Elemental Spirits

 ELEMENTAL SPIRITS (folklore & myths)

The four elements of this world are; Earth, Fire, Water and Air. According

to myth and legend these each have their own particular kind of spirits.

They are called Elementals or Nature Spirits. There are many names given to

these beings such as; Fairies, Goblins, Pixies, Leprechauns, The Little

People etc. These elemental spirits have never been physically alive, as we

human beings are alive. They live in another dimension that we may sometimes

see. Many believe they exist within their elements, as we exist on this

planet that we call The World, or Earth. We will now look at some of the

spirits that may live within the four elements.

Water Spirits

SIRENS: Also called Mermaids, these are exceptionally beautiful female

spirits. They look lovely and sing so softly and sweetly that men,

especially sailors, fall under their spell. They are however, very dangerous

to know. Usually four to five feet in height they often have a tail like a

fish. Living beneath the sea, but close to shore, they use their fabulous

looks and seductive songs to lure sailors onto the rocks where their ships

are wrecked. Watch out for Sirens on soft summer moonlit nights, when the

silver sea seems still and welcoming. Then they are seeking young men to

drag down to their wonderful palaces beneath the waves. The Sirens have a

Queen called Lamia, but she won't spare you. In fact if you hear their sweet

songs as you sail the seas, close your ears.

VODYANY: Quite the ugliest of elementals this fantastic creature resembles a

naked, fat, humanoid pig. He is about three foot in height with a huge

wobbly belly, bright red snout and is always dripping wet. This water spirit

can sometimes be seen sitting at the side of rivers or ponds waiting for

children, his favorite victims. He holds a thick club with many colored

ribbons on and uses this to batter them to death. Some believe the Vodyany

takes the souls of drowned people and keeps them in glass jars. Not on many

people's party lists.

KELPIES: Also known as Mer-Men. These are the male equivalent of Mermaids.

Young and usually very handsome, they play the harp and enchant the ladies

with their music. Some say Kelpies are shape-shifters and describe them in

various forms, such as half man half fish. Or as having long beards,

yellowish teeth and red caps on their heads. In some countries the Kelpies

are thought to ride dolphins and carry three pronged forks, like Neptune.

Kelpies are said to be soul stealers that take drowned humans to their

underwater homes. If you hear the gentle tones of a harp as you walk beside

some lake, river or pond beware. The Kelpie is a greedy spirit and will

snatch you down into the watery depths if it gets a chance.

Air Spirits

FAIRIES: This is the widest term used to describe all sorts of air

elementals. These beings are thought to live between this world and heaven.

Their wonderful palaces stand high in the air and are invisible to the human

eye. Some are said to live inside old twisted trees, usually ancient oaks or

hawthorns. They have many different names and are all capable of changing

their shape. The English Fairy is often pictured as a small but very

beautiful female, with gossamer wings. 'Tinkerbell' in the Disney film of

Peter Pan is the image that many have of fairies. However they can change

into birds, frogs, and butterflies. So never be cruel to these wild

creatures, you might just hurt a fairy. Some are thought to appear as

wrinkled old men with ugly fat warts on their long twisted noses. All

fairies hate misers. They love dancing in the moonlight, especially on

Midsummer night. Fairies will help those who are good and kind. But watch

out if you are a mean type of person, the fairies will trip you up and play

jokes on you.

BANSHEE: Also known as the Ban-Sith. This is the fairy of death. They are

never seen, but the terrible sounds they make strike terror into the hearts

of all who hear them. They can be heard wailing and screaming round the

houses of families where someone is about to die. It is believed the Banshee

is calling to the spirit of the dying body and will lead it into the wonders

of the world beyond. In Ireland and in Scotland the cry of the Banshee is

feared, for it means a family member will die. These spirit beings attach

themselves to certain families and their offspring. So anyone who has Irish

or Scottish ancestry could have a Banshee spirit. However, the Banshee is

not an evil elemental, it is a protective spirit. The Banshee cares for the

family it lives with, in this world and the next. You will never see a

Banshee, but take care if you hear one.

