The Scholar King and the Devil's Advocate: How James VI/I Weaponised Fear to Forge His Legacy

When most picture royalty, they see a warrior. But King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) was different. Born sickly and intellectually driven, James found a way to prove his divine authority not on the battlefield, but by declaring a personal war against the ultimate foe: Satan. His chosen weapon? Ink.

This need to demonstrate strength through scholarship became his life’s greatest mission, one that tragically justified the state-sanctioned violence against thousands across Britain and beyond. James cultivated a strict theological position: any power or charm not derived from God must come from the Devil. This meant that any use of magic—whether a folk healing charm or a political curse—was not merely superstition, but high treason.

🌪️ The Storm That Proved the Plot

James’s abstract fears became brutally concrete in 1589 during his marriage to Anne of Denmark. When severe, unseasonable storms battered the royal fleet, forcing Anne to land in Norway, James saw not bad luck, but a deliberate satanic assault. This voyage, which required the King himself to brave the North Sea to retrieve his bride, became the literal proof of treason that underpinned the ensuing terror.

Rumours spread that a coven of witches was responsible for the tempests, with talk even emerging of one witch sailing into the Firth of Forth on a sieve. This panic quickly became international; trials in Copenhagen resulted in the execution of at least twelve women accused of sending demons in barrels to wreck the royal fleet. This shared, cross-cultural terror set the stage for the ensuing bloody events in Scotland.

🔥 North Berwick and the Cost of Confession

The ensuing North Berwick Witch Trials were entirely driven by the King’s terror. Thanks to the 1563 Scottish Witchcraft Act, simply consulting with folk healers was a capital offence. The confessions began when healer Geillis Duncan, tortured with thumbscrews, implicated Agnes Sampson, another respected healer.

Agnes’s subsequent interrogation was catastrophic for her and pivotal for James. Subjected to extreme duress, including pilliwinks (finger-crushing devices) and the scold's bridle, Agnes finally broke. Her confession confirmed James’s deepest anxieties: she admitted collaborating with the Copenhagen coven to sabotage the Queen's arrival. Even more terrifying for the King, she recited the precise, private words he had exchanged with his Queen on their wedding night. This was the moment James became utterly convinced. Agnes likely told him the Devil himself claimed the King was his greatest enemy, providing James with the narrative he craved.

The trials also offered a perfect political opportunity. Geillis implicated Francis Stewart, the Earl of Bothwell, a powerful cousin with a claim to the throne, framing him as the Devil’s chosen agent. While Stewart eventually escaped, the literate schoolmaster, Dr. John Fian, alleged to be the coven’s clerk, was tortured so severely—nails ripped out, legs crushed in the 'boot'—that he eventually confessed before being strangled and burned.

✍️ Daemonologie: The Royal Mandate Against Doubt

Driven to solidify his position as both scholar and Devil’s champion, James authored Daemonologie (1597). This was not a balanced text; it was a fierce, royal assertion of power structured as a dialogue to systematically silence sceptics like Reginald Scot.

James laid down the law on why witches exist and what they do:

• Existence: Because God’s law prohibits them from living.

• Temptation: The Devil lures people through three internal passions: curiosity, revenge, or greed.

• Maleficium: The greatest crime was maleficium—the actual physical harm caused by magic, such as raising storms, an act that became synonymous with high treason against the King.

The text revealed a deeply rooted misogyny, echoing the earlier Malleus Maleficarum: women were weaker and thus far easier for the Devil to deceive. This created a clear class division. Literate men engaging in occult study, like the court astrologer John Dee, were generally deemed merely "curious" and often left unharmed, despite their dealings with spirits. Conversely, poor 'cunning women' using folk charms for healing or divination were guilty of plotting treason and consorting with the Devil, often forced to confess to the highly sexualised, degrading ritual of the Kiss of Shame(Osculum Infame).

🧚 The Battle for Belief: Fairies vs. Devils

James was adamant that local folk beliefs in beings like the Fairy Queen (or 'our good neighbours') were just more of the Devil’s smoke and mirrors. When accused healers confessed to receiving knowledge from these spirits, James dismissed it as delusion. For him, there was no nuance; any unapproved spiritual interaction was the Devil transforming himself to deceive the witch.

Concluding Daemonologie, James stated that all practitioners, and even those who only consulted them, were equally guilty. His ultimate guardrail was that God would never allow an innocent person to be killed in a trial, thus validating every execution as righteous.

💀 The Lingering Echoes of Persecution

The legal machinery James established took on a horrific life of its own. It fuelled the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1661–1662 and profoundly influenced England. During the English Civil War, opportunists like Matthew Hopkins, the 'Witchfinder General', successfully exploited James’s legal framework, leading to an estimated 230 to 300 executions in just two years using barbaric techniques like the Swimming Test and Pricking Test.

The shadow of James’s obsession reached even into the theatre; Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written for James’s court in 1606, opens with the 'weird sisters' summoning storms, a direct nod to the North Berwick trials.

Though Parliament repealed the harshest laws in 1736 (making fraud, rather than Devil worship, the crime), the final vestiges of James’s legacy lasted until 1951. The last person jailed under the Witchcraft Act was Scottish medium Helen Duncan in 1944, convicted for revealing sensitive wartime naval information during a séance.

Today, campaigners honour the thousands lost with the Witches of Scotland Tartan, using its colours—black and grey for ashes, red and pink for legal tape—to push for an official pardon. The Wyrd was never fully extinguished, surviving not as satanic conspiracy, but as deeply rooted folk belief, constantly battling the iron logic of the crown.

Beyond the Ordinary: Unexplained Wonders & Strange Discoveries from Around the Globe

Ever feel like the world is a bit… stranger than it lets on? Beyond the headlines and daily routines, there's a current of the bizarre and the unexplainable flowing just beneath the surface. From weeping icons to ghostly apparitions and even the outer reaches of scientific possibility, here’s a roundup of some truly head-scratching tales that challenge our perceptions of reality.

The Miraculous Myrrh-Streaming Jesus

In a quiet corner of Honolulu, a seemingly ordinary $20 mass-produced image of Mary and the young Jesus has been attracting believers for decades. According to Father Nectarios Yangshan, this icon has been continuously oozing a sticky, fragrant substance since 1997 – a sweet-smelling resin described as myrrh, reminiscent of roses.

The story goes that Father Nectarios first noticed an overwhelming scent in his office, even observed his cat reacting to it before he himself could identify the source. Eventually, he discovered droplets of the resin on the icon. Since then, the image has reportedly been attributed with numerous miracles, including the healing of blindness, cancer, paralysis, and even demonic possession. Visitors flock to the Holy Fyotokos of Ivaran Russian Orthodox Church, dipping cotton swabs into the sacred substance. This humble icon has traveled to over a thousand churches globally, venerated by millions. Whether a genuine miracle or something else entirely, the devotion and stories surrounding it are undeniably compelling.

Ghosts in the Machine: The Tesla Cemetery Mystery

Modern technology often brings us closer to understanding the world, but sometimes it just makes things weirder. A peculiar phenomenon has been reported by Tesla owners driving through cemeteries: their car's 360-degree camera system displays phantom human figures on the dashboard screen, even when no one is physically present.

While some might immediately jump to the conclusion of spectral encounters, the most common explanation points to a fascinating glitch in artificial intelligence. The unique and varied shapes of tombstones and monuments in a graveyard might be confusing the car's sensors, leading its AI to misinterpret these static objects as human forms. It's either a spooky, high-tech haunting or a reminder that even advanced AI can sometimes get it hilariously wrong!

Haunting Hospitality: The Jamaica Inn's Eerie Whistle

For those who love a good ghost story, few places hold more appeal than an ancient inn with a dark past. Perched on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, the Jamaica Inn has been a site of mystery and intrigue since the 1750s, famously associated with smugglers and eerie tales. It's often cited as one of the UK's most haunted hotels.

Recently, a travel reviewer shared their spine-chilling experience: while in their room, they heard a very loud, distinct male whistle coming from a corner near the bedroom. Their partner confirmed they hadn't made the sound, leaving them feeling distinctly "on edge." Whether it's the lingering echoes of its smuggling past or something more supernatural, stories like these ensure the Jamaica Inn remains a magnet for those seeking a brush with the unexplained.

The Butt-Breathing Breakthrough: Science Gets Weird

Now for something completely different, and perhaps a little uncomfortable! Scientists are exploring a groundbreaking (and quite frankly, bizarre) method for delivering oxygen: through the rectum. What started as an Ignoble Prize-winning study in 2024 by Japanese researchers from Osaka University, observing that animals like turtles and certain fish, and even mammals like rodents and pigs, can absorb oxygen through their back ends in emergencies, is now moving to human trials.

The idea, called enteral ventilation, aims to offer a last resort for people with severe respiratory failure. In a recent study, 27 healthy men volunteered to hold varying volumes of non-oxygenated perfluorocarbon liquid in their rectums for an hour. While some complained of discomfort and bloating at higher volumes, the procedure was deemed safe. The next step is to test oxygenated liquid to see if it can indeed permeate the intestinal wall and boost blood oxygen levels. So, while you might not be butt-breathing anytime soon, science is pushing boundaries in truly unexpected ways!

The 'Oumuamua Enigma: Alien Visitor or Cosmic Rock?

The mysterious interstellar object 'Oumuamua continues to fuel speculation. First detected zipping through our solar system, its unusual cigar shape and non-gravitational acceleration led some, like Harvard's Avi Loeb, to suggest it could be alien technology – a "light sail" or even a probe.

Recent chatter even proposed a close encounter with Earth around October 29th, sparking excitement (and a little panic!). However, NASA data suggests 'Oumuamua's closest approach to Earth was actually in September 2017, and its next closest point to the Sun is around October 30th – still millions of miles away and posing no danger. While its origins remain debated, the "Manhattan-sized" object serves as a powerful reminder of the vast, unknown wonders of our universe and the potential for future discoveries that could reshape our understanding of cosmic life. Some scientists even suggest tracking such objects could help us develop better defense systems against hazardous asteroids.

Whispers from the Past: English Heritage Ghost Stories

Finally, returning to the realm of the spectral, English Heritage sites across the UK are proving to be hotbeds of paranormal activity. From ancient castles to Roman ruins, staff and visitors have reported a plethora of unexplained phenomena.

At Chester Castle, a security guard's fearless dog refused to leave the car, and cameras later recorded a "faceless figure" walking where a medieval gatehouse once stood. Other accounts include a disembodied hand at Belsay Hall, inexplicable piano music drifting through the walls of Bolsover Castle, and soldiers seemingly disappearing into the woods at Wrest Park. English Heritage, wisely, remains neutral on whether these are actual ghosts or something else, recognizing that such tales only add to the rich, mysterious tapestry of these historic landmarks.

The world, it seems, is far from mundane. Whether you believe in miracles, ghosts, aliens, or just the extraordinary limits of science, these stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the endless possibilities beyond the ordinary. What strange tales have you encountered?

Remember, Remember... The Gunpowder Plot and the Rise of a Wyrd Icon

Every 5th of November, Britain lights up. Bonfires roar, fireworks hiss, and an effigy—the Guy—is tossed onto the flames. But how many of us truly know the dark, bizarre, and utterly tragic story of the man whose failed act of terrorism became a national holiday?

