The Mystical World of Oz: Cryptids and Magic of “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz”

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Alex Matsuo

The world of Oz is expansive, filled with diverse stories, interpretations, and adaptations created by many writers, filmmakers, and visionaries over the decades. From L. Frank Baum’s original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) to Gregory Maguire’s reimagined Wicked (1995) to the Broadway adaptation of Wicked (2003), each version adds new layers to the magical and mysterious universe.

This blog will focus primarily on the lore and elements from the classic The Wizard of Oz and Wicked to explore themes of cryptids, magic, and mysticism. Let’s delve into the creatures, magical forces, and otherworldly phenomena that shape these iconic narratives.

Please note: There are minor spoilers for Wicked in this post. If you haven’t seen part 1 of the movie, read the book, or seen the stage show, and want to avoid spoilers, consider returning after experiencing Wicked.

The Mysterious Creatures of Oz: Cryptids and Beasts

W. W. Denslow’s Illustrations for the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)

In the magical land of Oz, cryptid-like creatures roam free. Each contributes to the mysticism that defines the world. These creatures may not be the same as the cryptids we encounter in our world, like Bigfoot or Mokele-Mbembe, but they are just as enigmatic. Animals are able to talk and walk around with humans and it isn’t out of the ordinary.

One of the most striking examples is the Flying Monkeys. These strange creatures are loyal to the Wicked Witch of the West, which Wicked explains the origin of that relationship. They can fly, follow orders, and execute mischievous deeds. The Flying Monkeys resemble cryptid entities that defy our understanding of biology. They evoke creatures with supernatural abilities. These beings are like many cryptids—creatures that blur the line between animal and spirit, with origins in folklore or magic.

The Winged Monkeys could easily be placed alongside cryptids such as the Jersey Devil or the Mokele-Mbembe. These creatures have baffled witnesses for centuries. They defy rational explanation, appearing in folklore as hybrids of the natural and supernatural worlds. In Oz, the Monkeys’ origins are tied to a curse—another aspect of Oz’s world steeped in mysticism, magic, and cryptic history.

We cannot overlook the Fighting Trees. Dorothy and her companions encounter these enchanted trees. These trees are alive in a way that seems unnatural. They reflect cryptid-like attributes, much like mythical creatures that guard sacred spaces. They act as guardians of a hidden realm.

Wicked: Magic, Sorcery, and the Mystical Grimmerie

In Wicked, the story of Oz is reimagined through the lens of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her connection to the mysterious Grimmerie. This ancient spellbook is central to her rise as a powerful and feared figure in Oz. Filled with spells that manipulate time, control the elements, and even alter reality itself, the Grimmerie is a symbol of forbidden knowledge and immense power.

Elphaba’s ability to understand the Grimmerie sets her apart, establishing her as a uniquely gifted wielder of magic. The book’s enigmatic origins, rumored to tie it to Earth’s mystical traditions—such as the infamous Lesser Key of Solomon (not confirmed but a theory)—blur the lines between Oz and otherworldly realms. Like grimoires from real-world folklore, the Grimmerie represents both the allure and danger of unlocking forbidden knowledge.

Another key figure in Wicked is Madame Morrible, a sorceress who wields magic in terrifying ways. Specializing in weather manipulation, Morrible commands storms and alters natural forces, mirroring myths of witches who control the elements. Her mastery of these powers ties her to the natural and supernatural forces shaping Oz. Like Elphaba, Morrible’s relationship with the Grimmerie highlights its role as a tool of power, danger, and manipulation.

Together, the Grimmerie and the sorceresses of Wicked showcase the deep magical traditions of Oz. They embody the tension between the pursuit of power and the risks of wielding forces beyond comprehension, creating a world where magic and mysticism shape the destiny of its characters.

The Enigmatic Locations of Oz: A Land of Mysticism

The landscape of Oz holds mystical and cryptic elements. These elements would be at home in a story of magic and mystery. One famous feature is the Haunted Forest, where Dorothy and her companions face physical and emotional trials. Though not home to traditional ghosts, the forest exudes an aura of danger and mystery. It feels like a place governed by something supernatural. The trees, dark shadows, and shifting paths evoke a cryptid-like atmosphere. They suggest a place where strange creatures or magical forces are always lurking.

The Emerald City is another such location. It is a place of great power and hidden secrets. The Wizard and his towering spires create an air of illusion and mystery. The Emerald City functions like a hidden realm. It is a place only accessible to those who can navigate the magic surrounding it.

Then there is the Poppy Field, which lulls Dorothy and her companions into a deep sleep. The poppies’ power to enchant and disorient echoes many stories of mystical plants or creatures. These creatures induce altered states of consciousness, much like hallucinogenic plants or fungi. The poppies represent a force that manipulates reality, much like the cryptid encounters that challenge our understanding of the world.

Magic and Cryptids: The Blurring of Worlds

When you take a closer look at The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, you’ll see both worlds are full of magic and cryptid-like phenomena. Creatures, spells, and powers exist in a realm where reality and myth intertwine. These elements are like cryptids. They exist in our world, half legend, half truth, and a full mystery. These stories speak to our fascination with the unknown. In Oz, magic and cryptids are part of the fabric of reality.

Oz is a perfect place to explore the boundaries of mysticism, magic, and cryptozoology. Whether you’re investigating the mysterious creatures of the Yellow Brick Road or the complex magic at play in Wicked, Oz is a world where the impossible is not just possible—it’s real.