SIDHE: These are the true aristocrats of the fairy kingdom. They are usually

invisible and live in fabulous castles that float in the air. The Sidhe do

sometimes appear to human beings and they are incredibly beautiful. Their

Queen is called Maeve and she is so stunningly attractive that it is

dangerous for human beings to look upon her. In height The Sidhe can be up

to six foot, their hair is long, wavy and often blonde. Their clothes are

brilliant white and always sparkling clean. However, despite their great

beauty, the Sidhe are not always kind. They dislike dirty people who don't

wash. And anyone who is unlucky enough to meet one on the 1st of May or

Halloween; the 31st October, should run. These are the days when The Sidhe

move house. Any Sidhe ill met by moonlight on the night of Halloween may

dance you away into fairyland. Those who visit the land of the fairies are

forever changed by the incredible experience.

Fire Spirits

SALAMANDERS: These creatures are said to live in fire and flames. They look

very much like a lizard with pointed claws and eyes like red hot coals.

Sometimes they can be seen curled in the smouldering cinders of a household

fire. They are said to protect the home they live in and should not be

killed. The ancient Greeks believed ill luck came if they were mistreated.

According to mythology they are born from the egg of a magical rooster and

these take seven years to hatch.

BASILISK: Also called a Cockatrice, this fabulous serpent like creature has

a mitre shaped crest upon its head. Born from the egg of a cock hatched by a

snake these fiery spirits are very wicked and evil. According to legend the

Basilisk can kill with a terrible look. Should you see one dancing in the

burning embers of some fire, run. If you can't escape then call out its name

loudly. These nasty fire spirits hate people knowing their name. Another

form of protection is to hold a mirror in front of the beast, their own

hurtful glare is then turned back upon themselves.

HOBGOBLIN: These are now very rarely seen. In height they are under two foot

and they wear no clothes. Their faces are often extremely ugly and they seem

to enjoy pulling them into funny shapes to scare human beings. Some believe

that Hobgoblins can be seen dancing in the flames of domestic fires. They

make their homes in the very warmest parts of houses, usually next to an

open fire. Some have very special names, such as; Hob-Gob or Tom-Tit, if you

chance to see one try using these. However expect no favours from your

average Hobgoblin, they are selfish creatures whose main concern is keeping

warm.

Earth Spirits

SPIRITS GNOMES, sometimes called Knockers, are the chief elemental spirits

of the earth. Gnomes are thought to be wise spirits. However they are also

believed to be very naughty and there are many reports of their bad

behaviour. Some are said to have wicked tempers and they hate whistling.

Never whistle in a cave or a mine, otherwise you could meet an angry Gnome.

Some Gnomes are thought to be quite bashful and do not like being looked at

by humans. This may explain why you have never seen one. In height they can

be between 12 inches and three foot. Their physical features quite closely

resemble those of human beings. Some have pointy ears and bushy beards. They

are often pictured wearing pointed caps, loose jackets over tight trousers

with a thick belt. Mines, caves and rocky regions are where these creatures

usually live and work. It is from their constant chipping at the rocks that

they get the name Knockers.

THE QUIET FOLK; these are small human like figures with magical powers. They

often wear floppy hats and carry knobbly walking sticks. Usually they live

near old forests within ancient mounds or hillocks. They are thought to be

able to bring both good and bad luck. If you meet one of The Quiet Folk

always be polite, say please and thank you and offer them your best wishes.

On no account must you be rude to them or they will play tricks on you and

your family. These are very gentle spirits if you treat them well. But never

not ever, tell them a lie, they just hate liars.

BOGGART; these beings are about 3 foot in height, rather plumpish with

angry eyes and big grabby hands. They are scruffy looking creatures, very

dangerous and should be avoided. If you go too close to a Boggart they

will snatch you and drag you into the smelly hole that is their home. They

usually live under bridges over streams, or where there is swampy land. It

is from the name Boggart that we get the scary 'Bogy Man' that parents

frighten children with. If you meet one always run home as fast as you

can. Never talk to a Boggart, they make no sense anyway. And do not go

within grabbing distance.

by Jari Mikola

Thank you for it all my friend.

The Brown Lady : The Most Famous Authenticated Ghost Photograph

 This portrait of "The Brown Lady" ghost is arguably the most famous and well-regarded ghost photograph ever taken. The ghost is thought to be that of Lady Dorothy Townshend, wife of Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount of Raynham, residents of Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England in the early 1700s. It was rumored that Dorothy, before her marriage to Charles, had been the mistress of Lord Wharton. Charles suspected Dorothy of infidelity. Although according to legal records she died and was buried in 1726, it was suspected that the funeral was a sham and that Charles had locked his wife away in a remote corner of the house until her death many years later.

