Welcome to Mysteries over Martinis! This blog is a mix of unexplained phenomena and personal encounters served up with a mystery-themed cocktail. It’s a recipe for intrigue!

 

Black Shadow Martini

3 oz vodka

½ oz blackberry brandy or black raspberry liqueur

Lemon twist for garnish

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and serve over ice. Garnish with the lemon twist!

 

Shadow People

You awake abruptly in the night to the sense that something is watching you. You quickly glance around the room to find a shadowy human figure lurking at the foot of your bed. You try to scream but your breath comes out empty. You try to sit up but your body is unresponsive. The mysterious bedroom intruder seems to have an invisible grasp on you. Terror takes over and all you can do is close your eyes and pray. You get the courage to take another peek and you watch as the black entity exits through the wall without hesitation. Suddenly, your paralysis is lifted. You’re left wondering what the hell just happened. Is it possible you’ve just encountered a ‘shadow person?’

Shadow People are a phenomenon experienced all over the world. Most of those who encounter these unknown entities describe the confrontation as frightening. However, a handful of experiencers say they were startled by the presence but not afraid. A majority of people report waking up to find a black figure standing in their bedroom. The term shadow person covers a broad spectrum of physical descriptions. For example, some have the shape of a human and are said to be wearing old fashioned attire such as a duster and fedora or a suit and bowler. This specific entity has been classified as “the hat man.” Some shadow people are described as wearing a hooded cloak while others are noted as shapeless black masses. There are some reports of these creepy entities staring intently with glowing red eyes.

Not only does the appearance of the shadow people fall under a wide umbrella but so does their behavior. Many visitations have been described as benign with the figure simply passing through without acknowledgment. While others seem to be cognizant and flee as soon as they are discovered. In a hand full of reports, the figure continues to lurk in the shadows as if they are observing our world. People report feeling startled by the encounter but not always a sense of terror.

However, there are much more disturbing versions of these encounters. People claim that they have a feeling of dread or fear upon discovering the night time intruder. They later recall feeling a sense that the entity may actually be feeding off the negative emotions being emitted. In a few instances, witnesses have reported being tormented by the malevolent presence with reoccurring invasions. The most horrifying accounts involve a physical assault. The experiencer claims to wake up with the menacing figure standing beside their bed or hovering over them. They are struck with panic as they find themselves paralyzed and unable to speak. They describe a heavy weight on their chest and the sensation of being choked. Just as they begin to think they won’t survive the attack, it suddenly stops and the violent trespasser has vanished.

The manner in which these strange beings leave also varies. They have been said to disappear, exit out the door and even walk through walls. So what could these mysterious beings possibly be? The variety of theories is almost as interesting as the stories themselves. We’ll first explore the scientific explanations, then we’ll venture deep into the world of the unknown.

The simplest explanation, especially from skeptics, is that the experiencer witnessed an optical illusion. We are all familiar with perceiving an image that was deceptive or misleading. For example, there’s the lingering spot that gets burned into your retina when you’ve stared at a light for too long and then turn your focus elsewhere. Or witnessing headlights shining into a room that cast a shadow giving the perception that a figure is in motion as the vehicle passes by. Mistaken identities are logical explanations but what about those who interact with the strange beings or witness them on numerous occasions?

Unlike optical illusions, hallucinations are sensory experiences of something that exists only in the mind. It can be created by a physical disorder, a mental issue or even a reaction to toxic substances. There are studies suggesting that exposure to high electromagnetic fields (EMF) can cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, mental confusion, memory loss, sleep disturbance, itchy or burning skin sensations, and skin rashes. The most common sources of EMF come from electrical wiring, lights, appliances and other electrical devices in the home.  In particular, electrical wiring near the bedrooms can emit high EMFs all night long which could account for the frightening encounters. Many people have reported having a hypersensitivity to such exposure. However, the research regarding the seriousness of the health effects is controversial as is the conclusiveness of the research data.