As Wicked continues to soar in popularity, we’re reminded that Oz holds more than meets the eye. It’s a world teeming with cryptid-like creatures, magical forces, and strange, unexplained phenomena. These elements challenge our understanding of the paranormal and the mystical. So, the next time you venture down the Yellow Brick Road, remember: in Oz, the magic is real—and so are the creatures that lurk in the shadows.

The Dark Side of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy: Hidden Lore You Didn’t Know

November 23, 2024November 23, 2024 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy was no ordinary cartoon. Bursting onto Cartoon Network in 2001, the show was known for its dark humor, gothic aesthetic, and unique take on death personified. On the surface, it seemed like a playful romp featuring two kids, Billy and Mandy, who enslave the Grim Reaper after winning a limbo contest. But as with many shows of its era, there’s more lurking beneath the surface than meets the eye. Let’s dive into the hidden lore and dark secrets that made this show a cult classic for fans of the macabre.

Grim’s Origins Mirror Mythological Death Deities

Grim isn’t just a generic cartoon take on the concept of death—his character draws heavily from various mythologies and cultural depictions of death. His Jamaican accent hints at Anansi-like trickster roots from African and Caribbean folklore. Some fans theorize that his scythe, the most defining feature of his appearance, isn’t merely a tool for reaping souls but a nod to agricultural deities like Saturn, blending the concept of life and death cycles.

Grim also occasionally references his past reaping days in ways that align with historical periods of mass death, like the Bubonic Plague and the Salem witch trials, further grounding him in our world’s darker history.

The Sinister Truth About Mandy’s Personality

Mandy is not your typical cartoon protagonist. Her cold demeanor and lack of emotion have sparked numerous fan theories suggesting she’s not entirely human. Some speculate that she represents nihilism or even death itself, explaining her almost supernatural ability to manipulate Grim, a literal embodiment of mortality.

Her lack of fear and her dismissive attitude toward morality set her apart. One popular fan theory suggests Mandy’s influence keeps Grim bound to servitude. In some episodes, Grim laments that he’s never encountered anyone like Mandy, hinting at her being more powerful—or darker—than she seems.

Billy: A Fool or a Dark Catalyst?

Billy might come across as a lovable idiot, but there are layers of complexity in his character. His frequent obliviousness often leads to cataclysmic events, such as releasing Lovecraftian horrors like Yog-Sothoth-inspired creatures. Some fans theorize that Billy’s stupidity is an intentional shield, a coping mechanism for unknowable cosmic horrors.

His episodes with the Ancient Old Ones are a nod to H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, with creatures that blur the line between comedy and terror. Billy unknowingly becomes a vessel for chaos, and the recurring theme of his actions leading to disaster plays into the idea that he’s an unintentional harbinger of doom.

The Universe Is Bleaker Than It Seems

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy often hints that its universe operates on chaotic, cosmic rules. The frequent inclusion of otherworldly dimensions, apocalyptic prophecies, and ancient beings creates a universe where humanity is but a blip in an uncaring cosmos.

The tone often shifts to unsettling territory, like the episode where Grim introduces the kids to Boogey, who feeds on fear, or when the trio faces entities that defy the laws of reality. These moments add to the lore that the show’s world is one where death is just the beginning, and darker, more incomprehensible forces lurk in the background.

Eris, Chaos, and the Bigger Picture

The goddess Eris, the personification of chaos, is another key player in the show’s hidden lore. While she’s portrayed comedically, her manipulations often set the stage for much larger disasters. Eris’ golden apple, a direct nod to Greek mythology, holds the potential to unravel the universe when mishandled, hinting at the fragility of order in the show’s world.

Her recurring appearances emphasize the fine line between comedy and catastrophe, reminding viewers that chaos is always just one step away.

The Apocalypse Is Always Near

Recurring apocalyptic themes subtly suggest that the world of Billy and Mandy exists in a perpetual state of impending doom. Whether it’s the Pumpkinator wreaking havoc on Halloween, Grim’s scythe falling into the wrong hands, or Mandy nearly conquering the world, the show often dances with the end of the world.

Interestingly, these events are usually averted not through heroism but through sheer absurdity or random chance, reinforcing the idea that chaos reigns supreme.

Is Grim Truly Free?

Grim’s servitude to Billy and Mandy brings up an unsettling question: is death free in this world? While the premise starts as a comedy about Grim being forced to cater to the whims of two kids, it evolves into a darker meditation on control. Grim’s constant attempts to outsmart or escape his “masters” suggest a deeper commentary on the inevitability of his role.

Some fans theorize that Grim’s servitude is self-inflicted—a punishment for failing in his duties or for falling into arrogance. His moments of nostalgia for his past life as a feared entity hint at a tragic loss of purpose and autonomy.

Conclusion: A Comedy with Depth

While The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy is beloved for its quirky humor and memorable characters, the darker undertones and hidden lore elevate it to something truly special. By exploring themes of death, chaos, and the fragility of existence, the show offers a surprisingly deep commentary beneath its comedic surface.

Whether you watch it for the laughs or the lore, one thing is clear: this isn’t your average kids’ show.

What are your favorite dark moments or theories about The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy? Share them below—let’s embrace the spooky side together!

Looking for more spooky insights? Check out my blog about the possibly true story behind Courage the Cowardly Dog and dive deeper into the eerie world of animated shows!

