Friday, February 27, 2015

The Graveyard Werewolf


Every 3 months, or thereabouts, I do an article for New Page Books' "Creature of the Month" section of their blog.

And, there's a brand new one from me, this one on a weird series of sightings of werewolf-like beasts encountered in England's Cannock Chase woods, back in 2007.

Here's the link...

And it starts like this:

"It probably won’t surprise many to learn that the British Isles – which are steeped in legend, myth, and folklore - have traditions of full-blown lycanthropy in their midst that date back more than 1,000 years.
 
"One of the most famous of all such beasts has become known as the 'Flixton werewolf.' It was a marauding animal that prowled around the village of Flixton, North Yorkshire, around 940 AD. It struck terror into the hearts of the locals as it went on violent killing sprees, reportedly at the bidding of a sinister magician who was familiar with the black-arts."

Thursday, February 26, 2015

A Bipedal Wolf in the United States?



There's a very controversial, new Mysterious Universe article from me. It begins...

"As readers of Mysterious Universe will know, one of the things that particularly fascinates me is the matter of werewolves. Not in mythology. Not in folklore. And not in the movies. We’re talking about werewolves in…reality. Of course, most people scoff at such a fantastic scenario. But, the fact is that there is an undeniably huge body of data on record that suggests these things do exist. Check out the excellent, published work of Linda Godfrey and you’ll see what I mean.

"Now, when I talk about werewolves, I’m most definitely not referring to people who literally shape-shift from human to wolf, sprout hair and fangs, and then change back again. I’m talking about creatures that appear to be wolves of some kind, but that have the ability to walk on their back legs – as in upright form, and not unlike us. Could it really be the case that an unrecognized type of bipedal wolf calls the United States its home?"

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Conan Doyle and an Enduring Mystery



There's one more new Mysterious Universe article from me. It's on a subject I have a great deal of interest in: mysterious and controversial "horse mutilations" that occurred in the early 1900s, and only a couple of miles from where I lived as a kid.

The article focuses on the man who the local police blamed for the crime, but who may well have been innocent. His name: George Edalji.

The reason I mention this now, and why it's the subject of my latest MU article, is because British TV have just made a major, 3-part fictional series on the Edalji affair, which begins next week. It will be broadcast in the US, too, in the near future.

Keep a look out for it, titled Arthur and George.

"Arthur" is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - the creator of Sherlock Holmes - who was one of the key figures who helped ensure that Edalji was released from prison early.

There's a chapter in my Monster Diary book that addresses the very weird cryptozoology-themed aspects of the saga, which you can find here.

In Search of Lake Monsters - Reviewed



My new Mysterious Universe article is a review of the brand new edition of Peter Costello's 1974 book, In Search of Lake Monsters. It begins as follows...

"Over the course of almost a decade, Anomalist Books have published numerous, excellent, new titles, such as Lyle Blackburn’s The Beast of Boggy Creek and Mac Tonnies’ The Cryptoterrestrials. And they have done something else too: republished a number of high-quality books from years long gone. The list includes John Keel’s Jadoo, Jacques Vallee’s Dimensions, and Brad Steiger’s Strange Guests.

"Well, there is now another book to add to the growing number of older titles that Anomalist Books are bringing to new audiences – and to 'veteran' audiences that might need to replace their well-worn originals! The book in question is Peter Costello’s In Search of Lake Monsters. It’s important to note that the resurfacing of Costello’s book is not an exercise in nostalgia. Anomalist Books are very careful and discerning when it comes to the issue of what should be republished and what should stay firmly forgotten. Costello’s work definitely falls into the first category."

And here's the link to the complete article.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Legend Hunter RIP

Sad news about Ahmad Givens.

I worked with Ahmad and his brother Kamal on a TV show about 5 years ago called Legend Hunters, on an episode about Skinwalkers. It was a cool, fun week out in California. RIP.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Immortality and "the Government"

My new Mysterious Universe article is on one of those things I get from time to time. Namely, a story that is fascinating and controversial, but which led to nothing but dead-ends when I tried to investigate it.

So, what do I do under such circumstances? I put the story out there, for everyone to see, in case anyone might be able to add more (or be able to demonstrate it's some joker's idea of a prank).

