Nighttide Nighttide

Taphophobia is a severe form of claustrophobia that is triggered by the fear of being buried alive. It’s a psychological phenomenon that is as old as human history itself. A fear that has been encoded in us since ancient times, when the possibility of premature burial was very real. These are some legends of those from history who suffered this fate, and whose spirits attempted to contact those closest to them for help.

In honor of St. Patty's day, travel with me to the misty forests of the Emerald Isle and hear some tales of the resident fairy folk.

All around the world, there are a plethora of legends and folktales surrounding the monstrous undead. Every culture has some sort of tale about the dead coming back, often being the harbingers of death themselves.  It's been the center of many of our superstitions and even some of our holidays.  The fear of the undead and the horrors they bring about on the living was a very real thing for many people throughout history.  Let's delve into the history of zombies and other variations of the undead.

For this week's Monster Monday, we're delving into the story of one of my all-time favorite monsters/cryptids - Mothman.  Throughout history, there have been many stories of monsters and spirits that appear to warn mankind of impending tragedies.  These creatures and spirits are said to come about days before a tragedy, seemingly haunting the area and the people living near it, in attempts to provide a warning about the impending disaster.  Sometimes they might make a strange noise that serves as the warning, while other times is the sight of them that is said to be the warning.  Other times, these warnings come via the dream world, where the creature or spirit appears to people in their dreams, either showing them or telling them of the impending disastrous events.

We've all had them, and probably all have our theories on why they occur.  Nightmares have been with humans since the very beginning.  Throughout history, their origins have been attributed to all manners of the paranormal - from the vengeful spirits of the dead to mischievous otherworldly beings.  Let's take a little romp through time and learn a little bit of the history behind nightmares. 

We're starting something new this week - Monster Mondays!  Each Monday we'll delve into tales of cryptids, monsters, and other strange beasts.  This Monday we're diving into the murky realm of swamp monsters. There are some places that are just naturally spooky, even in the daylight.  Swamps and bogs are just such places, there’s an air of mystery about them.  The secretive dark waters (and what lives just beneath) fill us with a shuddersome sense of foreboding.  Swamp water is often stagnant, and the stench of decay that often wafts from them, makes us associate swamps with sickness, misfortune, and even death.  It’s a feeling that has remained a constant throughout history and is something that has inspired countless stories of ghosts, curses, and mysterious creatures. It doesn’t matter what country you live in, if there is a swamp, bog, or any type of wetland near you, odds are, if you dig deep enough, you’ll uncover some spooky legends about it.