Does Ghostbusters Represent Ghost Hunting in Real Life?

October 8, 2021November 23, 2024 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.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is whether or not Ghostbusters is accurate to real-life ghost hunting. Anytime I do conventions like ConCarolinas, AtomaCon, MystiCon, etc. I’m usually on a panel about Ghostbusters in some capacity. Either it’s “Ghostbusters versus Ghost Hunting”, or “Real-Life Ghostbusting”, something to that effect. Because I am a paranormal investigator and also a fan of Ghostbusters, it makes me one of the go-to people for that topic. With the new movie, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), coming up, this is the perfect time to talk about real life versus fiction.

Real Ghost Hunting

There are some things about Ghostbusters that are definitely not true. For one, ghost hunting is never that exciting. In reality, you’re sitting in the dark for eight hours and then you might see like maybe a blip of an apparition or something may fall over that has no explanation. That’s if you’re lucky. But that’s it. You know we don’t really ever see full-bodied apparitions right away or sometimes ever.

We can’t catch ghosts and put them in a ghost trap. We don’t use proton packs and use the streams to wrangle spirits.

Also we’re more discreet. When I do residential cases, I’m not in my team t-shirt or anything like that. We tend to dress like normal people in regular street clothes. This happens because we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. We do our investigations very privately because our clients may not want the neighborhood to know that they have a haunted house. Truly, we wouldn’t be walking around in flight suits and our equipment all hanging out unless we are someplace like Gettysburg where ghost hunting is a thing. But, none of us own flight suits. My team has t-shirts, but we don’t have official uniforms.

A Family History

I think most, if not all, Ghostbusters fans know by now that Dan Aykroyd has a family history of psychical researchers, parapsychology researchers, and paranormal researchers. His great-grandfather, Samuel Aykroyd, was interested in psychic research and psychic experiences. He regularly held seances in his home and he primarily worked with a medium named Walter Ashurst. So Samuel, Dan Aykroyd’s great-grandfather, had this keen interest in psychics being in touch with the other side. That interest went on to Maurice Aykroyd, who is Dan Aykroyd’s grandfather. They were owners of journals like the American Society for Psychical Research and other academic studies of the supernatural.

In fact, Dan’s father, Peter Aykroyd, wrote a book called, A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters. You can get it on Kindle for about ten dollars. If you want a paperback copy, you’re gonna be spending almost a hundred bucks right now. I’m guessing it’s because of the Ghostbusters name being so big right now. Everyone’s trying to scramble to get a copy of the book. I happened to find mine at a used bookstore. It’s a great book. Dan Aykroyd wrote the foreword for the book. So Dan took his family’s interest and family history and integrated elements of that into the Ghostbusters movies.

Zener Cards

So there’s a lot of things sprinkled throughout the movies that you know are exaggerations or embellishments, but they’re not complete fabrications. One of my favorites are the Zener cards. They are what you see in the beginning of the first Ghostbusters movie. Venkman, played by Bill Murray, is doing a test with Zener cards. This is based on testing ESP and intuition. But also, it’s like a probability game too. So people will do these tests and you can do them at home too. There’s actually worksheets available online where you can test your ESP, your intuition, and check off if you’re right or wrong. You don’t even need other people to do this. All you have to do is shuffle the cards and concentrate. I love these cards and they’re really good just to have fun with.

Witness Interviews

Another thing that is true uh you know when we’re in the first Ghostbusters movie is interviews with witnesses. In the movie, after the librarian sees the ghost and collapses on the sofa, Venkman is basically questioning her. By the way, I love how Venkman is the resident skeptic. Every team should have a skeptic. He’s asking the librarian if she has any family history of mental incompetence, history of drugs or alcohol, and more. This is actually very typical of what my team will ask our clients. We ask similar questions about a history of drugs and alcohol, and have they been diagnosed with anything psychologically. This is to get the full picture and the full story to try to debunk as much as possible.

We don’t want to involuntarily validate someone unnecessarily, so we’ll ask those kinds of questions because we really want to know what we’re working with here. Also, we don’t walk in right away believing the person now. We go in fully understanding that scary experience was very real to our clients, and what we’re there to do is to help them understand what that experience was. More often than not, it’s helping them understand that those footsteps they heard were squeaky floorboards.

Recording Everything & The Legal Stuff

Of course, we record everything. We got our camcorders, audio recorders and a full system surveillance setup. There is usually someone watching the cameras during investigations because we want to see everything that’s happening. We can’t be in multiple places at once. So those cameras help us record everything. By the way, in case you’re wondering, yes, we do have clients sign liability paperwork. They sign release forms and they sign contracts.

Another thing that is pretty true is how people react to seeing ghosts. For example, when the guys are seeing the ghost in the library for the first time, they’re like, “So what do we do?” That actually happens more often than you think on ghost hunts. Especially when you do have a skeptic who has an experience. We rarely say “Get her!” or “ Get them!” We don’t do that because more often than not we lose that connection.

The Tech

I wish I had an Egon Spengler on my team. The PKE meter, the gigameter, the goggles, proton packs, ghost traps…obviously none of them are real. Tny of the tech that we do have as ghost hunters is not made to detect ghosts. They’re made to detect something else.

