Cut” – mile 59. Enclosure apparently built with stones used in the 1832 construction, but it itself was built about 1909. Credit: Smallbones

When the cholera outbreak happened, many of the workers from Duffy’s Cut tried to run. But when they were looking for shelter, people were turning them away because they were fearful of getting infected.

Feeling lost, the men went back to Duffy’s Cut and the shanty where they were all living. According to the story, they were taken care of by the Sisters of Charity and a local blacksmith. As the men died, they were put in a mass grave, and the blacksmith burned the shanty to the ground.

Clement had been doing hard inquiries into the actual death toll of the cholera outbreak, and he was the one who found out about the 57 men who died. The newspapers clearly underreported those numbers. Perhaps they were silenced by the railroad company?

A Sad Ending

Grave marker at West Laurel Hill Cemetery to memorialize lives of Irish railroad workers lost at Duffy’s Cut in 1832. Credit: Dorevabelfiore

One of the skeletons was identified as 18-year old John Ruddy from County Donegal. He sailed from County Derry to the United States in 1832 in hopes of finding work. All of his countrymen he worked alongside with would die within two months of arrival, which is exceptionally tragic.

Today, the Watsons want to find every last body so that they can be identified and laid to rest. It’s likely that these men would secretly buried in a mass grave as a cover up so that the railroad company could continue recruiting new workers. The Watsons sorted through their grandfather’s papers in great detail. It turns out that many of these men were not recorded as having cholera, or ever really working for the railroad.

Ghosts Showing the Way

Now, you’re probably wondering; are the blue and green ghosts real? It’s hard to say, since the eyewitness testimony came from well over a century ago. I think there are a few possible theories to this, if the ghost story is true.

Maybe the 57 Irishmen were hanging out around their mass grave in hopes that someone would see them and finally lay them to rest.

Is it possible that the Irishmen didn’t really die from cholera and they were trying to communicate with whoever would notice them. If that is the case, my big question is why were they murdered? Maybe perhaps they died from an accident instead? There’s also the possibility that someone was killing them to prevent the spread of cholera to other people. It’s hard to tell.

Or, the eyewitness who saw the ghosts knew the truth of the men’s fates and was trying to give authorities a hint so that they would go digging and find the mass grave.

Sources

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/24/pennsylvania.graves.mystery/index.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/irelands-forgotten-sons-recovered-two-centuries-later-9194680/

Bonus Episode: A Thanksgiving Ghost Story