Folklore, Cryptids, & Other Unexplained
Hessdalen lights
The Hessdalen lights are a strange and persistent phenomenon observed in Norway’s Hessdalen Valley since the 1930s. These lights appear both day and night, glowing white, yellow, or red. They sometimes hover in place, sway gently, or shoot across the sky at high speeds. Sightings can last anywhere from a few seconds to several hours, and the lights often pulse or flicker in eerie patterns. Despite decades of scientific monitoring—including radar and video recordings—no definitive explanation has emerged. Some researchers suggest natural plasma caused by radon decay, while others point to rare atmospheric conditions. And of course, the UFO lore surrounding Hessdalen has earned it the nickname “Norway’s Roswell.”
Gef the Talking Mongoose
In the early 1930s, on a remote farm on the Isle of Man, the Irving family claimed to have encountered a creature unlike any other—a talking mongoose named Gef. First heard by James Irving while reading the newspaper outdoors, Gef’s voice rang out with biting wit: “Read it out loud, you fat-headed gnome!” James described Gef as “a little animal resembling a stoat, a ferret, or a weasel,” with yellow fur, a nine-inch-long body, and a bushy tail speckled with black. But Gef was no ordinary mongoose. He proclaimed himself an “extra extra clever mongoose!” and even an “Earthbound spirit.” Gef’s antics were legendary. He woke the family in the dead of night, hunted mice, and feasted on bacon and sausages. Some believed Voirrey Irving, the daughter of the household, was behind the phenomenon—accused of ventriloquism and trickery. Yet Voirrey denied it all, even after actor Leslie Graham, who bought the farmhouse in 1946, claimed to have shot Gef. Voirrey insisted the slain creature was too large and the wrong color—black and gray, not Gef’s signature yellow. Until her death in 2005, Voirrey maintained that Gef was real. Gef’s legacy lives on in pop culture, most notably in Lemon Demon’s song Eighth Wonder, which borrows one of Gef’s most chilling boasts: “I am a freak. I have hands and I have feet, and if you saw me you’d faint, you’d be petrified, mummified, turned into stone or a pillar of salt!"
The Importance of Cryptozoology
Throughout history, cultures around the world have told stories of mysterious and elusive creatures—many of which were long dismissed as myth or legend. Yet, time and again, some of these so-called cryptids have been proven real. The gorilla, once thought to be a fearsome jungle myth, was confirmed by Western science in the mid-19th century. The okapi, a shy forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe, remained hidden from modern science until the early 1900s. And the coelacanth, a prehistoric fish believed extinct for 65 million years, was found alive and well in 1938. Cryptozoology has the potential to reveal unknown biodiversity, enhance our understanding of animal behavior, and illuminate the foundations of myth and folklore...these surprising discoveries also remind us that the line between myth and reality isn’t always as clear as we think
Dobhar-chú
The Dobhar-chú (pronounced dower-coo) is a creature from Irish folklore, often described as a mythical lake monster or water hound. Its name translates to "water dog" in Irish, and it's said to inhabit isolated lakes and rivers, particularly in the western parts of Ireland.
The Dobhar-chú is typically portrayed as a large, otter-like creature, sometimes as big as a horse, covered in dark fur, with a sleek, powerful body adapted for swimming, possessing razor-sharp teeth, and aggressive behavior.
A woman named Grace McGloighlin was allegedly killed by a Dobhar-chú in the 18th century in Glenade Lake in County Leitrim. Her husband is said to have avenged her death by killing the creature, and a gravestone depicting the Dobhar-chú can still be seen in the local cemetery.
The Phooka
The phooka is a shapeshifter from Irish folklore, its most common forms include a dark horse, a goat, rabbit, dog, goblin-like humanoid, a beautiful human, or a terrifying monster, depending on its mood or intention. Their behavior ranges from harmless mischief to frightening chaos. They may speak in human language, offering cryptic warnings or riddles. Sometimes they lead travelers astray, or spook livestock. In stories where it appears as a horse, it might offer a ride to a human—only to go on a terrifying, uncontrollable gallop through brambles, bogs, and rivers, before dumping the rider far from home. But in other tales, it protects people, offers prophecies, or even rewards kindness with help or treasure.
Sandman
We all know the tale of the Sandman—the gentle figure who sprinkles dust into our eyes to lull us to sleep. But few have heard of the other Sandman, a creature that shares the name but none of its kindness. This Sandman is a thing of nightmares. Its skin is like that of the long-dead—decayed, gray, and stretched too tightly over bone. Its fingers are grotesquely long, tipped with blackened nails, and its mouth is filled with rows of jagged, needle-like teeth. It lurks just beyond the edge of vision, cloaked in shadow. From the darkness, it whispers a strange, rhythmic chant: "Tik toc... tik toc..." The sound seeps into the ears of its chosen victim, dragging them helplessly into a deep, unnatural sleep. Once the victim is unconscious, the Sandman creeps from its hiding place and feeds. It only needs to consume one soul per night—but sometimes, it kills simply for pleasure.
