Ominous Origins

The Arizona Skinwalkers

Being a Canadian living in a rather generic part of the country, a desert is something that holds a mystical and nearly magical aspect in my imagination. At the heart of that image sits Arizona, a state rich in native lore and culture. Through what I can only picture are large barren plains and magnificent outcroppings of red rock, lies a land full of intrigue and stories that live on throughout time. And during my research, I wasn’t wrong. Arizona has a plethora of urban legends and ghost stories to siphon through – everything from The Chupacabra, to spirits of the old gold rush haunting mines and trails, I had to eventually pick just one: The Skinwalker. Now, I did something on the Wendigo a long while back, and I thought this would be a bit too similar – then I started finding stories and firsthand accounts, and the results were far too interesting let by. The skinwalker is believed to be a Navajo shaman who, more or less, went to the dark side, something borne of pure evil and remain that way for all time. It’s believed that they can take the form of anything, from bird to wolves; from bears to even humans. These are stealthy, cunning, and deadly hunters. When not shape shifting, they tend to linger in the rather vile form of something that stands about 5 feet, smells of death, and is covered in long shaggy hair. These creatures are the things of extensive lore, and have deep roots in the Navajo, and other native tribes’ cultures. There have been accounts of them all over the USA, but it seems that most of their activity is situated in the Arizona deserts. But, you’ll just have to listen to the cast to find out more about these enthralling creatures.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Alaskan Triangle

We’re all quite familiar with the Bermuda Triangle – right? The part of the world where everything from people to planes go missing, and is full of other paranormal, or extraterrestrial reports, yeah, you know it. But did you know there is another mysterious triangle out there in the world, and it may even be in your backyard. If you live in Alaska, you’ve probably heard of it. It’s a swath of land between Anchorage, Juneau, and Barrow, and since 1988 more than 15,000 people have gone missing there – a rate that is two times the national average. There are a ton of different theories behind what’s actually causing the disappearances; from aliens to energy vortexes, to simple answers such as geography and the harsh environment. No matter the causes, thousands have disappeared in that specific triangle of land, and that in and of itself is very peculiar. The area began attracting attention in 1972 when a plane carrying political official went missing while flying over the area in October of that year. Over the course of month, hundred searched the area – in fact more than 32,000 square miles were scoured, but no trace of survivors, corpses, or debris were ever located. From there, things only got worse as more and more people and crafts went missing when traveling that fateful passage. So, what is it? Is it aliens, or maybe it’s the Alaskan native legend of the Kushtaka? Perhaps it’s nothing more than a strong magnetic pull, or harsh weather. Whatever the case, I’ll do my best to explore it. So be sure to listen to the entire cast for all the information. Don’t forget as well, there’s still a few more weeks left to drop a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts for a chance to win some cool stuff! If you’re listening on Stitcher, you can leave a review there and still be entered! Gotta be inclusive!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dead Children's Playground

In the first episode of season 4, I start a 50 episode series on strange and weird happenings within the USA. It will henceforth be called: The Eerie USA. I hope you enjoy the first episode... The Dead Children's Playground!Tucked away in Huntsville, Alabama lies a cemetery – Huntsville's largest in fact. It was founded in 1822, but was believed to be used as a burial ground prior to that. Over the years the cemetery has expanded, and the town around it has as well. Now, just as we all die one day and our bodies need a resting place, we are also born. That may be a weird segue, but I have my reasons!Generally kids need a place to play, grow, and have fun, right? We all remember going to the park as kids and squealing down the metal slide (you can hear it too when you read that, don’t lie), climbing on the bars, and swinging on the swings, but your playground probably wasn’t located in a cemetery, was it? Well the kids who live near Maple Hill cemetery have that option. I know many of you are thinking to yourselves as adults, “that’s the damn near coolest thing I’ve ever heard,” and you’re it wrong. But what if I told you the playground wasn’t just reserved for the living?Of course the playground is haunted – look where it is! Multiple reports have given credence to the swings swinging at night, accompanied by the sound of kids playing and the shouts of mothers calling for their children. The cemetery and playground have gone through many changes over the years, but it’s location has never changed. Surrounded by rock walls on almost every side, the park is a sight to make even the most skeptical have a second thought. It’s eerie atmosphere and fascinating history makes for a great story whether the reports of hauntings are true or not. Be sure to listen to the full story on the podcast, and don’t forget that this is just stop one on my tour through the US urban legends.Be sure to leave a review on iTunes or Apple podcasts as well for you chance to win some sweet merch!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's STILL the End of the World.

Last week we tackled the impending doom of our world through mostly Christian means. We went over what eschatology is, what it means, and how it could potentially affect us in the future. Well, as I mentioned, in that cast, almost every religion or culture believes in some kind of end times, but when it comes to Judaism, few can compare.Jewish eschatology has been studied and debated for centuries, and as one of the world’s oldest religions, there’s a plethora of information available. From the second Temple period, to the garden of Eden, there’s so much to talk about, I’m not even completely sure how to sum it up here. There are varying opinions on the same events depending on the specific belief system. There are texts and holy lineage to take into account as well.So what does the end of the world look like to people of the Jewish faith? You’ll just have to listen this week to find out!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The End Of The World

