A series of articles looking at paranormal
beliefs & stories from across the globe
beliefs & stories from across the globe
LEGENDS OF GERMANY
Germany. When I was doing research, and kept thinking of a good description to give
visuals to readers, the first thing that came to mind, was the architecture; not so much
just buildings and homes, but works of art. Add a beautiful countryside landscape, and
you have a picture perfect scene. But beyond the carefully sculpted walls, and deep
within the woods, there are things that are spoken of that are sure to get a chill out of
you. In my research, I found several interesting things about German legends and
folklore, and learned a thing or two along the way. As I previously mentioned, many
countries and regions have sightings and stories of ghosts, but it is interesting to study
the unique culture and beliefs of individual countries.
Along my path, I came across things such as Doppelgangers, werewolves, and even
stumbled upon Frankenstein’s castle. My journey ended in the enigmatic Harz
Mountains.
Imagine if you will, a guy walking along with his girlfriend, window shopping in a small
town. Through one of the window displays, he glances toward a person walking across
the floor inside. As his girlfriend is looking at the lamp in the window display, his eyes
are locked on the man walking across the floor inside. The man’s likeness is the exact
same as his! Could it be his long-lost twin? Some say it very well could be his
Doppelganger; a spirit that is said to take the form of any human that is about to die.
The 19th century term Doppelganger derives from Germany. It is also sometimes
know as “Double Goer.” A tale of dread is often attached to the Doppelganger legend.
Impending death is said to come to those who witness their own Double. It is
conflicting whether the Doppelganger’s image can be seen in a mirror; some reports
say it is possible, while others say it is not. Many sources agree that if you witness your
Doppelganger, death is soon to come. Occasionally it is rumored to make itself known
to friends or loved ones, causing the loved ones to think that it is the person rather than
the double.
Many claim that the Doppelganger can depict the complete opposite of your true self.
If you are a good and kind person, perhaps your Doppelganger could be mean and
nasty.
There are also other accounts of Doppelgangers serving a different purpose. 16th
century poet John Donne who was at the time in Paris was visited by his wife’s
Doppelganger. The double was allegedly holding the newborn, and at the time his wife
was truly pregnant. It seems that at the moment the doppelganger showed itself to
John, his wife miscarried. You can find more on that account here…
http://www.wintersteel.com/Doubles_Doppelgangers.html
I read several cases involving the Doppelgangers, and one detail that kept repeating
itself in different cases, for some reason really gave me chills. In many reported cases
(most cases with witnesses) the Doppelganger would simply walk up and stand beside
its double, and start mimicking whatever the person was doing! Imagine sitting at the
table in the morning eating a bowel of cereal, and your double walks in sits across from
you and begins to do the same as you. Another thing I guess you could say I didn’t
find. I didn’t find any happy accounts associated with doppelgangers.
Late 1500’s. On the outskirts of Cologne and Bedburg Germany, the wolf attacks
became numerous. To the point that the townsfolk were finding human remains on their
land. Legend says that one day, a group from town cornered a wolf. The group had
some dogs, which attacked the wolf. The group attacked as well with spears. At that
point, it is said that the wolf stood up on its hind legs and transformed into a man who
they recognized from town. The man was Peter Stubbe.
Peter had been known to dabble with the occult from an early age, even trying to deal
with the devil. He was the first ever to ultimately be charged with what is now known as
Lycanthropy. He had confessed to 16 murders. But in any case, this is the first modern
day sighting of a werewolf. We have all kinds of scientific and medical reasons for
Lycanthropy in today’s society - we know that it is actually more of a psychiatric
condition; one having delusional thoughts that they are transforming into an animal. It is
typically brought on by conditions such as schizophrenia. But back in the 1500’s the
mentality was much different. Without the knowledge of today, they often turned to
paranormal reasoning.
Tales of werewolves are abundant across Europe, and Germany certainly has its
share. One speaks of a woman that came home one day with a fresh kill of a sheep.
