Guest Post: Top Six Cryptids Known to Man- Or Not Known to Man

This guest post was written by Hollywood Psychics, where you can find a phone psychic who will provide clairvoyant psychic readings to anyone in need of spiritual guidance, relationship advice, or some other insight.

Imagine you are a kid again, and you are out camping with your friends. The sun has gone down and it is dark and silent, you are all gathered around the campfire and you ran out of smores. What is the first thing you do? For us, it was brewing up a scary story. It usually involved some sort of monster concocted by our imaginations, and maybe our worst fears.

It’s human nature to revel in the unknown, as it is proven over and over again with the stories across the generations of cryptids. They have been emphasized in pop culture and in movies such as The Mothman Prophesies, and also countless movies on mermaids and Big Foot. Here are our top six of the more popular cryptids, what their story is, and the likelihood of their existence.

6. Giant Octopus

The giant octopus is classic fisherman’s story of a monster the size of a small island, which attacks ships and brings its victims underwater in a whirlpool of soggy doom. It is also known as the Kraken, whose name probably came from “krake” the German word for octopus. Though there has been partial carcasses washed up on shore and photographed, and many siting reported by seamen in different parts of the world, cryptologists believe that it is just a large jellyfish or the recently discovered giant squid.

5. Nandi Bear

Nandi Bear is kind of the big foot of Africa. It’s a large carnivorous bear with a sloping back and high shoulders, sometimes as high as four feet. It is said to only eat the brains of its victims, like some sort of African zombie teddy. Unlike your childhood teddy, it is said to be ferocious and highly dangerous. Some people believe it is some form of previously undiscovered hyena, or even a baboon.

4. Giant Vampire Bat

All European romantic folklore aside, vampire bats actually do and have existed. These bats are very small though, usually not any bigger than the palm of one’s hand. There have been reported sites by herdsmen of bats with over 3 feet wingspans who suck the life (or blood) out of their cows. Though there is one species of bats on a blood diet that have up to a 17 inch wingspan, they are believed to be extinct. However, scientists believe there are still many undiscovered species.

3. El Chupacabra (Goat Sucker)

One of the most diversely described cryptids; they have been described as lizard, dog, or small bear like creatures with red eyes, sharp teeth, and darting tongues. All the descriptions have one thing in common though; they all use their teeth to suck out the blood of goats. Though the likelihood of a lizard with a goat vendetta is low, cryptologists believe that it may be a diseased or new breed of a dog or bear. Some even believe it to be a hybrid between the two.

2. Mothman

This creature usually is described as a large, moth like man with wings, brown fur, and red eyes. The Mothman has been cited by numerous people, usually is not aggressive, and flies away abruptly. Some people think it was a warning of impending doom, as there was a collapsed bridge around the same time as the sightings. Most write it off to be a siting of a Sandhill Crane, or an Artic Snow Owl, as both birds match the description.

1. Merfolk

Merfolk are usually reported being seen in any civilization with a shoreline since as early as can be recorded. They are creatures with a humanoid torso, neck and face, and an aquatic animal’s body from the waist down. The mermaids, much like the sirens, are said to drive ships to crash by mesmerizing the seamen with their singing, leading them to be distracted and dangerous. There are no theories as to the type of animal it could be, besides an extinct semi-aquatic primate.

Cryptologists are still studying and searching for hundreds of different cryptids, trying to distinguish fact from fiction. Let’s keep our eyes peeled on the wood line, and the shores, and see what we can get a glimpse of.

Weekly News Round-up 7/27

 A boy in Texas shot and killed an animal he believed was a chupacabra. You can read the article here.

A photographer believes he's captured a shot of the Loch Ness monster. MailOnline posted the article.

AusralianGeographic.com posted an article about the possibility of sea monsters lurking in the depths.

Pyrokinesis

So I’m continuing with my look at the world psychic abilities, and I thought this week I would feature the ability of pyrokinesis. Pyrokinesis is the ability to create or manipulate fire using only the mind. The term was actually created by the Author Stephen King, for his book Fire Starter, but the concept has been around much longer.

While it’s difficult to judge when the first claim for this ability occurred, magicians as early as the 1600’s used a variety of parlor tricks to create the illusion of starting fires. Magicians still use fire tricks today to impress and confuse their audience. It’s all too easy to be distracted by the flash and lights.

But are there real cases of this happening? It’s hard to say for sure without solid, controlled studies of the phenomenon. Most of the modern cases involve seemingly random house fires. I did come across a video of a man that appeared use his mind to heat a wet towel that was impressive, but every case of fire-staring I came across seemed to be the product of active imaginations or trickery.

Maybe it is possible. Maybe someday we will understand matter well enough to know how to manipulate it. But for now, I’m not holding my breath.

Do you think Pyrokinesis is a real possibility?