Whatever the truth, here it is...a weird tale of an allegedly classified project researching nothing less than immortality...

Friday, February 20, 2015

The Absurdities of Cryptozoology



The title of this post is the subject of my latest Mysterious Universe article, which starts like this:

"Now, before anyone starts complaining or ranting, the title of this article – “The Absurdities of Cryptozoology” – is most definitely not an attack on cryptozoology. The subject is, without doubt, one that I am particularly fascinated by – and which I have been fascinated by since my first trip to Loch Ness, Scotland, at the age of six. So, quit yapping before you even start.

"As for those absurdities, they revolve around aspects of the phenomenon that are not addressed anywhere near enough, and which lead me to believe that so many of the so-called cryptids that populate our planet are actually things that should be investigated by people with a deep knowledge of the world of the paranormal, the supernatural, and the occult, and not just zoology or cryptozoology. I’ll begin with the beasts of the aforementioned Loch Ness..."



Thursday, February 19, 2015

John Keel's Diet Book!


No, that's not a joke!


Here's New Saucerian Books to tell you all about it (and here's a link to the book):

New Saucerian proudly presents John Keel's suppressed classic, "The Invisible Diet," in which he shares "classified" health secrets rumored to have been developed by either the CIA or NSA, specifically for their agents in the field.

In these pages, Keel provides forbidden advice on how to: lose weight unnoticed; quit smoking; say goodbye to your dentist and doctor; improve cognitive ability and focus; grow spiritually; have more sex; and generally avoid surveillance.

If you are wondering if this is yet another quack self-help book, you are wrong! The proof is in the pudding. No one can look at the life of John A. Keel and not see success. Raised poor on a rural farm in upstate New York, Keel arrived in New York City with less than a dollar in his pocket, yet rose to prominence and lived to be a ripe old age, freely enjoying the benefits of licensing his thought-provoking work to Hollywood.

To many, Keel became a modern-day Mark Twain - a maverick who dared speak the uncomfortable truth. Nowhere is this cantankerousness more on display than in this special reprint, where, along with Dr. Ogden Pearl and editor Andy Colvin, Keel peels back the veil on both the health industry and our own subconscious desires. With his usual trademark wit, Keel entertainingly lays out the perfect formula for those ready to "go invisible" and reach renewed vitality.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

More on Roswell Slides, UFOs, and Computer Hackers

As a postscript to my recent article at Mysterious Universe on the hacking angle of the "Roswell Slides" controversy, here's a brand new article from me - also at Mysterious Universe - on other examples of hacking and UFOs, one of which dates back almost a quarter of a century...

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Friday, February 13, 2015

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Unity Fest - Bigfoot, Chupacabra, Lake Monsters and More

Yesterday, I was filmed with friend Buffy Clary, at my apartment, to promote the upcoming Philosophenomena Unity Fest at Glen Rose, Texas, on Saturday, March 21.

I'll be speaking on Texas's many and varied weird creatures, including Bigfoot, lake-monsters, the Chupacabra, and the eerie Goat-Man.

And Buffy will be there focusing all things of a psychic nature, including giving readings.

If you are in Glen Rose on March 21, come along!

You can find all about the event right here.

Our speakers:
Healer Daryl Sprout
Journalist/author Jim Marrs
Psychic medium Dakota Lawrence
Author Lyle Blackburn
Author Nick Redfern
Author Daniel Jones
Psychic Buffy Clary
Author Brandy Herr
Psychic Morrighan Lynne
Author Jeff Mudgett
Paranormal investigator Tonya King
DAPS Reiki Master Krista Brill
Author Jen Devillier
Author Dennis Waller
Pagan speaker Maeven Eller-Five
Cryptohulk Jeff Stewart
Author Linda Anthony Hill
Shamanic healer Cindy Clark Heald

Our Emcee's:
Chris Medina and Paranormal koolaid
Crypto enthusiast Bryan Impey
Para investigator Shane Hobbs

Entertainment: Avalouna belly dance

Our Sponsors:
Buffy Clary
Amy Unger Lewis
DAPS
Cindy Clark Heald
Morrighan Lynne
Pete Stagman
ParaHunter

Our Charity Auctioneer:
Destiny Mcguire

In Search of Lake Monsters - Arrived


Just received in the mail, from the good folks at Anomalist Books, a copy of the new edition of Peter Costello's acclaimed 1974 book, In Search of Lake Monsters.

