Ominous Origins

Dark History | The SlenderMan Stabbing

We've all been susceptible to the power of suggestion or given into our beliefs at one point in time, however sometimes people take it a little too far. Knocking on a stranger's door to hand out pamphlets is one thing, but luring your friend into the woods to stab them 19 times is on a complete other level. But that's exactly what happened in May of 2014 in a small county in Wisconsin.What happened on that fateful May day is shrouded in mystery and intrigue not just because two 12 year old girls stabbed their best friend and left her for dead, but because it all boiled down to an internet phenomenon called Slender Man, and the obsession that Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser had with the fictitious creature. Depending on what circles of the internet you follow, you may or may not know who Slender Man is, but the long and short of it is he's a creation that was borne from a photoshopping contest. From there, his lore expanded and spread like wildfire.The near urban legend stature of the Slender Man spawned many, many forms of multimedia from movies to video games, and ultimately garnered one Hell of a following. A following that included two 12 year old girls who felt the need to kill in order appease him. The story doesn't end with a very satisfactory conclusion - while the Victim, Payton Leutner survived by sheer willpower and strength, it also exposed a flaw in our society - mental illness, and how it can so easily go unchecked. Anissa and Morgan, for all their sins, were victims themselves, both suffering for differing forms of mental illness. Though, if you want to hear the whole story, you'll just have to listen to the cast!If you would like to donate to the show, you can, and I would forever be grateful.https://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/muskyfauxWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Norse Mythology | Midgard and The World Serpent

It’s not every week that I take a look at the more common myths and cultures around the world - I feel at times there’s not much I can add to those topics. However, while looking for this week’s topic I came across a familiar, yet distant topic, Jormungand, or the world serpent. While I couldn’t find a great deal of information on the world serpent itself, it did lead me down the rabbit hole of Norse mythology, specifically the relationship between Jormungand and Thor, the Nine Worlds, and the World Tree.The inherent relationship between all of these different aspects is something that’s truly fascinating. The world tree, Yggdrasil is such an important concept, yet very little is actually known about its significance in the grand scheme of things. We know it has a relationship to Midgard (the visible world), Asgard (home of the gods), and Jotunheim (home of the giants), but how the other six worlds sit in relation is unknown. There have been theories, poems, and stories told about all of these, but there wasn’t a lot of written history during the time of these beliefs, which makes it all the more interesting.The Norse culture and mythology is so vast that it would need an entirely dedicated podcast to cover it all, but hopefully you enjoy this quick rundown of some of the things I found of particular interest. From Thor and Jormungand, to the prose Edda, there’s so much to discover, and if you want to know just a little bit more, you’ll have to listen to the cast!If you would like to donate to the show, you can, and I would forever be grateful.https://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/muskyfauxWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Wild Hunt

For anybody who fancies themselves a gamer, the term The Wild Hunt might ring familiar from The Witcher franchise. Anybody who studies folklore, history, or mythology, it might have historical connotations associated with it. And for those of you who have no interest in either, you might not be familiar with the term at all. Nevertheless, The Wild Hunt is a phenomenon of sorts that was popularized throughout much of Europe, with one of the first mentions of it taking place in 1127, however the event dates back even further, going into the days of Odin.The Wild Hunt, like many other semi-religious events, has evolved over the years depending on what religion was in power. It was once considered a pegan tradition, but eventually morphed into one with more Christian motifs to it. Regardless of the localization or region, the Wild Hunt always had a distinct leader; for some it was the Fairy King, others it was a devil. Generally, the Wild hunt was associated with the dead, an army, and the changing of the seasons.It seems that every region that experienced The Wild Hunt has its own tales to tell, and to find out more, as always, you’ll just have to listen to the episode!If you would like to donate to the show, you can, and I would forever be grateful.https://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/muskyfauxWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Faerie Tales | Rev. Robert Kirk

Once again I revisit a case from the past, and something that I’ve had an intense interest in since my youngest years - faeries. Yes, those whimsical little flying folk that live in trees and in knolls. I think most people think of Tinkerbell when they think of faeries, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, faeries and their lore go back hundreds upon hundreds of years. This week’s episode explores one man who has such a connection with the faerie folk that he’s considered the leading expert on the topic. His name is Reverend Robert Kirk, and if you believe the tales, and his journals, not only did he write on the topic of faeries and document their tales and existence, but he spent time with them, lived with them, and perhaps even punished by them.It wasn’t until after his death that Kirk became known for his journals and stories, and it’s even believed that maybe he didn’t die at all. He had such a fondness for the seelie realm that he perhaps chose to stay there, leaving his mortal body behind. Of course, this can’t be proven, but it’s a lovely thought, and gives hope to those that want to believe in an afterlife. Maybe the Reverend lives on with the faeries to this day. For more information, and my thoughts on the whole thing, you’ll just have to listen to the episode.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Swift Runner