Maybe the closest piece of equipment to reality is the PKE meter? You know a lot of paranormal investigators will compare to a K2 meter. What that does is it detects the levels of electromagnetic fields. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a ghost nearby. It just means that the EMF is high wherever we’re at. There is a common belief that high EMF or fluctuating EMF means there are spirits. My team measures the level of electromagnetic fields. If there is a high level of EMF, sometimes that does cause hallucinations or feelings of someone watching you. Many will assume right away that it’s a paranormal experience. But really you might just need to turn off a TV or a computer here and there.

So really, what we’re doing is we’re detecting changes in the environment. We don’t actually have equipment that can detect ghosts. We’re looking for changes in the environment and then seeing if there’s any correlation with paranormal experiences. For example, if someone sees a shadow in the hallway, then they hear a piece of equipment go off, we’ll make a note of it and try to debunk it first. We don’t have the fancy tech like they do in Ghostbusters that actually detect ghosts but we do have tech.

University Research Programs

Another part of Ghostbusters that is kind of true is that there are research programs within universities to study paranormal and parapsychological events. Duke University used to have a parapsychology unit within their psychology department, run by J.B. Rhine. Once Rhine left Duke, he actually took the parapsychology unit with him. Today, we have the Rhine Research Center and they’re still active to this day. they’re still going strong. There are people with scientific backgrounds who are exploring this. They’re doing experiments, and they’re publishing their work in peer-reviewed journals. Universities with parapsychology programs that are definitely not fabrication. If you want to study parapsychology in a university setting, more often than not, you’re going to have to go overseas.

I know the University of Edinburgh has parapsychology under the psychology department. There are even a few people who will get their master’s degrees or get some sort of certificates from these graduate programs in university. I actually know some folks who have PhDs. They’re not necessarily like parapsychology or in the paranormal but they use a paranormal emphasis in their studies. For example, I know someone with a PhD in psychology and she studied the psychological effects of EVP on people. That’s kind of a loophole you know some people will use to still study the paranormal and get that academic credibility.

Self-Promotion

Another thing in Ghostbusters that’s pretty legit is the commercials. Paranormal investigators are all about self-promotion because there are so many people in the paranormal community. You have to make yourself stand out sometimes if you want to get work. When I say “work”, I mean investigation opportunities. No one’s making money from this. We do take calls and we do take case submissions. I mentioned earlier my clients have to fill out a form and they have to sign paperwork. We do residential investigations, but you have to sign the paperwork and fill out the forms. We do this to prevent future legal issues.

Charging for Services

In Ghostbusters, they charge for their services. In the first movie, I think they quoted the hotel like five thousand dollars. If you charge in the paranormal community today, you are going to have a bad time. It’s very much frowned upon. you don’t charge to help people with their paranormal situations. From a legal standpoint, it’s really sketchy to charge because you can’t prove the existence of ghosts. Rule of thumb: you don’t charge. I don’t charge for investigations. The only areas where I make money from the paranormal are from my books, YouTube monetization, any sort of creator fund like on TikTok. I make the money but I would never charge a client for trying to help them with their haunting.

Poltergeist Activity

The paranormal events that happen to Dana, like the eggs popping and cooking on the counter top, are often associated with poltergeist-like activity. For me I look more poltergeist activity is coming from within like it’s an external response to something happening within. From the research I’ve done, poltergeist is similar to telekinesis and psychokinesis that’s out of control so it’s coming from the person, not a ghost.

There’s also residual hauntings but Ghostbusters doesn’t really cover them. Residual hauntings would be leftover energy that’s still “active”, like at the Battle of Gettysburg. For example, you see a ghost walk across the field at three o’clock every day but he doesn’t respond to you. He just walks across the field. More than likely that’s residual. If the spirit acknowledges you answers your questions, then we would classify that as an intelligent haunting or conscious haunting.

Possession

The possession aspect with Zuul and Zephyr, the key and the gatekeeper, well…I’m on the fence about possession. But, it is a well-discussed topic in the paranormal field. It’s a lighthearted take on possession. I actually don’t know if I really believe in demons anyway. That’s a whole other conversation for another time. The way that the movie depicts possession is fairly accurate to the beliefs behind the phenomenon.

Shape-Shifting

Let’s talk about shape-shifting. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when Ray chooses the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man as the form for Gozer. The whole reveal is brilliant. But shape-shifting entities aren’t original to the movie. In fact, it’s a hot topic in the paranormal community. Do we even know we’re dealing with ghosts? What if we’re dealing with inhuman or elemental spirits that are just shape-shifting? This is why we won’t ever prove the existence of ghosts, by the way. There’s so many theories and runarounds. Shape-shifting is a thing in the community too.

Ectoplasm

Another thing that’s in the movie, but very rare….ectoplasm. It’s a hot topic in the Ghostbusters movies. I don’t personally believe in ectoplasm; there are people who do. Ectoplasm was common during the Spiritualism movement because that gave some sort of tangible proof of communication. It was physical “proof” that there was paranormal activity. But usually, ectoplasm ends up being cheesecloth that the medium would regurgitate from their mouth. Gross.

That’s my breakdown on ghost hunting versus Ghostbusters. Now you know the true story behind this famous franchise.

