Stranger in the night
Question:
I don’t know if it is real or not but,, things like that are talked about in older books. I think they call them a succubus. For a male, they come as a female and, gradually draw the life from the person. For a female they come as a male. They claim that wearing a cross and sprinkling holy water, (even if you’re not catholic), works. Can’t hurt to try. Joney
Interesting choice of newsgroups for this to be posted to. Heh heh heh. Succubus=female Incubus=male I vaguely remember that the Succubus was used by wizards and the like to get semen from a man. The semen was then used in the creation of a homonculus. Uh, that’s just a side point of interest.
Response:
You’re robably right but, if it’s an argument with the subconscious, holy water might be just the thing. The standard teaching is that it sanctifies anything it touches and, even vampires melt at it’s touch. *laugh, snort, choke, cough* ok. maybe i’ll try that next time and hope the vampyr i come across isn’t atheist. or old enough not to give a damn.
If you’re lucky, the vampire will just thank you for the refreshing sploosh. Just DON’T mess up the hair. That’ll doom ya. *authoritative nod*
Response:
What you’ve been expriencing is a phenomena called sleep paralysis. Many people who think they’ve been abducted by aliens have this.
Note: it’s also called "night terrors". This is caused by being in a conscious state somewhere between dreams and reality. Your mind paralyses your body because this is a form of self-defense. Sleep walking was dangerous to our ancestors because one might fall out of a tree while dreaming of running from tigers.
Yee-e-s… I suppose so… but I think a less big picture explanation is that your body is simply too relaxed to move around. What you need to master is the art of Lucid Dreaming. Once you learn to recognize that you are in this state you can will yourself to breathe. This lack of breath and total fear is really a panic attack because you believe this dream creature to be totally real. It is a manifestation of your fear of being paralysed.
That’s a little circular, isn’t it? Not to suggest that you’re wrong, but something looks a little fuzzy there. When I visited a dreamworker, she cautioned against lucid dreaming unless you have a really good idea of what you’re doing. Lucid Dreaming is the cure. It’s what cured me. I since discovered that the creature was not only a dream but something hidden and dark within my own subconscious. A friend. When having a panic attack if you gain the power of the lucid state you can will yourself to relax. You can alter many autonomic functions in this state.
*A* cure. Not *the* cure.
Response:
Dear man, I am the woman who visits you every night. I will only stop if you apologize to a woman you scorned 10 years ago. You must find her, call her and apologize. And DON’T EVER CALL ME A "THING", as the "thing" is what is in your pants. Have some respect for the Spirits. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did anybody think: ‘Carlos Castaneda’ while reading laetus’ tale (below)? If we assume, it’s a hoax (not saying Castaneda was, by the way), we shouldn’t blame laetus: I think he’s doing a damn fine piece of writing – short, spooky, stuffed with good details [e.g. warm honey and lemon 
], a convincing charachter, setting and – which makes it just perfect – these funny web-references. Should it *not* be a hoax, then laetus’ best way of dealing with it, would be to *take it as it comes*; ignore the phenomenon, knowing that it’ll pass away by itself. It didn’t exactly *hurt* him in any way, did it? And whatever you subscribe to a psychological or a metaphysical explanation – and I, in fact, do tend to the latter – it’ll do the trick. I *think* it’s a hoax, though … o.c. I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1) http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
Response:
Come on people. This is a scientifically proven common phenomenon. It’s called Sleep Paralysis. http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00133.html http://dreamemporium.com/sleep_paralysis.html
Response:
older books (…) claim that wearing a cross and sprinkling holy water, (even if you’re not catholic), works.
That’s right, but I’m afraid, that these books may not be much more reliable than the Exorcist. People had a need for spooky stories then, too. Which is perfectly allright, by the way. Can’t hurt to try.