For far too long I’ve been neglecting Canadian folklore, dark history, and stories. I’ve started to remedy that in the last few weeks, and I’m continuing on with it this week with the Wendigo story of Swift Runner. Back in the late 1800’s, an indigenous trapper called Swift Runner committed a horrible, terrible… vile act. He murdered, and presumably ate his entire family. It’s shocking, obviously, but why did he do such a terrible thing, and is there more to his tale than meets the eye? He believed himself to be, as well as believed by others, to have been taken over by a Wendigo. I’ve done a number of podcasts on that topic, but the long and short of it is that the Wendigo is a shapeshifting, evil spirit that takes over, or takes the form of a human and forced cannibalism. That’s the real Cole’s Notes version. It’s much more complicated and in depth than that. But, you’ll have to listen to the other episodes on it to find out more. Beyond being a potential victim of the Wendigo, Swift Runner may have been the victim of an ever changing society and culture. He was a staple of the community, he was trustworthy and quiet. But it wasn’t long after colonization that he found himself in an unfamiliar world. He was introduced to Whiskey which turned him into some kind of monster (pun intended). The drink turned who he was upside down. No longer was Swift Runner a pillar of his camp, but was soon forced into exile with his family.Was Swift Runner the victim of a Wendigo, a changing world, or a mental disorder? You be the judge, and listen to the episode for more information.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Close Encounters | Falcon Lake

My fascination with UFO’s continues today with a look at one of, if not the best documented case of UFO activity to have ever happened. No, I’m not talk about Roswell, or Area 51 for the cases surrounding those mysterious sites aren’t actually identified as UFO or alien activity by the US government, but the one I have for you today is. Falcon lake is a geographical area located near Winnipeg, Manitoba, which is in the mid-western part of Canada (best way to describe it). It’s a place that’s been known to have some extreme weather, but also beautiful scenery - and it also happens to be the place where one Stan Michalak encountered not one, but two unidentified flying objects. Stan was an amateur geologist, and he was out surveying the area around Falcon Lake one spring evening when he spotted two cigar shaped objects in the skies above, when suddenly one went down. Being a former military man, Stan felt it was his duty to investigate the object, and when he did, he was completely shocked. What laid before him seemed to be from out of this world. It was smooth and metallic, hot to the touch, and had a ventilation system, or perhaps a self defense system that caused Stan serious burns and illness - so serious in fact that his symptoms lasted months, if not more than a year. He reported the incident, and following an investigation by official channels, nobody had any clue what happened there.But, as always, if you want to know more, you’ll just have to listen to the full episode!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Close Encounters | Shag Harbour

So, I’m just going to get this out there: I’ve been on a bit of UFO kick as of late. I admit it, and I have no idea why. Maybe I was visited recently and my memory was wiped, but on a subconscious level something was imprinted. Who knows. Nevertheless, I have another UFO story for you, and although it’s not as big or well known as the Phoenix lights, or as insane as the Heaven’s Gate cult, it’s a very important one for a couple of reasons. What incident is this, you may be asking? Well, I’m talking about something that happened in 1967 off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada - specifically a place called Shag Harbour. Now, before I go into the details, I just want to send my well wishes to the victims of the recent Nova Scotia mass shooting. It was a despicable act, and I recorded this episode prior to that heinous crime. But I don’t want to linger on that too long, you’re here for something dark, not something terrible.In October of 1967, a pilot and his co-pilot noticed something strange outside their Air Canada flight to Toronto. It was something they’d never seen before, and it was certainly something they didn’t expect to see. In the very definition of the phrase, UFO, they spotted something unknown; something that didn’t belong. And they weren’t the only ones. Several eye-witnesses spotted this flying craft off the coast of Shag Harbour, and even watched as it crashed into the waters not far from land.Was anything found through search parties and government involvement? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out. I can tell you that it is officially documented as a UFO in the public and government records, and what was discovered is something truly remarkable. This is the Shag Harbour UFO incident.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Heaven's Gate Cult

Boy, were the 70’s a strange time. We had free love, hippies, drugs… none of which I was around for. But with that new mentality, the new views on freedom came some pretty unique, and even bizarre views on a variety of things. One person with extremely different views was a man called Marshall Applewhite, and his partner, Bonnie Nettles. The pair believed they were chosen prophets from an alien race who were destined to lead a select chosen few to ascend to evolve to the next rung of evolution. Pretty wacky stuff, right? Well, that was just the start.Nettles and Applewhite took their ideas to a panel, printed fliers and brochures, and eventually amassed a small following of 35 plus people in the end. Their preaching and ideals became known as Heaven’s Gate, and among their beliefs was that Mary (as in the virgin Mary) was impregnated by aliens, and that Applewhite himself was possessed by the very same spirit that inhabited Jesus. Oh, and he would save his followers from Lucifer. Like I said, wacky stuff.In the end, around 20 years after the formation of the cult, Nettles died of cancer. This even threw everything Applewhite had been preaching and teaching under the bus, and in a sort of panic believed a sign from the heavens was bestowed upon him. It was time for he and his followers to ascend, to finally leave their earthly vessels and join Nettles in the higher plane of evolution. It’s a tragic story, but also one filled with absurdities. To find out more, and what happened in the end, you’ll just have to listen to the episode.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: ominousoriginspodTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsCredit: Music: https://www.purple-planet.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.