Creature Feature: The Unicorn

The unicorn is one of the best known mythical creatures today. It’s thought to represent strength, purity, and grace. While both China and Japan have early unicorn legends, their versions look very different from the European unicorn that most people have come to recognize. The European unicorn, usually depicted as a horse or goat-like animal, first appeared in Greek accounts of natural history. Early people believed the unicorn was a real biological creature that lived in far away lands such as India. The unicorn is also mentioned numerous times in certain translations of the Bible, though later translations corrected the word to ‘ox’ in place of unicorn.

Many animals were misinterpreted as unicorns. Rhinoceros’s and several antelope-like animals were occasionally called unicorns by early people. The horn of the narwhal whale was also brought to Europe and sold as belonging to the unicorn. The horn was thought to posses special healing powers and was highly sought by Europeans.

One legend tied with the unicorn is that virgin maidens are able to lure and capture the creature. Some believe the story is thought to be a metaphor for the Virgin Mary.

The unicorn legend is still thriving today, though people are less inclined to believe it actually exists.  Stories, movies, books, and word of mouth are keeping this creature alive in our minds and our hearts.

Weekly News Round-up 7/20/11

Lifeslittlemysteries.com posted an article on some footage taken that some believe may be of a sea serpent. You can see the article and video here.

An ex-astronaut us going to be speaking about his opinion on UFO's and ET's, claiming he hasn't seen enough evidence to support the theory. The article is here.

AOL News posted an article debating the possibility of human-animal hybrids.

Guest Post:Tarot Cards

Today I have a guest post from Michael Offut on Tarot Cards. Be sure to check out his blog SLC Kismet! Thanks for the great post, Michael!


                                      History of the Tarot

Although Tarot decks first made their appearance in the 14th century, the ideas and symbols they embody stretch much further back into history, embracing the knowledge and philosophies of ancient Egypt, Greece, China, the early Roman Church, and the teachings of Talmudic scholars. The striking visual imagery of the Tarot served as a means of communication despite barriers of language and culture, so that seekers after hidden truths could share their discoveries through an understanding that transcended cultural barriers.

Tarot cards have gone through many permutations through the centuries. Used as vehicles for telling fortunes by Gypsies throughout Europe in the late Middle Ages, the attractive and compelling cards soon became popular items in noble households. The French transformed the Tarot into playing cards, discarding the Major Arcana and changing the suits from Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles to the more familiar spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs of the modern 52-card deck found in casinos everywhere.

Although a few students of esoteric lore still used the Tarot as a mnemonic device for preserving ancient truths, it was not until the mid-19th century that the resurgence of interest in theosophical studies led to a rediscovery of the cards and an attempt to restore them to their original purpose. Eliphas Levi, Israel, Regardie, Helena P. Blavatsky, William Butler Yeats, and Aleister Crowley all made vital contributions to the modern Tarot. But they were only the first wave.

The Rider-Waite Tarot deck, designed by Arthur Edward Waite and William Rider and illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith, is by far the most popular and inspirational of the standard Tarot decks in modern use. In recent years, interest in the Tarot has spawned a wealth of variant decks, reinterpreting the ancient symbols to fit feminist, holistic, and multi-cultural paradigms. For the most part, the images have survived in translation, a testimony to the underlying resiliency of the truths the cards encompass.

Finding Your Own Tarot:

There are all kinds of readings that you can do with a Tarot deck and you can purchase them at Barnes & Noble. What I prefer to do, or that I advise to individuals wishing to familiarize themselves with the craft, is to follow a few simple rules.

1) Find a deck that speaks to your spirit...one that you really really like. This is a good match for you. Once you have this deck in your possession, you should familiarize yourself intimately with each picture and decide what you think each picture means. My personal deck has the Death card included with the picture in this post. I loved the swirling dark purple background of the cards and the illustrations were awesome.

2) Never ever let anyone handle your Tarot deck on any circumstances. The only time someone is to touch your deck is when you give it to them during a reading after you have shuffled (and this is simply to cut the cards or to give them one shuffle themselves).  This momentary contact is all that is needed by the cards to tune themselves to that person's particular fortune.

3) While they shuffle and/or cut the cards, they need to be thinking of a question that they want answered. They must concentrate on this question and the cards will respond to it and give them a glimpse of their options or even an idea of what may happen within the future. Try to discourage negative questions. I can always tell when someone is depressed and asks the cards a negative question because I get powerful Major Arcana cards like the Tower, the Devil, and Death and I usually chastise the individual and may stop the reading. One time I had a friend ask the cards an extremely dark question and I knew within three cards that this wasn't a reading I liked and I stopped it, talked with him, and then sent him home. That's the kind of crap that teenagers like to fool around with.

 

When I do a reading, again, I pay close attention to the cards. Example: The Death Card. You can see several images here. On the left there is a comely man in a tuxedo. On the right there is a maiden dressed in red. The tapestry is green which is the color of life and the rose on it is red which matches her dress and the sea beyond the tapestry. Well the red here is the blood of the woman's life and the sea outside the window is roiling and stormy and also the same color as the woman's dress. To me, this card simply represents strong change. But it also represents a powerful choice. In order to truly live, the woman must not only embrace herself and what life offers her, but she must also play the game (the chess board before her) of which she is a piece. Perhaps she is a pawn, perhaps a rook...you will know by talking with the person what the cards are trying to say. In either case, it is only through choice that she will truly live, and the view behind the curtain shall be revealed. Also, the choice may be stormy, there may be trouble ahead, but nothing beautiful is ever offered without its thorns.