I first read the 354-page book, I would guess, around 1976 or 1977, and once or twice since then. But, I certainly haven't picked the book up since the 1980s, and so it will be cool to read the new edition, which includes a new introduction from Loren Coleman.

Expect a big review very soon!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

More Roswell Slides Info

This new one (with images) from Kevin Randle. The controversy grows ever deeper...

The Book of Mothman - Just Published


Andy Colvin has yet another book out on Mothman! How many that makes now, I have no idea! Eight, nine, maybe even ten?

It looks to be a good one, though. Its title: The Book of Mothman.

Here, below, is the write-up from New Saucerian Press:

New Saucerian Press proudly presents John Keel’s "The Book of Mothman: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Reality Distortion But Were Afraid to Ask."

The chapters in this Keel-approved collection, culled from New Saucerian’s four recently published “Selected Writings of John Keel” books ("Flying Saucer to the Center of Your Mind," "The Outer Limits of the Twilight Zone," "Searching For the String," and "The Great Phonograph in the Sky"), coalesce to create a dazzling, mind-blowing “unified theory” concerning the paraphysical distortions and “glitches” seemingly invading our reality.

Many of the articles in "The Book of Mothman" were written years before Keel’s "Mothman Prophecies," while others were written years afterwards, making it a very unique and valuable source. With the addition of several 1990s lectures and an interview from 2003 – Keel’s last on Mothman – researchers and enthusiasts gain a better sense of just what was going on in West Virginia and the Ohio Valley in the 1960s and ‘70s.

True to form, Keel takes on the endless variety of high-strangeness surrounding Mothman and Mothman witnesses, such as UFOs, MIBs, little green men, hairy monsters, giants, animal mutilations, hypnotism, shapeshifting, psychological warfare, missing time, and phantom aircraft, automobiles, and humans.

This special edition features a brilliant introduction by Gray Barker, a recently discovered foreword by John Keel, and a note from the editor, Andy Colvin.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Owlman or Aliens?


There's one more new Mysterious Universe article from me (which you can read here), which starts like this:

"One of the most fascinating aspects of the UFO phenomenon – and particularly so that which focuses on the “alien abduction” controversy – is one which makes a connection between encounters of the unearthly kind and owls. There are numerous reports on file where people who have undergone UFO experiences report sightings of anomalous owls. And by 'anomalous' I mean owls that (A) manifest directly before or after the encounter and in the same location; and (B) seem to be much larger than the average, known kind of owl.

"This has led to an intriguing theory: that the sightings of owls are actually nothing of the sort. They may be nothing less than skilfully-created 'screen memories' which are implanted into the mind of the abductee or the experiencer, with the specific intent of masking the true nature of what occurred."

UFO Fakery Will Get You In Hot Water!


My new Mysterious Universe article tells the strange story of a film-maker and actor named Mikel Conrad who, in 1949, claimed possession of real footage of UFOs in flight.

It was actually all a big hoax to promote his forthcoming,1950 movie, The Flying Saucer.

But, when Conrad made his faked claim, the Air Force quietly opened a file on the man and started an investigation of both him and his claims.

The result: he was quickly in deep shit of the saucer-shaped kind...

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Roswell Slides: Can They Change Anything?


And...another new article from me (at Mysterious Universe) on the "Roswell Slides."

This one on the reasons why even if the slides are the real deal it won't have any significant impact on Ufology, unless things can be taken several steps further...

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The "Roswell Slides" - The Debate Continues



There is a new development in the ever-growing, complicated controversy of the so-called "Roswell Slides."

Apparently, we are going to see what all the fuss is about in May.

But not for one single minute do I think it's going to lay matters to rest.

Instead, I suspect the controversy has barely begun...

Here's story one (at Rich Reynolds' UFO Conjecture(s) blog);

Story number two (at Kevin Randle's A Different Perspective blog);

And the third one takes us back to Rich Reynolds.

Enjoy the circus!