[theekc3000]

Wk 13- Chupacarba

Okay, let’s talk about one of the weirdest cryptids out there—the Chupacabra. This thing sounds like it was made up after a night of too much tequila, but trust me, it’s a much bigger deal than just a spooky story.

The Chupacabra which is Spanish for "goat-sucker" is a cryptid first reported in Puerto Rico in the 1990s. It's most famously known for attacking livestock, particularly goats, and draining their blood. Now you're thinking this sounds something like a Vampire. That's exactly what a chupacabra is like instead they love animals.

The creature is described as reptilian with spines running down its back, or sometimes it’s described as a strange, hairless, dog-like creature with red eyes. There are two main versions of the Chupacabra: one is more lizard-like, often linked to alien theories , and the other is more canine, which some believe might be a real animal, like a mangy coyote or dog.

Okay, let's talk about The X-Files because, of course, the Chupacabra has made its way into the world of paranormal TV. There’s an episode titled “El Mundo Gira” (Season 6, Episode 3) where Mulder and Scully investigate a series of livestock killings in Mexico, all allegedly done by a Chupacabra. The episode plays with the idea of whether the creature is real or just the result of panic and overactive imaginations. Classic X-Files.

Then there's the Simpsons. In The Springfield Connection episode (Season 8, Episode 23), Homer mentions a Chupacabra in passing as part of a fun joke about obscure cryptids. The show often pokes fun at these supernatural creatures, but this reference shows just how embedded the Chupacabra is in popular culture—it's not just a spooky farm tale anymore, it's part of the mainstream.

Let’s dive into the why of the Chupacabra. While many people still believe in this creature as a supernatural or extraterrestrial entity, there’s another side to the story. Some scientists believe the Chupacabra sightings are actually misidentifications of real animals suffering from mange, which causes hair loss and changes the appearance of animals like coyotes, dogs, or foxes. Those red eyes people report? Probably just the result of a disease like mange that causes their eyes to look unnaturally bloodshot.

In fact, many of the so-called “Chupacabra attacks” could have been caused by wild dogs or coyotes hunting smaller animals for food. But once the Chupacabra became a part of folklore, it was easy to label anything that attacked livestock as a “Chupacabra.”

So, is the Chupacabra real? Honestly, there’s no definitive proof that the creature itself exists. There’s been no scientific evidence to support the idea that there’s a blood-draining monster roaming around Latin America. But the Chupacabra story is a product of its time—emerging in the 1990s, when cryptid culture was on the rise and people were starting to connect bizarre animal deaths to something bigger. It’s possible that the Chupacabra was a way for communities to make sense of unexplained livestock deaths and the mystery surrounding it.

[theekc3000]

Wk 12- Gaia

So last week I gave you insight on Hera, the goddess of childbirth, marriage, family, and women. She was also known to be married to Zeus. Today, we have Gaia, who like Hera, was married to Zeus. It would be endless if I did all of Zeus' former wives within my blog posts because in the book Percy Jackson: Greek Gods he. did. not. stop.

Gaia is the Greek Goddess of earth. THE Mother of Life. She is from the 1st generation of Gods. Gaia emerged from Chaos and she is the mother of Uranus, Ourea, and Pontus. She then went to marry her son because Gods didn't really care for the brother sister son mother thing. You marry who you want, how you want, when you want. They then had 12 titans, the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires.

Gaia was notorious for warning people of prophecies. She also helped Zeus overthrow Cronus and defeat the titans, then later sent her son Typhon after Zeus.

Gaia has been in the movies Gaia, Cronos' Revenge, and Hercules and the Prince of Thrace.

Gaia, all around is the general of earth, who so happened to fall into one of Zeus millions of traps. Exceptttttt, back then you couldn't really say he didn't go to extreme lengths which were easy to them. Like c'mon, shapeshifting into different creatures and somehow getting your way? That is something so unreal we can't even do it. Zeus is basically what we call today, a stalker. But anyways, that's pretty much about Gaia.

