Tag Archives: creepy

Unearthing the Macabre Tale of Abhartach, the Irish Vampire

Arkane Curiosities

We all know about the legend of Dracula, But have you ever heard of Abhartach, the Irish vampire? This lesser-known figure from Irish folklore hails from the hauntingly beautiful County Derry in Northern Ireland. Unlike your typical vampire, the story of the Irish Vampire is rooted in ancient legends with a unique twist.

The First Death

Long ago, in the 5th or 6th century, there lived an evil chieftain named Abhartach. Described as a goblin-like figure with a grotesque appearance, he was a possessive and jealous husband and he harbored suspicions of his wife’s infidelity. 

One fateful night, he attempted to climb outside his wife’s bedroom window to catch her in the act. But in a twist of fate, he slipped and plummeted to his death, his life extinguished in an instant. His subjects, recognizing the need to accord him the honors befitting a chieftain, laid him to rest in a most peculiar manner—standing upright.

Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon on the following day, Abhartach defied the laws of life and death. He returned, a nightmarish revenant, demanding a gruesome tribute from his terrified subjects. With a sinister thirst for their blood, he ordered them to bleed in order to create a bowl of blood for his consumption.

The Second and Third Deaths

As time wore on, the people grew weary of living in perpetual fear. They turned to a local chieftain, Cathán, to rid them of the curse once and for all. Twice, Cathán dispatched the Abhartach and each time the creature returned, demanding more blood from the terrified populace.

Cathán turned to the local druid, seeking guidance from the wise sage. The druid revealed the key to defeating the undead chieftain. Abhartach could only be vanquished by a sword forged from yew wood, buried upside down with his feet reaching skyward. A massive stone placed upon the grave would act as a barrier against his resurrection. Surrounding the stone, the branches of sacred Irish trees, such as hawthorn and rowan, were to be intertwined to further hinder his return.

The druid’s warning was grave and ominous. Should the stone ever be removed, Abhartach would be unleashed once more upon the world. With unwavering determination, Cathán followed the druid’s counsel, executing the sacred ritual to the letter.

The Abhartach Defeated

Finally, the curse was broken. Abhartach was silenced, and the people could breathe a sigh of relief, freed from the clutches of their undead ruler. To ensure the memory of their harrowing ordeal lived on, the twigs surrounding Abhartach’s resting place grew into a formidable thorn tree, and a colossal stone tomb (a dolmen) was erected to seal the memory of their struggle.

Today, only a solitary stone and the ancient tree remain, standing as silent sentinels to the legend of Cathán, Abhartach, and the extraordinary ritual that safeguarded a world from an evil that should never walk among us again.

Over two decades ago, a bold attempt to clear the sinister thorn tree and massive stone marking Abhartach’s resting place was foiled by inexplicable occurrences. Chainsaws broke down three times while trying to cut down the tree, and the chainsaw chain wrapped around the stone intended for removal, snapping and cutting a worker’s hand. The worker’s blood seeped into the ground, leaving the cursed site untouched since, as if Abhartach’s malevolence still guards his unholy resting place.

Inspiration for Dracula

Collected during the late 1800s by renowned folklorist and historian Patrick Weston Joyce, this chilling folktale would have undoubtedly circulated in Dublin, where Bram Stoker served as a civil servant. The eerie connection between the Irish term “droch fhola,” signifying “bad blood,” and the name “Dracula” is an intriguing linguistic parallel that adds another layer of intrigue to the lore surrounding Stoker’s legendary vampire character.

Tim Kane

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Stairs in the Woods

Arkane Curiosities

Stairs have to lead somewhere, right? But with the urban legend, “Stairs in the Woods”, these enigmatic stairs lead nowhere. A popular urban legend and creepypasta, the legend typically involves hikers, campers, or explorers stumbling upon a staircase in the middle of the woods, seemingly out of place and disconnected from any structure or building.