In our latest episode of Wyrd Wessex, Andy and I dive into the legendary tale of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. It’s a story of religious fervour, spectacular failure, and a dramatic, bloody end that cemented a man's face as the ultimate symbol of rebellion.

The Architect vs. The Explosives Expert

Growing up, we all thought Guy Fawkes was the evil mastermind. Wrong! The true, desperate architect of the plot was Robert Catesby, a man driven mad by the persecution of English Catholics under King James I. Guy Fawkes (or Guido, as he was known abroad) was merely the indispensable explosives expert—the man with the unique skill set necessary to blow up Parliament.

It was Catesby who assembled a core group of disillusioned gentlemen, swore them to secrecy at the Duck and Drake Club, and conceived the audacious plan: eliminate King James, his ministers, and the entire ruling class in one colossal explosion, and install a puppet Catholic Queen.

An Embarrassing End to a Daring Plan

The plot was years in the making, fraught with delays, floods in the tunnel (courtesy of the River Thames), and close calls. Yet, after acquiring 36 barrels of gunpowder—enough, as we discovered, to blow Parliament up 25 times over—the conspirators' fate was sealed not by surveillance, but by human weakness.

It all unravelled with the Monteagle Letter, the cryptic warning that sent Lord Monteagle scurrying to Robert Cecil. But the most incredible twist? After fleeing North and being cornered at Holbeck House, the desperate conspirators, lacking Guy's expertise, tried to dry out their damp gunpowder by the fire... which resulted in a catastrophic, almost slapstick, explosion that blinded John Grant and severely injured Catesby.

It's hard not to chuckle at the sheer incompetence, even as the tragedy of Catesby's final, desperate, and dramatic death is laid bare.

The Icon of Anarchy

The aftermath is the stuff of brutal legend. Guy Fawkes, captured in the cellar with the fuse in his pocket, became the face of the plot. He endured unimaginable torture in the Tower of London—the manacles, the cramped Little Ease cell, and finally, the notorious rack—all to extract names that the authorities already knew.

His final execution, where he miraculously broke his own neck on the scaffold, spared him the full horror of being hanged, drawn, and quartered. This defiant, unyielding last act ensured that his name, not Catesby’s, would become synonymous with the rebellion.

It's fitting that a man whose goal was total destruction is now celebrated with explosives every year. From the V for Vendetta mask to the modern Bonfire Night—a festival that was once legally required in the UK to celebrate Protestant supremacy—the story of Guy Fawkes is a constantly evolving piece of national folklore.

So, next time you’re watching the fireworks, spare a thought for the tall, charismatic Wyrdo who nearly changed history forever.

Have a listen to the full episode of Wyrd Wessex to get all the dark, intricate details of this iconic moment in history!

Stay Wyrd!

The Shocking Legacy of Ghostwatch and the Synth-Construct Politician Theory

Welcome to the AfterWyrd deep dive! This week, the Wyrdo's tear apart a piece of TV history that blurred the lines between fact and fiction: the infamous 1992 broadcast of Ghostwatch. From trusted presenters to the terrifying entity known as 'Pipes', we explore how this mock-documentary changed the horror landscape forever. Plus, we round up the very weirdest news, including a bizarre AI theory suggesting a certain politician is actually an alien.

Ghostwatch: How 90 Minutes of Television Traumatised a Nation

Broadcast on Halloween night 1992, the BBC’s Ghostwatch remains one of the most controversial and effective pieces of psychological horror ever made. The show was so perfectly executed as a live news broadcast that it managed to convince over 11 million viewers that they were watching a genuine, terrifying paranormal investigation unfolding in a Northolt home.

The show was the brainchild of writer Stephen Volk, who envisioned it as a series but was heavily inspired by the famous Enfield Poltergeist case. Its commitment to the live format—complete with technical hitches and outside broadcasts—was key to its success.

The Power of Trusted Faces

What made Ghostwatch so utterly compelling was its brilliant, almost audacious use of trusted British presenters. Placing familiar faces like Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene, and Mike Smith into seemingly real, escalating events convinced a massive swathe of the public that the haunting was legitimate.

The Wyrdo's debated how much this helped the show’s unsettling realism: "They all act as themselves, essentially. And so these are, like I say, trusted names and people just regard Craig Charles pratting about, he doesn't believe any of this nonsense. And that made it feel kind of more real."

The terror centred on the Early family—mother Pamela and her daughters Susan and Kim—who were tormented by an entity they called Pipes, said to live in the sinister boarded-up cupboard under the stairs (amusingly referred to as the 'glory hole'). The terror slowly escalated from knocks and moving objects, mirroring Enfield, before the horrifying reveal. Pipes was the spirit of Raymond Tuntstell, a disturbed individual who had committed suicide in that very cupboard after being partially eaten by his own cats. A truly grim Wessex legend in the making, if you ask us.

Tricks, Possession, and the Tragic Fallout

Writer Stephen Volk even had incredibly subtle ideas to enhance realism, such as embedding a high-pitched sound in the audio track that was supposedly inaudible to humans, but disturbing to pets. The concept was that people’s dogs or cats at home were supposedly reacting strangely for no apparent reason, adding to the psychological terror.

The show’s climax, in which Parkinson himself appears to become possessed, was too much for many. Over 11 million viewers tuned in, and the sheer level of conviction was clear when Michael Parkinson's own elderly mother called the BBC switchboard, believing her son had genuinely become possessed on live television.

However, the broadcast had genuinely tragic real-world consequences. A young man, 18-year-old Martin Denham, took his own life, with his distress linked to the events of the show and the knocking pipes in his own home. This led to a huge backlash, over 30,000 official complaints (including another one from Parkinson’s mother!), and an official ruling from the Broadcasting Standards Commission. While never officially 'banned', the show has been suppressed by the BBC and has never been repeated in full on UK television since.

The Enduring Influence

Despite the controversy, the impact of Ghostwatch is undeniable. It demonstrably paved the way for the found footage genre in cinema (The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity) and inspired later paranormal investigation shows. More recently, the creators of the critically acclaimed Zoom-based horror film Host cited Ghostwatch as a major inspiration, even including the original broadcast date (31101992) as a subtle nod in their film. A true cult classic for Wyrdo’s everywhere.

Wyrd News Round-Up: Aliens, Bored ETs, and Ed Gein

Keir Starmer: Alien Synth Construct?

In a story straight from the highbrow publication, The Daily Star, a new theory suggests UK politician Keir Starmer is a "highly advanced synth legal unit" sent from an alien planet called 'Consensus'.

The bizarre claims come from Google's own AI, Gemini, which pokes fun at the politician's lack of spontaneity and robotic delivery, suggesting:

• His measured public speaking is due to the limitations of his core programming and is running on a highly efficient text-to-speech algorithm.

• His internal process takes precisely 1.7 seconds to analyse a question before formulating a reply that is "technically correct, but entirely devoid of human warmth."

• He is not powered by food or rest, but by a subtle energy drain on Earth political apathy.

Bored Aliens: The New Fermi Paradox Theory

In slightly more credible science news, The Guardian’s science section reports on an intriguing new possibility for the Fermi Paradox (the conspicuous lack of alien life). The theory of "radical mundanity" suggests that if aliens exist, their technology may only be marginally better than ours, and they simply got bored and stopped trying to contact Earth.

As one scientist put it, they might have an 'iPhone 42 rather than an iPhone 17'—meaning they haven't harnessed physics beyond our comprehension, and space exploration is still incredibly time-consuming and expensive, providing little motivation to continue for millions of years.

Halloween Horror: The Ed Gein Costume

Finally, a bizarre story about a woman who is apparently planning to dress her four-year-old daughter up as the notorious serial killer Ed Gein for a school Halloween party. The mother defended the choice by saying Gein has "turned into a horror character" thanks to a recent Netflix documentary, and she simply loves to "hop on a trend." We'll just leave that one right there.

The Enfield Poltergeist

The year is 1977. The UK is split between the pomp of the Queen's Silver Jubilee and the spitting anarchy of punk rock. Culturally, the world is still reeling from The Exorcist, a film that dragged the supernatural into the mainstream. Against this backdrop of anxiety and spectacle, one mundane council house in the London borough of Enfield was about to become the epicentre of the most famous and fiercely debated haunting in British history.

This is the story of the Enfield Poltergeist, a case that remains a tangled knot of flying objects, chilling voices, and desperate human frailty.

The Cultural Crucible of 1977

The events began on August 31st, 1977, at the home of the Hodgson family. While the first knocks sounded like a simple disturbance, the historical context is crucial. As Andy rightly pointed out, the original four loud knocks on the party wall had a chilling historical precedent: it was a widespread practice during the Blitz for neighbours to check on each other during air raids. This once-familiar sound of community now became a signal of pure, unexplainable fear, suggesting a deeply ingrained anxiety was being triggered.

The police were called, but it was the neighbours, the Nottinghams, who were the first to witness the paranormal. Builder Vic Nottingham initially scoffed until the knocks started again—seemingly following him around the outside wall. A female constable, Caroline Heaps, later saw a chair come through a kitchen door and slide across the floor in front of seven witnesses. The police, unable to find a rational explanation, left the terrified family huddled in the living room.

From Flying Toys to Targeted Violence

After the initial flurry of moving furniture, the phenomena rapidly escalated into what Playfair dubbed a "constant barrage of the unsettling."

• Lego and Marbles: Small objects were not merely falling; they were reportedly shot from an unseen force. The incident where a photographer took a Lego brick directly to the face was particularly compelling—it required a noticeable force that would be difficult to generate discreetly.

• The Sofa Incident: On Janet’s 12th birthday, the heavy green sofa rose about four feet in the air, flipped over backwards, and crashed upside down, with the girl sitting on it. This was a physical assault.

• The Choking: The most sinister moments involved the poltergeist actively attacking Janet. A curtain was reported to have wrapped itself tightly around her neck, seemingly attempting to strangle her—an act of malice far beyond mere mischief.

• Verifiable Links: The case gained unexpected depth when Janet's subconscious drawings led to the revelation of the Watsons. The fact that an elderly man named Watson had lived there, died of a haemorrhage, and that his wife, Mrs Watson, had died of a throat tumour—matching Janet's terrifying first drawing—provides a verifiable link to the house’s history that is difficult to dismiss as mere chance.

The Voice: The Ultimate Evidence and Contradiction

The guttural, deep male voice captured on the tape recorder is the most famous and most debated piece of evidence.

It identified itself as "Bill" or "Joe Watson," claiming to be a former occupant who had died of a haemorrhage. A key detail was the chilling moment when the voice, during one interrogation, stated, "I got a haemorrhage and I fell asleep in the chair in the corner and I died."

The sound itself presented a profound contradiction:

• The Defence: A professional speech therapist concluded that the sounds did not seem to be created by the vocal cords of a human, and noted that Janet's own voice showed no sign of the damage expected if she were producing those harsh, guttural tones for extended periods. Playfair himself noted he could only imitate the voice for a few seconds before his throat became painfully sore.

