The Whispering Woods : Real Life Ghost & Paranormal Stories

GHOST LIGHTSA variation of ghost lights exists in many cultures, in parts of the UK and America they are known as Will o' the Wisps and these spectral lights are said to be ghosts that haunt the moors and boglands, captivating, lonely travellers and leading them to their doom. The classic tale of Will o' the Wisp (meaning Will of the torch, as a wisp is a small bunch of twigs or paper used to light the way) tells the story of a blacksmith Will who was so evil, that at the time of his death; Saint Peter sent him back to earth and gave him a second chance at life to right his previous wrongs. Unfortunately, Will was even more vicious the second time round and Saint Peter banished him to earth where his ghostly form will remain for all eternity. The devil, liking Will's wicked ways, fashioned him with a single piece of coal to keep himself warm but he used it to frighten people and lure them to their deaths.The name Jack o' lantern originally referred to Will o' the Wisps and in Irish folklore Jack (or Stingy Jack/Drunk Jack) was an incorrigible alcoholic who upon the time of his death, tricked the devil into turning himself into a coin so that Jack could buy one last drink. Instead, Jack popped the devil in his pocket next to a crucifix which prevented him returning to his natural form. Jack bargained for another 10 years and after the 10 years had lapsed, he again tricked the devil by making him climb a tree. He then carved a crucifix into the wood and the devil was stuck. In exchange for Jack removing the cross, the devil forgave his debt but when it was time for him to leave this life, no one as bad as Jack was allowed entry to heaven and, out of revenge, the devil wouldn't allow him into hell, so his fate was to roam the realm between life and death with other lost souls. The devil, however, did gave him an ember from the fires of hell to light his way and Jack put into a carved turnip to use as a lantern.Resources:Introduction - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will-o%27-the-wispStory 1 - https://www.reddit.com/r/freehorrorstories/comments/5cob9z/the_laughing_choldren/Thanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week for some more true, scary stories.Sarah and Tobie xxJoin us on InstagramJoin us on TwitterJoin us on FacebookVisit our WebsiteSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Smiling ManAs a night person, Riley would often take walks to pass the time and in the early hours of this particular morning, he was taking one of his usual jaunts around the city. Being a weeknight, the streets were quiet with very little traffic and turning down a side street, something caught his eye down the far end of the street on the same side as the paceman. it was a man, well more of a silhouette, and the silhouette was dancing. A waltz like dance, but with an additional forward stride, a kind of dance and walk at the same time and he was heading in Riley’s direction.Thinking the dancer was drunk, he attempted to give him plenty of space to pass by, but the closer he got, the more he realised this person was not in fact drunk, his dancing was extremely fluid and purposeful. He was dressed in an old suit and was tall and thin and continuing to pace towards Blue, his face slowly came into focus. His eyes were wild and wide open, and his was head tilted back as if looking up at the sky. But it was his mouth that really gave pause for concern, it was 'painfully, cartoon wide' a real grin from ear to ear. Taking his eyes off the spectacle before him, Riley quickly crossed the street and glancing behind him he saw the man had stopped dancing and was standing as if to cross the road, one leg poised outstretched, standing directly opposite. He was positioned facing Riley but wasn't looking directly at him, his face was still tilted towards the sky and his wide smile was still present.Resources:Introduction - https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/sp9vo/the_smiling_man/Story 1 - https://www.reddit.com/r/freehorrorstories/comments/74rl16/true_the_grinning_man/Story 2 - https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSmilingMan/comments/vdkhx9/i_think_saying_hello_was_a_mistakeThe Grinn - http://www.thegrinn.com/The Somerset Gimp! - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-63393521Thanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week for some more true, scary stories.Sarah and Tobie xxJoin us on InstagramJoin us on TwitterJoin us on FacebookVisit our WebsiteSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Eyed KidsBlack eyed kids, or BEK, sightings have been littering forums and websites since the late 1990’s. Manifesting as children, these beings are anything but. As the name suggests, BEK's have completely black eyes with no distinguishable sclera or iris and much the same as vampires, they will ask for permission to enter your home or vehicle, usually requesting a lift or the use of a phone. Although the purpose of gaining entry is somewhat unclear, what is clear is they appear in child form to take advantage of our basic human instincts, to help and protect the vulnerable. Using manipulation and a form of hypnosis, if you do allow them in, illness and death reportedly follow shortly after. The earliest documented sighting was by journalist Brian Bethel from Texas, in the United