Staircases Out of Place

Picture this: a remote, isolated location within the woods, devoid of any man-made structure. Yet, right in the midst of this natural beauty, a staircase emerges—completely out of context and utterly surreal. These staircases, often made of wood or stone, stand mysteriously isolated, beckoning those who come across them to unravel their enigma.

Key elements of the legend include:

Isolation and Unusual Placement: The stairs are often described as being in a remote or isolated location within a forest or wilderness area, far away from any recognizable structures.

Appearance and Design: The stairs are usually made of stone and often appear pristine or well-maintained, despite their strange location and lack of any nearby structure. They may look brand new or very old, with varying designs.

Unexplained Mystery

The origin and purpose of the stairs are never clear. No one knows how or why they were placed there. Some think they are the remains of structures that have rotted away, leaving the stone stairs behind. Others wonder if these stairs lead to another world or even hell. 

Tim Kane

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Grúacach: Wild Goblins of Ireland and Scotland

Arkane Curiosities

In the folklore of Ireland and Scotland, amidst the emerald landscapes and misty hills, resides wild goblins called Grúacach (also Gruagachs or even Brownies). These spirits are often associated with the land and are believed to inhabit certain natural features or landmarks, rather than constructed houses.

Helpful Spirits

The Grúacach is described as a small, hairy, humanoid figure, often depicted as having wild, untamed hair and a disheveled appearance. It dresses in animal hides or simple clothing, and possessing a playful or helpful disposition.

Grúacachs reside in and around homes, especially in remote or rural areas, where they form a close bond with the family or individuals — assisting with household chores, farming tasks, and general maintenance of the home. 

Given the ability to become invisible, they prefer to operate in secret, shying away from direct acknowledgment. But you can reward the Grúacach with a jug of cream. 

Though generally gentle and helpful, Grúacachs will often scuttle about and get under your feet. Also, if they feel unappreciated, neglected, or slighted in any way, they might play tricks or pranks on the occupants of the home.

If your Grúacach becomes a nuisance, simply invite over a member of the clergy. These spirits have a great fear of priests and will there presence will drive the Grúacach away. 

Nature Guardian

The Grúacach is believed to have a strong connection to nature, particularly the forests and streams. It is said to be protective of the natural world and the creatures inhabiting it. They are often associated with specific ancient sites, sacred groves, or notable landmarks. It’s believed that they dwell within or near these areas, watching over them. 

Since the Grúacach is impervious to extreme temperatures, they can live in any cave, hollow or cleft in the landscape. All around Ireland and Scotland, you’ll find large stones leaned together called Grúacach houses. 

While these spirits are generally helpful, they can display mischievous behavior if angered or mistreated. A Grúacach may engage in pranks or mischief to teach a lesson to those who disrespect nature or its dwelling. It’s customary in Irish and Scottish folklore to treat these beings with caution and respect. People would avoid disturbing their dwellings or disrespecting the natural sites associated with them.

Rooted in Celtic Lands

The legend of the Grúacach is deeply rooted in Irish and Scottish culture, and it embodies respect and reverence for nature and the environment. It also serves as a cautionary tale to treat the natural world and its creatures with care and appreciation.

Tim Kane

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Divine the Future With Eggs — Oomancy

Arkane Curiosities

Throughout history, we have sought to unravel the mysteries of the future through various forms of divination. One of the lesser-known methods is oomancy, the art of predicting the future by interpreting the patterns formed when an egg is cracked open. While it may sound bizarre, oomancy has deep roots in different cultures and continues to be practiced by some today. Learn how to divine the future with eggs.

The Origins of Oomancy

Oomancy, also known as ovomancy, derives from the Greek word “oion,” meaning egg, and “manteia,” meaning divination. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, a Roman historian, described how the Empress Livia Drusilla stowed a chicken egg in her cleavage, thinking it would determine the sex of her unborn child. 