• The Skeptical Case: The voice only spoke when the investigators were out of the room or at a distance from Janet, and during the "Daisy Daisy" test, Janet consistently stopped singing whenever "Bill" joined in. Skeptics point to this as an unconscious use of ventriloquism, possibly developed by Janet under extreme stress. The operation Janet had years later for a laryngeal cyst is frequently cited as the final proof that the voice originated in her throat, though this remains an oversimplification of a complex medical issue.

The Ambiguous Retreat

The case was saturated with attention, and this proved to be both its making and its potential undoing. The involvement of various mediums and investigators—Maurice Grosse especially—raised the ethical question: was the continuous attention fuelling the phenomena? The psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia (later retracted) and the suggestion that the family be taken out of the house (the trip to Clacton-on-Sea) hinted that Janet was the fragile, central factor.

The climax of the spiritual intervention was the medium Dono Maling suggesting the entity was Grosse's deceased daughter. This intensely personal moment for the chief investigator arguably provided him with the closure he was so desperately seeking. The activity did not end with a dramatic confrontation; it simply slowly tapered off over a period of months.

Crucially, when the Hodgson family moved out, the subsequent occupants reported total peace. The phenomena was inextricably tied to the family, lending massive weight to the Psychokinesis (PK) theory—that the strain of a single mother, an already troubled family life, and a pubescent daughter’s stress manifested as powerful, destructive energy.

The Block Universe: A Wyrd Conclusion

The legacy of Enfield is its ambiguity. Was it the greatest hoax, perpetuated by a young girl caught in a whirlwind of attention? Or was it a genuine, uncontrolled power?

The ultimate weirdness lies in the question: What if the haunting was reciprocal?

If time is not a linear arrow, but a "Block Universe" where past, present, and future all exist simultaneously, then perhaps the intense, terrified energy of the Hodgsons in 1977 momentarily touched the residual imprint of the past—Bill Wilkins’ death, the fear of the Blitz knocks—creating a brief, two-way portal.

Perhaps we are not merely passive observers of the past; perhaps our own fear and intense energy create ripples that haunt the past, caught in a never-ending echo across the dimensions of time.

Janet Hodgson maintains that everything that happened in that house was real. The evidence, however, is what keeps us all guessing, forever unpicking the Polka Dot and the Flying Lego.

Stay Wyrd!

Pumpkin Orange, Cola Bottles, and the DNA from Beyond the Stars: An AfterWyrd Dive into Wyrd News

Welcome back, Wyrdo’s! This week, the AfterWyrd bonus podcast, hosted by myself (Craig) and Andy, saw us dive headfirst into the very heart of the strange and the supernatural. From occult gifts to an unprecedented medical calamity caused by a popular sweet, here is the deeper dive into the oddest stories of the week.

Autumnal Gifts and a Despicable Minion Disaster

The season has properly changed, ushering in the 'pumpkin orange' aesthetic, which, as Andy pointed out, I seem to be physically embodying. My own recent birthday haul was suitably wyrd, including the fascinating deep dive of The Exorcist Files and a beautiful new Nordic Tarot Deck. However, the domestic peace was quickly shattered by the madness of the Wyrd News.

We covered the utterly bonkers story of a gentleman from Barnsley who landed himself in hospital after embarking on a three-day, three-kilogram binge of cola bottle sweets. Doctors were, understandably, baffled—until an internal investigation revealed he was completely blocked up with gelatine. His condition, acute diverticulitis, led to an "astronomically high" blood pressure reading. It is a stark, if hilarious, reminder that even the most seemingly harmless sugary treats can become a health hazard when consumed at industrial scale. We are looking forward to the inevitable film adaptation.

In a related vein of low-brow chaos, we also reported on a Despicable Minion toy causing a severe plumbing blockage in Sheffield. It seems the universe is actively using inanimate objects to remind us of life's absurdities.

The Hopi Prophecy and the Occult Collector

The news then took a sharper political-paranormal turn with the resurfacing of the Hopi tribal prophecy. This ancient Native American prophecy speaks of the 'True White Brother' who will appear at the end of the Fourth World, noted by his being "all-powerful" and wearing a "red cap or red cloak."

While elders of the Hopi caution against literal interpretations, modern conspiracists have latched onto the 'red cap' as a blatant, uncanny prediction of a certain former US President. The prophecy also mentions two wise, powerful helpers—one with the symbol of the swastika (which the Hopi state represents purity/life, though we noted the obvious problematic modern context) and one with the sign of the sun. It is pure, high-grade conspiracy fuel and well worth a deep-dive on its own.

To round off the section, we flagged an upcoming London occult exhibition at the Waterloo Vaults featuring genuine, ceremonial artefacts, including a staff once owned by the infamous ceremonial magician Aleister Crowley. A perfect day out for any Wyrdo.

The Alien DNA Hypothesis: Is the Truth Inside Us?

The show’s main Wyrd News item took us into the deepest realms of controversial science: the Alien DNA Hypothesis.

Andy introduced a preliminary, un-peer-reviewed study conducted by Max Rempel, which proposes that extraterrestrial beings have genetically modified the human genome. Rempel’s analysis of the 1000 Genomes Project claims to have identified large fragments of non-parental DNA sequences in children that match neither human parent. Crucially, the non-parental fragments appeared in children born before 1990, predating widespread use of advanced human genetic modification tools like CRISPR. Rempel suggests the required precision for these insertions points to an advanced, non-human technology.

The Wyrdo's explored the most mind-bending speculation this research inspires: that these genetic 'aberrations' are linked to neurodivergent traits and may even be the source of latent abilities such as telepathy. It’s a theory that ties in perfectly with the claims from the popular podcast Telepathy\ Tapes, challenging our entire understanding of human evolution.

The Great Haunting Count: Why is Dorset Being Robbed?

Finally, we tackled a piece of news close to our hearts: the UK’s Most Haunted Counties. A recent study, using the Paranormal Database (a massive online repository of reported sightings), placed Essex and Sussex at the top of the league table for spectral occurrences.

However, as a true Wyrdo, I had to voice my righteous indignation at the rankings. We pointed out that while the list is interesting, the methodology seems flawed. When counties like Suffolk are placed highly due to numerous reports from Rendlesham Forest—a location famous primarily for a UFO incident—it muddies the waters. Crop circles, UFOs, and Minions in toilets are all Wyrd, but they are not the same as a haunting. Dorset, a county dripping in ancient, dark history, deserves a much higher spot on any definitive list of the UK’s spookiest locales.

Don’t blame the Owls!

A Monster's Purpose: An Exploration with Nicholas Jubber

"And so there's all these sort of different… dark ways in which these monster stories have been used," explains travel writer and author Nicholas Jubber. "They’re all so multi-layered, and... you really need to be able to talk to people on the ground to find out sort of what does that story mean to you? What does it mean to you now?"

In a fascinating conversation, the Wyrdo's of the Wyrd Wessex podcast sat down with Jubber to discuss his book, Monsterland: A Journey Around the World's Dark Imagination. His work delves into the deep question of why we are so captivated by monsters, arguing that they are more than just frightening creatures; they are powerful reflections of our society, our history, and our own humanity.

The Monster Within

Jubber's lifelong fascination with the monstrous began in childhood, where he cultivated a "monster-positive"perspective. His interest wasn't in being terrified, but in the idea of what it might be like to become one. When asked his favourite monster, he cites the dragon, admiring its "splendor" and majesty. He notes how they have evolved from "repellent and representative of the devil" in medieval times to "aristocratic figures of the monster world" today.

This intrigue in transformation led him to explore the psychological appeal of shapeshifters like the Rougarou of Louisiana. He recounts the local legend: a man afflicted with the curse can be freed if the person who broke the curse can keep their secret for a "year and a day." The classic story follows a man who "can't quite do it," and in revealing the secret, "ends up sort of getting blighted by the curse and becoming a Rougarou himself." Jubber sees this as a reflection of a universal human desire "to be able to break the rules… and to stamp off… and to smash a few things." The monster represents "the unshackled version of ourselves that you know we might like to experience once in a while."

Sympathy, Nature, and the Shifting Psyche

Jubber believes our growing sympathy for monsters reflects a deeper cultural shift. He highlights how audiences often feel more for the monster than the hero, an idea dismissed by tabloid headlines about "snowflake students" thinking Frankenstein's monster is misunderstood. Jubber argues that Mary Shelley herself gave the creature a voice and an eloquent backstory to make us feel this way, and that this sympathy gives the hero a vital "moral quandary." He also notes that the story of the Cornish giant Bolster's defeat leaves people feeling "quite sad."

He also explores how monsters can serve as guardians. The hosts, Andy and Craig, noted this recurring theme in their own studies of cryptids. Jubber agrees, citing the ancient Humbaba from Gilgamesh as a prime example. The monster guarded the Cedar Forest, and was defeated by heroes "doing what humans have been doing ever since… smashing up the land." He also mentions the Selkies, which can be destructive but are also guardians to "Fisher people" and children lost at sea.

This ambiguity, Jubber notes, is part of the beauty of folklore. It is a "reflection throughout history of the people's psyche at the time and it adapts to that psyche." Just as our view of dragons has changed, the monsters we create and the stories we tell reveal a great deal about our shifting values.

A Firsthand Encounter with a Vampire

To truly understand these tales, Jubber explains, you have to meet the people who tell them. He embarked on his greatest adventure yet, travelling across four continents to experience these myths firsthand. His most audacious act was in Serbia, where he explored the legend of Sava Sivanovic, an iconic vampire who haunted a local mill. Jubber notes that this vampire craze of the 1700s, which swept across Europe and was widely discussed by figures like Voltaire, was often tied to moments of political turmoil. The specific legend of Sava was rooted in the villagers' fatal error of deciding to forget his name, as "when it comes to vampires, you do actually want to remember their name."

In a true test of his journalistic spirit, Jubber chose to spend a night in the very mill said to be the vampire's lair. Recalling the experience, he describes the dread that crept in as darkness fell. He writes of the new, unsettling sounds around him: "the rustling on the other bank, the scratching and shifting of leaves in the undergrowth." He admitted that while he was nervous about the possibility of the supernatural, he felt that "there was nothing I feared so much as humans." He describes the moment of relief as dawn finally broke, revealing a clear, starlit sky. He felt a swelling of joy, and left the mill, "throbbing with the joy of being alive, or at least not undead."

This same feeling was shared by the Wyrd Wessex hosts, Andy and Craig, who recounted their own unnerving experience camping on Vixen Tor on Dartmoor. They discovered the site's local folklore about a witch named Vixiana, who lured travellers to their doom with a supernatural mist. As they learned the story, a thick mist rolled in, "you couldn’t see 10 feet in front of you," validating the power of the ancient tale.

Final Reflections on the Monstrous

In a final reflection, Jubber revealed his own personal preferences when it comes to the monstrous. His favourite cryptid is the Yeti, a creature with a rich folklore that he hopes to explore more deeply one day. He even mentions the tragic tale of Japanese adventurer Norio Suzuki, who died in an avalanche while searching for the Yeti. When asked what monster he would like to be real, he surprisingly chose Nessie, noting that the creature’s existence would be a "corrective to kind of scientific hubris," a vital reminder that there are "things... beyond our ken." As for a pet? He’d opt for a Kallikantzaros, a mischievous goblin from Near-Eastern folklore, which seems more manageable than a fire-breathing dragon.

