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Tulpa
The Tulpa is a mystic phenomenon from Shamanistic beliefs in Tibet. They’re created when a person’s thoughts collect and take astral form. This can be done intentionally or through subconscious thought during sleep or meditation. The form a Tulpa takes depends on the nature of the thoughts that create them, with violent forms creating a beastly creature. After existing for some period of time, the Tulpa becomes a completely separate entity. These Tulpas can become strong enough to be seen in dreams or on the physical plain. Citations: Tyson, Donald. Serpent of Wisdom: And Other Essays on Western Occultism. United States, Llewellyn Publications, 2013.
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Trazgos/Trasgos
The Trazgos are mythical creatures from Spain. They’re four feet tall, and have human legs with bird toes, short arms, and rough, red, human-like skin. They’re known to set traps in the woods like snares and deadfall traps. They use these to capture travelers, spit venom in their eyes, and kill them by slashing and biting, consuming flesh and blood. They can be killed by an ax or sword that has been soaked in sweet oil and mashed garlic for three days. If not killed in a single blow, they turn into will-o-wisps that escape to heal. Dead Trazgos must be rubbed with garlic paste, wrapped in shroud cloth, and…
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Te Po
Te Po is a primordial deity of the void from Maori myth. They personify the night existing before light came to be. Te Po is often spoken of alongside Te Kore, a similar deity of darkness. Citations: Jordan, Michael. Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses. United States, Facts On File, Incorporated, 2014.
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Te Kore
Te Kore is a primordial deity of the void from Maori myth. They personify the darkness and chaos existing before light came to be. Te Kore is often spoken of alongside Te Po, a similar deity of the Night. Citations: Jordan, Michael. Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses. United States, Facts On File, Incorporated, 2014.
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Splinter Cat
The Splinter Cat is a creature from lumberjack folklore, particularly in Wisconsin and Minnesota. They’re described as large cats with hardened skulls. They solely feed on raccoons and bees by charging into trees and breaking them into splinters. The result of their actions makes the trees look like they were struck by lightning. Citations: Rose, Carol. Giants Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia Of Folklore Legend And Myth. United Kingdom, WW Norton, 2001.
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Sisior
In a story from the island of Yap, there was a woman from Maki named Sisior. She went to bathe next to her house, and her tattoos were visible as she undressed. A demon in the form of an eel saw this and fell in love with her. When it approached her, she panicked and ran away. In her dreams, she saw a handsome man who asked why she ran away when he approached her in the water. She was confused until the man explained he appeared in the form of an eel. She explained she did see him but was afraid of the eel, so he asked her to…
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Nattramn/Nattravn
The Nattramn is a mythical creature from Swedish, and Danish beliefs, related to Germanic Nachktrapp. Its name means “Night Raven” since it takes raven form. They’re believed to be a manifestation of the souls of abandoned children. They’re associated with those who die and sink into marshes. Sometimes they are believed to be murdered children whose bodies have been hidden. They resemble black birds or bird skeletons with a hole in their wings. It’s believed anyone who looks through the hole in their wings will die. They’re also sometimes thought to foretell evil. Hearing the Nattramn flying causes illness or blindness and causes death within a year, and they may…
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Megalania
The Megalania is a massive species of lizard from Australia and New Guinea. Most believe this species has been extinct for 19,000 years, though some think it could still be alive today. They are known to have serrated blade teeth and some suggest they could reach a max of 23 feet in length and weigh over 4000 pounds. They are related to the Komodo dragon, though their closest living relative is a lizard called the perentie. In one encounter from Australia, two lumberjacks encountered a 20-foot-long lizard in the woods. The creature bit off two fingers from one of the men, and the other man killed it by driving a…
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Koryo
The Koryo is a form of yokai from Japan and a variation of the Kitsune. It’s a fox spirit whose name translates to “ghost fox.” It’s thought to haunt and bewitch people. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006. Picken, Stuart D. B.. Essentials of Shinto: an analytical guide to principal teachings. United Kingdom, Bloomsbury Academic, 1994.
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Kludde
The Kludde is a monstrous dog from Flemish myth. It takes the form of a giant black dog wrapped in chains as some believe it broke free from Hell. It can also change into the form of a giant black cat, a giant crow, or some other night predator. It attacks isolated travelers and is big enough to take down a horse and break its back. It runs around on its back legs and is incredibly fast. When someone hears chains, the best thing to do is run and hide somewhere safe. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger…