Sources

https://www.vikingwarriordesign.com/post/things-you-might-not-know-about-ghostbusters

https://members.huntakiller.com/blog-articles/2021/2/11/the-haunted-history-of-dan-aykroyds-family

https://www.thedailybeast.com/ghostbusters-is-real

https://www.yahoo.com/now/dan-aykroyd-ghost-stories-hotel-paranormal-150046932.html

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10716928/

The Disturbing True Story of “The Exorcist”

November 11, 2020November 23, 2024 Alex Matsuo

When “The Exorcist” came out in 1973, it rattled the world. There were so many things happening in the movie that people hadn’t seen on screen before. A young girl cursing, spewing pea soup, urinating on the floor, and other horrific things were too much for people to handle. Commercials and trailers for the movie were filled with people running out of the movie theatre. They were vomiting, having seizures, and even dying. Yes, there are nine deaths tied to the movie…according to legend.

But did you know that “The Exorcist” was inspired by actual events? It’s true. Well, maybe. Sort of.

Inspired by Real Events

Before it was a movie, “The Exorcist” was a book that came out in 1971 written by William Peter Blatty. The inspiration came about over two decades prior. Blatty was a student at Georgetown University in 1949 when The Washington Post had published an article about an exorcism on a 14-year old boy. That newspaper clipping would inspire him to write his infamous book.

The boy was from the nearby town of Mount Ranier, Maryland. According to Blatty, the case simply gave him the idea and nothing more. After its publication, “The Exorcist” was on the New York Times Bestseller list for fifty-seven weeks. Seventeen of those weeks were at the number one spot. With success like that, it was a guarantee to become a movie.

The Life of Roland Doe

That 14-year old boy is known as Roland Doe. He was from a family with the last name of Hunkeler. He is also known as Robbie Manheim, as well as R. It is also noted that he was living in Cottage City, Maryland with his family. His former classmate, Dr. Alvin Kagey, described him as not athletic, quiet, unpopular, and very studious. Rumor has it that Roland’s mother and grandmother were overbearing, and his father was distant, if not completely absent. Roland’s family was unremarkable and typical with nothing to hide.

Roland’s aunt, Tilly, was a spiritualist and had an interest in the afterlife and what happens after we die. She had a particular interest in the Ouija board and taught Roland how to use one in 1948. From there, the trouble started.

Mysterious Occurrences

After Roland learned how to use a Ouija board from Aunt Tilly (also called Aunt Harriet), his family started noticing strange things happening in their home. They heard muffled voices talking, objects moved without anyone touching them. There were sounds of footsteps that sounded like groups of people were walking through the house.

Dr. Kagey, Roland’s classmate, said that one day at the house, the chair Roland was sitting in started to shake and then threw Roland across the room. Roland also started hearing scratching sounds coming from the floors and the walls of his room. Water also dripped from the pipes and walls.

The family was certain that the Ouija board used by Roland and Aunt Tilly unlocked something evil. After the family confronted Aunt Tilly, she mysteriously passed away.

Going Through Grief

It’s evident that Roland was close with his Aunt Tilly and took her death hard. After she passed, Roland became withdrawn and started acting erratically. He would randomly scream and shout without provocation. Not long after, welts, scratches, and bruises started showing up on his body.

Desperate for answers, Roland’s family took him to several doctors and psychiatrists in an effort to find out what was wrong. But no answers could be found. His family eventually consulted the Catholic Church, even though they were Protestants.

The First Exorcism Attempt

(L to R): Father William Bowdern, Father Edward Hughes, and Father Walter Halloran

Roland was examined by two priests; Father Bober and Father Hughes. During their examination, they noted that Roland would not take his eyes off their Bibles. According to the two priests, this was a sign of possession. When asked for his name, Roland responded, “Ego legionibus”, which means “I am legions” in Latin.

On Father Hughes’ recommendation, Roland was moved to a Jesuit hospital near Washington, DC. Roland’s outbursts only continued to get worse. They got worse to the point where Roland had to be restrained in his bed. Father Hughes’ then attempted an exorcism on Roland, which lasted for three nights. Roland managed to break through his restraints. He cut Father Hughes’ arm open from his wrist to the inside of his elbow with a mattress spring.

After his injury, Father Hughes was done. I can’t say I blame him. The priest was convinced that Roland now belonged to evil at this point.

Trying to Find Peace

Roland’s family took him back home, hoping that maybe they could find another way to treat him. However, nothing improved. Later, Roland’s mother was shocked to find the word, “Louis”, branded on his skin. They soon relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, hoping for a new start. But, it didn’t work. The family ran out of medical options once more. They also feared being social outcasts. Once, again, they turned to the Church.

There, Roland was examined by Father Bowdern and Father Bishop. They came to the conclusion that Roland was in a state of possession. They proceeded to try an exorcism. Father Bowdern wasn’t feeling confident with his abilities to drive out the demon. So, he enlisted the help of several priests like Father Halloran and Father Bishop. They mainly assisted with subduing Roland while Bowdern went through the rite of exorcism. According to one of the priests, Roland had the strength of a full-grown man. During the exorcism, Roland cursed, threatened the priest with violence, propositioned them for sexual favors, and spat at them.

This exorcism lasted for three weeks. Father Bowdern kept detailed journals about the incidents with Roland. These journal entries are in the 1991 book, “Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism” by Thomas B. Allen. Father Bishop also had a diary. But it was burned by Father Halloran, one of the other priests working on the case.