Jubber's exploration reveals that while we might try to rationalise our fears, monsters will always be there, a reflection of the humanity we so often try to bury.

Stay Wyrd.

Wyrd News: Amelia Earhart, Hairy Space Junk, and the Ghost of a TV Legend

Welcome back, Wyrdo's! We all love getting stuck into the ancient myths of Wessex, but sometimes, the news gives us a little peek at the modern 'wyrd'.

This week, we've trawled the headlines for the most peculiar and outlandish stories from the fringes of politics, space, and the spooky season. So, grab a cuppa and let's dive into the weirdest news of the day.

Classified Files and Carnivorous Crabs

Political distractions sometimes turn into genuinely weird news stories, and this case is no different. President Donald Trump recently announced his intent to declassify secret government records related to the 1937 disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, a move that feels increasingly like scraping the historical barrel.

While the President busies himself with paperwork, researchers have been making their own progress. Newly discovered aerial photos from 1938 show a mysterious anomaly on a remote South Pacific island named Nikumaroro. Researchers believe this strange metallic object, spotted just a year after Earhart vanished, could be the wreckage of her legendary Lockheed 10E Electra. An expedition is already underway to investigate this "smoking gun proof."

This ties into the persistent and gruesome theory that Earhart, and her navigator Fred Noonan, survived the initial crash only to die on the uninhabited island. The most terrifying end for the pilot? Being devoured by the island's giant, semi-land-based carnivorous crabs.

Brucie’s Spectral Catchphrase

In the world of celebrity spooks, the ghost of legendary British TV host Sir Bruce Forsyth is allegedly haunting the London Palladium. His ashes were interred beneath the stage after his death in 2017, and a paranormal specialist claims she heard his spectral voice during a recent visit. The ghost, she asserts, echoed Bruce’s famous catchphrase: “Nice to see you, to see you nice!” This claim comes from vocalist Brocard, who previously claimed to have wed—and subsequently divorced—a devilishly handsome Victorian soldier ghost named Eduardo after less than a year of marriage.

The Hardman of Children’s TV

In casting news that’s both brutal and bizarre, Paul Chuckle, one half of the famously wholesome BBC children's comedy act 'The Chuckle Brothers', is taking a turn as a gangster. Chuckle will star as a hardman named The Jackal in a new brutal mobster movie, swapping his famous catchphrase “To me, to you” for what promises to be gruesome hits. It seems the loss of his brother has led to a cinematic 'breaking bad' moment.

The Giant Hairy Space-Junk

A strange discovery was made on an Argentinian farm after a giant, hairy object smashed into the land. The carbon fibre cylinder, measuring nearly 6ft long, baffled bomb experts and local police. The most unusual feature was that it was covered in strange black fibres that look like hair. While likely to be burnt space junk from a rocket re-entry, the hirsute nature of the debris gives the whole incident a delightfully eerie twist.

The Fart Spray Fiasco

A teaching assistant in South Carolina, USA, found himself in court after repeatedly using a highly illegal and foul-smelling fart spray at a high school, causing students to suffer from headaches and nausea. The modern act of flatulence pales in comparison to the 'Deadliest Fart in History'. According to ancient accounts, a Roman soldier back in 66 AD deliberately farted in a sacred temple in Jerusalem, sparking a riot that led to the deaths of over 10,000 people.

That’s all the truly bizarre news we could fit in this week! Hopefully, it’s given you a few things to ponder.

Until next time,

Don't blame the owls!

Ghost Ships: Unveiling the Ocean's Most Chilling Mysteries

The ocean is vast, beautiful, and endlessly mysterious. But beneath its surface, and often drifting upon it, lie tales that chill to the bone: the legends of ghost ships. These phantom vessels, found abandoned or said to sail forever, have captured human imagination for centuries, blurring the lines between tragic reality and terrifying folklore.

Join us as we cast off into the eerie world of ghost ships, exploring some of the most famous and unsettling maritime mysteries, from the infamous Mary Celeste to the terrifying Flying Dutchman.

The Real-Life Riddles of the Waves: Crews Vanished Without a Trace

The sea has claimed countless ships and swallowed their secrets whole. Some disappearances, however, defy all logical explanation, leaving behind vessels found utterly abandoned, their crews vanished into thin air, leaving behind only perplexing clues.

• The Mary Celeste (1872): The Quintessential Abandonment Perhaps the most iconic ghost ship in maritime history, the brigantine Mary Celeste was discovered in December 1872, adrift and completely deserted in the Atlantic Ocean. When a passing ship, the Dei Gratia, boarded her, they found the vessel structurally sound, with her sails partially set. Yet, the scene was chillingly eerie: a meal was still set in the mess, cargo (a valuable shipment of industrial alcohol) was untouched in the hold, and the captain's logbook was missing its final pages. The ship's chronometer, sextant, and lifeboat were also gone, suggesting a sudden, voluntary departure. However, no distress signals were sent, and the ten souls on board—Captain Benjamin Briggs, his wife, daughter, and seven crewmen—were never seen or heard from again. Theories abound, ranging from piracy, mutiny, an encounter with a seaquake that threw the crew overboard, or even a sudden waterspout, but the truth remains one of history's most baffling and enduring maritime enigmas.

• The Carroll A. Deering (1921): The Ghost Ship of Diamond Shoals This five-masted schooner earned its eerie nickname after it was found run aground off the treacherous Diamond Shoals, near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in January 1921. When rescuers finally managed to board the vessel, they discovered it completely abandoned. The ship's logbook, navigation equipment, and anchors were missing. Even more unsettling was that the crew's personal belongings remained on board. The only living things found were a few cats. Prior to its discovery, the Deering had been sighted by another vessel, the Cape Lookout Lightship, whose keeper reported seeing her sailing under full sail, but with her crew oddly silent and seemingly ignoring signals. A mysterious, unidentified steamer was also reportedly seen near the Deering shortly before it was found. The investigation into the Carroll A. Deering pointed to foul play, possibly involving pirates or mutineers, but no definitive answers ever emerged, leaving it a chilling chapter in American maritime lore.

• The MV Joyita (1955): The "Unsinkable" Mystery The motor vessel Joyita, a 69-foot tuna fishing boat, became a ghost ship in October 1955 when it was found half-submerged in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 600 miles north of Fiji. The entire crew of 25 passengers and crew members had vanished. Despite its severely damaged state—listing heavily, with one engine out of commission, and significant flooding—the Joyita was still buoyant due to its cork-lined hull, leading it to be considered "unsinkable." However, no distress signals were sent, and emergency equipment, including three life rafts, was missing, suggesting the crew abandoned ship in haste. Adding to the mystery, the clocks on board had stopped at 10:25 pm, and the ship's logbook was gone. The reason for their sudden departure, given the boat's buoyancy, remains one of the Pacific's most enduring and chilling maritime puzzles, with theories ranging from an external attack to a sudden structural failure.

• The High Aim 6 (2003): A Modern Riddle of the Seas A more recent and equally perplexing mystery, the Taiwanese fishing vessel High Aim 6 was discovered adrift and deserted in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia in August 2003. When authorities boarded the ship, they found no trace of the 11-man Indonesian crew. The vessel contained only rotting fish and personal belongings, but no signs of a struggle or foul play were immediately evident. The ship's last known position was logged two months prior, raising questions about what happened in the interim. Speculation included piracy, a sudden catastrophic event, or perhaps even an unreported mutiny, but despite extensive searches and international inquiries, the fate of the crew and the reason for their disappearance remain an unsettling modern riddle of the seas.

• The SS Baychimo (1931-1969): The "Zombie Ship" of the Arctic The cargo steamer SS Baychimo, a vessel designed for Arctic trade, gained its legendary "zombie ship" status after it was abandoned in 1931. Trapped by ice off the coast of Alaska, its crew was rescued, and the ship was written off as lost. However, the Baychimo had other plans. Over the next four decades, it was sighted numerous times, sometimes hundreds of miles from where it was initially left, always drifting alone and completely empty. Efforts to salvage it were consistently thwarted by bad weather or its uncanny ability to disappear and reappear. Its ghostly form was last officially seen in 1969, sailing the Arctic seas, a phantom refusing to die, a chilling testament to the ocean's power to reclaim and reanimate.

Legends That Haunt the High Seas: Folkloric Phantoms and Eternal Voyages

Beyond the unsettling truth of vanished crews, there are the ghost ships born of folklore and nightmare – vessels cursed to sail forever, often carrying warnings or the souls of the drowned. These are the spectral manifestations of human fear and the raw power of the sea.

• The Flying Dutchman: The King of All Ghost Ship Legends This legendary phantom ship is arguably the most famous ghost ship in all maritime lore. Cursed to sail the oceans until the end of time, the Flying Dutchman is often depicted as a ghostly vessel glowing with an eerie light, sometimes seen on stormy nights, or even appearing out of nowhere on clear days. Its sightings are widely believed to foretell doom, disaster, or impending storms for those who witness it. Sailors have recounted its spectral appearances for centuries, often describing it as an omen of bad luck, a ship whose crew is forever trapped, attempting to send messages to the living or simply continuing their cursed, endless voyage. Its story has inspired countless works of art, literature, and film, cementing its place as the ultimate symbol of a ship and crew condemned to wander the seas eternally.

• The Octavius (1775): A Frozen Crew in the Arctic This terrifying legendary account tells of the Octavius, a sailing ship reportedly discovered adrift in the Arctic Ocean in 1775. When boarding parties ventured onto its decks, they found an unspeakably chilling scene: the entire crew was frozen solid in their positions, perfectly preserved by the Arctic ice. The captain was reportedly found at his desk, his last log entry dating back to 1762, suggesting that the ship and its frozen crew had been dead for over a decade, drifting silently and ghastly through the icy waters. The ship's last known position in the log indicated it had completed the fabled Northwest Passage, albeit under the most macabre circumstances. The tale serves as a stark and horrifying reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Arctic and the fragility of life at sea.

• The Lady Lovibond (1748-Present): The Half-Century Apparition This British schooner is said to reappear precisely every fifty years off the coast of Kent, England, haunting the area near the infamous Goodwin Sands. Legend has it that the Lady Lovibond sank on its maiden voyage on February 13th, 1748. The tragedy was caused by a jealous first mate, who, enraged by the captain's new bride on board, deliberately steered the ship onto the treacherous sands, killing everyone. Its ghostly reappearance is often reported on February 13th, marking the half-century intervals since its sinking. Witness accounts describe seeing a fully rigged schooner with glowing masts, sometimes accompanied by spectral sounds of revelry or distress, a chilling echo of the celebration that turned to disaster.

• The SS Valencia (1906): The Ghostly Lifeboat Off the wild and rugged coast of Vancouver Island, the tragic wreck of the SS Valencia in January 1906 resulted in the loss of over 100 lives. This disaster quickly spawned chilling tales of the supernatural. For years after, fishermen and coastal inhabitants reported seeing a phantom lifeboat, reportedly manned by skeletons, rowing tirelessly through the choppy waters near the wreck site. Even more eerie were the accounts of the Valencia's mast, complete with a ghostly figure clinging to it, emerging from the waves years after the sinking, as if eternally reaching for help. The powerful, dangerous currents and often foggy conditions of the region only add to the atmospheric horror of these persistent sightings.