[judesterror]

Week 11

Vampires, legendary creatures known for drinking blood and immortality, originate from global folklore but are most associated with Eastern European myths. Early vampire legends often explained mysterious deaths or diseases, linking them to revenants rising from graves to feed on the living. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) solidified the modern vampire image, inspiring countless adaptations in pop culture like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight. Some theories suggest vampires were metaphors for disease, with symptoms like anemia or tuberculosis mistaken for supernatural causes. While vampires are likely fictional, their allure endures, blending fear and fascination across cultures.

[theekc3000]

Love this post Jude! It gets straight to the point. I honestly have to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I'm glad you re-introduced the thought in my mind. The shows with Vampire in it that I have watched don't vary, they're limited.

[theekc3000]

Wk 11- Hera

THE CENTER OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY, said to live in Mount Olympus. Which is by the way, the highest mountain in Greece. They rule every aspect of human life from their loft. Although they look like men and women they can change themselves as they please to anything (animals and other things). They also are vulnerable to human passions and foibles. The abilities of Gods or Goddesses vary within the different Gods. Now that I've given you an insight on who Gods and Goddesses are, I want to talk about one specific Goddess. Hera. Hera was considered the queen of the Gods. The ancient Greeks often portrayed her as a formidable figure who was protective and punished those who defied her. She is the Goddess of marriage, childbirth, family, and women. Her abilities vary from influencing human affairs to prolonging or shortening childbirth. Hera is associated with multiple symbols including pomegranates, Lillie's, Cuckoos, and Peacocks. TV Shows or Movies the Goddess Hera is featured in is Kaos, and Hercules. I've also accounted for her being talked about in the book Percy Jackson Greek Gods. She is married to Zeus who seduced her in some odd way as he did his other wives. She showed envy towards his mistresses and somehow or someway punished some of them.

[kkevnguyen]

Background Information

Poltergeists, which translates from German as "noisy ghosts," are known for causing physical disturbances—think loud noises, moving objects, and sometimes even physical attacks. These mischievous spirits have been reported for centuries across different cultures. Unlike typical ghosts, which might appear as apparitions or simply make their presence known, poltergeists are all about making a scene.

Notable Case: The Enfield Poltergeist

One of the most famous poltergeist cases is the Enfield Poltergeist from the late 1970s in Enfield, England. The Hodgson family, especially the two daughters, Janet and Margaret, experienced strange and frightening events. Witnesses, including neighbors, police officers, and paranormal investigators, reported seeing furniture move, hearing loud knocking sounds, and even witnessing levitation. This case grabbed media attention and has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and movies.

Pop Culture Reference: "The Conjuring 2"

The Enfield Poltergeist story was brought to life in the 2016 film "The Conjuring 2," directed by James Wan. The movie follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they try to help the Hodgson family. While the film takes some creative liberties, it brings attention to one of the most documented poltergeist cases ever.

Analysis and Personal Thoughts

The mystery of poltergeists has puzzled researchers for years. Here are a few theories on what might be behind these strange occurrences:

Psychokinesis: Some parapsychologists think poltergeist activity could be caused by psychokinesis, where individuals (often kids going through emotional stress) unconsciously move objects with their minds.

Environmental Factors: Some believe that things like electromagnetic fields or underground water currents might trigger poltergeist-like activity.

Hoaxes and Misinterpretations: Skeptics argue that many poltergeist cases are either pranks or misunderstandings of natural events. For example, in the Enfield case, some of the spooky stuff was admitted to be faked by the children.

Psychological Factors: Psychological explanations include mass hysteria, where a group of people collectively believe they're experiencing something supernatural due to suggestion and heightened emotions.

Conclusion: Real or Not?

Whether poltergeists are real or not is still up for debate. There’s no concrete scientific evidence proving their existence, but the numerous reports and similar patterns across different cases are hard to ignore. Personally, I think some cases could be explained by psychological or environmental factors. But the sheer number of stories suggests there might be something more to these phenomena than we currently understand. Maybe there’s a mix of explainable events and truly unexplainable ones, leaving just enough room for the possibility that poltergeists could be real.