Dorothy's ghost is said to haunt the oak staircase and other areas of Raynham Hall. In the early 1800s, King George IV, while staying at Raynham, saw the figure of a woman in a brown dress standing beside his bed. She was seen again standing in the hall in 1835 by Colonel Loftus, who was visiting for the Christmas holidays. He saw her again a week later and described her as wearing a brown satin dress, her skin glowing with a pale luminescence. It also seemed to him that her eyes had been gouged out. A few years later, Captain Frederick Marryat and two friends saw "the Brown Lady" gliding along an upstairs hallway, carrying a lantern. As she passed, Marryat said, she grinned at the men in a  "diabolical manner." Marryat fired a pistol at the apparition, but the bullet simply passed through.

This famous photo was taken in September, 1936 by Captain Provand and Indre Shira, two photographers who were assigned to photograph Raynham Hall for Country Life magazine.

This is what happened according to Shira:

 This is what happened, according to Shira:

"Captain Provand took one photograph while I flashed the light. He was focusing for another exposure; I was standing by his side just behind the camera with the flashlight pistol in my hand, looking directly up the staircase. All at once I detected an ethereal veiled form coming slowly down the stairs. Rather excitedly, I called out sharply: 'Quick, quick, there's something.' I pressed the trigger of the flashlight pistol. After the flash and on closing the shutter, Captain Provand removed the focusing cloth from his head and turning to me said: "What's all the excitement about?"

 Upon developing the film, the image of The Brown Lady ghost was seen for the first time. It was published in the December 16, 1936 issue of Country Life. The ghost has been seen occasionally since.

Ghosts, Demons, Psychic Abilities: From The Mouths Of Babes

 Answering questions about ghosts, demons, haunting and the like is quite difficult, but add children’s questions into the mix and it becomes a real challenge. Because these are children I will not mention anything except that these questions are from some amazing, curious, and lovable kids. So guys, here are your answers. I hope this helps!

Questions from Miss A.

Can ghosts learn your name?

Can ghosts talk to you? Can you talk to them?

These three questions all ask if you can communicate with ghosts. The answers are kind of complicated. There are two kinds of ghosts. The first kind is what is called a “residual haunting” which is just a big word for a recording. When you take a video using your phone, the camera works by using the energy in the phone to kind of remember what you showed it so you can play it back. That is what a residual haunting is. When something happens somewhere, sometimes the space people are in works like your phone and records what happens. Then, years later, some people can see what was recorded, like looking at a video recorded a long time ago. There is no ghost there, just like the people in a video are not there, you just see what was there before. So because they are just pictures of what people did you cannot talk to them and they cannot talk to you, just like you cannot have a conversation with the people in a video.

The other kind of ghost is there, and if they are interested in you they certainly can learn your name and talk to you. Some ghosts are better at this than others, it is tricky for them. The ones that are not very good at it will seem scary because they are trying to talk to you but all they can do is move things or make sounds to get your attention. Sometime you might hear your name, or a whisper, or the lights might go off and on, there are so many things they can do. But almost all of them do not want to scare you, they are just trying to say “Hey! I am here!”. If this happens to you, you can say to it, ‘I know you are here, I saw the lights go out” or “I hear you, I heard you call my name”. This can make them feel so much better! Imagine if you were invisible and trying to get someone to know you are there. It would be frustrating and scary. So letting a ghost know you know they are there will make them feel better and sometimes that is all they want, they will stop. Other times they will want to talk to you and so more things might happen. You can talk to a ghost. Just start talking! Some people are better at hearing and seeing ghosts and some ghosts are better at talking and showing themselves. How much you can communicate with a ghost depends on how good both of you are at seeing and hearing each other. That is why some people see or feel ghosts and others do not.

Can ghosts show up in your dreams?

That is an excellent question. Please look at Miss Z’s question “What does it mean to dream about people you’ve never met or dead family members? The answer is there.

Do ghosts ever leave their place of haunting?