States. His original post was dated 6th January 1998 and it detailed a disturbing encounter that took place late at night in the spring of 1996. He was parked in his car outside his local cable company and was using the light of a nearby movie theatre to write a cheque. The car park was seemingly deserted and being distracted with his paperwork, he hadn't noticed two children approach his car, until the elder of the two tapped on the driver's side window.Resources:Introduction - https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/16581073/man-spots-ghostly-black-eyed-child/https://www.pararational.com/brian-bethel-the-black-eyed-kids/?msclkid=59d8d3fca88211ecaa3c9f59f90f2159Story 1 - https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/t86ze/my_strange_encounter_with_an_old_woman_with_pitch/ Thanks so much DjMonkeydo!Story 2 - https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/1pyokn/another_bek_story_this_halloween/Thanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week for some more true, scary stories. Have a wonderful Halloween/Samhain!Sarah and Tobie xxJoin us on InstagramJoin us on TwitterJoin us on FacebookVisit our WebsiteSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CrawlersCrawlers are said to be extremely thin, unearthly, humanoid creatures. With very pale, almost translucent skin, they stand at least 8 feet tall and lurk in the shadows of the night. Sometimes travelling on 2 legs, sometimes 4 they have shiny, reflective eyes and will often feast on the animals of the forest. Appearing as if out of nowhere, they are known to intimidate and in still a sense of dread in those who are unfortunate enough to see them. In 1994 a victim of such a sighting in Willow Creek, California was spending the evening in his sleeping bag, in the sunroom, under the stars at his grandparent's home. The house was a two bedroomed property situated out in the wilderness and the Trinity River almost ran through the back yard. He was awoken suddenly and for no discernible reason. Shaking off the last remnants of sleep, he was overcome by a sense of pure terror. At first, he could see no reason for this reaction but slowly lifting himself to get a better look outside, he saw a lone figure, staring at him. The creature was tall and gaunt, with human like features that looked as if they had been squashed flat. It had shining white eyes and stood around 7-8 feet tall, which the witness deduced as the chain link fence had come up to his armpits.  Resources:Introduction - https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2019/10/more-bizarre-encounters-with-creepy-pale-crawler-humanoids/Story 1 - Old Encounter w/ Crawler type creature : CrawlerSightings (reddit.com) Thanks so much kairiarisu!Story 2 - (3) (True) Chickasaw National Park encounter : freehorrorstories (reddit.com)Thanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week for some more true, scary stories!Join us on InstagramJoin us on TwitterJoin us on FacebookVisit our WebsiteSarah and Tobie xxSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MirrorsThere are many myths and superstitions surrounding mirrors and some of these dates back to the Roman times. It was believed that mirrors had the ability to trap souls and If you didn’t look after them, they would make bad things happen to you.The covering of mirrors is a well-known superstition and if someone dies in their home it should be done post haste to avoid their spirit becoming trapped. Mirrors can also attract demons to a place that has seen a recent tragedy. In Judaism mirrors are covered throughout the morning period so that spirits are able to reach the afterlife.The Roman’s believed that smashing a mirror would bring 7 years of bad luck. This superstition stems from another believe they held, that the soul is reborn every 7 years and that a mirror not only reflects back your earthly body, but your soul too. During this rebirth any broken parts of you would be renewed but if you smashed a mirror whilst it carried your own reflection, any illnesses or diseases would stay with you until the curse was lifted and good luck returned.Join us on Instagram Join us on Twitter Join us on FacebookResources:Introduction -https://www.illuminated-mirrors.uk.com/blog/7-years-bad-luck-the-truth-behind-the-superstition/https://www.twowaymirrors.com/haunted-mirror-myths/Story 1 -Girl in the Mirror Story 2 -Haunted GymThanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week!Sarah and Tobie xxSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

La LechuzaSightings of a giant bird in Northern Mexico and parts of Texas have been reported since the mid 1700's and continue unabated to this day.  