BEAST OF THE WEEK
A virtual bestiary for all forms of monsters. Many creatures from myth, legend, and folklore are discussed on the Apothecary and archived here
The Wendigo and the cultural personification of starvation
“Oh my gosh I am soooo hungry!” Everyone has uttered these words at one time or another. Perhaps in the rush to get to work you skip breakfast, or in the hubub of the day you’re unable to grab lunch. Many have felt the shallow pangs of hunger before getting up to grab a snack while watching Netflix or stopping by the drive thru on the way home. Very few know the depths to which true hunger can delve. The dark, inescapable hunger of those who haven’t had a meal in days, weeks. Many feel the irritability associated with the denial of nutrients and sugars, but how far can those thoughts actually go? How intrusive do the thoughts become before driving a man insane?
In many Algonquian cultures, the feeling of hunger and isolation was a telltale sign that one was in the vicinity of a creature most fearsome. The Wendigo. The legend prevails in the North woods of Minnesota, the forests of the Great Lakes Region, and the central regions of Canada. Historically, the creature has in some cases been described as a ferocious beast that calls to its victims from the forest, impossibly tall & emaciated. In others, it’s known as a spirit with the ability to possess a human. Although there is variation in different regions as to how the creature appears, one thing is consistent: a Wendigo is created when someone resorts to cannibalism.
Culturally, the Wendigo was seen as a personification associated with winter, the North, starvation and famine. In the past, when native people and settlers found themselves stranded in the bitter snows and ice of the north woods, stranded for days, any survivors might have felt compelled to cannibalize the dead in order to survive. Thus, the myth served as a method of encouraging cooperation and moderation. Culturally, or even religiously, this myth perhaps acted similarly to Catholicism’s seven deadly sins. When one was “tempted” to consume flesh, they were reminded of what could become of them or how monstrous it is to consume your dead neighbor for survival. To some, who they become after succumbing to their hunger is a fate worse than death or starvation.
A phenomenon, known as Wendigo Psychosis, is said to have been prevalent in the Northern regions of the United States. The victim of the psychosis is described as having an uncontrollable desire to consume human flesh. One documented case is that of the plains Cree trapper Swift Runner in the late 1800s. According to reports, after the death of his eldest son, he butchered and consumed the remaining six members of his family. He was less than 25 miles away from an emergency food supply outpost. The geographic elements of this psychosis raises some questions, is this a credible mental illness, a cultural paranoia? Or does the Wendigo actually walk the remote forests of North America?
Zozo and the Ouija Board
Many children have been to a sleepover and taken a strange toy from the games closet or the attic. A simple game with two pieces. A board, with letters of the alphabet, HELLO, GOODBYE, YES, and NO written in bold, black, mystic lettering. A small, pointed planchette with a glass or plastic window in the middle. You may have taken part in this ritual, your nerves electrified as your friends turn out the lights, light the candles, and place the board in the middle of the friends circle. Will this work? Can you really contact spirits with a game sold at Target and Toys R Us? You place your fingers amongst your friends’ on the planchette and await the instructions from beyond…
Darren Evans, a paranormal investigator, wrote “The Zozo Phenomenon” after his experiences with contacting the demon through the Ouija board. According to his book, he first came into contact with the demon through the board where the entity conveyed it would take his family “to paradise”. When questioned further, the board spelled H-E-L-L before spelling out obscenities in Latin and Hebrew. Additionally, strange things began to happen in the home. After his account went viral on the web, hundreds of people have come forward with similar stories of the entity that calls itself “Zozo”.
So who is Zozo? Even without the modern evidence brought forward, the very first story referencing Zozo specifically was the 1816 “Dictionnaire Infernal” featuring the story of a girl who was possessed by the demons “Mimi, Capoulet, and Zozo”. It was recorded that the girl was exhibiting strange behavior, walking on her hands upside down and saying it was the demons possessing her responsible for the compulsion to do it. It was such a scandal that a priest was brought in to free the girl from the demons, noting that when Zozo was released from her, the windows of the house shattered. Many also believe that Zozo is derived from the Mesopotamian entity Pazuzu, known as the king of demons. He was the demon of the underworld (where all demons were thought to reside) in control of the west and south-west winds which brought famine during the dry season and, in the rainy season, tearing storms and locusts. As he was the force behind the destructive winds and their threat, he was also considered the best defense against them. In the Mesopotamian culture, prayers to Pazuzu were intended to divert his natural inclination toward destruction to the more benevolent ends of protection. Since it was clear he had great power to harm it was thought he was equally potent in protecting one from the very danger he presented. It is also worth noting that Pazuzu is the only named demon to be featured in the horror smash hit “The Exorcist”. After the release of Evans’s book, Zozo has been featured in two films, “I am Zozo” released in 2012 and the short film “Zozo” in 2020. With its resurgence in relevance and how widely reported the entity is, one thing is common in all accounts: Zozo makes contact exclusively through a Ouija board. In the forward of the book “The Zozo Phenomenon”, Evans’s collaborator Rosemary Ellen Gulley states “as an interface between worlds, the spirit board is neutral-- neither good nor evil”. So, if the board itself isn’t inherently a conduit for evil, why is it this entity makes itself known almost exclusively through this medium?