When asked how she obtained it, she proceeded to demonstrate. She told her friend
to climb to the roof. As he watched from the roof, a wolf ran across the field and
grabbed a convenient sheep. The Shepard saw this, fought with the wolf who tried to
fight back. In the process, the wolf turned to its human form, the woman.
In the Klein-Krams area, hunters enjoyed the vast array of species and often chose
this are to conducts their hunts. On many occasions, they encountered a particular wolf
that could never be killed. One day they witnessed the wolf grab an animal they had
been hunting, and amazingly head toward the village! Soon after a man traveling
through the village, went into the home of a man by the name of Feeg. As he entered
the door, several screaming children came running out. When he enquired as to what
the commotion was about, they said that Feeg was turning to a werewolf, and if they
didn’t run, they would get bitten.
The ways of becoming a werewolf vary. Different sources say different things. A wolf
Strap is a popular way, magic rubs and oils are another. Of course a bite can be the
source. These are just a few of many examples.
The rules of the stories vary as well. It isn’t always a silver bullet that kills a werewolf.
And furthermore, a full moon isn’t always a factor. A combination of different beliefs
about werewolves exist around the globe and in different cultures, and Hollywood
theatrics might have played a large role on what the general beliefs and standards are
today. There are now medical answers and treatments for lycanthropy, also medically
termed Clinical Lycanthropy.
Darmstadt Germany late 1600’s. Let’s walk down a tree-lined path. As we are
walking, we round a curve, and go a bit higher in altitude. We pause in our tracks, for
looming above, against the night sky, is what is now known as Frankenstein’s Castle.
It is rumored that Mary Shelley based her novel on the past history of the owner of this
castle, Johann Konrad Dippel. Dippel tended to experiment on human bodies. He
would save body parts for whatever scientific experiment he was currently working on.
Some claim that part of his medical aspirations came from the corpses in the
graveyards. Even though Dippel was a well-known scientist, he dabbled in alchemy.
He was known for some remedies, and his desire to prolong life. However, he was
also known to try to re-animate dead animals, and exhume body parts.
Years later, along comes Mary Shelley. Rumors and sources are very conflicting on
whether or not she at one time she visited the castle and learned of the proprietor’s
history. Some historians insist that she was once a visitor there, others say it is not true.
Why all the drama on whether she visited? Because it is a popular opinion that Shelley’
s idea of the novel Frankenstein was seeded after a visit to the castle in Germany.
Shelley fans are quick to say it's not true, that Shelley came up with the idea for the
novel. The experts tend to disagree.
Leaving back down the path of the castle shell, we make our way over to the Harz
Mountains, a place of mystery for a very long time. Things that are said to have
happened in this area vary widely. Rumors of witchcraft, apparitions, and other
paranormal activity are widespread throughout the area.
On April 30th in the Harz Mountains, in a small village by the name of Schierke, you will
find a celebration that is similar to what you may know as Allhallows eve. It is called
Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night). There are booths with crafts set up, concession
stands, fireworks, and trinkets you can buy. The legends say that in the past, witches
gathered there for ceremonies. There are many different aspects of Walpurgisnacht,
and what the witches (Hexens) did when they gathered, little is known.
Some of their activities are said to be magic; re-enactments of folklore, flying on
broomsticks, and dancing on a plateau dubbed “The Hexentanplatz,” or “The Witches’
Dancing Place.” The Hexentanplatz is located on the highest peak of Harz Mountains.
It is called Brocken Mountain, or Brockenberg Mountain. The mountain towers over the
village of Schierke. This celebration is in honor of a goddess of old legends. In German
folklore she is called Walpurga. She is said to have the powers to bring summer, thus
the celebration is on April 30th into May 1st. According to legend, Walpurga was
chased by the Wild Hunt, a ghostly group representing winter. She looked for safety
and hiding among the townsfolk, and if they helped her, they were greatly rewarded.
For more information on this legend, you can stop by here:
http://www.worldandi.com/public/2001/April/walpu.html.