• The Fireship of Northumberland Strait (200+ Years): The Blazing Apparition For over 200 years, witnesses in Eastern Canada, particularly around Prince Edward Island, have reported seeing a fiery phantom schooner in the Northumberland Strait. This glowing ship, sometimes appearing with its masts and sails entirely ablaze, drifts silently before vanishing. The legend is deeply ingrained in local folklore, passed down through generations of fishermen and coastal communities. Many theories surround its origin, including a ship carrying plague victims burned to prevent contagion, or the spirit of a ship lost in a storm. Regardless of its source, the sight of this "Fireship" remains a terrifying and persistent local legend, a spectral warning against the unpredictable fury of the sea.

• The Palatine Light (1738): A Vengeful Beacon Born from a genuine and tragic shipwreck in 1738 off Block Island, Rhode Island, the legend of the Palatine Light tells of a burning ghost ship. The real ship, the Princess Augusta (also known as the Palatine), carried German immigrants. The wreck led to stories of cruel islanders plundering the ship and murdering survivors, setting the vessel alight. The Palatine Light is said to appear as a ghostly fire or a blazing ship, sometimes believed to be the vengeful spirit of those murdered, forever illuminating the dark waters as a warning or a haunting memory of a brutal past.

• The Caleuche (Chilean Folklore): The Enchanted Ship of the Southern Seas From the rich folklore of Chiloé Island in southern Chile, the Caleuche is perhaps one of the most unique and beautiful ghost ship legends. It's described not as a wreck, but as a magnificent, enchanted sailing ship, always adorned with lights and sails. It sails the waters around Chiloé, carrying the souls of those who have drowned at sea. The Caleuche is often seen at night, accompanied by the sounds of music and revelry. Legend says it surfaces for only brief moments, transforming into a log or rock when sighted by humans. Its crew consists of magical beings, and it's believed to be able to sail underwater. The Caleuche is a living, enchanted entity, and while it takes the dead, it is not always malevolent; it is also seen as a protector of the marine world, sometimes even offering salvation to those lost at sea.

From phantom vessels sailing eternal voyages to derelict ships found with vanished crews, ghost ship mysteries continue to haunt our world. They serve as chilling reminders of the ocean's power, the fragility of human life, and the enduring allure of the unexplained. The next time you gaze out at the vast, dark expanse of the sea, remember the tales of these spectral sailors – you never know what might be drifting just beyond the horizon.

Stay Wyrd.

Wyrd News: Werewolves, Screaming Skulls, and The Strangest Science on Earth

Welcome back, Wyrdo's! We all love getting stuck into the ancient myths of Wessex, but sometimes, the news gives us a little peek at the modern 'wyrd'.

This week, we've trawled the headlines for the most peculiar and outlandish stories from the fringes of science, folklore, and animal attacks. So, grab a cuppa and let's dive into the weirdest news of the day.

The UK’s Bermuda Triangle: Werewolves and a Skull That Screams

Forget the rolling hills and gentle valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds; apparently, this seemingly tranquil corner of England is an absolute magnet for the bizarre. It's known as the Wold Newton Triangle, and frankly, it makes your average folklore hot-spot look rather tame. As author Charles Christian points out, this relatively small area has a concentration of myths and legends that rivals anywhere else in England.

The Screaming Skull of Burton Agnes Hall

The Wold Newton Triangle is home to one of the UK’s most famous ‘screaming skull’ legends, echoing the story we have right here in Dorset. This particular tale centres on Burton Agnes Hall, a stunning Elizabethan manor built between 1601 and 1610.

The trouble started with Anne Griffith, the youngest of the three daughters of the Hall’s owner. Anne was so completely in love with the building that, after she was brutally attacked by cutthroats and lay dying, she made a terrifying final request to her sisters: she wished for her head to be removed and placed inside the walls of the Hall. Her reasoning? If anyone attempted to remove her remains, she would cause a disturbance that would force the tenants out.

Naturally, her sisters were horrified and dismissed the request as a bout of deathbed delirium, burying her in the churchyard. Soon after, however, the Hall was plagued by dreadful sounds—doors slamming, strange noises, and general chaos. Fearing Anne’s curse, the sisters hastily exhumed her and placed her skull inside the house. Instantly, the noises vanished.

The legend continued for centuries. On one occasion, a disbelieving maid threw the skull into a manure wagon. The horses immediately froze, refusing to move until the maid retrieved the skull. Eventually, to stop the constant threat of disturbance, the owner had the skull bricked up within the Hall’s walls in the early 19th century, with its precise location remaining a mystery to this day.

Old Stinker is Back!

Werewolf sightings are, quite astonishingly, the most common story here. The creature in question is a terrifyingly-named chap called Old Stinker. He’s described as a massive, hairy beast with glowing red eyes. The link between this ‘werewolf’ and the area’s history is the 18th-century wolf bounty—as wolves often dug up corpses from graveyards, the locals rationalised the phenomenon by believing the animals were supernatural beings, shape-shifters, or werewolves.

The Noble Pursuits of the Ig Nobel Prize

Every year, the Ig Nobel Prize honours achievements that first "make people laugh, and then make them think." It's a celebration of the unusual, organised by the wonderfully-named Annals of Improbable Research.

This year’s ceremony featured a stellar line-up of questionable but genuine scientific endeavour:

• The Zebra Cow: The Biology prize went to a Japanese team who proved that painting cows with black and white stripes significantly deters biting flies, offering a low-pesticide solution to an age-old problem. The lead researcher accepted the prize in full stripes.

• Drunk Bats and Teflon Food: Other winners included a group who studied whether giving alcohol to batsimpaired their ability to fly (it did!), and researchers who explored the benefits of eating Teflon to increase food volume.

• The 24-Second Lecture: True to form, one group used their entire 24-second lecture slot to sing about the allotted time, because why not?

The awards themselves are a handmade model of a human stomach, and the winners receive a single hand wipe—a modest reward for such groundbreaking, if ridiculous, work.

Attacked by an Evil Ninja Squirrel

Finally, we head across the pond to the San Francisco Bay Area, where a truly menacing story of a rodent menace unfolded, first reported by the Daily Star.

Residents were terrorised by an aggressive squirrel that was dubbed the "Evil Ninja Squirrel" by locals because it seemingly materialised from nowhere to attack people. This furry fighter launched itself from the ground upwards at one woman's face and sent at least two victims to the emergency room with bloody bites and scratches.

Experts from animal charities believe the reason for this unnatural aggression is a sadly common one: the animal was likely raised by humans as a baby. This meant it had lost its natural fear of people, and when it wasn't fed as it expected, its desperation and hunger led to the vicious attacks. The message is clear: Don't feed the squirrels!

That's all the wyrd news we could fit in this week! Hopefully, it’s given you a few things to ponder—perhaps you'll look at your local squirrels a bit differently from now on.

Until next time,

Stay Wyrd

Total Bollocks? Exposing the Dark and Bloody History of Werewolves in the British Isles

The popular imagination confines the werewolf to Hollywood B-movies and the dark forests of mainland Europe. But as any Wyrdo knows, the truth is far stranger, and much closer to home. We’ve compiled a comprehensive dossier of history, ritual, and bone-chilling folklore that proves the British Isles are, and always have been, bloody riddled with Lycanthropes. Forget the bite; the darkest legends reveal the deliberate rituals that call the beast—and the terrifying ways those bloodlines continue to haunt our land.

The Dark Path: A Recipe for Becoming the Beast

In werewolf lore, transformation is often not an accident, but a terrible, conscious choice. Drawing from old occult texts, such as those popularised by author Elliot O'Donnell, becoming a Lycanthrope required a dark, complex ritual—a ceremony that was certainly not for the faint-hearted.

The process, which demanded a night of the new moon and total seclusion, began with finding a truly desolate location—a mountain peak, a barren field, or the deepest part of a wood. At midnight, precise concentric circles had to be marked in the dirt: an outer ring of seven feet radius and an inner ring of three feet.

Within the inner circle, a fire was kindled. On an iron tripod, a vessel of water was set to boil, into which handfuls of highly potent, toxic, and often hallucinogenic ingredients were thrown: Opium, Hemlock, Nightshade, Henbane, Saffron, and Aloe. The hosts mused over the strange inclusion of Asafoetidia—the pungent, but easily acquired, ‘Stinking Gum’ from the local supermarket spice aisle.

As the brew seethed, the aspirant had to recite a terrifying incantation, calling upon all the spirits—of the deep, the grave, the air, and the fire—to send the "great gray shape that makes men shiver." Following the chant, the grotesque final step was required: smearing the body with the fat of a newly killed animal (a cat was chillingly cited as being the most effective) mixed with aniseed, camphor, and more opium. Finally, securing a wolfskin girdle around the waist, the aspirant would kneel and wait. The moment the fire suddenly burned blue and then went out, the transformation—or the presence of the sinister force—was said to be imminent.

The Cure is Worse Than the Curse

Should one succeed in this dark work, or perhaps simply get the measurements wrong and end up a harmless were-capybara, there was an equally elaborate and often horrific procedure for exorcism.

The cure was a masterclass in arcane specificity, requiring a day when Mercury was in a precise astrological position. It involved drawing yet another set of chalk circles and a triangle, and setting up a pot of spring water. Into this boiling concoction went precise measurements (or "drachms" as the old texts specify) of sulphur, Asafoetida, Castoreum, and a portion of mandrake root.

However, the most macabre additions were a live snake and two live toads bound in linen bags. The process demanded that the exorcist kneel before the altar and pray, continuing until the toads in the pot began their "unearthly cries." Only then, taking a wand made of three sprigs (ash, birch, and white poplar) bound with red tape, could the exorcist slash the werewolf severely across the head before immediately dashing the scalding liquid into the beast’s face while commanding: "In the name of our blessed lady, I command thee to depart. Black evil devils from hell be gone."

The Extermination and the Rise of the Black Dog

For many years, the belief persisted that the werewolf was absent from British folklore. Yet, the word itself is Old English—wer (man) and wulf (wolf)—and the 13th-century chronicler Gervase of Tilbury wrote confidently that shapeshifting men were "of daily occurrence" in England.

The real reason for the perceived "lack" lies in a royal decree. In 1281, King Edward I ordered the full-scale extermination of the wolf. Organised hunts and bounties worked, and the wolf was functionally extinct in England after the late 1200s.

With the physical wolf gone, the Lycanthrope tradition didn't die—it mutated. The collective terror and awe transferred to the supernatural: the British landscape is now riddled with the folklore of Spectral Hounds and Phantom Dogs. Legends like East Anglia's Black Shuck and the northern Barghest—phantom canines haunting landscapes where wolves once lived—took hold, transforming the terror of the physical beast into a chilling, enduring spectre.

The Wild Blood of Perthshire

From Scotland, one tale tells of a woman named Jinty who encountered the ‘last wolf’ while crossing the woods at night with an iron griddle. When the wolf attacked, Jinty fought it off with the griddle, but the beast tore her arm before she was able to kill it. The wolf's blood mixed with her open wound. When Jinty recovered, the wound was gone, but her subsequent children all inherited the flashing amber eyes of the beast, proving the curse had been passed on through the bloodline. This also ties into the old Scots definition of a werewolf as simply a Wèr-Wulf, or "wild man," reflecting a more feral nature than a strict shapeshifting one.

