Word of the Day

Brownies are small, odd little creatures that supposedly help around the house. It typically comes from the folklore of Scotland and England. They only work and night and are benevolent little spirits. However, they feel insulted if the family misuses their help, or directly pays then with currency or items. Other than that, they enjoy to receive gifts of honey and milk. 

More news posted about upcoming meetings and investigations later tonight or tomorrow.

Word of the day/Upcoming Haunt Hunt: Resurrection Cemetery

 Liekkö: In Finnish folklore, an "Ignis Fatuus" light, comparable to the English "Jack-O'-Lantern". The liekkö, which means "the flaming one", is believed to be the soul of a child who was buried in the forest. It presides over plants, roots, and trees. (The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits by Rosemary Ellen Guily).



Alright, folks! Time for another Haunt Hunt before the weather gets freakishly cold! This Saturday, at 4, Psychopomp Paranormal Society will be meeting at Resurrection Cemetery, located in Justice, IL, on Archer Avenue. From there, we'll explore some of the legends and myths such as the infamous "Resurrection Mary". If anyone has any questions, concerns, or needs some carpooling help, please email Emily at PsychopompParanormal@gmail.com.

Until then, Readers! See you all soon!

Word of the day/Meeting update.

A banshee is a female spirit from Irish mythology that is said to be a fore bearer and an omen for death. Usually, it's an apparition that is tied to a certain family, and its howling can be heard when a family member is about to pass. The appearance can be anything to a fair young maiden to an aged crone.

On other news, Psychopomp will prepare for its second meeting. Just because Halloween is over doesn't mean ghost hunting will take a break! This meeting will take place on Saturday, November 5th in La Grange, IL at Caribou Coffee (30 North La Grange Road) at 1 pm sharp. If rides are needed, carpooling can and will be arranged! This meeting, we will discuss future investigations and becoming a formally recognized non-profit group!


Any questions or concerns, email Emily at psychopompparanormal@gmail.com!


Have a great day, readers!

Word of the day/Pictures from the Bachelor's Grove Investigation.

Hello, dear readers. Sorry for the awkward delay in posts. Between balancing two jobs and a full time status of student in college, my life tends to get a bit busy, and I sadly have to prioritize what comes first on the "To do" list. Though, I promise more regular posts in the future.

Sticking with the Native American lore, we're going to cover the Wendigo today. Common in the Algonquian culture and mythology, the Wendigo is a cannibalistic spirit that people can be possessed by or transform into that basically, eats other people. Those at risk were people with greedy tendencies or who practiced cannibalism. Its physical features apparently look like a giant, grey, decomposing skeleton that gives off the stench of death. Whenever a Wendigo ate another victim, it would grow in size, symbolizing how it could never quite get its fill. Typically, you can ward one off  with some red thread acquired from a medicine man or woman.



Anyways, the Psychopomp Paranormal Society recently held it's first formal investigation at Bachelor's Grove, located in Midlothian, IL. If you're interested in reading more on the lore and legends that surround the small cemetery, click here for more information. Below, you'll find some great shots we got of the creepy little plot around twilight. Note: Some of the pictures could show anomalies due to dust, blurriness, or anything else that could have interfered with the camera lens. For photos, I used a Kodak 12 MP Camera with 30x optical zoom. 

The lovely people who helped with the investigation (From left to right: Tony, Emily, Valter, Tim, and Brandon; Not shown: Emmi and Gen).

All in all, I think it was a VERY successful hunt! To suggest a different haunted location, please email us at PsychopompParanormal@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Until again, dear readers! Sleep well!

Special Feature: Interview with a werewolf.

About a month ago, I had a random encounter with a stranger in a local retail shop. We ended up discussing our favorite scents of incense, and left the store with each other's cell phone numbers. While texting me the same night, he professed his secret to me: He was a werewolf. Of course, I'm a bit skeptical, but somewhat intrigued. I got him to agree to a quick interview. Due to the nature of this topic and the criticism from less understanding parties, his identity will be kept anonymous. Note: The interview below is not direct quotes. They are closely matched summaries and paraphrases, due to his vague answers.