If you are hiking in The Harz Mountains, you might encounter phenomena called “The
Brocken Spectre”. The Brocken Spectre has several different names. You might hear it
called “Glory,” or perhaps “Brocken bow,” among a few others. Back in the late 1700’s,
pioneers including Johann Esaias encountered the phenomena. In reports of what he
experienced, his shadow was immensely magnified. Scientifically, the large shadow
occurs when the mountains are higher up than the clouds. The sun reflecting your
shadow off the highest part of the clouds below the mountain is known to cause the
effect of the Brocken bow.
Occasionally, reflections of a colorful ring of water combined with droplets from
clouds, will give the effect of a halo surrounding the visitor’s head. Today we know that
the glory effect is common in mountains worldwide, but the discovery spawns from the
Harz Mountains.
Throughout The Harz Mountains you will find tales of demons, ghouls, witches, fairies,
and even elves. There is an abundance of folklore attached to this mystical and
hauntingly beautiful area.
Until next time…
Tracey H.
PROOF PARANORMAL
Sources:
Doppelganger article:
http://www.wintersteel.com/Doubles_Doppelgangers.html
I found the following account to be very interesting…
http://www.ghostvillage.com/encounters/2005/09122005.shtml
A scientific article pertaining to doppelgangers…
http://farshores.org/p_dopple.htm
Origin of werewolves:
http://www.hotspotsz.com/article65.html
Among many other sources, Peter Stubbe is also mentioned here:
http://www.dragon-warrior.com/Bestiary/werewolf.shtml
Many German werewolf legends can be found here:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/werewolf.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_lycanthropy
A look at Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
http://wiretap.area.com/Gopher/Library/Classic/franken.txt
Informative article on Walpurga can be found here:
http://www.worldandi.com/public/2001/April/walpu.html
A bit on the Brocken Spectre:
http://www.weather-photography.com/album.php?cat=opticsandsubcat=brocken
and more examples of the Brocken Spectre:
http://www.philiplaven.com/p2c.html
If you’re planning a trip to Germany you might want to stop by here:
http://www.visits-to-germany.com/
visuals to readers, the first thing that came to mind, was the architecture; not so much
just buildings and homes, but works of art. Add a beautiful countryside landscape, and
you have a picture perfect scene. But beyond the carefully sculpted walls, and deep
within the woods, there are things that are spoken of that are sure to get a chill out of
you. In my research, I found several interesting things about German legends and
folklore, and learned a thing or two along the way. As I previously mentioned, many
countries and regions have sightings and stories of ghosts, but it is interesting to study
the unique culture and beliefs of individual countries.
Along my path, I came across things such as Doppelgangers, werewolves, and even
stumbled upon Frankenstein’s castle. My journey ended in the enigmatic Harz
Mountains.
Imagine if you will, a guy walking along with his girlfriend, window shopping in a small
town. Through one of the window displays, he glances toward a person walking across
the floor inside. As his girlfriend is looking at the lamp in the window display, his eyes
are locked on the man walking across the floor inside. The man’s likeness is the exact
same as his! Could it be his long-lost twin? Some say it very well could be his
Doppelganger; a spirit that is said to take the form of any human that is about to die.
The 19th century term Doppelganger derives from Germany. It is also sometimes
know as “Double Goer.” A tale of dread is often attached to the Doppelganger legend.
Impending death is said to come to those who witness their own Double. It is
conflicting whether the Doppelganger’s image can be seen in a mirror; some reports
say it is possible, while others say it is not. Many sources agree that if you witness your
Doppelganger, death is soon to come. Occasionally it is rumored to make itself known
to friends or loved ones, causing the loved ones to think that it is the person rather than
the double.
Many claim that the Doppelganger can depict the complete opposite of your true self.
If you are a good and kind person, perhaps your Doppelganger could be mean and
nasty.