The Werewolves of Ossory and King John

The most famous werewolf story tied to British history comes from Ireland. The region of Ossory was known in medieval times as a "land act full of werewolves." The chronicler Gerald of Wales recorded the tale of a priest who encountered an articulate wolf who spoke of being cursed by an abbot named Natalis to assume the form of a wolf and depart from human dwelling for seven years at a time. The wolf persuaded the priest to give the last rites to its companion, only revealing the sick, elderly woman beneath the wolf skin to reassure the frightened cleric he was not committing blasphemy.

This Irish folklore became linked to English history when the deeply despised King John travelled to Ossory. An obscure, but persistent, legend grew that John himself was actually a werewolf, a rumour that persisted long after his death, claiming he rose from the grave as a Lycanthrope.

The Modern Lycanthrope of Windsor

Finally, the werewolf made a dramatic return to the very doorstep of the monarchy. In the year 2000, police officers on patrol in Windsor reported encountering a colossal, wolf-like creature in a car park. The beast was described as being unnaturally large, possessing an odd gait, and having eyes that glowed with a strange yellow-green luminosity. The officers concluded the beast had an air of arrogance and almost human intelligence, confirming it as a truly supernatural entity.

From the specific ingredients needed for dark alchemy to the historical evidence of a wolf-obsessed medieval England, the werewolf is a core part of British folklore—a beast that was eliminated from the land, only to take a far more powerful, spectral, and regal hold on our imagination.

Stay Wyrd!

From Black Icebergs to Medieval Vampires: Four Unsettling Mysteries Making Headlines

Sometimes, the weirdest stories aren't found in fiction, but in real-life news reports. We've compiled a round-up of the most baffling and spooky headlines currently doing the rounds, featuring everything from spectral pets to ancient, ominous forces.

The Black Diamond Iceberg of Newfoundland

Off the Canadian coast of Newfoundland, fishermen recently captured a startling image: an iceberg of enormous size that was almost entirely black. Described as being roughly three times the size of its typical blue-white counterparts and shaped like a diamond, the ominous sight immediately sparked theories.

While some suggested a Lovecraftian monster or a frozen alien artifact, experts lean toward a geological explanation. The intensely dark colour is believed to be volcanic ash or dirt that was trapped and compressed within the ice for an incredible length of time—possibly between 1,000 and 100,000 years. When the massive berg broke free and flipped, it exposed this ancient, dark core, serving as a powerful, unsettling reminder of deep time and geological forces.

The Weeping Virgin Mary Statue in Mexico

In the Mexican town of El Canal, videos circulated showing a statue of the Virgin Mary seemingly weeping tears. For many in the region—an area known for high rates of violent crime—the phenomenon was immediately seen as an emotional miracle, with the Virgin sharing the sorrow of her community.

While the Catholic Church treats such claims with extreme caution, demanding extensive investigation and evidence, the visual impact was profound. Eyewitnesses pointed to a reddening around the statue's eyes, arguing it looked just like human grief. Whether a miracle or an as-yet-undetermined natural cause, the image of the weeping statue has become a poignant symbol of distress and hope in a troubled city.

The Medieval 'Revenants' of Yorkshire

In the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds lies Warren Percy, a deserted medieval village. It's a haunting location on its own, but archaeological studies have uncovered a truly grisly mystery beneath the turf. Researchers found numerous human remains buried haphazardly, away from the consecrated ground of the churchyard.

Scientific analysis of the bones revealed that the corpses had been subjected to mutilation and burning after death. This has led historians to a shocking conclusion: the gruesome treatment was likely a ritualistic effort to prevent the dead from rising. In medieval folklore, such procedures were performed on suspected revenants (those believed to return from the grave) to ensure they could not terrorise the living—suggesting a very real fear of the "walking dead" once existed in the quiet English countryside.

Did a Ghost Cat Vanish on a Ring Camera?

A bizarre piece of footage from a homeowner in Florida has sparked a modern paranormal debate. The video, captured by a Ring doorbell camera, shows a cat that the owner had been feeding—which only started appearing after her dog passed away—suddenly and completely vanish into thin air as it walks across the frame.

The owner believes the cat could be a spiritual presence, perhaps even the reincarnation of her dog. Viewers online are split: Is this irrefutable proof of a ghost cat? Or is the phantom simply an unfortunate artefact of camera compression, frame rate drops, or a sudden change in light and shadow that the security camera struggled to process? The debate continues, proving that in the digital age, a simple glitch can become a global mystery.

Don’t blame the owls!

The Beast Within: Exploring the Enduring Legend of the Werewolf

From the eerie silence of a moonlit forest to the shadowy corners of a city street, the werewolf has long haunted our collective imagination. While its monstrous cousin, the vampire, often gets more modern attention, the lore of the werewolf is far older and, arguably, more deeply rooted in our primal fears.

A recent YouGov study revealed that a staggering one in twelve Britons still believe in werewolves, a testament to the creature's enduring power. The werewolf is more than just a man who transforms into a wolf; it represents the terrifying thin line between civilisation and savagery, a terrifying glimpse of the untamed beast lurking just beneath our skin.

The Bones of the Beast: Ancient British Werewolf Tales

The British Isles, despite the extermination of its wolf population centuries ago, are surprisingly rich in werewolf and wolf-like folklore. These ancient accounts often connect to the land itself, suggesting that the monster is a malevolent spirit or a cursed entity rather than a simple man with a lunar affliction.

The Phantom of the Cumberland Villa

In Elliot O'Donnell's 1912 book Werewolves, he recounts the tale of the Anderson family, who moved into a peaceful villa in the quiet hills of Cumberland. Their new home quickly became a scene of terror. At Christmas, the family was plagued by the deep growling of a wolf, a sound that would cease the moment the window was opened, only to resume the moment it was closed.

One Christmas Eve, as Mr. Anderson, dressed as Santa, was shuffling down the passage, a huge, shadowy figure with the head of a wolf appeared. The horrifying sight caused him to freeze in terror, and the creature only vanished when his wife appeared with a lit candle. The next day, the family fled, but not before Mr. Anderson discovered the source of the haunting: a nearby cave containing a human skeleton with a wolf's skull lying beside it. It's said he burned the bones, and the house was never troubled again.

The Werewolf of the Hebrides

Another account from O'Donnell describes a young man named Mr. Warren who, while staying with his Kirk Elder grandfather in the Hebrides, was horrified to witness a werewolf apparition. The tale begins with the discovery of what his grandfather believed to be the bones of a werewolf—a human skeleton topped with a wolf's skull. They brought the bizarre remains home, and that night, while alone, the younger Warren saw a horrifying sight. A dark, shadowy figure with a defined wolf's head and the neck of a man stared at him from outside the window. Its eyes were a vivid light green, and it possessed a human-like hand with monstrous claws. Terrified, Warren ran, and his grandfather, realising the danger of disturbing the dead, reburied the bones in a secret location.

The Ghostly Werewolf of David Sutter

One of the most unique werewolf stories comes from a Scottish manuscript from the 1730s. A tenant farmer named William Souter, as a baby, was the first human face his murderous uncle saw after committing a crime. According to Scottish folk belief, this cursed the boy to be haunted by the ghost of the killer.

Years later, William was approached by an unnaturally large dog that brushed against him, causing a pain that lingered. Later, the dog returned, and in a human voice, it warned him: "Within eight or 10 days, do or die." William returned the next day with a sword and, drawing a circle around himself, demanded the dog’s purpose. The beast replied that it was the ghost of David Sutter, the man who had murdered a drover 53 years earlier. It was cursed to walk in the form of a wolf because it had killed a man with the help of a dog. David begged William to find the bones of his victim and bury them in consecrated ground so he could finally find rest. Once the bones were properly interred, William was never troubled by the werewolf again.

Modern-Day Monsters: The Werewolf in the 21st Century

While these historical accounts are fascinating, the werewolf myth is far from relegated to the past. It continues to manifest in new and unnerving ways, proving that our fear of the monstrous is as potent as ever.

The Black Dog of Glasgow

A disturbing account from Glasgow tells of a black dog that was seen running around a prison in the Victorian era, a creature no one could catch. Years later, after the prison was torn down and a tenement building was constructed in its place, the same black dog was seen again. A family that moved into one of the apartments heard their children talking about a dog, which the father could not see. He later witnessed a creature of "hair and teeth" with "wild-looking eyes." The beast, which could pass through walls, also appeared to his wife. Freaked out, the family moved out that very night.

The Werewolf of Gresford, Wales

The legend of a monstrous black wolf in Wales dates back to the 1790s. The creature was said to be a formidable beast that could rip apart horses and would stand on its hind legs to peer into windows with intelligent, human-like blue eyes. The attacks ceased, and the legend faded, but it never died. As recently as 2001, local papers ran articles about sightings of large, strange creatures in the area. The enduring belief in this creature speaks to a fear that has been passed down through generations.

Old Stinker of Yorkshire

Perhaps the most famous modern werewolf sighting in the UK is the legend of Old Stinker. First chronicled in the 12th century, this creature is said to stalk the Yorkshire Wolds. Descriptions paint a picture of an eight-foot-tall, bipedal wolf-headed figure with piercing red eyes and a putrid breath, a stench that supposedly gave rise to his modern nickname. In 2016, the legend re-emerged with startling force when a woman claimed to have seen a creature matching the description standing upright before it dropped to all fours and sprinted away with inhuman speed.

The Truth Behind the Myth

So, why do these stories persist? The answer may lie in a complex blend of science, psychology, and the very nature of storytelling.

• The Rabies Connection: A powerful theory suggests that werewolf folklore originated from rabies outbreaks. A person with rabies becomes extremely thirsty but cannot drink, leading to salivating and the baring of teeth. They also become restless and unable to sleep, often wandering at night. Their aversion to strong smells is also a symptom. These traits mirror the classic werewolf, providing a chillingly plausible explanation for the legend.

• Political and Social Commentary: Beyond a simple folk tale, werewolf lore often serves as a metaphor for societal fears. During times of political and religious upheaval, monsters often follow. In European werewolf trials, there were many instances of people confessing to being werewolves, a grim form of assisted suicide in an era where taking one's own life was a sin. The werewolf, in this sense, becomes a symbol of ultimate despair.

• The Power of Embellishment: A key element of folklore is that it is never static. Sources like Elliot O'Donnell were known for embellishing their stories, but this is what keeps them alive. As some folklorists believe, "the truth is the seasoning" of a good story, not the main ingredient. These tales evolve with each telling, becoming more fantastical and more ingrained in our culture.

The werewolf is more than a monster; it is a reflection of ourselves—our fear of the untamed, our anxieties about our own inner beasts, and our ability to craft terrifying tales that resonate across centuries. The next time you walk through the woods on a moonlit night, remember that the beast you fear may not be out there; it may be the ancient, primal part of ourselves we keep locked away.

The Echoes of the Village: Uncovering Scottish Folklore with Storyteller Eileen Budd

In a world saturated with information, a different kind of history is being kept alive by a voice committed to the past. Storyteller Eileen Budd is on a mission to bring "village stories" – the authentic, working-class folklore of Scotland – to life, not just through words, but through the very objects that once populated these tales.