We met in a local second hand bookshop. Calmly sitting there with my accomplice Bridie, Macbook in hand, he loped in. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing olive toned skin, his chest adorned with celtic looking pendant. He was moderately attractive, clothed in modern, non descriptive clothing. To the naked eye, he looked extremely normal. The type of person you could pass on the street without taking a second look. He sat down, nodded a greeting to my friend and I, and started the interview.

Me: How did you figure you were a werewolf?

Lycoan: When I finally met my tamer (when a Wiccan is born, there’s a wolf spirit that becomes a spirit guide for said individual.)  Hearing, smelling, tasting, and ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) became more heightened and sensitive. I was at my lake house, and there was one night that I dreamed I was hunting, and I woke up to a mutilated deer carcass outside.

Me: Alright. What are some of the repercussions of being a loup-garou (French for werewolf)?

Lycoan: Takes a lot of control to be a werewolf. You're usually alone, until you create your own pack. You never really have any true control over your fate or destiny. It's always up to someone or something else. I tend to randomly wake up in different places.

Me: So.. Have you had any criticism about your claims?

Lycoan: No one really knows. I wanted to tell you because it’s been so long that I’ve been alone and unable to tell my story to anyone.

Me: How many people know, besides me?

Lycoan: 5 people know through experience. 10 people know through hear-say.

Me: How do people usually react when you tell them?

Lycoan: Not very well.. I've been institutionalized three times.

Me: Uh.. Well. Uhm. What's fact and what's fiction?

Lycoan: We don't change on the full moon. It's usually random with no direct time period.

Alright, readers. Thanks for visiting! There's another interview coming up in the next day, and tonight, Psychopomp Paranormal Society is doing their first formal investigation at Bachelor's Grove, located in Midlothian, IL. Pictures and stories will be updated with tomorrow's post!

Word of the day/Meeting reminder!

Skin-Walker- Here's some more Native American lore for you, dear reader. A Skin-Walker is an individual with a supernature ability to shift into any animal they desire by acquiring and wearing the pelt of the animal of their choice. In Navajo mythology, skin-walkers are said to be pure evil, usually priests who attain their power through the use of dark magic. It is said that if you kill one of these creatures, you'll be granted immortal life, though they are extremely hard to kill, as they are quick and agile.

Remember! Don't forget about the meeting tomorrow! Reserve your place on facebook, here: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185024111575341

1st meeting information/Word of the day.

Acheri- In Native American lore, a ghost of a little girl is said to bring disease, especially to children. It is said to come down from mountaintops into valleys during the night, casting its shadowing over its victims to spread disease. Said to be the reason for death for the elderly and the immunocompromised. Apparently, the only defense from the Acheri is to tie a red ribbon or thread around one's neck. In Ojibwe lore, it is said that a red cloth of the medicine woman wrapped around an Acheri's neck will put it to rest.





On more important news, the first meeting has been set for the Psychopomp Paranormal Society. On Saturday, October 8th, 2011, we will be meeting at 1:00 PM at the Funky Java Coffee House (40 S. Villa Ave, Villa Park, IL) to discuss upcoming events, and just to enjoy each other's company. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Emily at Psychopompparanormal@gmail.com.

See you there!

What IS Psychopomp Paranormal Society?

psychopomp |ˈsīkōˌpämp|(also psychopompos |ˌsīkōˈpämpəs, -ˈpämpäs|)
noun
(in Greek mythology) a guide of souls to the place of the dead.
• the spiritual guide of a living person's soul.

Psychopomp Paranormal Society is dedicated to investigating, researching, and occasionally debunking supernatural myths and stories in the Greater Chicagoland area. Operating out of a small suburb outside of Chicago, we cater to those who are interested in the paranormal, as well as the skeptics who wish to disprove urban legends. Made up of a small team of volunteers, we provide a safe and secure area for those who believe and doubt.

Subscribe and keep reading! We'll have events and meetings soon enough!