In November of 2019, well-known ghost hunter and paranormal investigator Zak Bagans posted a tweet that reads “We near 2020, we fear ZOZO”. This, coupled with the destruction and controversy surrounding the year 2020 also raises the theory of the awakening of the demon Zozo. Evans most recently posted on his blog the theory, speculating that the events of this year have been prophesied by the demon when contacted by victims in previous Ouija sessions. It has been reported that in earlier Ouija sessions in 2018, Zozo conveyed that he was at that point in a dream state, and the year 2020 would be the time of his “awakening” leading to the destruction of mankind. I cannot help but see a parallel to the iconic story by H.P. Lovecraft, “Call of Cthulu” a short story in which an ancient entity is awakened and brought forth by a cultish group of zealous followers of “the old ones”. The very sight of the creature coming from under the sea was enough to drive the main character mad at the contemplation of its size and origin.
Whether the theory and the existence of Zozo is rooted in truth, one thing is usually agreed on: those who come in contact with the demon are wholly unprepared and inexperienced in looking for things they do not understand. Father of horror H.P. Lovecraft says it best: “We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should travel far”.
The succubus and its roots in sinful lust
“I recognise a distinction between dream life and real life, between appearances and actualities. I confess to an overpowering desire to know whether I am asleep or awake--whether the environment and laws which affect me are external and permanent, or the transitory products of my own brain” H.P. Lovecraft
It is widely accepted since ancient times that our dreams have power. They can determine our futures, allow us into faroff worlds, and even allow us to manifest our deepest desires. There is one creature however, that uses the dream world as its hunting ground.
The Succubus, the female form of the demon Incubus, goes back to the tale of Lilith (known as the fist succubus). They are powerful female Demons who use their sexuality to appear through the dreams of victims, then seduce and prey on young men, whose souls they slowly drain with each encounter. Succubi have often been described as exceptionally beautiful women, but sometimes with bat or other flying animal wings on their backs. As with the Incubi, the Succubi attack their victims at night and allegedly prefer religiously-minded victims as well. The Succubi seek out sleeping men and are said to drain them of their blood, breath, life-energy and semen – even until the point that the victim could die. Accounts of these demons appear in ancient Akkadian, Sumerian, and Greek texts. The princess of these demons is called Nahemah. In Gnostic Kabbalah, she is described as being an angel of prostitution, and one of the succubi mates of the archangel Samael in Zoharistic Qabalah
According to the Malleus Maleficarum, or "Witches' Hammer", written by Heinrich Kramer in 1486, succubi collect semen from men they seduce. Incubi then use the semen to impregnate human females,[11] thus explaining how demons could sire children despite the traditional belief that they were incapable of reproduction. Children so begotten—cambions—were supposed to be those that were born deformed, or more susceptible to supernatural influences.
They are supposedly very hard to send away once they have chosen a victim. These demons supposedly can shapeshift, so their appearance differs, although they are often said to look human-like. It has been said the Incubi may be especially physically attractive for their victims
When studied scientifically, with the rise of the catholic church in power and influence, the Succubus or incubus may have served as a scapegoat for infidelity. During these times, supernatural creatures were considered a fact of life. Additionally, It is no secret that in most religions, sex and lust are absolutely forbidden outside the sanctity of marriage, and in some cases, procreation. In catholicism, lust is seen as a capital, or deadly sin.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury… Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.” This teaching applies to external and internal sins alike: “Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). It may have been a legend spread for self-preservation, in order to garner sympathy from the community rather than being ostracized.
Although this explanation may be convenient, there has been a reported case of a surviving Succubus victim.
In an online article on liveabout.com, Stephen Wagner writes the following report:
A Man Is Attacked by a Succubus
In December 2012, in Bakersfield, California, a young man named Ethan had a demonic encounter.
After returning from school, Ethan was tired and worn out, but still had plenty of homework to do. He worked late into the night, before finally collapsing into bed.
He fell asleep instantly but did not sleep soundly. He dreamt that an evil being was in his home and it was trying to get into his room. It finally broke in, and as soon as it did, Ethan jolted awake with a ringing sound in his ears.
Ethan felt the demon; it was on the wall behind his head, holding Ethan's limbs down. It had something in his ears, and his left ear began to vibrate violently. The strange sensation spread to his right ear, as well.
Ethan fought as best he could, but could not break free. He cursed at the being and tried to free his arms or legs. The demon only laughed at him, an eerie and horrific sound that was neither deep nor high-pitched.