[theekc3000]

I didn't even realize the movie The Conjuring 2 was based after this case and being that I love the trilogy of The Conjuring, I'm glad I learned this. I believe poltergeists are real and I completely agree with you. While there may be no scientific evidence the cases, reports, and patterns are hard to ignore. It would also be crazy to tell people what they didn't and did see and try to convince them that scientific proof is needed first.

[theekc3000]

Wk 10- Wendigo

A cannibalistic mythological monster. Wendigos are in the spiritual tradition of North American Algonquian speaking tribes. Associated to winter they are rather fearsome beasts that either stalk and eat humans or possess them as a spirit turning them into cannibals.

Wendigos are at least 15 ft tall or they can grow taller as they eat. It either has sunken or glowing eyes with sharp yellow fangs and claws. It's even said they have no lips because they have eaten them or they are just chewed off. They usually have pointed ears, antlers, or horns like a deer would and they are mostly hairless. Wendigos lastly reek of rotten flesh and this often is how they are identified by humans.

Other interesting features of a Wendigo are their sharp eyesight, hearing, sense of smell, as well as their strength and speed that they use to overpower their victims. Usually located in colder climates they camp out near lakes of Canada or Northern U.S. They move easily through ice or snow.

Shows and Movies that have contained Wendigos are Fear Itself, Supernatural, Haven, Great Ghost Tales, In Search of Monsters, Wendigo, Ghost Keeper, The Last Winter and much more. Personally, I only have watched supernatural of all these shows and I don't vividly remember the episode about wendigos.

Wendigos fortunately aren't real, they are just apart of North American Folklore.

[gabehorror]

WK9

The monster I chose for this week is a Phantom. A phantom is a ghostly or spectral entity. Most of the time it can be described as a lingering spirit or a ghost of a deceased person, unable to pass to the next life. The Phantom's physical description can be seen as a shadowy figure that you can't really see . Most of the time phantoms haunt a place or person due to having unfinished work/business and having strong emotions to finish what they have left to do. Also, phantoms might have superpowers such as going invisible, flying, and applying fear to others.

You can see phantoms in pop culture, such as TV shows and movies. A good example of this would be Scooby-Doo, where a bunch of kids have to find ghosts, phantoms, and people disguised as phantoms. You can also see a phantom in the book A Christmas Carol, which features a phantom to scare Scrooge about his future. You can also see in it cartoon shows such as Danny Phantom .

Personally I believe that phantoms are real because I think there is a super supernatural beings. Since phantoms are very similar to ghosts, that could be the second reason I think they are real. I think phantoms are real because they are once lived beings, and still are here because they feel as if their soul can pass due to having unfinished problems/work.In conclusion, I Believe they are real and I honestly would be scared of phantoms, since they haunt individuals/places.

[theekc3000]

Gabe, great post! Honestly your post reminded me about mine. Wraiths and Phantoms seem to be alike but so different. They have something that ties them back, they put fear within their victims. The only difference I'm pretty sure is being able to turn invisible. I'm also glad you referenced Danny Phantom.

[theekc3000]

Wk 9- Wraith

Wraith is the Scottish dialectical word for "ghost or spirit". This supernatural being is popularly known as a ghost with many dark powers. In Greek mythology they are soulless; only feeling emotions of hatred and despair. wraiths are not only considered ghosts but also a type of demon. They seek to steal the souls of others, and simply with one touch wraiths can drain the life out of you. The person they steal the soul of is damned to eternal wandering. Unless of course the wraith is killed.

A well known case of wraiths is the Birkbeck Ghost, when 3 children witnessed the apparition of their own mother shortly before her death. it was said that she was conscious before having died, being she spent time with her children prior to.

Shows or movies that include wraiths are The Wraith, Wraith, The Wraith Within, The Wraith (Short 2017), and much more. I personally haven't seen any of these movies but learning more about the true intentions or wraiths and what they are overall has me interested.

