In December 7, 1942, Life Magazine published a series of pictures and a few remarks concerning a theory that had become prevalent in the British Royal Air Force and had then infected the psychology of the American airman during World War II.

The matter was considered under the title of Gremlins, and the Gremlins were described as fantastic imps of both sexes who busied themselves constantly with hideous activities designed to destroy the proper functioning of every machine at hand. Obviously, th...

A völva or volva, from the Old Norse and Icelandic respectively, sometimes anglicized vala, is a female shaman and seer in Norse tradition and a recurring motif in Norse mythology, as shown in the following extract from the Snorri Sturluson (Old Norse work of literature written in Iceland in the early 13th century), Prose Edda

“Then came the völva Gróa there, wife of Aurvandil the Bold, and she sang her spells over Thor until the piece of stone loosened from his flesh. After Thor noticed this, he...

Nahual (plural: nahualli) are shape shifting human with the power to transform either spiritually or physically into an animal form (jaguar and puma, most commonly but also donkeys, birds, dogs and coyotes). The alternative meaning can be the animal spirit (such as the one used in some Native American cultures) that resides in.

The Nahual can use it powers for good or evil, depending of personal believes and ambitions. They are born from the animal that their day represents. (i.e. if a nahual was...

In Akan folklore, the Abonsam is a malevolent supernatural being, a household spirit most often found in West Africa and Ghana.

It’s believed, that the Abonsam will take residence in a home to cause problems and misfortune on the tenants for as long as they remain oblivious to its presence. Since it’s difficult to know for certain where an Abonsam has taken residency, in many villages once every year neighbors will hold a special ceremony to rid themselves, of these spirits.

Although preventing me...

A female death-messenger in Celtic and Irish folklore, the banshee, is also known as Badhbh Chaointe, Ban Shee, Beansidhe, or Bean Sidhe.

It is the duty of the banshee to foretell the death of an individual, and it is said that the banshee particularly attended the male members of noble families, and she conveyed her message of death by means of a scream. She could appear as an old woman, a young girl, or a washerwoman.

From the old tales we know that the screams of a banshee could be heard throug...

A supernatural presence believed to foretell death and misfortune usually taking the form of an enormous dog.

Although most often described as dog-like –large as a calf, with long sharp fangs and claws, fiery eyes like glowing coals, and a shaggy black coat— the Barguest could also appear in the shape of a bear.

Particularly In older tales, the Barguest is often describe as a ferocious bear-like creature, and the name Barguest may derive from German meaning “bear ghost.” Many tales, however, als...