It’s no secret that throughout the course of history, maybe even since the beginning of human civilization, people have predicted the end of the world. From Y2k to 2012, the world should have ended many times over. However, we’re not just talking about the 2000’s here, it goes well beyond that, predating most of written history – in fact the first sign that people thought the world would end was discovered on a tablet etched in 2800 by the Assyrians. The Christians have their own as well. In fact they may be some of the more well known ones. Possibly the most well known would have to be the rapture. The rapture is a fairly new concept in the world of eschatology, in the sense that it was primarily create by the American evangelical belief system. Of course, this theory is the one where all believers, living and dead, are brought to heaven to be with Jesus. Another well known Christian one is the Final Judgement, or the second coming of Christ. In this theory, Jesus comes back (again) and judges every person on Earth to see if their worthy of an entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Christianity isn’t the only religion in the world that believes in the end times. The old Norse religion had the belief of Ragnarok, which has become more popularized in pop culture in recent years, but the theory tells of a series of events that leads to the end of the world via various battles between gods and other massive supernatural beings. In fact, a good chunk of religions and cultures throughout history and time believed in some sort of catastrophic event that causes the world as we (or they) know it to crumble. Some, like the Indian religions, have more of a cyclical end time where amidst the destruction comes new life, such as Buddhism. Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witness, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism all have their versions of the End times as well, all of which we’ll explore in the podcast. Lastly, don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes for your chance to win some merch! It’s simple, and it really helps out the cast. Every review left between now and the end of September will enter you in the draw!Be sure to check out www.morbidlybeautiful.com for all your horror pop culture needs!YouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident

Back in 1959 a group of hikers went up into the Ural Mountains to embark on an expedition, little did they know, something would happen. Something terrifying. Something unnatural. Something that was so horrible, not a single one of them survived. Of the nine hikers, all of whom were rather experienced, none made it back home, some were found in the most brutal of ways as well. Named after the group leader, Igor Dyatlov, the incident has gone down as one of the most bizarre and strangest cases of potential supernatural horror in the history of mankind. What really happened on the mountains on those blistery February days may never be known for certain. At the time, the investigation concluded that an “unknown compelling force” had caused the deaths of these people, even though most were found to have died from hypothermia. The other three however, well, they had a much more gruesome fate, which I’ll go into in more detail in the cast itself. For years, since 1959, people have wondered what just happened. From Yeti’s to avalanches, and everything in between, people have come up with theory after theory, all of which I’ll look at during the podcast. This is by far one of the most interesting cases of anything I’ve ever come across, and when I heard about it years ago, I’d always wanted to look more into it. It’s the perfect scenario of mystery, horror, and intrigue. So join me as I look into all the theories and oddities associated with this truly perplexing case from the annals of real horror history.This podcast is brought to you by Morbidly Beautiful, so make sure you check them out at www.morbidlybeautiful.comAs always, I'd love to hear from you, and you can contact me at any of the places below. Also, don't forget to leave a review. They will be read out on the cast, so feel free to drop one on iTunes or Apple PodcastsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dragons | 2 | St George's battle, and the Chinese Dragons

Last week we took a gander at the mythical and legendary beast known as the dragon. We touched upon many aspects in that first part, but much of it was an introduction into the vast pool of lore available. Today I want to delve deeper into some of the specifics, like st. George and his slaying to a dragon in exotic lands and what it meant for his own mythos.Secondly, I will be looking deeper into one of the most well known dragon cultures in the world – the far East. They’re rich in dragon culture, and the most fascinating bit is the contrast between the eastern and western ideas of what a dragon is and represents. One side looks at them as monsters and devils that breath fire and terrorize. The other cherishes them for the good fortune they bring.Even further into the juxtaposition is the appearance of the dragon in the two cultures vary as well. From dinosaurs to serpents, from scaly to colourful. It’s a really fun and interesting look into what makes these creatures so important, not just in the past, but also what they mean today. Not only have dragons had cultural significance, they’ve also played an enormous role in popular culture and a whole genre of entertainment, gaming, and performances. Entire communities are built off the premise of the dragon and their lore. Of course I’m talking about Dungeons and Dragons, the classic table top RPG that has both inspired and been inspired by the collect lore of the almighty dragon.This podcast is brought to you by Morbidly Beautiful, so make sure you check them out at www.morbidlybeautiful.comAs always, I'd love to hear from you, and you can contact me at any of the places below. Also, don't forget to leave a review. They will be read out on the cast, so feel free to drop one on iTunes or Apple PodcastsYouTube: Horror ShotsWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dragons - Part 1

Here’s a biggen. I’ve toyed with the idea of doing a cast on dragons, but it seemed like such a large daunting, fire-breathing task, but alas, I’ve decided to cover it no matter how large the job. I think we’re all pretty familiar with the dragon itself. It’s generally a large, sometimes winged lizard like creature that, in fantasy, breaths fire. Of course, dragons have been major players in all sorts of fantasy since the beginning of fiction, but do they have a role in actual history? Yes, we know that there’s the komodo dragon, but what about the flying and the fire breathing?Well, it comes as no surprise that almost every culture around the world has made reference to the mighty beast at some point in time, but it seems to start where most myths, legends, and spirituality started – ancient Mesopotamia. They had their own version of the dragon which appeared in various writings, such as poems, and other forms of art (sculptures, murals, etc…)Carrying on through time we have Egypt, which had a giant serpent, which appeared to be dragon like in appearance and traits. There are other areas in the Middle East as well that have had their own dragons in their cultures as well. However, it wasn’t just that continent that provided us with great lore on the subject. The far east is well known for their dragons, and parts or Europe also embraced their dragon culture as well.It’s no surprise that these enormous lizards have such a prominent role in so many cultures. They’re fierce and fiery, strong and powerful, everything every nation wants to have represent them. So be sure to listen, review, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, or YouTube so you never miss an episode!This podcast is brought to you by Morbidly Beautiful, so make sure you check them out at www.morbidlybeautiful.comAs always, I'd love to hear from you, and you can contact me at any of the places below. Also, don't forget to leave a review. They will be read out on the cast, so feel free to drop one on your favorite podcast listening site.YouTube: Horror ShotsWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotspodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.