While horror movies today have given us a stereotypical demon that we can imagine living under our beds and tickling our toes, the history of these little devils paints them in a slightly different light. From the Greek guardian angels called Daimons to the troll-like Oni of Japanese mythology, the story behind demons is a lot more interesting than you may think.
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Intro Music was produced by me, with the help of SoundTrap.com.
Background Music:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rILdNFvusWo&ab_channel=Myuu
(Song 1) Fernweh by Myuu (Song 2) Kevin Macleod Erik Satie Gymnopodie No. 1
Men in Black are either the cool government agents you wish existed, or your worst nightmare, depending on who is telling the story. From the post-WWII UFO craze of the 1940’s to the wild comic books from the 1990s, how did Men in Black become such a creepy household name?
Have you ever wished you could divine your future or communicate with those on the other side? Through the act of scrying people have been interpreting their fates for thousands of years. From Ancient Greek oracles to the Queens of Europe, and Aztec hallucinogens, scrying has served a purpose in teaching us about ourselves and helping us to pass on to the next phases in our lives.
The Kraken is mysterious, elusive, and larger than life. Join me this week in discovering the history behind how the Kraken grew from a Norwegian Tall-Tale to being a star in dramatic Hollywood films. From its female interpretation in Homer's Odysseus to its surprising cameo in the Dr. Seuss prequel, Halloween is Grinch Night, the Kraken was born from nothing and grew to be a household name. So isn't it odd we know next to nothing about it?
I'm back after the busiest summer of my life. Thank you all for allowing me that time to work and deal with bills, broken-down cars, and adult life in general.
In this episode, I dive into the different versions of Halloween around the world. While in the U.S. we are usually busy Trick-or-Treating, dressing up in costumes, and putting giant spiders on our front stoop, the rest of the world is honoring the dead in their own way. From the Latin traditions of Dia de Los Muertos to the Japanese Hungry Ghost Festival, spooky traditions are mixed in with actions that serve only to respect those who have gone before us. Food, flowers, and decorations meant to be used by spirits are all a large part of the days following All-Hallows-Eve. Join me as I discuss a few of these incredible customs and speak on why they are so important to the cultures that practice them on November 1st and 2nd.
A Note Of Warning: this episode is not appropriate for children under the age of 13.
Dragons are a lot more powerful than you think they are. While in European countries, they have the power of fire and poison on their side, in Asian cultures they can shapeshift, control entire water systems, and sink battleships. So where do these stark differences between the dragons of old originate? Join me and find out.
The story of dragons goes further back in history than you realize.
From Chinese Dragon Bones, the birth of the Spartans, and monstrous apocalyptic beasts, join me as I discover just how strange the origin of the dragon is, and also just how much the monster has shaped our modern notions of evil and chaos.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to travel anywhere in the world, with no restrictions at all? It’s said that if you just focus your mind and go to the astral plane you can escape the confines of your physical form. Going back to the history of astral projection from Egyptians to the "Good Walkers" to the Theosophical Society, it might surprise you just how many people report being able to travel outside of their bodies while asleep.
A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.
Stories of Ladies in White are some of the most iconic ghost tales ever told. So where exactly did the genre of wailing women come from? Jumping across the globe I investigate the different types of Ladies in White who have graced our castle halls and waved us down on the road.
Green Men and Woodwose have stood in European cathedrals for a thousand years now, so why are they not well known? From Gods to the magic of Merlin what is the origin of these strange carvings? Unicorns, Werewolf men, and Mermen also make guest appearances.
Did you know that blowing out birthday candles is both a wish sent to the Gods and a way of keeping bad spirits at bay? Or that it’s bad luck to sweep your home on New Years Day? Join me as I travel the globe (via the internet) and discover some of the many ways we as humans celebrate the new beginnings of a birthday and a New Year. Just don’t forget to grab some chipped plates and exactly twelve grapes.
*If you want to check out my vintage shop head on over to RPVintageShop.com
Note of Warning: This topic includes dark themes and may not be appropriate for those under the age of thirteen.
Corpse Roads weren’t just passageways that the English peasantry took in order to transport their dead to consecrated ground. They also serve as a reminder that Halloween superstitions were an everyday occurrence in medieval times. Be careful where you walk this spooky season, as lost spirits might just be walking alongside you.
The Moon is a fickle mistress. Is she evil or is she the personification of a loving woman? Will she turn you into a murderous lunatic, or will she restore your fertility and protect you from harm? Join me as I join the rabbit on the moon in discovering all the different lunar superstitions lore has to offer.
A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.
The Northfield Pigman is just one of those classic myths that send a shiver down your spine.
This week Phoebe travels to Vermont to research the origin of an urban legend that has terrified generations and kept visitors from the infamous "Devil's Washbowl."
For only $2 a month you can gain access to the rest of the American Mythos episodes. To do that be sure to check out my Patreon at Patreon.com/FascinatingProductions.
To listen to my other podcast, Strange Origins, head on over to FascinatingPodcasts.com. There you can learn a little bit more about my shows, find merch, and find links to subscribe through your favorite podcast hosting site.
Credits:
Main Background Song: Mixkit-ixta-178
End Credit Song: Another Night - Cody High
Sound Effects were found on FreeSound.com
Intro was created by me with the help of Soundtrap.com
The Bermuda Triangle is an area of Earth shrouded in mystery. Join me as I dive into the deep waters and learn about the history of where exactly the Triangle garnered its name and how it’s had a reputation as a dangerous spot for longer than you might think. Oh yeah, and I talk about aliens, ghost ships, and wormholes a little bit. Don't forget a life jacket!
A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13.
Did you know real human skeletons were cheaper than fake ones in the 1980s? Or that theaters began handing out barf bags to viewers of the Exorcist? Join me as I dive down the rabbit hole of haunted media. I mostly talk about haunted film sets, but I also scratch the surface of subliminal messaging, ARGs, and even Satanic Panic
*I butcher the word Giardiasis in this episode.
*Check out The Last Movie by Pacific Northwest Stories - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-movie/id1360493241
A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13 due to themes of sexuality.
From black cats to magic cauldrons the strangest part of this episode is actually the fact that naughty monks may have caused the sensational witch hunts that killed millions. Oh yeah, and I also dive into the history of the male witch, the warlock. Join me as I throw a few names at you may not have heard of in the history of witchcraft, and explain the lore behind those that everyone seems all too well acquainted with.
A Note Of Warning: The topic I discuss this week may not be suitable for listeners under the age of 13. Do you know who holds the keys to the underworld in Greek Mythology? Do you know which Loa from Haitian Voodoo keeps zombies from rising from the grave? Do you know how many people have died from war just in the last century? This week I dive into all of the different characters that reap our souls and transport them to the afterlife, and whether or not they are really the bad guys we vilify them as.
*Also, go check out my Instagram page at StrangeOriginsPodcast for more examples of art depicting personifications of Death.
*If you don’t already know, I wanted to let you guys know that I have another podcast up and running. It premieres every other week exclusively on my Patreon. It’s only $2 a week for access to American Mythos, along with some more of my ramblings, weekly updates, and polls. You’ll also get a cool thank you note and Strange Origins sticker. So if you can’t get enough of the weird and creepy, and especially if you love cryptids, go listen to American Mythos at Patreon.com/FascinatingProductions!
So what exactly do coincidences have to do with the wholeness of the universe? From Unus Mundus to Ouroborus, to the Philosophers Stone, everything is connected in some way, it just might not be the way you initially assumed.