Well, that *is* the question. People, who experiences such phenomenons, often do so because of a conflict between unconscious desires and a christian background which demonizes such desires. If that’s the case in laetus’ tale, would you not think, then, that sprinkling ‘holy’ water could be putting out fire with gasoline? Regards, o.c. P.S. I still think, it’s a good hoax, though
Response:
This is a common phenomenon called sleep paralysis or "old Hag" phenomenon. It happens fairly often, and for some reason it does seem to happen more to men than women. (That is observation, not researched fact.) Try posting about it to alt.folklore.ghost-stories. That ng even has a FAQ on "Old Hag". The ng covers a lot of phenomena, not just ghost stories real and fictional. Hope this helps! Dragonmama —
Response:
: I don’t know if it is real or not but,, things like that are talked about in : older books. I think they call them a succubus. : For a male, they come as a female and, gradually draw the life from the : person. For a female they come as a male. A female version is called a succubus, the male an incubus. Many mythologies attribut their power to the act of intercourse – hence the "riding" the original poster was speaking of… — Bridget Gibson – Vampire Slayer, BEM Exterminator X-Ville Public Library Founder and Director X-Ville 3:16 Trust No One, ‘Cuz Stone Cold Said So! The Doctor smiled. "I’ve beaten Wirrn, Macra, Zarbi, Spiders… I can beat any insectoid creature you can show me, miss…?" The woman shouldered her blaster. "Ripley. Ellen Ripley." Check out the Character Sheets – changes and updates are entered often! http://ecn.ab.ca/~fury/characters.html
Response:
It’s called Sleep Paralysis.
Yes, and in the future it’ll be called something else. Alfred, perhaps. o.c. "Names is for tombstones, baby," Some James Bond movie.
Response:
o.c. smiled at this one: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The Doctor smiled. "I’ve beaten Wirrn, Macra, Zarbi, Spiders… I can beat any insectoid creature you can show me, miss…?" The woman shouldered her blaster. "Ripley. Ellen Ripley."
Response:
I would at least start with blessing my house.
I agree with mageborn. A blessing followed by a good protection spell. But that’s probably a little advanced for you. You might want to try a form of folk magic called a sachet. They’re a collection of herbs that influence the area you need help in. You mix the herbs while concentrating on your need and "willing" the herbs to release their power. Then you wrap the herbs in the center of a cloth of natural fiber and tie ends with a natural fiber. This holds the herbs inside. NOTE: herbs lose potency after time. After 3 months, take apart your sachet and bury it. Never reuse any part of an old sachet to make a new sachet. You can get most of these ingredients from health food/herb shops. I’ve also found a few on-line herb shops, but haven’t tried them. A quick search on the AvatarSearch engine for Herbs should wield some results. (I’ve already found 1 promising hit – Strange Brew at http://www.thecauldron.com/) Here’s a couple of protection sachets from one of Scott Cunnigham’s books. 3 parts dill seed 2 parts caraway seed 1 part flax seed 1 pinch salt wrap in white or red cloth, carry on your person (or under your pillow) 2 parts Marjoram 1 part Angelica root 1 part dill seed 1 part clove wrap in white cloth; place in your window (or hang on your bed), squeeze before sleep to release the sent of the herbs. There’s also a "nightmare cure" but it has poisonous herbs within it. If you really want it, you can buy "The complete book of Incense, Oils and Brews" by Scott Cunningham. This is a form of folk magic(low magic) and requires very little training to use. Just a little bit of need and some fresh/dried herbs.
Response:
You’re robably right but, if it’s an argument with the subconscious, holy water might be just the thing. The standard teaching is that it sanctifies anything it touches and, even vampires melt at it’s touch. Hmm. Melted succubus might be another problem entirely. Joney
Response:
As I recall, there is also quite an interesting discussion over just what causes it too.
Response:
Thanks Bridget. I thought I had written it wrong.
Response:
Hi Laetus, If you would like to contact me, I have a little experience in this area. I am a trained Wiccan Elder and I would be glad to help you. Star
|I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the |best way. | |During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my |sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever |this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t |really know what it is. | |I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; |something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and |that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s |never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this |week and last night was the worst visit yet. | |I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell |asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of |restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is |visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on |the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there |paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled |on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please |bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared |at this point and I don’t know what to do. | |When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife |since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was |horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in |a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. | |I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in |the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. | |Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point |I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a |computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. | |The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or |whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never |got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as |though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my |windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally |getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to |calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other |than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night |was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and |I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away |from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing |through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are |going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for |an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move |on–make it go bother someone else at night. | |So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My |background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though |I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a |God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a |Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, |but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no |children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. | |Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? |Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I |have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am |nuts. | |To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a |child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about |paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a |bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. |I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, |Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not |Springer. | |The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing |it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or |their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would |find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter |their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper |(now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any |mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a |horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately |sympathize with. | |Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a |pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, |etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it |and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think |there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a |very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to |bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go |away. | | |I searched the net but could only find two references: | | 1) http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html |and its original message at |http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html | | 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen |Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) | |In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" |and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as |"witch-sitting". | |But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps |coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. | |I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to |offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and |alt.religion.wicca | |No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like |alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy | |I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight |someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve |got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other |people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. | |Thanks, | |laetus |
Response:
squeeze before sleep to release the sent of the herbs.