It is possible, but they usually do not. If they do leave it is because they are following a living person around. If you do not want this to happen, sometimes just telling it to leave you alone or to not follow you will stop them. Do not ask, you TELL them. You can also put a shield around yourself. Close your eyes. Picture you are in a clear bubble that nothing can get through. You can move and do anything you want but nothing can get in. See this bubble as being made of the good energy you have and the energy of everything good in the universe. You can even say it, say “nothing can get through this bubble around me” We can do that with people too. If something unhappy is happening around you, keep that bubble up and the bad energy will not get into you. You will still feel it but it helps a lot to keep it away from you.

Do ghosts have friends?

I do not know, but if you ever talk to one, ask it and let me know!

Can ghosts help you with stuff?

There are just a few times that ghosts have helped people. It usually does not happen. So forget it if you want a ghost to do your homework or clean your room! Once, I needed a very special kind of needle to make jewelry and I knew I did not have one and I had no money to go buy one. After trying to think of a way to get one, I walked into a room and saw something shiny in the rug. I picked it up and it was the exact needle I needed! I had never ever owned one before. I thanked my ghost and made my jewelry.

What can a ghost do to you?

That is a big question. It sounds like you might be scared of ghosts so you want to know what to expect or prepare for. Well first, do not believe what you see on TV or online or on your phone. Even ghost hunting shows are not completely real. The internet, cable, and all the media is a business and a business is there for one thing, that is to make money. To make money they have to get you interested in them and they do that by scaring you or making up things that are fun to watch because they make you think it is real. Just look at all that as made-up stories.

As for what they can do to you, well, not much really. There seems to be some kind of law in the universe that prevents ghosts from hurting you directly. The few cases there have been that look like ghosts have hurt someone turn out to be that the person has problems and just thinks it is a ghost. The only things I have heard of are touching and pushing. Like I said before about getting your attention, a ghost will try to touch you with a tap, a pat, or a rub, trying to get your attention. They can give you a little push, but not enough to push you down or into harm’s way. Again, the universe seems to prevent them from doing real harm. They can also sit on you. I know someone who had a ghost sit on her lap. She was not pinned down, she stood right up and it made her laugh! They can also throw small things at you. TV and movies show ghosts throwing bricks and furniture but that is not true! They can rearrange your furniture, open all your kitchen cabinets, or hide your jewelry, but you will never have a bookcase thrown at you. They can give you a bruise by throwing things at you. I had one throw a perfume bottle at me and I got a nice bruise on my foot. That is about all they can do. Sometimes though, people get very scared in a haunted house and because they are scared they might fall down steps or trip over things and blame the ghost but when other people who saw it happen speak up, they say that the person just tripped, they were not pushed!  I have had a ghost breathe on my neck and it startled me and made me drop my glass of water. I was scared but I did not know at the time that the ghost was trying to say hello and not trying to scare me. Miss Miranda’s grandmother used to touch me! I never got to meet her when she was alive but she wanted to communicate with me from the other side. She used to tap my back in the same specific way she used to get the attention of people she loved when she was alive. So she was trying to tell me that she liked me and it was okay with her that I was with Miss Miranda. 

Questions from Miss Z.

Is possession real? Is The Exorcist a real possession story? Can demons follow you?

Miss Z, it sounds like you are scared of demons, and I used to be too! I was so scared that I did a lot of research and even went to places to find out the truth. It turns out that demons are just powerful mean ghosts, not beings with unlimited evil powers.

If you are afraid of a demon following you, please go back and read my answer to Miss A about using a bubble of energy around you to keep things away. You also do not want to open a door for them. This means that you should never play with a Ouija board or anything that works like one. If you do not have a really strong bubble of protection, which can take a very long time to build up, be careful believing things a pendulum tells you. If you want to be completely safe from opening a door for them, the only way to try to communicate with the other side or to predict things is through speaking to them or using cards, tea leaves, or a crystal ball. The really good news is that these evil spirits are so rare that you and anyone you know have pretty much no chance of ever being around one.