There are also other accounts of Doppelgangers serving a different purpose. 16th
century poet John Donne who was at the time in Paris was visited by his wife’s
Doppelganger. The double was allegedly holding the newborn, and at the time his wife
was truly pregnant. It seems that at the moment the doppelganger showed itself to
John, his wife miscarried. You can find more on that account here…
http://www.wintersteel.com/Doubles_Doppelgangers.html
I read several cases involving the Doppelgangers, and one detail that kept repeating
itself in different cases, for some reason really gave me chills. In many reported cases
(most cases with witnesses) the Doppelganger would simply walk up and stand beside
its double, and start mimicking whatever the person was doing! Imagine sitting at the
table in the morning eating a bowel of cereal, and your double walks in sits across from
you and begins to do the same as you. Another thing I guess you could say I didn’t
find. I didn’t find any happy accounts associated with doppelgangers.
Late 1500’s. On the outskirts of Cologne and Bedburg Germany, the wolf attacks
became numerous. To the point that the townsfolk were finding human remains on their
land. Legend says that one day, a group from town cornered a wolf. The group had
some dogs, which attacked the wolf. The group attacked as well with spears. At that
point, it is said that the wolf stood up on its hind legs and transformed into a man who
they recognized from town. The man was Peter Stubbe.
Peter had been known to dabble with the occult from an early age, even trying to deal
with the devil. He was the first ever to ultimately be charged with what is now known as
Lycanthropy. He had confessed to 16 murders. But in any case, this is the first modern
day sighting of a werewolf. We have all kinds of scientific and medical reasons for
Lycanthropy in today’s society - we know that it is actually more of a psychiatric
condition; one having delusional thoughts that they are transforming into an animal. It is
typically brought on by conditions such as schizophrenia. But back in the 1500’s the
mentality was much different. Without the knowledge of today, they often turned to
paranormal reasoning.
Tales of werewolves are abundant across Europe, and Germany certainly has its
share. One speaks of a woman that came home one day with a fresh kill of a sheep.
When asked how she obtained it, she proceeded to demonstrate. She told her friend
to climb to the roof. As he watched from the roof, a wolf ran across the field and
grabbed a convenient sheep. The Shepard saw this, fought with the wolf who tried to
fight back. In the process, the wolf turned to its human form, the woman.
In the Klein-Krams area, hunters enjoyed the vast array of species and often chose
this are to conducts their hunts. On many occasions, they encountered a particular wolf
that could never be killed. One day they witnessed the wolf grab an animal they had
been hunting, and amazingly head toward the village! Soon after a man traveling
through the village, went into the home of a man by the name of Feeg. As he entered
the door, several screaming children came running out. When he enquired as to what
the commotion was about, they said that Feeg was turning to a werewolf, and if they
didn’t run, they would get bitten.
The ways of becoming a werewolf vary. Different sources say different things. A wolf
Strap is a popular way, magic rubs and oils are another. Of course a bite can be the
source. These are just a few of many examples.
The rules of the stories vary as well. It isn’t always a silver bullet that kills a werewolf.
And furthermore, a full moon isn’t always a factor. A combination of different beliefs
about werewolves exist around the globe and in different cultures, and Hollywood
theatrics might have played a large role on what the general beliefs and standards are
today. There are now medical answers and treatments for lycanthropy, also medically
termed Clinical Lycanthropy.
Darmstadt Germany late 1600’s. Let’s walk down a tree-lined path. As we are
walking, we round a curve, and go a bit higher in altitude. We pause in our tracks, for
looming above, against the night sky, is what is now known as Frankenstein’s Castle.
It is rumored that Mary Shelley based her novel on the past history of the owner of this
castle, Johann Konrad Dippel. Dippel tended to experiment on human bodies. He
would save body parts for whatever scientific experiment he was currently working on.
Some claim that part of his medical aspirations came from the corpses in the
graveyards. Even though Dippel was a well-known scientist, he dabbled in alchemy.
He was known for some remedies, and his desire to prolong life. However, he was
also known to try to re-animate dead animals, and exhume body parts.