^^^ Can’t believe I did that one- sCent Tannim
Response:
You’re robably right but, if it’s an argument with the subconscious, holy water might be just the thing. The standard teaching is that it sanctifies anything it touches and, even vampires melt at it’s touch.
*laugh, snort, choke, cough* ok. maybe i’ll try that next time and hope the vampyr i come across isn’t atheist. or old enough not to give a damn. JAC
Response:
What you’ve been expriencing is a phenomena called sleep paralysis. Many people who think they’ve been abducted by aliens have this. This is caused by being in a conscious state somewhere between dreams and reality. Your mind paralyses your body because this is a form of self-defense. Sleep walking was dangerous to our ancestors because one might fall out of a tree while dreaming of running from tigers. What you need to master is the art of Lucid Dreaming. Once you learn to recognize that you are in this state you can will yourself to breathe. This lack of breath and total fear is really a panic attack because you believe this dream creature to be totally real. It is a manifestation of your fear of being paralysed. Lucid Dreaming is the cure. It’s what cured me. I since discovered that the creature was not only a dream but something hidden and dark within my own subconscious. A friend. When having a panic attack if you gain the power of the lucid state you can will yourself to relax. You can alter many autonomic functions in this state.
Response:
I don’t know if it is real or not but,, things like that are talked about in older books. I think they call them a succubus. For a male, they come as a female and, gradually draw the life from the person. For a female they come as a male. They claim that wearing a cross and sprinkling holy water, (even if you’re not catholic), works. Can’t hurt to try. Joney
Response:
Did anybody think: ‘Carlos Castaneda’ while reading laetus’ tale (below)? If we assume, it’s a hoax (not saying Castaneda was, by the way), we shouldn’t blame laetus: I think he’s doing a damn fine piece of writing – short, spooky, stuffed with good details [e.g. warm honey and lemon ], a convincing charachter, setting and – which makes it just perfect – these funny web-references. Should it *not* be a hoax, then laetus’ best way of dealing with it, would be to *take it as it comes*; ignore the phenomenon, knowing that it’ll pass away by itself. It didn’t exactly *hurt* him in any way, did it? And whatever you subscribe to a psychological or a metaphysical explanation – and I, in fact, do tend to the latter – it’ll do the trick. I *think* it’s a hoax, though … o.c.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1)
http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
Response:
Laetus – I can appreciate your being frightened in the night, if I had someone sit on me, I’d probably be scared batty, too. Just to reassure you, you are not nuts. At least, not any more than the rest of us. It has been said that only sane people worry about their sanity. Insane people are certain they are sane, and the rest of the world isn’t. :) I would agree with Saki. You should probably find a therapist, perhaps someone trained as a Jungian psycotherapist. Jung was big into dreams and dream interpretation. You could try the yellow pages, or your local health department. There are places to go to get help that you don’t have to pay too much for. And privacy is assured. You may also want to try hypnosis. I wouldn’t try self hypnosis, it is too easy to scare yourself when you’re alone in your dreams. If it is something other than your own unconscious mind talking to you, then you would probably need someone who’s dealt with that kind of thing before. You could make contact with someone through the internet, try www.witchvox.com. They have some fairly extensive listings of witches, arranged by area. You could also try the local Unitarian Universalist church. Be careful about who you talk to though. Lots of neo-pagans, wiccans and witches are a little bit on the odd end of the scale. You don’t want someone who claims to be able to raise the dead and throw lightning balls around. Oh, and never pay for anything up front. You could get taken to the cleaners that way. Pay only when, and if, they get rid of it. If you feel the need to do something yourself, I would advise that you keep it simple. If you want to keep it in a Christian framework, you could try praying to an appropriate saint, or calling upon the archangels (Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel). You could do some research via the internet to find out more. You said you are in a gulf coast state. Since I don’t know where you are, I’ll tell you where I am. I am in Texas, College Station. It’s about 100 miles west of Houston. If you want, I will email you with my real email address. Good luck. Gryphynshadow
Response:
I would at least start with blessing my house. E-mail me if you want me to go further. Pll here have a tendency to ignore me so….at least they dont flame me. Blessings Mageborn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – **I concur. This guy needs to see either a hypnotherapist or a shaman or other dream expert This sounds like it could be a type of lucid dream, but the fellow doesn’t have the ability or knowledge to take charge of it. So he would need help in learning how to. OR it could be a memory of a traumatic event attempting to surface thru dreams. If so, get thee hence to a qualified analyst. It _might_ be a true entity manifestation, but this is fairly rare. In this instance, one needs an individual /s experienced in placating and/or banishing such creatures.** ~Sz.~ This sounds like a succubus. Sort of. You might want to do research in that area. When I was in my early teens, I had a recurring nightmare in which I was visited by a female creature as well. It wasn’t so realistic: I didn’t see myself as being in my bedroom, and the female in question was too big to sit on me. I ended up being taken to see someone that did a lot of dreamworking. I recommend that you do the same. What dreamworking will allow you to do is take control of the dream, in particular, it allows you to stop being paralyzed in it. This was important for me, because I needed to get the message that the woman was bringing to me. And while I was completely paralysed, I was unable to ask her any questions. It helps if the dreamworker can induce a dream-state in you, and work directly with you while you ask your questions. Backup is always nice *grin*. I’m leaving the rest of your post intact, in case someone wants to say "Stop talking crap Saki, this is what he needs to do". I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1) http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
Response:
**I concur. This guy needs to see either a hypnotherapist or a shaman or other dream expert This sounds like it could be a type of lucid dream, but the fellow doesn’t have the ability or knowledge to take charge of it. So he would need help in learning how to. OR it could be a memory of a traumatic event attempting to surface thru dreams. If so, get thee hence to a qualified analyst. It _might_ be a true entity manifestation, but this is fairly rare. In this instance, one needs an individual /s experienced in placating and/or banishing such creatures.** ~Sz.~ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This sounds like a succubus. Sort of. You might want to do research in that area. When I was in my early teens, I had a recurring nightmare in which I was visited by a female creature as well. It wasn’t so realistic: I didn’t see myself as being in my bedroom, and the female in question was too big to sit on me. I ended up being taken to see someone that did a lot of dreamworking. I recommend that you do the same. What dreamworking will allow you to do is take control of the dream, in particular, it allows you to stop being paralyzed in it. This was important for me, because I needed to get the message that the woman was bringing to me. And while I was completely paralysed, I was unable to ask her any questions. It helps if the dreamworker can induce a dream-state in you, and work directly with you while you ask your questions. Backup is always nice *grin*. I’m leaving the rest of your post intact, in case someone wants to say "Stop talking crap Saki, this is what he needs to do". I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1)
http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
Response:
I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1) http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
Response:
This sounds like a succubus. Sort of. You might want to do research in that area. When I was in my early teens, I had a recurring nightmare in which I was visited by a female creature as well. It wasn’t so realistic: I didn’t see myself as being in my bedroom, and the female in question was too big to sit on me. I ended up being taken to see someone that did a lot of dreamworking. I recommend that you do the same. What dreamworking will allow you to do is take control of the dream, in particular, it allows you to stop being paralyzed in it. This was important for me, because I needed to get the message that the woman was bringing to me. And while I was completely paralysed, I was unable to ask her any questions. It helps if the dreamworker can induce a dream-state in you, and work directly with you while you ask your questions. Backup is always nice *grin*. I’m leaving the rest of your post intact, in case someone wants to say "Stop talking crap Saki, this is what he needs to do". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t really know how to start this. I guess just taking the plunge is the best way. During four of the last seven nights, something has been visiting me in my sleep. Yeah, yeah, I can hear the snickers now, but it’s not funny. Whatever this thing is has got me scared shitless. I call it a thing because I don’t really know what it is. I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that it is true; something is visiting me right after I go to bed. My wife says I’m nuts and that its just a dream; that nothing is happening more than a nightmare. It’s never happened to me before this week, but it has happened repeatedly this week and last night was the worst visit yet. I went to sleep last night in a bedroom separate from my wife and quickly fell asleep (she’s had a bad cold recently and I wanted to let her get a night of restfull sleep–I snore sometimes). Soon after I fell asleep, whatever it is visited again. The visit started as typical–I felt as though someone sat on the bed next to me. At that point I froze–I could not move. I just lay there paralyzed on my side in a semi-dream/semi-waking state. Then the thing crawled on top of me like a person would, sitting on top of my side/my arm. Please bear with me; I’m not crazy and I’m not making this up. I’m just really scared at this point and I don’t know what to do. When I looked up at the thing sitting on me, I first thought it was my wife since it looked like her. Then it changed into something else and I was horrified. It was like a soup of shadows that was swirling round and round in a human shape; but the damned thing was solid, sitting on me and smiling. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I wanted to yell out for my wife in the bedroom across the hall but I couldn’t. Last night was almost identical to three other nights this week. At this point I’m afraid to go to sleep at night but I have to. I work full-time as a computer programmer and like anyone else, I’ve got to sleep. The first night when this thing visited, I forced my way out of the dream or whatever the visit is; yelling into the darkness. It went away and I never got to see what the thing was. The second night was horrible. I felt as though the thing was choking me. I woke up and could barely breathe–my windpipe was literally closed and my throat was parched. After finally getting my breath back, I had to make myself a warm honey and lemon drink to calm my throat down. The third visit, I don’t remember much about, other than being paralyzed and realizing shouting would’t help much. Last night was different though; it appeared in the form of my wife then it changed and I got to see what it really looked like (I guess) and I was able to pull away from of it faster by, believe it or not, not yelling, but literally hissing through my teeth. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. You people are going to think I’m a kook but I swear, I’m not. I’m just someone looking for an answer. I want to know what this thing is and how I can make it move on–make it go bother someone else at night. So, why am I writing this group? Good question. I don’t really know. My background: I was raised Catholic in a Gulf-coast state in the U.S., though I’m now pretty much turned off on "organized" religion–I still believe in a God (just one, not three) and pray when the need strikes me. I’ve got a Master’s degree in Information Systms. I drink socially; I don’t do drugs, but I do enjoy an occasional cigar now and then. I’m 35 and married, no children. I do watch the X-files but I don’t believe in little green men. Sounds weird coming from someone claiming a creature is riding them at night? Well, I’ve never seen a little green man and don’t think I ever will, but I have had something try to strangle me at night. Or so I think. Maybe I am nuts. To the point. What makes me write this group is a story I once heard as a child in the South. Now please — DON’T FLAME ME. I don’t know much about paganism, the Wicca religion, or witchcraft but I don’t consider myself a bigot against paganism, the "craft" or whatever your belief system entails. I think all of God’s creatures fit his or her design somehow – atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Republicans and even Jerry Springer. Well maybe not Springer. The stories went pretty much like this (God, I can’t believe I’m even writing it). Young men, if they didn’t sleep correctly (on their back or stomach or their side; I can’t remember which), or if they did certain bad things, would find themselves the unlucky recipients of a witch’s visit, who would enter their rooms at night, climb on top of them, and ride them while the sleeper (now awake, I guess) watched paralyzed and in terror. I don’t remember any mention of any permanent damage being done to the men — just that it was a horrendously unpleasent experience — an experience which I can unfortunately sympathize with. Again, please don’t FLAME ME!! I DON’T think this thing is a witch or a pagan or whatever. I don’t think witches ride brooms, cast wicked spells, etc. I do think, though, that the earth through God has good forces within it and that certain people can channel this force for good use. I also think there are bad things in this world; some of which have been around for a very, very long time. I think one of these bad things has found someone to bother at night — me — and it’s got me really scared because it won’t go away. I searched the net but could only find two references: 1) http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html and its original message at http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/discussions/basic/messages/msgs00035.html 2) http://acad.tnstate.edu/~folklore/superstitions.htm (search for "Galen Montgomery’s Superstition" in the body of the text) In the first reference, the poster (Mr.Gottlieb) dismisses "sleep paralysis" and attributes it as the reason behind a "southeastern US" phenomenon known as "witch-sitting". But I’m telling you, whatever this thing is is real. It’s there and it keeps coming back, despite Mr. Gottlieb’s assurances that it’s only sleep paralysis. I don’t know what groups to post this message to — I really don’t want to offend you if I’m in the wrong group. I’m posting it to alt.witchcraft and alt.religion.wicca No emails needed, please, suggesting that I post this at something like alt.crazy.shithead or alt.prozac.advocacy I don’t know what to do. I would really appreciate any help or insight someone in your group might have. Maybe it is just sleep-paralysis and I’ve got an overactive imagination. Please post it publicly; maybe there are other people out there who have somehow attracted the same unwanted attention. Thanks, laetus