Channeling an Archangel

On Father Bowdern’s recommendation, Roland went back to the hospital. This time, the hospital was the Alexian Brother Hospital in South St. Louis. Sadly, his family didn’t know that Roland was mainly kept in solitary confinement. Who knows how much this affected Roland’s psyche.

Father Bowdern finally decided to try to baptize Roland, in hopes of strengthening his connection to the church. After much resisting, Roland was baptized. He even accepted a communion wafer. Then, Roland started acting as if he was the Archangel Michael. Roland was saying, “Satan, I am Michael and I command you to leave this boy now.” After that, Roland’s soul was freed. He lived the rest of his life in anonymity. According to the priests, he never remembered what happened to him.

Disappearing from History

As mentioned, Roland forgot about his experiences and lived the rest of his life out of the spotlight. According to a few sources, many of the priests involved with the case passed away from mysterious circumstances. Author Thomas B. Allen interviewed Father Halloran for the book, Possessed. He seems to be one of the more outspoken priests to tell his story of the events. He has also commented on the accuracy of the book and movie, “The Exorcist.”

Father Halloran confirmed that there were multiple weird events that happened during Roland’s exorcism. These events include objects moving by themselves and his bed trembling. He also confirmed that words formed on the boy’s skin, but he couldn’t make out any words specifically.

We will never truly know what happened to Roland, as there are so many different versions of the story. Of course, skeptics say that this was actually a case of mental illness, not demonic possession.

According to legend, Roland’s original hospital room at Alexian Brother Hospital was sealed up. The Hunkeler home is now a popular tourist spot in St. Louis, Missouri.

Inconsistencies to Note

I do want to take a moment to note that there were inconsistencies in the story as I was researching. Some newspaper articles had Roland’s age as 12, or even 13 years old. Other sources said he lived in Cottage City, Maryland. But, then there are sources that claim Mount Rainier, Maryland. The final exorcism took supposedly place in Maryland. Yet, it’s more evident that it likely happened in Missouri. Some rumors say that Roland didn’t use the Ouija board until his Aunt died, and he was trying to contact her. There are multiple variations to this story, and it’s up to you to determine whether or not you believe it.

Finally, cases of possession are exceptionally rare. In my experience, folks who are seeking an exorcism need mental help. Meaning, they need a doctor, not a priest. Thankfully, the Catholic Church has a rigorous process to get an exorcism that includes a full medical workup to rule out any and all explanations.

Sources

The True Story Behind The Exorcist

The Entire Case History of Robbie Mannheim: The Real-Life Story That Inspired “The Exorcist” Movie.

http://storytimewithamirul.blogspot.com/2014/04/who-are-those-people.html

The True Story Of Roland Doe That Inspired ‘The Exorcist’

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/bel-nor-mo/points-of-interest/house-that-inspired-the-exorcist

https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/10/19/think-the-exorcist-was-just-a-horror-movie-author-william-peter-blatty-says-youre-wrong/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/features/dcmovies/blattytalk.htm#:~:text=The%20inspiration%20for%20the%20novel,old%20girl%20in%20his%20novel.

The Truth About Valak: Is the Demon from The Conjuring Real?

June 9, 2020November 23, 2024 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

Valak may be one of the most terrifying demons in The Conjuring Universe, but this demonic entity’s roots lie in centuries-old lore. What’s the truth behind this infamous figure?

If you follow my team’s website, Association of Paranormal Study, you might recall the article I wrote titled, What is the True Story of Valak the Demon? on September 6, 2018. Since then, there’s some misformation about Valak’s involvement in the Enfield Poltergeist.

I saw the following meme floating around Facebook:

I get that it’s a meme and it has to keep things short and high level for the sake of keeping it short and sweet. After reading the comments, I saw that there a lot of assumptions made that could be harmful for people who don’t know what they’re doing. Granted, I think summoning an ancient demon might be a bad idea anyway.

I take issue with the statement, “who in actuality is a demon named Valak.” Anyone who has watched “The Conjuring 2” and “The Nun” knows that the demon’s name is Valak. It’s a major plot point in “The Conjuring 2.” Why is this being presented as new information?

The Real Enfield Poltergeist

First of all, there was no demonic activity with the Enfield Poltergeist. This means that the family was not tormented by a demon named Valak. If you want more info on the case, I highly recommend reading the book, “This House is Haunted” by Guy Lyon Playfair, to get a detailed account from the team involved in the case. There’s also “The Enfield Poltergeist Tapes” by Dr. Melvyn Willin. For anyone interested in the case, it’s considered an essential read.

The Warrens’ true involvement in the Enfield Poltergeist has been a center of controversy. There are conflicting reports. Many folks said they showed up on the front doorstep and were quickly sent away. Others claim they had time to interview the family. I recommend researching this on your own and come to your own conclusion, and you can also contact me personally to talk this out.

Boy with Angel Wings

Valak isn’t a nun at all. Valak wasn’t present at Enfield. There is no lore that has ever portrayed Valak as a nun. Instead, he is depicted as more of a cherubim-like creature, or, “a boy with angel wings, riding on a two-headed dragon.” But don’t let the angelic look fool you into thinking he isn’t fierce. He rides a two-headed dragon, which is a strong indication that he’s a bad*ss. Depending on which book you’re looking at, Valak has been spelled as Valac, Volac, Valu, Ualac, Volach, and even Coolor and Doolas.