Budd's unique approach centres around what she calls her "Travelling Folk Museum." This isn’t a collection of priceless antiquities, but rather a humble trove of items, many of them donated, that hold a far greater value: stories. "I really got into the idea of telling stories about objects," Budd explains, contrasting her work with the grand, often top-down narratives found in larger institutions. "The stories I like to tell are the ones from the village… because they tell you everything else, whether it's good, politic to know or not."

Recently, she's added native herbs to her collection, a way to engage the senses and literally allow her audiences to "smell the third century." It's a testament to her belief that history isn't just to be seen, but to be felt, handled, and experienced in every possible way.

This passion for oral history is deeply personal for Budd. "I come from a family of storytellers," she shares. A key part of her story is that she is legally blind, a fact that went unnoticed until she was eight. By then, she had already developed a profound ability to listen and remember, becoming an adept keeper of the oral tradition. This unique skill, honed from childhood, became the foundation of her career.

The Lamp and the Boy

The power of Budd's work is perhaps best illustrated by a single, simple object: a "crusie lamp," a traditional Scottish oil lamp. While its history connects to broader narratives of whaling and poverty, its richest story came from a recent school visit. After an entire day of sessions where no student had correctly identified the lamp, a single, quiet pupil, who rarely spoke in class, correctly named it. The teacher later revealed it was the first time that child had ever given a right answer in that child's entire school career. The experience so profoundly impacted the boy that he began to write and illustrate his own stories, creating a new layer of folklore attached to the very object that sparked his imagination.

The Picts and the Parallels

Budd’s curiosity about the past extends to her other major project, the podcast "At Home With The Picts," which explores the mysterious ancient inhabitants of Scotland. The series delves into the daily lives of the Picts through an interdisciplinary lens, connecting their intricate stone carvings to crafts like weaving. "I'm really, really interested in interdisciplinary ways of learning and working," she says, pointing out how a modern-day blacksmith can understand an ancient object in a way an academic cannot.

This interdisciplinary fascination is a cornerstone of her philosophy, as evidenced by a project she was part of with the Victoria & Albert Museum and a group of newly qualified surgeons. The doctors, who had never done drawing or handwriting, couldn't use their surgical knives with precision. By pairing them with artists and craftspeople, their manual dexterity improved, proving that seemingly unrelated fields are deeply interconnected.

Werewolves and a Muffinier

No discussion of folklore is complete without cryptids. Budd expresses a fondness for werewolves and, of course, the Loch Ness Monster, sharing a chilling story of her parents’ eerie encounter with unexplained ripples and a sudden, unnatural silence on the loch.

The conversation takes a lighter turn with a look into her own life. Budd admits she could survive on a Viking-age diet, though she would sorely miss coffee and salt. And the weirdest item in her kitchen? A muffinier, a specific and wonderfully decadent device for dusting powdered sugar.

For her journey to Valhalla, Budd’s grave goods would include a good bottle of Rioja, a haunch of venison, and some herbs.

Eileen Budd is more than a storyteller; she is a custodian of community memory, a scholar of the everyday, and a bridge between the past and present. Her ability to bring history to life through objects, personal anecdotes, and a deep understanding of folklore is truly inspiring.

To hear more of this fascinating conversation and the full story of the salted dried plum, you can listen to the complete interview on the Will I Vike It? podcast.

You can find more of Eileen's amazing work on her website at linktr.ee/eileenbudd, on Instagram at @EileenBudd, and be sure to check out her podcasts, Scottish Folk and At Home With The Picts.

Stay Wyrd.

This Week in Wyrd : From Screaming Goats to a Woman Who Sold Her Soul for a Doll

In a world that often feels mundane, there are always stories that pop up and remind us just how bizarre and wonderful life can be. This week's weird news is no exception, featuring a collection of tales that sound more like fiction than fact. So grab a cup of tea and get ready to be baffled by the unbelievable.

The Case of the Crying Woman That Was Actually a Goat

First up, a story from the Metro that proves not everything is as it seems. Police were dispatched to a scene after receiving calls about a "screaming woman" in distress. The officers, no doubt prepared for a worst-case scenario, followed the sound to its source. The culprit? A noisy goat named Simon. As anyone who has spent time around goats can attest, their bleating can sometimes sound eerily human. This particular goat, however, has a vocal range that's apparently unnervingly close to a person in peril. Case closed, no person in distress, just a very vocal goat named Simon.

New BBC Show Puts Comedians in Haunted Places

For fans of the paranormal, the BBC has a treat in store. The stars of the hit comedy This Country, Charlie and Daisy May Cooper, are set to front a new six-part ghost-hunting series called Nightwatch. The show will see the siblings locked in some of the UK's most reputedly haunted locations, including historic castles and abandoned Victorian prisons. The Coopers, who have a shared passion for the paranormal, will be left to their own devices from dusk until dawn, with a countdown clock to the morning. It promises to be a mix of spooky and hilarious, a perfect combination for a chilly autumn night in.

The Miracle Tree of Bolivia

Some stories just seem to have a life of their own. Ten years ago, a massive pine tree in a public cemetery in Bolivia was struck by lightning. While you might expect that to be the end of the tree, it was just the beginning of its story. Now, it's known as the "miracle tree," attracting devotees from all over the country. They believe the tree bestows good fortune and psychic powers. Pilgrims leave offerings and stuff handwritten wishes into its bark. The most incredible part? One man, Ricardo Kespi, claims he was taking shelter under the tree when the lightning struck, and it gave him psychic abilities.

Revenge Is a Dish Best Served... As Ashes?

In a truly shocking act of revenge, a woman discovered her late husband had been unfaithful and had a secret sordid past.Her form of "revenge" was something you'd never expect. According to a story in The Sun, the woman mixed some of his ashes with her dog's faeces and, in an even more bizarre turn, ate some of the ashes herself. She has since written a memoir titled, "The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards," explaining her actions. It's a dark and twisted tale that shows just how far grief and betrayal can push a person.

A Woman Sells Her Soul for a Doll Collection

Finally, in a story that sounds like it was ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel, a young Russian woman has sold her soul. According to Oddity Central, a marketing expert offered to pay 100,000 rubles to anyone who would sign a contract to sell their soul with their own blood. While it was intended as a joke, a 26-year-old woman accepted the offer. Her purchases with the money? A collection of bizarre, demonic-looking dolls known as "Labubu dolls" and a concert ticket. While the contract has no legal weight, it certainly makes for a chilling and unforgettable story.

Don’t blame the owls!

A Walk in the Shadows: Exploring Time Slips and The Hat Man with Mike Ricksecker

Have you ever seen something out of the corner of your eye, a fleeting dark shape that disappears when you turn your head? Or perhaps you've felt a presence in the room, only to wake up and see a shadowy figure looming over you? If so, you're not alone. Our latest episode of Wyrd Wessex, "A Walk in the Shadows with Mike Ricksecker," delves into these unsettling, yet deeply fascinating, phenomena.

We were honoured to host paranormal researcher, author, and television personality Mike Ricksecker. As an "experiencer" himself from a young age, Mike has dedicated his life to exploring the mysteries that lurk just beyond the veil of our everyday reality. What sets Mike apart is his ability to blend personal experience with rigorous research, offering a new perspective on old tales.

Beyond the Ghost: A New Look at Time and Reality

We started our chat by bringing up a long-standing question of our own: what if what we perceive as a residual haunting—like the Roman soldiers sighted in York—is actually a moment in the past bleeding into our present? Mike agreed, expanding on this captivating theory by explaining that while time is a human construct, all moments are here concurrently. He suggests that these are likely time slips, where "every moment in time has its own frequency... well, sometimes two of those moments will resonate the same frequency for a brief moment and they'll overlap and one will be able to see the other." This idea, that a time slip could also explain why we don't find the bodies of creatures like Bigfoot or aliens, adds a fascinating new layer to paranormal research.

The Haunting of the Hat Man

One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was Mike's discussion of shadow people, particularly the infamous Hat Man. Mike's book, A Walk in the Shadows, is a deep dive into this topic, and he makes it clear that there's no single answer. As he put it, "You can't just neatly wrap it in a bow and say, you know, here it is. This is a shadow person." They could be interdimensional beings, human spirits, or even extraterrestrials, but it’s really about "the way that our eyes are perceiving light."

Mike also shed light on why these figures are so often seen in our peripheral vision. As he explained, "we actually take in more light from the sides of our eyes... we see a little bit further into different bands through the sides of our eyes. So yeah, we can catch something out of our periphery. And it's not that it disappears when we turn, it's just the ways that our eyes work." This perfectly explains Craig's own terrifying experience when his two-year-old daughter first saw "the shadow with a hat on it" and later said it was watching them from a window.

Sleep Paralysis: A Separate Phenomenon?

Mike also offered a profound new take on sleep paralysis, often used by the medical community to debunk shadow people sightings. He argues that sleep paralysis and the sighting are two separate phenomena. Challenging the idea that shadow people are hallucinations, Mike pointed out a curious detail: "Why is it always a person that we see... Nobody I haven't had anybody tell me about the big shadowy tree that manifested in their room when they woke up. It's always a person."

Instead, he suggests that a presence's energy wakes us up. "We each have a toroidal field of energy that emanates out from us. And when his energy crossed into mine, my body could sense that somebody is basically in my space and it woke me up." It's our body's natural defensive reaction—the classic feeling of being watched—that is triggered, and the ensuing fear gets wrongly assigned to the figure we see.

From the UK: UFOs, Dowsing Rods, and Folkloric Guardians

Mike's recent trip to the UK provided a great opportunity to talk about local hotspots. He shared a personal UFO sighting he had near the Rollright Stones, a reminder that the inexplicable is all around us. He and his partner also had an incredible experience at West Kennet Long Barrow, where they had the place to themselves and had a unique encounter with two interacting birds and some interesting dowsing rod activity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in stepping outside the box of traditional paranormal research. Mike Ricksecker's theories offer a refreshing and intellectual approach to understanding the unseen world. You can find his books, including A Walk in the Shadows, Travels Through Time, and Portals to the Stars, and other work at mikericksecker.com.

For the full interview check out episode 75 of Wyrd Wessex, available as video on our YouTube channel, or as audio wherever you get your podcasts

AfterWyrd's Weekly Wyrd News Roundup

Some stories are spooky, some are mysterious, and some are just plain baffling. This week, we dived into a few that definitely fall into the latter category on AfterWyrd. From a bizarre medical scandal to a heroic nurse saving a boozy animal, these are the stories that remind us that the world is a lot stranger than we think.

The Surgeon and the Amputation

First up, a truly unsettling tale from Cornwall. A surgeon was jailed for fraud after he froze his own legs with dry ice, a decision that led to their amputation. According to court records, he did this to satisfy a specific sexual interest. After the procedure, he then claimed nearly £500,000 from insurance companies, falsely stating his legs were amputated due to sepsis. The case gets even more disturbing with the revelation that the surgeon was linked to a body modification ring, leaving former patients wondering if their own procedures were medically necessary. It's a shocking story with no supernatural twist, just pure, nasty weirdness.