The demon cried out "soon!" and released Ethan. Ethan sat up rapidly, leaping out of the bed to turn on the lights. But when light flooded his bedroom, there was nothing out of the ordinary. However, Ethan's dogs were acting abnormal, barking, leaping at the door and trying desperately to get to their owner.
He went to the bathroom and was startled to see his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot, with the whites of the eyes completely red. Ethan realized he had been visited by a succubus demon.
Ethan remains terrified of the demon returning but has not had another incident ever since.
So, this brings up the following question: is the succubus a legend wielded to avoid condemnation for committing a most capital sin, or is this demon real, waiting for you to fall asleep...
Black Eyed Children
After reading a certain Reddit thread or two, one thing is for sure: kids can be pretty scary. They say some weird shit sometimes, and there are some accounts of children remembering past lives. Personally, my sibling as a toddler indicated seeing my great-grandfather weeks after his death. A specific urban legend that has been circling the web is the tale of the Black Eyed Children. Originating in 1996 in posts written by a Texas reporter Brian Bethel, he writes about his alleged encounter with the black-eyed children.
In his report, he describes an encounter with two seemingly normal children asking for a ride home. As he sits in his car filling out paperwork and about to leave an event that had occurred that fateful night, two boys around the ages of 10 and 14 approached his (thankfully locked) vehicle pleading for a ride home. They wanted to ask their mother for money after not having enough for a cinema ticket. The problem was, it was late in the evening and the movie they apparently wanted to attend was starting its last showing of the day. He became overwhelmingly fearful in the presence of these children, and an immense sense of dread overwhelmed him. He says in his report: The older child says "C'mon, mister. Let us in. We can't get in your car until you do, you know," soothingly. "Just let us in, and we'll be gone before you know it. We'll go to our mother's house." We locked eyes. To my horror, I realized my hand had strayed toward the door lock (which was engaged) and was in the process of opening it. I pulled it away, probably a bit too violently. But it did force me to look away from the children. I turned back. "Er ... Um ...," I offered weakly and then my mind snapped into sharp focus. For the first time, I noticed their eyes. They were coal black. No pupil. No iris. Just two staring orbs reflecting the red and white light of the marquee. At that point, I know my expression betrayed me. The older child wore a mask of anger. His eyes glittered brightly in the half-light. "Cmon, mister," he said. "We won't hurt you. You have to LET US IN. We don't have a gun ..."That last statement scared the living hell out of me, because at that point by his tone he was plainly saying, "We don't NEED a gun." He noticed my hand shooting down toward the gear shift. The older child’s final words contained an anger that was complete and whole, and yet contained in some respects a tone of panic: "WE CAN'T COME IN UNLESS YOU TELL US IT'S OKAY. LET ... US .... IN!" Bethel fled, throwing his vehicle in reverse and peeling out of the parking lot. When he glanced back through his rearview mirror, they were gone.
In other reports, these children appear on the front doorstep of witnesses homes, asking to use the phone, asking for money, or asking for something to eat or drink. Although the supposed motivation varies, victims always report that same sense of dread and fear looms over them almost immediately. Additionally, before the encounter it seems as though everything around them goes quiet. As though time itself has stopped. Similar to vampires, an invitation is needed to enter the intended victim’s home. Refusal is met with demands to be let in, fierce knocking on all entries to the home, and unearthly screams being heard from outside. Those who do let the children in their homes report feeling dizzy, faint, and having paranormal activity in their home after the childrens’ departure. Some have even reported developing cancers, or having sudden and bizarre deaths occur. Though a famous urban legend in the United States, very little is known about what these entities are.
According to the book “Black Eyed Kids” by G. Michael Vasey, his theory is that these children are the descendants of Lillith herself. In addition to being a seductress, she apparently steals children and babies, incubating them with demonic powers and the desire to consume souls. This gives them the reputation of being “soul eaters” a demon that feeds off of life force or souls.
Many draw parallels with these children and the “Men in Black”, a phenomenon after extraterrestrial encounters, and therefore believe that these children are the alien beings themselves. They could also be the Men in Black before they “grow up”. Almost silent, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, and using intimidation are all traits assigned to both the Men in Black and the Black Eyed Children. Another common theme is they have a hidden agenda, and the fact that they usually come at night. They also show a desire to be noticed, while also desiring concealment.
Another theory is that these “children” are a type of psychic vampire known to also feed on psychic energy or souls instead of human blood. The fact that they only make their presence known at night, coupled by the need for an invitation to enter makes this a possibility.
So what are they? Are they vampires? Interdimensional beings? Or are they soul-consuming demons? One thing is certain. Whatever these entities are, they use the correlation people have with children and vulnerability and purity to further their supposed agenda, whatever that may be.