Dubbed La Lechuza, this creature of legend is only seen at night and resembles an enormous owl with a face of an old woman. La Lechuza, which means the owl in Spanish, is said to be a shapeshifting, old woman, who after being wronged by her community, seeks her revenge by attacking those out after nightfall.There are many different versions of the legend, in one she was a healer but the villagers were frightened by her magic and she was brutally murdered. In another variation, her child was killed by a drunk and this is why she will exact her revenge upon those who are intoxicated. La Lechuza will swoop and attack her prey, gorging herself upon either their misery or intestines or lure them to her lair by impersonating a crying baby. Visit our website:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.comEmail us your true, paranormal stories to share on the podcast:[email protected]:Introduction - https://paranormal.lovetoknow.com/cryptid-types-history/lechuza-history-storieshttps://mexicounexplained.com/the-lechuza/Story 1 -La Lechuza (The Owl Witch) - True story : scarystories (reddit.com)Story 2 -La Lechuza : scarystories (reddit.com)SURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scary ClownsFive year old Dan Mitchell would be settled in bed, with his parents down the hall, when the visitor would arrive. Gracefully prancing through the young boy's bedroom, it would communicate through, telepathy, theatrics and movement. The tall, thin androgynous figure would appear to be in a permanent state of shock with eyes wide and mouth formed into a large O. It's face had an almost ancient look to it but its hands were its most notable feature to the young boy as he felt he recognised them somehow, they were the hands of his ancestors . A damp, fresh, aroma like that of the summer rain, would accompany the visitor and Dan would attempt to tell his mum about the entity but she would put it down to his imagination, however, this creature was very real. The caller wore an outfit fashioned from scraps of fabric, hence Dan referring to it as the Harlequin in later years, though it referred to itself as the Tooth Fairy when he was a small child. He was never afraid of these visitations, instead there was a feeling of familiarity.   Dan cannot remember the specifics of what the harlequin would say to him but he does recall that it would tell him about things he'd have to do when he was older. Thanks for listening to the third episode of The Whispering Woods.Visit our website:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.comEmail us your true, paranormal stories to share on the podcast:[email protected]:Story - https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2011/11/the-mysterious-harlequin-part-one/https://www.stephyoungauthor.com/single-post/2018/01/13/Excerpt-from-The-HarlequinMemories of Fear - Science Is Proving Some Memories Are Passed Down From Our Ancestors - Reset.meSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Exorcist Tells His StoryIn his book of 1990, 'An Exorcist Tells His Story,' Father Gabriele Amorth, who was the chief exorcist of Rome, identified four, uniquely defined stages of demonic possession - infestation, oppression, obsession and lastly, possession. First comes infestation, where a demonic entity will introduce itself to its intended victim, often under the guise of a deceased loved one, to offer comfort during a time of mourning, or as a friend to a lonely child experiencing a tumultuous time. The infestation stage can continue for several years until any such activity has become normalised, allowing the evil presence to fully infiltrate the life of their proposed prey and begin the manipulation of mind, body and soul.Thanks for listening to the second episode of The Whispering Woods.Visit our website:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.comEmail us your true, paranormal stories to share on the podcast:[email protected] sources and research for this episode are available at:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.co.ukSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Legend of the Navajo SkinwalkerThe legend of the Navajo Skinwalker is deeply rooted in native American folklore. In a juxtaposition to medicine men and women who use their powers for good, Skinwalkers are witches who have mastered the art of black magic. This practice initially begun during the colonization of the Americas. Becoming evident the intruders were attempting to conquer the lands, some medicine men and women turned to the dark arts in an effort to thwart their advances. Knowing there would be no turning back once the path of a Skinwalker had been chosen, they gave tribal members detailed instructions on how to kill them, once their mission had been completed. These extreme measures were taken to protect their way of life but the practice has continued into modern times as minds were corrupted by darkness, killing out of envy, anger or revenge. To be initiated into this dark practice, a witch must first sacrifice a member of their close family, ridding themselves of the last vestiges of humanity. They will then grind the bones of their prey to form corpse powder, used to poison their victims. Merging themselves with animal pelts they would eventually become one and the same.Thanks for listening to the first episode of The Whispering Woods.Visit our website:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.comEmail us your true, paranormal stories to share on the podcast:[email protected] sources and research for this episode are available at:https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast.co.ukSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Whispering Woods podcast is launching on 2nd October 2022, just in time for the spooky season!If you're into all things paranormal, come and join us as we explore everything supernatural. We'll share stories and discuss topics such as skinwalkers, Black Eyed Kids, hauntings, folklore and much more https://thewhisperingwoodspodcast .comSURVEY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.