[ch-ghosthorror]

Wk 7- Sirens

I think everyone knows what a siren is, but most confuse it with a mermaid. Sirens originate from ancient Greek mythology. In Homer's "Odyssey,"  they sing alluring songs to tempt Odysseus and his crew to steer their ship toward dangerous rocks and shipwreck, or to jump in the ocean. Odysseus, warned, has his men plug their ears with beeswax and he ties himself to the mast to resist their calls. They are depicted as beautiful women with tails, similar to mermaids. Sirens often symbolize temptation, danger, and their songs are said to have a seductive power. They’re often confused with mermaids, the difference is, sirens are typically depicted as more evil, using their songs to cause shipwrecks, whereas mermaids are portrayed as more neutral.

I do think sirens are real because there is a lot about the ocean we don’t know and numerous accounts of them have been reported 

Films that depict sirens, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides , Aquaman, H20, Siren 

My favorite film that depicts sirens is H20, because i used to watch that show all the time

[theekc3000]

Love this post! I also used to watch H20 all the time and I also wrote about sirens in a recent blog post. I'm glad you were able to provide different information than I did and include so many other different shows. If you read mine you can see I talk about the one in My Babysitter's a Vampire.

[theekc3000]

Wk 7- Djinn/Jinn

A race of supernatural cave dwelling hermits that have enough power to produce hallucinations in people's minds. The type I choose to depict is of course from Supernatural the TV show. I’m actually starting to think all my references will be from this show. In the show they have tattooed and prefer to live in large ruins with multiple places to hide. They simply feed on human blood and are poisonous to the touch. This poison either kills the victim immediately or leaves the victim in coma-like state and they feed on the victims blood over time. jinn read minds and find out your deepest desires.

Being that the jinn is apart of an Arabian and Islamic tradition it has made an appearance in the Quran. Jinns are spirits of fire according to the Quran. Even though Jinns were created before us (humans), we are considered superior. Another great fact is that Jinn can see and influence humans but we can’t see them.

[judesterror]

WK 6

The Banshee is a ghostly figure from Irish mythology, known for her mournful wail that signals the impending death of a loved one. She often appears as either a beautiful young woman or an old hag, dressed in white or gray. In pop culture, the Banshee has appeared in shows like Supernatural and as a character in the X-Men series, emphasizing her association with death and sound. Historically, the myth might have stemmed from real women who were hired to keen at funerals, with their cries mistaken for something supernatural. Rather than a real entity, the Banshee likely reflects a cultural attempt to explain grief and fear surrounding death.

[theekc3000]

Hey Jude, I love this post being that we talked about the exact same thing. It's crazy how we talked about the same thing but still managed to point out different things about Banshees. For example, what they may appear as. I also didn't know there was one in the X-Men series so that was a cool new thing to learn. Will definitely try to watch and see it for myself.

[theekc3000]

Wk 6- Banshee

Banshees are creatures in Irish/Gaelic folklore tied to death. The word "Banshee" comes from the old Irish phrase "bean sidhe" which means "fairy woman". Two types of Banshees exist. A type which wails when someone is going to die at night as a warning and a type where they use their supernatural screams to drive someone quite literally insane to the point they want to bash their heads in. Unfortunately, once the person they have planned their attack on has died, they eat their frontal lobe. If you don't know what a frontal lobe specifically is, it's okay cause I didn't either, well at least not till now. It's said to be the largest part of the brain and obviously important for many functions.

A banshee can be traced back to one of my favorite TV shows once again, SUPERNATURAL. I'm convinced basically half of the supernatural characters we know about have been featured within supernatural, but I mean, the show is called supernatural for a reason.

According to resources Banshees can only be kilt by something of pure gold. They also have long tounges which is what they use to even eat someones frontal lobe. They are said to look like women with dark mists, with flowing, dark hair, sunken eyes, and a glow that comes from their mouth. Similar to ghosts they emit electromagnetism which causes light to flicker. It is also said that the only ones able to hear the screams of Banshees are their victims.

I believe It is said that in the legend of the Irish Banshee that women used to sing sorrowful songs during funerals for grievance. This would be heard across the country indicating that someone had died.