The movie The Exorcist came from a story in the newspaper in the 1940s of a boy being possessed. It happened not too far from where my Dad lived! Peter Blatty heard the story and decided to make the boy a girl and add a bunch of scary stuff…did you read where I talked about how TV and movies tell us stories to make money? Stories that are not true. That is what this writer and then the people who made the movie did. They made things up to make money. Well, it turns out that this boy’s mother did not give him enough attention so he pretended to be possessed and he did it so well that he fooled doctors and priests. Many people believe he had help from a very mean ghost.  So when you watch The Exorcist remember, all those things did NOT happen, it is mostly just a story. The question “Is possession real” is very hard to answer because most of the possessions we know about happened a long time ago when no one knew about science, or in little villages where there is not much education so science is not really understood. When people do not understand something they sometimes make up things to explain them if they do not know about science. But since all this happened either long ago or in small villages it is very hard to say for certain what happened. The good news is that you cannot be possessed unless you invite the demon, or spirit in. People invite them without knowing it by using Ouija boards and things like it where a demon or ghost can spell out words. So do not wish for a bad spirit and do not use the board and you are fine! Regular, just mean ghosts can be removed by smudging a room, using sprays and crystals but the best way is to use one of those things and just tell it to go away! You take charge. This is your world, not theirs and they need to go back to their own world. Just like you would tell a person who broke into your house to go away, you tell that spirit to get out! It seems simple but it does work. In the end, this is OUR WORLD, they are visitors or intruders, and we have control. People who are called possessed are people with the kind of problems you guys do not have. So do not worry.

How do you know if you are psychic?

Most people who are psychic do not even know it until they get older and other people tell them they can do things most people cannot. Ask yourself some questions. If you answer yes you may be psychic.

Ask yourself:

• Do I see, hear or smell things all the time that no one else can?
• Do I have dreams about things and then they happen?
• Do I just KNOW what is going to happen before it does and if so, does this happen on most days?
• Do things move by themselves when I am very angry or very sad?
• Do things that use electricity act funny when I am very mad or sad?
• Do I just know or feel things about people that turn out to be correct?
• Do I see auras, or colored light around people?
• Do I get very tired or anxious around too many people, bright lights, or noise?
• Do I love animals as much as I love people?
• Do people tell me my feelings get hurt too much or that I am too sensitive?
• Do my friends like me but think I am kind of weird?

Those are the basics but there are so many more signs. You can google “How do I know if I am psychic” and read some answers online.

The main thing is that you are different. You can feel or predict things other people cannot.

How do know when a ghost or spirit is near?

You don’t always know. If the spirit doesn’t have the ability to communicate or if you are not one of those people who can just sense spirits, there could be one around you and you would never know it. But if you are a person who can detect ghosts you will know it. Things will move or disappear, you will see them, or even just feel like they are there. You will know.

What does it mean to dream about people you’ve never met or dead family members?

Sometimes it doesn’t mean anything, it is just a dream. For some people though, dreams can open up your psychic abilities so spirits can communicate with you through your dreams. If you dream of someone you never met and then you meet them, you are able to predict the future in certain ways. The best way to tell the difference is that a psychic dream will usually be in bright colors, it will have sound. It will feel very real and sometimes you will know you are dreaming while you are dreaming! Psychic dreams feel different from regular dreams. You will be remembering it all day. A good way to tell is to keep paper and pencil or a computer near your bed and as soon as you wake up, immediately  write it down. Because we forget our dreams in a minute, write down your dream immediately. First write the thing you remember the most or that seems the most important, then go back and fill in the rest of the dream. That way, you have proof for yourself that you dreamed something when it happens, or if you have spirit dreams you can read what they say in each dream and put it all together. I say proof for yourself because it does no good to try to tell other people you are psychic. Most of them will not believe you and that is very frustrating. Others will want you to show them but it is not something you do on command like a dog. If they do believe you they will probably ask you all the time to give them answers and then you wonder if they are really your friend or just pretending so they can be near you. It is not worth it. Back to dreams.  I have always had my relatives come visit me in my dreams after they passed away. They want to say goodbye to me and sometimes they give me advice. I know it is them and not just a dream because it is very very real, more real than my other dreams. Sometimes you might wake up and see a spirit near you. We are much more open to ghosts when we are sleepy.

 To Miss A and Miss Z,

I hope this answers your questions. I think both of you should read this whole thing because a lot of what you want to know is in each other’s answers.

The main thing to remember is that ghosts are just dead people. When a person dies they do not become good or bad, they are just the same as they were in life. They want to communicate with you, not scare you. Remember, this is your life, your world and you can tell them to leave you alone if you want them to go. Personally, I like having them around. They do not communicate very much but just knowing they are there is a nice feeling. I am not alone.