The Process of Oomancy

Oomancy typically involves a specific ritual that begins with the selection of an egg. In some traditions, the color, size, or even the source of the egg may hold significance. Once the egg is chosen, the diviner focuses on their question or intention, concentrating their energy on the egg.

The next step is to crack the egg open and slowly pour into a glass of warm water. The warmth will allow the white to firm up a little.  The patterns formed by the raw egg white can reveal answers and insights related to the question or situation at hand.

Interpreting Oomancy Patterns

Various aspects of the egg, such as the shapes, lines, and colors in the egg white and yolk, are analyzed for their significance. Here are some common interpretations:

  1. Lines and Shapes: Cracks, lines, and shapes in the egg white or yolk may be seen as symbols. For example, a heart shape might represent love and happiness, while a snake-like pattern could symbolize deceit or danger.
  2. Consistency: The texture and consistency of the egg’s contents can provide additional clues. A runny egg might indicate fluidity and change, while a firm egg could suggest stability and security. Additionally, a clear white is thought to be positive, while a cloudy eggs signifies obstacles and uncertainty. 
  3. Symbolism: As you examine the egg white from all angles, you might discover some symbols. A clover indicated happiness and prosperity. A horseshoe denotes good financial luck. Seeing an arch foretells problems with coworkers and family. 

Believer or skeptic, oomancy might tap into the primal ability to divine the future. Even though you might see it trending on social networks, know that this divination form has been cracking open the future for centuries. 

Tim Kane

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Predicting the Future Using Cats

Arkane Curiosities

If you own a cat, then you possess the ability to divine the future. Throughout history, people have developed various unusual and often superstitious methods of divining the future, yet none is stranger than Ailuromancy, or predicting the future using cats. It works pretty much how it sounds. You watch the movements of said cat, and their actions reveal future outcomes, if it’s in the mood that day.

Egyptian Dreams

Since Egyptians had a thing for cats, it’s no wonder they developed this in the art of ailuromancy. One type of divination involved writing a question on a small tablet along with the name of a deity. The tablet was washed and placed inside a dead cat’s mouth (probably because a live cat wouldn’t tolerate such foolishness). Then the diviner would gain the answer the question in a prophetic dream. 

Weather Alerts

A sneezing cat could mean rain in the coming days. Even washing their faces vigorously can mean rain. If the cat turns its tail to a fire or any substituting heat source, it foretells possible heavy rain or hard frost. Curling up with forehead touching the ground foretells a storm coming your way. 

Visitor Predictor

Apparently cats can foresee visitors. If a famine licks its ears three times, check which direction it’s looking. This is where you can expect a visitor to come from. What’s more, you can divine the gender, too. If it puts its paw around the right ear, expect a male visitor. Left ear, a lady. No indication for other fluid genders. 

Fickle Luck

A cat following you is a sign of money coming your way. Yet if a black cat crosses your path, you’re sure to have bad luck. Except, should you find one white hair on a black cat, this means the cat is good luck. If you look into a cat’s eyes too long, it will bring you only bad luck.

A Warning of Sickness

Should you have sickness in your house, make sure you keep the cat close by. If it leaves and won’t be coaxed back inside, then the ill person may die. Likewise, if a cat sneezes three times in a row, the whole family will come down with a cold.

The Devil’s Creature

The worst act of ailuromancy dates back to 16th century Scotland. A person would roast a cat alive on a spit in a ritual called taghairm. Supposedly, this would summon the devil to protect the cat, who by now was screaming in agony. The devil would beg the person to relent and end the cat’s suffering. Yet the cruel SOB who started this torment would hold out until the devil had promised to fulfill a certain future request. Only then, could the cat’s misery come to an end. So who is the evil one in this scenario?

Thankfully, this sort of practice doesn’t happen anymore. Instead, we can settle for interpreting the whimsical doings of cat as it predicts future rain or perhaps a visitor. 

Tim Kane

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