Original Text

The first time we see Valak appear in written form is in “The False Monarchy of Demons” (or Pseudomonarchia Daemonum) which was an appendix in Johann Weyer’s “On the Tricks of Demons” (De praestigiis daemonum). It contains a list of 69 demons with the rituals needed to conjure them. In this text, he is referred to as President Volac. Weyer was a Dutch physician, occultist, and demonologist who was one of the first to speak out against the persecution of witches.

In “The Book of the Office of Spirits” (Liber Officiorum Spirituum), Valak is referred to as Coolor and Doolas. Why the drastic change in name? Well, it looks like Weyer used Liber Officiorum Spirituum as a reference. The traits of Valak/Coolor/Doolas and their rituals were the same. I have to wonder if Weyer is responsible for the sinister name we have now.

“The Lesser Key of Solomon” was written in the mid-1600s, and it is a grimoire on demonology. “The Lesser Key of Solomon” is compiled of older books. One could argue that the content is much older.

Who Was Valak?

“The Conjuring” franchise has made Valak the great connector between The Conjuring 2 and The Nun. This was purely for entertainment purposes, as Valak, let alone a demonic nun, has never appeared in the Warrens’ case files. From a filmmaking standpoint, I love Valak as a character. I have to admit that I’ve enjoyed all of the movies in the franchise. While I think the movies are very well done, we can’t look at them as true.

The majority of these historical texts refer to him as, “President Valak.” In “The Lesser Key of Solomon”, Valak is referred to as the Grand President of Hell who rules over legions of demons. He governs 38 legions of demons, and he can locate, summon, and control serpents.

If you try to summon Valak, it might not be worth your while, especially if you’re not worth HIS while. We don’t know how Valak measures worth, and all I can tell you is that he will ruin your life. As with most demon interactions, you’re at risk of getting possessed. I’m not going to tell you how to summon Valak. If you’re dying to know…it’s on the internet. Good luck with that.

Why a Nun?

James Wan completely owns that he made up Valak’s depiction as a nun. When he overheard Lorraine talking about how a dark entity was following her, and it was a swirling vortex of darkness, Wan realized that it would have to be CGI if he made it true to the story.

Here it in his words:

“I remember hearing that and my first thought was, ‘Oh crap, that’s going to be a CGI character.’ I didn’t want to do that,” said Wan. “And so, it kind of took me a while to cement in my head what this vision was. And it came across eventually in a very organic way. Because it is a demonic vision that haunts her, that only attacks her, I wanted something that would attack her faith. Something that would threaten the safety of her husband. And so that was eventually how the idea of this very iconographic image of a holy icon cemented in my head.”

The Monastery

The Cârța Monastery is the location where the movie, “The Nun”, takes place. Yes, this is a real place. It is located in Transylvania in Southern Romania. The monastery is considered to be haunted and is known as “The Haunted Abbey.”

You won’t find demons there. The abbey is a Cistercian monastery that was built in the 1200s. It was built in the shape of a cross. Sadly, the abbey was damaged because of the Mongol invasion of 1241. Since then, it has been restored numerous times throughout its life.

The abbey stopped running in the 1500s. This means it was not active when “The Nun” took place. Only the church building still stands today. If you were to visit the site now, it is a Lutheran Evangelical Church!

There have been reports of vibrating walls and moving chairs. There are reports apparitions of monks in white robes. Every day, the monks wore these white robes. These monks worked very hard every day, and their life expectancy was around 40 years old. Today, the monks are buried on the property along with soldiers from World War I.

What do you think of the true story of The Nun?

Sources

What is the True Story of Valak the Demon?

https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/the-nun/

https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-real-story-behind-the-nun

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lesser_Key_of_Solomon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liber_Officiorum_Spirituum#Demons_shared_by_this_and_other_grimoires

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudomonarchia_Daemonum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valac

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_Manual_of_Demonic_Magic

https://allthatsinteresting.com/valak-the-nun

https://www.ranker.com/list/how-to-summon-valak/joesph-langdon

Is “Courage the Cowardly Dog” Based on a True Story?

February 26, 2020December 2, 2024 Alex Matsuo1 Comment

Let’s kick off the first entry of 2020 with a truly weird and unexpected story that I never thought I’d write about. I was born in the ’80s, which means I was a 90’s kid. In 1999, I was 13 years old and trying to get through my last year of middle school when this awesome cartoon series premiered on Cartoon Network: Courage the Cowardly Dog. The show only lasted until 2002, but reruns continue to air. It was probably one of my favorite late-night cartoons that I watched before going to bed.

Note: If you enjoy this blog, feel free to follow me on social media at @thespookystuff on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and X. I’m also an author! Check out my books on Amazon under Alex Matsuo. All the info you need is here.

Don’t feel like reading? Take a peek at this video!

In Case You’ve Never Watched the Show

As the title suggests, Courage is this adorable purple dog that is frightened of basically everything. He lives in Nowhere, Kansas with Muriel and Eustace after he was abandoned as a puppy. Turns out that his parents were sent into outer space. Muriel is a sweet Scottish woman who uses too much vinegar in her recipes, while Eustace is your typical crabby old man that harasses Courage. Muriel is often the one who is kidnapped by the show’s villains.

What is the Show Like?

I have to say that this show is wonderfully weird. There are some weird paranormal elements to it that I absolutely adore. As a kid, I didn’t think much of it when it came to the true stories or lore that may have inspired the series. Now, thanks to the reach of the internet and more, we are discovering more interesting stories behind the series.