Next on the list is a medical condition called sleep paralysis. This is a strange phenomenon that occurs at the onset of sleep or upon awakening. It is believed to be a result of disrupted REM sleep. A person suffering from this will find themselves temporarily unable to move or speak. They may feel pressure on their body as if they are being held down and experience the sense of being choked. The episode is often associated with distressing visions such as a prowler in the room or a sense of being attacked. The paralysis is a result of the body naturally relaxing the muscles to prevent it from acting out our dreams. Essentially, the experiencer becomes mentally aware before the body has a chance to wake up. The shadowy figure may actually be a residual image carried over from the dream state. This condition mirrors many of the specific details laid out in a majority of the accounts. Fortunately, sleep paralysis is not considered to be a serious health problem.

Of course, the phenomenon known as shadow people may be something of the supernatural realm. The dark shadows could be the visual manifestation of earth bound spirits. Ghosts are thought to be the residual energy or soul of a dead person. The belief is that the spirit is able to manifest utilizing energy from natural power sources, an ionized atmosphere such as thunderstorms, electronics and possibly even human emotions. These specters can appear as vague shadowy forms, evanescent mists or even full body apparitions. Spirits can be benevolent or malevolent, no different than how they may have behaved in life. The dark appearance could be due to an inability to manifest completely. Although, the popular belief is that the color black in indicative of evil and therefore the spirit must be a negative entity.

Demons have also been a commonly discussed culprit, particularly in the more malicious instances. The theological belief is that Lucifer, one of four archangels, rebelled against God. He became prideful and began to covet the throne of God. He felt he deserved supreme power and to be worshiped much like that of his creator. Therefore, Lucifer declared war upon him. One third of the angels joined his army in opposition of God. Because God does not allow others to be worshiped, he judged Lucifer for his sin. Lucifer was stripped of his position, his rights to heaven and his beauty. God cast him and his followers to earth. Lucifer was then known as Satan which in Hebrew means ‘adversary.’ It is believed that his agents of evil have been wreaking havoc on earth ever since in an effort to instill fear and create chaos. Their goal is to destroy God’s creation: humankind.

Aliens have also been blamed for the bizarre invasions. These visitors may be extraterrestrials themselves or potentially components of an ET based monitoring program. There have been numerous claims of alien abductions and visitations, so perhaps these eerie observers are gathering data in an effort to learn more about human consciousness and behavior. They may also be seeking new abductees. In addition to aliens, there are striking similarities between the hat man and the Men in Black (MIB) phenomenon. The MIB approach UFO and ET experiencers to warn them against sharing their stories. These ominous men are described as having pale, lifeless skin and seem to be devoid of human emotion. Their attire typically consists of a black hat and black suit reminiscent of the 1950s. Those who are confronted by the MIB, detail the account as very unsettling. Is it possible that the hat man and the MIB are one in the same?

The Djinn have also popped into the realm of explanations. These mysterious beings are mentioned in the Koran as one of God’s creations. He is said to have made angels from light, humans from clay and Djinn from smokeless fire. They existed long before man. According to Islamic belief, the Djinn are invisible to people but have the ability to appear as animals or humans. Those in the Middle East not only consider the Djinn very real but they also believe them to be quite dangerous. The Koran states that much like humans, the Djinn have free will. This means their interactions with humans can be good, evil or nonexistent. Because the word Djinn is derived from the Persian word for “hidden,” many modern believers conclude that they exist in a parallel dimension. Perhaps the dark human-like figures are how the human brain perceives the bleed through from another dimension.

Astral projection could also offer some insight into what these late night loiterers could be. Theories suggest that the dark figures are actually not something but someone. Some believe that our spirit can venture out of our physical body during sleep, deep meditation or near death experiences. Is it possible that when the soul travels without the vehicle of a human body, it can be detected as a dark shape? The idea is certainly a fascinating one considering most of the encounters occur at night.

The last concept I’ll cover is that shadow people are the presence of time travelers. This is a more common belief in the cases involving the ‘hat man.’ Potentially, people from the past or future have discovered a time slip or portal and are viewing our present time. They may even be sneaking a peak at their ancestors or future generations. Or maybe the location they depart in their time is where they appear in present time. The idea is that they cannot be seen in their entirety because they do not exist in the present.

The theories run the gamut from ghosts of the past, travelers from the future, detached souls of the present, visitors from another planet and entities from a different dimension. The variety of explanations are as vast as they are unusual. If you’ve had a mysterious encounter with a shadow person, feel free to post a description of your account. All weirdness is welcome here at Mysteries Over Martinis.