[kkevnguyen]

WEEK 4 and 5

Ghouls are creatures that have long been associated with death and decay, often depicted as beings that feed on human flesh. Their origins go back to Arabian mythology, where they were seen as demons that could take on different forms and prey on travelers in the desert. Over time, ghouls have come to represent more than just physical consumption. In modern media, they also reflect deeper fears—whether it’s feeding on people’s bodies or their emotions, like fear or despair.

A well-known example of ghouls in pop culture is the anime Tokyo Ghoul. The ghouls in this series need human flesh to survive, but many of them are torn between their nature and their humanity. Ken Kaneki, the main character, becomes a half-ghoul, half-human, and his story is largely about struggling with his identity. The ghouls in this series are a metaphor for the idea of the "other"—something society fears because it doesn’t understand it. They live on the edges of society, much like how vampires or zombies often represent uncontrollable forces in other stories. Tokyo Ghoul asks what it means to be human when you’re forced to live outside society’s norms.

This theme of consumption in Tokyo Ghoul can be compared to real-world issues. The show highlights the tension between ghouls’ need to survive and their desire to live alongside humans, which mirrors how people are sometimes forced to choose between empathy and survival in difficult circumstances. It also reflects societal divisions and the way some groups are pushed to the margins. The ghouls' struggle is a reminder of how easily people can dehumanize others when they view them as a threat.

In both pop culture and real life, ghouls often symbolize the darker sides of human nature, like greed or exploitation. They remind us of the blurred line between predator and prey and how easily we can lose our humanity when we choose to feed off others—whether that’s by taking their resources, power, or even their emotions.

[theekc3000]

Kevin, love this blog post. I loved the way you went into detail about more than just the physical aspect of what a ghoul is. To talk about what they represent other than there physical aspects and what everyone should know about ghouls really caught my attention. Talking about the Tokyo Ghoul made me very interested in watching it, mainly because it reminds me of another main character from another anime, Naruto. The same way Ken Kaneki was half-human, half-ghoul, Naruto was a ninja, but he possessed a tailed beast inside of him. Being they both were different from most people in society, you can relate these characters simply by the fact they tried there hardest to fit into their societies norms but were forced to live outside it. They also had to pave their own way and learn to love and be themselves regardless of what the rest of the society thought.

[theekc3000]

WK5- Siren

Sirens are female human-like beings who can allure people simply with their voices. A creature who is half bird and half woman causing destruction with the "sweetness of their songs". They are also sea nymphs, like mermaids, except they were the first to appear in Greek mythology luring sailors to shipwreck and ultimately death. Sirens have not been traced in real life. They have only been tied to Greek and Roman mythology. In early Greek art, sirens were large birds with women heads, scaly feet, and bird feathers. Later on, they were depicted with human upper bodies and bird legs. They either had or didn't have wings. Sirens can also be referred to as were-vultures. Personally, my favorite TV-show with the appearance of sirens was My Babysitter's a Vampire. In the show, they depicted the siren as a young woman who came into the school and turned everyone against each other, having them fight by the sound of her voice r as said above the "sweetness of her song". The siren proceeded to use her voice to cause destruction until they killed her by using a recording of her singing and using a phase inverter.

[vuudxoo]

lycanthrope/Werewolf - WK4

A werewolf is a man who transforms into a wolf, and the concept is as ancient as it gets and is used in many cultures.In medieval European history, communities attributed certain terrible crimes to werewolves, believing that the persons committed the acts after shape shifting into wolves.A cool pop culture reference for lycanthropy is the movies Underworld movies.These films portray an ancient fight between the vampires and the Lycans, which are suppose to be werewolves.They have a more youthful twist to the werewolf mythos. The remains in modern story depict them as smart and strong instead of mere beasts. But to be quite reasonable, lycanthropy might be resulting from some psychological or medical issue.In fact, there is a thing as clinical lycanthropy a mental illness in which a person truly believes they can turn into a wolf. As well, diseases such as hypertrichosis, which would lead to excessive hair growth, might have boosted the werewolf legends. So I think this is closer to being a werewolf is so awesome must be interesting however, it seems more like a psychological and medical quandary intertwined with culture and phobias. But they are still very much part today’s stories and movies so the legend is not going to fade anytime soon, in my opinion hehe. :D