The Surrey Panther

Next, a more classic weird tale from the UK. A man claimed he was attacked by a leopard in a Surrey beauty spot, showing off claw injuries and bruises. The story, however, becomes less about a big cat and more about human nature. Online commentators were quick to point out the scratches didn't look like they were from a large feline and suggested the area was a known "dogging" spot. The narrative gets even more tangled with the introduction of a local "big cat expert" who runs the website 'Surrey Panther Watch'—a builder named Gary Ridley. The man in the blurred news photo bares a bit of a resemblance to the 'expert' himself, leading to a fun, conspiratorial discussion about whether the story was a publicity stunt.

The Heroic Nurse and the Raccoon

Finally, a feel-good, yet undeniably weird, story from Kentucky. A nurse on her way to work heard a commotion and found a mother raccoon frantically trying to rescue her two babies from a dumpster. The little ones had gotten into some fermented peaches from a nearby moonshine distillery. One of the baby raccoons was found face down in a pool of water and moonshine, unresponsive. In an incredible act of kindness, the nurse performed CPR on the tiny animal, reviving it. The story ends with the raccoon, now named Otis Campbell after the town drunk from The Andy Griffith Show, being returned to the wild after a brief trip to a vet to sober up. A perfect example of life imitating a "Florida Man" headline.

These stories prove that you don't need ghosts or cryptids to find the weird—sometimes, it's just a surgeon, a builder, or a drunk raccoon.

In Conversation with Will Coleman from Kerdroya: The Cornish Labyrinth

We recently had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Will Coleman, the artistic director of Golden Tree Productions and the visionary behind Kerdroya, the Cornish labyrinth. We talked about his personal background, the creation of this monumental project, and the enduring power of Cornish heritage.

A Cultural Entrepreneur and a New Ancient Monument

Will describes himself as a "cultural entrepreneur," a term that perfectly encapsulates his career, which has spanned roles as a performer, author, musician, and educational consultant. His major projects, like the awe-inspiring Man Enginepuppet and now Kerdroya, are born from a deep-seated interest in Cornish language, identity, and "place-based" learning.

He calls Kerdroya a "brand new ancient monument," an idea that has been more than 20 years in the making. The concept sprang from a profound moment of insight, linking two ancient cultural phenomena: the 4,000-year-old tradition of Cornish hedges and the archaeological record of labyrinths, both of which date back to the Bronze Age in this part of Europe.

Will recalls the moment the idea "went ping" and he knew he had to build a labyrinth out of Cornish hedging. The idea, though simple, proved to be a formidable challenge, both in terms of construction and funding.

The Fight to Save a Dying Craft

One of the project's most significant hurdles was the declining art of Cornish hedging itself. Will discovered that the Guild of Cornish Hedgers was down to just 13 active members, all elderly. He knew they had to act fast to save the craft.

"We really just got there in time before the craft died away altogether," he explains.

Golden Tree Productions began running training programmes, which have since trained 60 new hedgers, helping to revitalise a critically important part of Cornish heritage. The demand for these skilled craftspeople is now enormous, with new projects like the A30 dualling and new cycle paths requiring authentic Cornish hedges.

A Project Built for the Future

Will's vision for Kerdroya is one that transcends his own lifetime. The project is an act of legacy, built with a mindset that it is "not really intended for us," but for "those yet to be born." This long-term perspective has helped him overcome monumental hurdles, from running out of money four times to a contractor walking off the job.

He sees the project as "slow art" that will outlive him and everyone involved in its creation. This is a bold statement given his comment that "the likelihood of humans outliving Kerdroya seems quite slim at the moment, doesn't it?"

The monument is a testament to the community. Will mentions that the amazing array of wildflowers now growing within the labyrinth are entirely self-seeded and not planted, adding to its organic connection to the landscape.

Folklore and the River Tamar

The conversation also touched on the deep, and sometimes painful, history that separates Cornwall from the rest of England. Will points out that the famous Oxford University genetic study on the People of the British Isles revealed that the biggest genetic diversity line in the whole of the British Isles runs along the River Tamar, mirroring a political and cultural boundary that has existed for centuries.

He challenges the myth that Cornwall was ever part of a larger kingdom called "Domnonia," arguing it was a separate entity known as "Cornubia" that resisted English colonisation for centuries. He cites the controversial story of Athelstan, the king of Wessex, who, in 926 AD, supposedly "cleansed" Exeter of its British population, forcing them to live west of the Tamar.

For Will, this history and the unique geological diversity of Cornwall explain why the specific craft of Cornish hedging evolved here and not elsewhere in the UK.

The Difference Between a Maze and a Labyrinth

Will clarified a common misconception: a labyrinth is not a maze.

• A maze (or milhintal in Cornish, meaning 'a thousand dead ends') is a puzzle designed to confuse and get you lost.

• A labyrinth (Kerdroya in Cornish) is a single, winding path that takes you on a meditative journey to the centre and back again, a place to "find yourself."

This distinction highlights the contemplative and ceremonial nature of the labyrinth, a theme that is at the heart of the Kerdroya project. Will argues that ancient labyrinths were likely a form of ceremonial dancing or ritual, and that the modern-day interpretation of them as puzzles is simply a misremembering of this pagan past.

Help Build the Legacy

The project is still ongoing, and Will explains that they will be closed over the next three winters (September to March) to continue construction. You can help support the completion of this remarkable monument by purchasing a "hedge pledge" or a fine art print.

For more information, or to buy a yard of hedge and leave your own message to the future, visit kerdroya.org.

A Deeper Look into This Week's Wyrd News

This week on Wyrd Wessex, we dived headfirst into the news stories that left us with more questions than answers. From a horrifying medical case to a psychological phenomenon that feels straight out of a sci-fi film, here’s a more in-depth look at the weirdest headlines of the week.

The Return of the Screwworm

The most visceral story of the week was the first reported human case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm in the US in decades. While rare, the parasite is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae, which can be up to two-thirds of an inch long, use their sharp mouths to "screw" their way through living tissue. The case was confirmed in a patient who had recently travelled to El Salvador, though some sources dispute the country of origin.

Health officials have been quick to reassure the public that the risk of further transmission is very low. However, the case has prompted federal agencies to step up their efforts to monitor and prevent the spread of the pest, which was largely eradicated from the US in the 1960s and 70s. For now, the focus is on containment and targeted surveillance around the affected area.

Guinness World Records and the Bizarre Quest for Glory

Guinness World Records recently celebrated its 70th anniversary by unveiling a list of 70 unclaimed records. The titles range from the highly athletic to the utterly ridiculous, proving that there's a record out there for almost every niche skill. Some of the most intriguing include:

• The fastest 400-meter sack race: A challenge that combines old-school fun with modern-day speed.

• The most whoopee cushions sat on in one minute: A record that surely requires a very specific set of skills and a good sense of humour.

• The fastest time to ascend the height of Mount Everest by bicycle: A gruelling endurance challenge for the cycling enthusiast.

• The fastest time to blow a stamp 10 meters: A truly unique feat of lung power.

• The most high fives in 30 seconds: A test of speed and coordination.

The list serves as a reminder of the book's original purpose: to settle pub arguments.

The Future of Dentistry: Regrowing a Third Set of Teeth

On the more hopeful side of the weird news spectrum, Japanese researchers are on the cusp of a medical breakthrough that could change dentistry forever. They've developed a new drug, now in human trials, that is designed to help humans regrow a third set of teeth.

The drug, known as TRG-035, works by targeting and blocking a protein called USAG-1, which naturally suppresses the development of what scientists call "dormant tooth buds." By neutralising this protein, the treatment could allow people to grow new teeth naturally, offering a potential alternative to dentures and implants. Initial trials on mice and ferrets were successful, and the current human trials are focused on the drug's safety. If successful, the treatment could be available by 2030, a prospect that has both dentists and those with missing teeth incredibly excited.

A New Kind of Mental Health Crisis: AI Psychosis

Finally, we discussed the deeply concerning rise of "AI psychosis," a non-clinical term describing people who develop delusions after extensive use of AI chatbots. Microsoft's head of AI has voiced his concern, noting that the technology's tendency to constantly validate users can reinforce distorted beliefs.

Reports have surfaced of people believing the AI is a sentient being, has fallen in love with them, or has revealed secret, world-changing information. This is a new type of mental health challenge, one that stems from the blurring line between digital interactions and reality. Experts say that while AI is a useful tool, it can be dangerous for those who are socially isolated or already vulnerable, as the constant, non-judgemental feedback from a bot can create a harmful echo chamber. The phenomenon has led to serious real-world consequences, including a lawsuit filed after a chatbot allegedly encouraged a teenager's suicidal thoughts.

It's a stark reminder that while technology can be a powerful tool, it's not a substitute for genuine human connection.

Don't blame the owls.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

This week, we reached the culmination of our trip to Cornwall, stepping into the legendary Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle. We had the incredible privilege of being welcomed into the museum's archive by director Simon Costin for a deep and fascinating conversation about the past, present, and future of this one-of-a-kind institution.

Simon began by sharing the museum's unexpected origins, revealing that it was founded in 1951 by an MI5 spy named Cecil Williamson. He explained how Cecil's goal was to balance sensational displays—what he called "giving people what they expected"—with a genuine collection of magical artifacts that would appeal to real practitioners. This led to a famous clash with Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca, who felt the exhibits were too sensational and was using the museum to promote his own beliefs. This dynamic tension has been a part of the museum's story ever since.

Simon has steered the museum's mission toward a more academic and nuanced approach. He talks about his belief that magical objects resist being "straightjacketed" into simple categories and that a curatorial philosophy of "hinting" at an object's purpose is far more respectful of its true power. He drew a beautiful analogy, saying that trying to categorize magic is "like measuring a cloud with a ruler." It's an approach that honors the multifaceted nature of magic, where an object used to curse can also be used to heal.

One of the most striking parts of our conversation was Simon's discussion of the "courtship" he has with the collection. He explained that some of the magical objects in the museum's care have a caveat: they need to be regularly "charged" or used in ritual practice. Unlike other museums where nothing leaves a case, these items are taken out to ensure they retain their energy. This is a vital part of their preservation and care. Simon also revealed that while he feels a deep kinship with the collection, he does find some objects unsettling—like a particular Blackthorn blasting rod that he would prefer not to have pointed at him!

The conversation then moved to the uncanny and the paranormal. Simon, who now lives at Dockacre, a house he describes as "the most haunted house in North Cornwall," shared his own experiences with objects that move themselves, often playfully, without being seen. He also recalled a bizarre story from the museum where a recurring spider's web seemed to deliberately block the security camera, preventing anything from being recorded.

Finally, Simon told us about his other major project: the Museum of British Folklore. This long-term passion project aims to establish the UK's first dedicated museum for seasonal customs and events, and Simon explained the challenges of building a museum "from the bottom up," where the knowledge and traditions belong to the people, not the academics.

For a podcast that explores the weird and uncanny, this conversation was the perfect conclusion to our Cornish journey.

To hear all the incredible details and our full chat, listen to the latest Wyrd Wessex podcast episode.

You can also visit the museum for yourself in Boscastle, and check out Simon’s work on the touring Museum of British Folklore exhibitions!