Creature Feature: The Nandi Bear

 The Nandi Bear is a creature that many people believe lives in the wild of Africa. It gets its name from the Nandi people who live in West Kenya. There is no current physical evidence of the Nandi Bear but many of the local people tell stories of seeing it in the wild.

While physical descriptions vary, it’s often described as being large and covered in dark fur. It’s most distinctive feature is its bear-like face. Many think that the Nandi Bear is actually some sort of hyena, or large cat but locals often refer to it as a type of unidentified baboon. Witnesses claim it can stand on its hind legs and can reach up to six feet in height. It’s thought to hunt and kill both people and livestock, making this creature on you probably want to avoid.

Coleman, Loren and Jerome Clark. “Cryptozoology A to Z, The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chucpacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature.” Simon & Schuster.

Weekly News Round-up 7/13/11

A diver in Canada claims to have seen some sort of underwater monster on a dive. You can read the article here.

BBC News reported that a Nottinhamshire police office got a large number of reports of UFO's, Ghost,and witchcraft. The article is here.

LacrossTribune.com posted an article about a middle school in Sparta taking a field trip to a haunted location in town. Do you think it's appropriate for kids to go on ghost hunting field trips?

Is Psychic Information Helpful?

If you say the word psychic to someone, all kinds of images potentially comes to mind. To some, psychics are evil charlatans out to take people for all they’re worth. To others, they are problem solvers, or innovators or simply people with a really unique gift. But the only people that truly understand psychic ability are the people who experience it first hand.

Psychic ability is a concept that goes way back in history. Biblical prophets, Greek oracles, and medicine men (and women) from around the world have claimed to possess knowledge of future events.

The idea of being psychic sounds really appealing. Who wouldn’t want to know what is going to happen in advance?

But it is really a good idea see what’s coming? Part of the enjoyment of life can come from life’s surprises. Sure, they may be stressful at times, but the element of surprise also keeps us on our toes. Plus psychic knowledge is usually information interpreted by a human being, and humans often make mistakes. Making decisions based on poorly interpreted (or false) information can lead people in the wrong direction.

The risk of error usually isn’t enough to keep people away from psychics though, and in many instances psychics have helped to solve crimes, or assisted in working through others’ problems.

There’s a delicate balance between using psychic information and depending on it. I think if you are going to apply psychic knowledge you need to use care and discretion on how you apply it to your life.

If you had a chance to look into a crystal ball and see where you would be one year from now, would you look? Do you think psychic knowledge is useful?

Creature Feature: The Megalania

The Megalania was a creature that once roamed Australia during the Pleistocene. This carnivorous lizard got up to 30 feet in length and weighed up to a ton. It’s thought to resemble a large Komodo dragon. It was still roaming Australia when aboriginal settlers lived in the area and they still tell stories about this creature.

While many people are skeptical that something as large as the Megalania could exist undetected, several sightings have been reported, some as recently as the 1970’s. Some people believe the sightings are misidentified crocodiles. A print was also find, although there’s been some debate on its authenticity.

It’s hard to say whether this animal is still living outside of the legends and stories that surround it, but I’m certain people will keep looking.  

Weekly News Round-up 7/6/11

io9.com posted a fun list of theories about the Loch Ness Monster. You can read it here.

MonsterTracker.com posted an article about a door that some people claim exisist in Lordsburg, New Mexico. The door is supposed to be some sort of portal. While the story is a bit far fetched, it does make an interesting story.

You can now own your own candy crystal skull for just $10. Check it out here.

Happy Holiday!

I was going to start my psychic series today but my brain seems to be taking a holiday, so instead I'm going to just wish all my fellow Americans a happy 4th of July! I'll start the psychic series next week. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves!

Creature Feature: The Bunyip

The Bunyip is a mythical creature from Australia, thought to be part of Aboriginal legend. Physical descriptions of the creature vary widely. Some people claim that it has a dog-like face, a horses tail and that it’s covered in fur. Others describe something similar to a dinosaur with a long neck, claws, and scales. There are even claims that it has flippers and a set of long tusks.

It’s possible that the Bunyip is actually a fusion of several different creatures that once lived in the area. Many people believe that the Bunyip legend is based off the remains of the extinct Diprotodon, a large extinct marsupial.

If there’s one thing that people discussing the Bunyip agree on, it’s that this is one scary creature. It’s both feared and respected by the people of the area. Many aboriginal people try to avoid nearing water ways because it’s believed the Bunyip will come out and try and eat them and their children. It’s supposed to give off a loud cry when approached as a warning.

Whatever the Bunyip is, if you see it coming, you might want to go the other direction!

Sources

http://www.cryptozoology.com/cryptids/bunyip.php

http://www.eaudrey.com/myth/bunyip.htm