[theekc3000]

Jessica, amazing post! I can't even lie I've only heard of lycanthrope being another name for a werewolf from your post. I've also never ever seen the Underworld movies. Shows I've seen werewolves present in are The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Twilight, but now since I've heard about the Underworld movies, thanks to you, I will be watching them. Honestly besides learning new movies and another word for werewolf, this post has been very informational. I would've never known there was a mental illness tied to this whole thing.

[theekc3000]

WK4- "The Watchers"

Also known as "faeries", "changelings", or "the winged people". The Watchers is a movie that I recently watched with my mom and little brother but they are also creatures. It was about 4 people abandoned in an Irish forest struggling to escape, and dealing and coping with what they called "the watchers". "The Watchers" once had a good relationship with people until they were confined to the forest. Being they were banished, they resented humans for what they had done and tried to copy those who had come to the forest. They were copying those who came to the forest and studying them by learning their mannerisms, taking their physical appearance and voice, and then killing them. After this, they could've finally left the island, which is all the changelings wanted. They wanted to leave the island and be free and take over the outside world. Besides this movie they are simply just a figure in European folklore. They are seen to be "fairy tricksters".

Just to specify what this creature is besides the quick description of the movie, Changelings are supernatural beings that can be or are substituted in place of a person. The legend of these beings differs within cultures but mainly a changeling can simply be identified due to the underdevelopment of certain mannerisms, traits, or physical features of the person they try to substitute.

Within the movie, they align more to the Irish version of the folktale but instead of replacing humans, they themselves are faeries. As stated before within the movie they use the people on the island as their scapegoat, constantly following their mannerisms taking on their physical appearance, trying to become the person so they can finally leave the island they have been confined to.

[rentootact]

Often considered a ghost or phantom, a spectre is a supernatural being said to represent the restless soul of a departed person, typically connected to the material world by unresolved matters, intense feelings, or a traumatic death. Unlike regular ghosts, spectres frequently have evil intentions and appear in sad or violent areas. Usually portrayed as translucent, ethereal entities who resemble their previous forms but appear warped or rotten, they are able to move through solid objects and manipulate the physical world in strange ways. Symbolizing unresolved sadness, regret, or fury, spectres are described in literature and tradition as messengers from the dead or harbingers of doom who stalk the living for vengeance, issue warnings, or relive the pain of their death.

Though they appear in independent settings, Silk Spectre from DC's Watchmen universe and the classic DC Comics character The Spectre have similar themes. Silk Spectre embodies the struggle with identity and the weight of past choices. Laurie Juspeczyk, in particular, suffers by the legacy of her mother and the tragedy surrounding her connection with The Comedian. This is suggestive of the more overt haunting of *The Spectre*, a ghostly messenger of divine wrath. Silk Spectre deals with unresolved difficulties on a personal and emotional level, while *The Spectre* deals with supernatural and moral issues. Both characters struggle with justice, legacy, and the ways in which the past continues to impact the present.

A spectre, commonly considered an evil spirit, could consider its potential existence had it not been trapped to its spectral, hideous form. It might envision a world at peace, one in which it acts as a protector and guide, giving comfort and wisdom to the living instead of terror and panic. Rather than serving as a symbol of grief or revenge, the ghost may have been a compassionate figure that kept an eye on those she loved. This reflection regrets the spectre's loss of humanity and chance for closure and rest, highlighting its unfortunate status of being trapped in time and unable to develop or change.

[theekc3000]

Ryan, such an amazing post. After reading it I instantly thought about the spectre's in Supernatural or as they called them vengeful spirits. As you talked about, most of these vengeful spirits appeared rotten and were stuck where they were because of hatred or anger. I'm glad I got to relate someone else's supernatural blog post other than my own to something I've seen in supernatural, it truly is an amazing show.