Years later, along comes Mary Shelley. Rumors and sources are very conflicting on
whether or not she at one time she visited the castle and learned of the proprietor’s
history. Some historians insist that she was once a visitor there, others say it is not true.
Why all the drama on whether she visited? Because it is a popular opinion that Shelley’
s idea of the novel Frankenstein was seeded after a visit to the castle in Germany.
Shelley fans are quick to say it's not true, that Shelley came up with the idea for the
novel. The experts tend to disagree.
Leaving back down the path of the castle shell, we make our way over to the Harz
Mountains, a place of mystery for a very long time. Things that are said to have
happened in this area vary widely. Rumors of witchcraft, apparitions, and other
paranormal activity are widespread throughout the area.
On April 30th in the Harz Mountains, in a small village by the name of Schierke, you will
find a celebration that is similar to what you may know as Allhallows eve. It is called
Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night). There are booths with crafts set up, concession
stands, fireworks, and trinkets you can buy. The legends say that in the past, witches
gathered there for ceremonies. There are many different aspects of Walpurgisnacht,
and what the witches (Hexens) did when they gathered, little is known.
Some of their activities are said to be magic; re-enactments of folklore, flying on
broomsticks, and dancing on a plateau dubbed “The Hexentanplatz,” or “The Witches’
Dancing Place.” The Hexentanplatz is located on the highest peak of Harz Mountains.
It is called Brocken Mountain, or Brockenberg Mountain. The mountain towers over the
village of Schierke. This celebration is in honor of a goddess of old legends. In German
folklore she is called Walpurga. She is said to have the powers to bring summer, thus
the celebration is on April 30th into May 1st. According to legend, Walpurga was
chased by the Wild Hunt, a ghostly group representing winter. She looked for safety
and hiding among the townsfolk, and if they helped her, they were greatly rewarded.
For more information on this legend, you can stop by here:
http://www.worldandi.com/public/2001/April/walpu.html.
If you are hiking in The Harz Mountains, you might encounter phenomena called “The
Brocken Spectre”. The Brocken Spectre has several different names. You might hear it
called “Glory,” or perhaps “Brocken bow,” among a few others. Back in the late 1700’s,
pioneers including Johann Esaias encountered the phenomena. In reports of what he
experienced, his shadow was immensely magnified. Scientifically, the large shadow
occurs when the mountains are higher up than the clouds. The sun reflecting your
shadow off the highest part of the clouds below the mountain is known to cause the
effect of the Brocken bow.
Occasionally, reflections of a colorful ring of water combined with droplets from
clouds, will give the effect of a halo surrounding the visitor’s head. Today we know that
the glory effect is common in mountains worldwide, but the discovery spawns from the
Harz Mountains.
Throughout The Harz Mountains you will find tales of demons, ghouls, witches, fairies,
and even elves. There is an abundance of folklore attached to this mystical and
hauntingly beautiful area.
Until next time…
Tracey H.
PROOF PARANORMAL
Sources:
Doppelganger article:
http://www.wintersteel.com/Doubles_Doppelgangers.html
I found the following account to be very interesting…
http://www.ghostvillage.com/encounters/2005/09122005.shtml
A scientific article pertaining to doppelgangers…
http://farshores.org/p_dopple.htm
Origin of werewolves:
http://www.hotspotsz.com/article65.html
Among many other sources, Peter Stubbe is also mentioned here:
http://www.dragon-warrior.com/Bestiary/werewolf.shtml
Many German werewolf legends can be found here:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/werewolf.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_lycanthropy
A look at Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
http://wiretap.area.com/Gopher/Library/Classic/franken.txt
Informative article on Walpurga can be found here:
http://www.worldandi.com/public/2001/April/walpu.html
A bit on the Brocken Spectre:
http://www.weather-photography.com/album.php?cat=opticsandsubcat=brocken
and more examples of the Brocken Spectre:
http://www.philiplaven.com/p2c.html
If you’re planning a trip to Germany you might want to stop by here:
http://www.visits-to-germany.com/