Is the Show Based on a True Story?

Yes and no. There have been countless theories floating around the internet for years, and it’s hard to pinpoint what is actually true and what isn’t myth. There’s no doubt that Courage terrified many of us growing up, and it’s human nature to want to find answers to the mysteries we were exposed to.

For example, this image to your left has been floating around as the real-life house from Courage the Cowardly Dog. It is supposedly located in Truth or Consequence, New Mexico and was the location of a murder and a double kidnapping. In my scouring of the internet, I wasn’t able to verify this was true. I have no doubt that old Depression-era houses like this may have certainly inspired the designers from the show. But I have my doubts that the occurrences noted happened at the location above.

And then we have this next image.

This is another one that has been floating around numerous places like Reddit and other community pages. I will have to give credit to the creator of this image because it actually gave me the clue I needed to track down the story that is commonly linked with Courage. However, I soon learned that the caption in the photo wasn’t that accurate.

Yes, there was an elderly couple that lived in a neighborhood known as Kern Place in 1957. It was a historic neighborhood in the El Paso, Texas, right next to New Mexico.

The husband, William, was described as not the nicest person. The wife, Margaret, was described as warm, friendly, caring, and also petite. Yes, this sounds eerily familiar to their supposed cartoon counterparts. They also had a pet. They were last seen March 5th and 6th, 1957 after a neighbor brought over some Girl Scout cookies to them. The neighbor, Jeri Cash, felt unwelcomed and left soon after. She described Margaret as incredibly upset and William wasn’t happy with Jeri’s presence in the house.

They owned the business, Patterson Photo Supply, and were well known in their community. William was 52 and Margaret was 42 at the time of their disappearance. To this day, their disappearance is still an open case for the El Paso Police Department. The couple seemed to have disappeared without a trace. All that was left was their cat, Tommy. The couple did not have a dog.

Some have theorized that the couple was murdered and they were buried somewhere on the property. Former El Paso County Sheriff, Leo Samaniego, thinks that the couple may have been spies and left.

Friends of the couple told police that they went on an extended vacation to Florida and had sent instructions to distribute their assets and property to their friends, family, and employees. If anything, that sounds a bit suspicious. Especially since William owned a boat, a Cadillac, and property in Mexico as well as numerous stocks.

Also, there were friends who had dinner with the Pattersons just days before their disappearance, and they made no mention of having plans to travel. The friends, the Wards, owned an automotive business. They actually made plans with said friends for later in the week. What then became strange was that when Cecil Ward opened his business on March 6th, Patterson’s Cadillac was in his driveway. When Ward asked Doyle Kirkland, Patterson’s competitor, and close business friend, why he had possession of the vehicle, he brushed it off. Kirkland said that he helped Patterson with his boat the night before and he was going on a trip.

Ward was the one who called the cops. Margaret’s fur coat and the couple’s other expensive clothes were left at the cleaners. The house was in complete chaos with piles of dishes in the sink, and the house was described by police as being devoid of life.

The Secretive Couple

Turns out that Margaret wouldn’t tell people when her birthday was. Also, William had a mistress down in Mexico, who was also questioned after the couple disappeared. There were a few odd things about the couple that didn’t really add up. Apparently, Margaret’s parents didn’t approve of William as a spouse and forced their daughter to choose them or him. Well, we know who Margaret chose…meaning she was estranged from her parents.

On March 15th, the couple’s accountant, Herbert Roth, received a telegram from a “W.H. Patterson”, which was weird because William’s middle name was Duncan. He was instructed to sell a mobile home owned by the Pattersons and act as business manager for their photo business. He was to use the money from selling the mobile home to support the photo business, as well as rent out the Pattersons’ house for nine months. After that, Roth was instructed to hand off the business to none other than Doyle Kirkland.

The couple was reportedly seen in New Mexico several times, but the couple was officially declared dead in 1964.

What Actually Happened?

Kookier theories explaining the Pattersons’ disappearance also include government conspiracies, UFOs, alien abductions, and skinwalkers. I take the last one back. The urban legend going around about the “true” story of Courage links the missing couple with sightings of skinwalkers prior to their disappearance. But I haven’t been able to find a link between the Pattersons and skinwalker sightings…at least not from a more legitimate news source.

In 1984, the Pattersons’ former caretaker, Reynaldo Nangaray, confessed to seeing (and cleaning up) blood in the garage and part of a scalp on the Patterson’s boat. He also claimed to have seen an associate of the Pattersons putting a bloody sheet in the trunk of their car. The reason why Reynaldo Nangaray didn’t say anything earlier was because he feared deportation since he was undocumented. The caretaker would die in a car accident two years later.

So, here we are. You thought you were going to read about how Courage the Cowardly Dog is based on a true story, and now you’re deep into a write up about one of the most mysterious disappearances of the 20th century! While the writers may have seen this story, they were inspired by countless stories and legends that make our society a little more spooky.

If you thought Courage the Cowardly Dog was dark, wait until you explore the hidden lore of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy! Check out my blog to uncover even more eerie secrets from this twisted cartoon world!

Sources

https://www.abqjournal.com/964774/el-paso-couples-1957-disappearance-still-unsolved-mystery.html

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/2017/03/06/el-paso-familys-disappearance-remains-mystery/98702680/

https://the-line-up.com/william-and-margaret-patterson