Tag: Annabelle

Weird Things to Consider Before Buying a Haunted Doll

Alex Matsuo

When we hear about haunted dolls, visions of Annabelle immediately come to mind. It seems that all the rage right now is haunted dolls. Whether it’s YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, having a haunted doll is the “thing” to do. I’ve read some really compelling journeys with haunted dolls, as well as fascinating videos with haunted dolls. I believe haunted dolls are great research tools and a way to study the paranormal without needing to go out for field work. In the age of COVID-19 and lockdowns, it’s an effective way to bring the paranormal home.

But there is more to buying a haunted doll than owning something spooky. I think there are things that one needs to consider before deciding to buy a haunted doll. While I haven’t owned a haunted doll myself, there is a specific reason for this. I’ve advised folks on dealing with their own haunted dolls and worked with other people with haunted dolls. Two of my favorite people on Instagram, Amanda Paulson and Cherise Williams, even conducted experiments with a haunted doll. You can check out one of the videos here.

Because I’m a skeptical believer, I must include this disclosure: There is no way to prove these considerations. This was written purely out of interviews and experiences with folks I know who own haunted dolls.

The Doll May Not Be Haunted

Depending on where you stand on the line between skeptic and believer, you may be making a risky purchase if you’re looking for a guaranteed haunted item. As you may know, we don’t have an exact science that can prove the existence of the paranormal. Therefore, “Buyer beware” resonates strongly in this area. Whether you pay $5 or $500 on a haunted object, the price is not a promise that you’re taking in a ghost.

Inviting Someone to Live with You

Okay, so let’s assume that the haunted IS indeed haunted. Have you ever had a roommate? Unless you’re in college and your roommate is assigned to you, usually you go through a process to choose your roommate. You interview people, do credit checks, and get to know the person as much as you can before they move in with you. There has to be a reassurance that there is some compatibility so that everyone who lives in the household can live in harmony. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you didn’t get to choose your roommate, then you know it’s like rolling dice. This is the situation that you will find yourself in when you purchase a haunted doll. It’s like inviting a roommate to come live with you and you don’t know whether or not you’ll get along.

It Might Not Be That Interesting

Once you have a haunted doll, it may not be haunted. Or, it might be haunted by an old woman who just wants to sit in silence. I’ve noticed a lot of people buy haunted dolls seem to want some adventure or something interesting in their lives.

Think About Your Why

You need to consider why you want to buy a haunted doll in the first place. Is it because you want to do some experiments? Are you looking for companionship? Are you simply wanting to add to your haunted collection? You need

You Have to Take Care of It

So, you have your haunted doll. Most people assume that it’s haunted child. So, let’s assume it’s a ghost child. If you have children, been a caregiver, or even just babysat kids, then you know they can be high maintenance. One of my friends who has a haunted doll treats her companion like a mother to a child. Sure, I guess you don’t have to be that intensively invested in your haunted doll as my friend. But at what cost? Is it possible that neglect might cause the spirit to feel restless and ignored? Who knows. But maintenance might be something to consider.

You Aren’t in Control

Anytime you are dealing with another person, conscious being, etc. you should understand that you’re not in control of the situation. It’s not a “master-squire” relationship where you are able to control the spirit that comes with your doll. Just like a parent isn’t in full control of their child, a friend with another friend, or a spouse with their partner, you aren’t in full control of the situation. Honestly, this is why I get skeptical of folks who say they can control the spirit in their own haunted doll. I don’t want to declare it’s not possible because this is very much a pseudoscience and nothing can be proven. But this is where my eyebrows raise.

Have a Plan

Finally, before you make your purchase, think about what your contingency plan will be. If you eventually want to part with your doll, what will you do? Will you give the doll away? Try to sell it? If you believe that the doll is causing unwanted supernatural activity, what will you do if the activity doesn’t stop once the call is gone? I don’t write this to scare anyone, but just some things to think about as you plan on making the purchase. Always have a plan.

Do you have a haunted doll? Do you want to obtain a haunted doll? What has your experience been like?

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

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

My Review of “Annabelle”

Alex Matsuo

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On Wednesday night, I had the chance to see a special preview of Annabelle before it opened this weekend. I sat on the idea of whether to write a review of the movie or not, and while it’s Sunday, I decided to just do it. It’s going to be short, especially since there are numerous people out there who don’t like spoilers, so I’ll give my initial thoughts. Keep in mind that I’m not a film critic.

If you’re looking for accuracy in terms of the real story of Annabelle, you best look elsewhere. Before even walking into the movie, you have to accept that this is a “Hollywood” film, so there will be embellishments, overly dramatized actions, and more. If you approach this as a fiction film, then you’ll probably enjoy it more.

On that note, you can probably tell that I walked into the movie with really low expectations, which might be why I didn’t hate the movie. In fact, I actually liked it.

In the “prologue” of the film, we get a glimpse of two nurses and a man being interviewed by who we assume is Ed and Lorraine Warren about the doll. Then there’s a quick cutaway to “One year earlier…” (and the poor girl next to me read it as “One year later” and proceeded to be really confused the rest of the movie).

The real Annabelle doll at the Warrens' museum in Connecticut
The real Annabelle doll at the Warrens’ museum in Connecticut

In terms of plot, even though the movie’s start was a bit slow, it quickly accelerated as the premise of WHY the doll became possessed or haunted in the first place was established. The movie starred (ironically) Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton as a young couple expecting their first child, named Mia and John. Well, John (Horton) gifts the creepy doll to Mia. Even before the doll becomes possessed and evil, it is a creepy doll and makes you wonder why Mia wanted it in the first place, but it turns out the doll is a rare collector’s item that is part of a collection. While still a bit unbelievable when Mia called the doll “beautiful”, the sense of realism as to why the doll was there to begin with kind of makes sense.

Of course with any horror film, there are jump moments and plot twists just for the sake of shock value, along with moments where people were literally yelling at the screen to tell the characters to turn back or not go into the creepy basement. But as the film closed out, I was actually moved to near tears as one of the characters makes the ultimate sacrifice to bring peace to the young family and their baby. The movie also ends with a full circle with the interview in the very beginning with a blurb about the doll’s current whereabouts.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and recommended my friends who are horror fans and/or into the paranormal to see it.

If you go in with the assumption that this sequel/prequel to “The Conjuring” is going to be an exaggeration of the real Annabelle story and understand that it’s just Hollywood, you might enjoy it. If you’re new to the whole thing and don’t know the story of Annabelle, you best check it out and learn where the story came from. I imagine that the movie will help drive interest in the Warrens and Annabelle, and more people than ever will want to see the doll.