Anthropology of the Supernatural: Witches, Zombies, and Vampires

Cryptids and Liminal Beings

• Definition of Liminal:

  • Beings that live on the boundaries between the human world and the Otherworld; they are considered border-crossers.

• Definition of Cryptid:

  • Creatures that are normally hidden from view, appearing and disappearing at will.

• Definition of Supernatural:

  • Phenomena that are part of the natural world but are extraordinary; they possess both physical and spiritual forms.

Characteristics of Liminal Beings

• Ability to interact with humans and often take them into their worlds.
• Associated with time anomalies, often featuring moral ambiguity; they can be helpful, harmful, or indifferent.
• Humans must maintain the right relationship with these beings to avoid negative consequences.

Fairy Lore

• Little People:

  • Many cultures feature traditions of small, supernatural humanoids who reside in nature.
  • Encounters with them can be risky, and one should take precautions.

• Fairies in European Folklore:

  • An umbrella term for various humanoid beings with non-human traits and powers.
  • Characteristics vary per cultural tradition but can include:
  • Living alongside the human world in mounds, bodies of water, and woods.
  • Capable of being helpful, mischievous, or harmful to humans.
  • Shared traits with the dead.

Sexuality and Reproduction in Fairy Legends

• Many legends revolve around themes of sex and reproduction:
  • Fairies are said to kidnap humans, particularly for romantic purposes (e.g., True Thomas, Tam Lin).
  • They may require human help for reproduction, resulting in changelings.
  • Stories like Cherry of Zennor emphasize the need for human involvement in fairy reproductive matters.

Journey to the Land of Faery

• Described as a realm of wonders, youth, and immortality.
• Associated with aspects of shamanic initiation and anomalous time experiences.
• Fairies offer gifts such as:
  • Wealth
  • Good fortune
  • Musical ability
  • Prophecy or psychic powers
  • Healing abilities

Social Themes in Fairy Discourse

• Encounters with fairies often reflect societal anxieties, including:
  • Illness, disability, and death; anxieties around fertility and childbirth; violence and social control mechanisms.
  • Fairies may symbolize taboo social topics (e.g., domestic abuse).

Medieval and Victorian Literature on Fairies

• Medieval Romance:

  • Transformed oral fairy legends into structured narratives resembling feudal organization.
  • Alluring yet dangerous representations of femininity and sexuality.

• Victorian Literature:

  • Fairies became depicted as minor nature spirits, resulting in their integration into children’s literature (e.g., Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairy books).
  • Established a lasting connection between fairies and nature.

Modern Beliefs and Revivals

• Fairy beliefs persist today in remote regions, often coexisting with religious practices (e.g., Iceland, Newfoundland).
• Fairies repurposed into subcultures and narratives, such as:
  • Environmental guardianship
  • Gremlins and their association with World War II.

UFOs and Extraterrestrial Aliens

• UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects):

  • Objects or lights in the sky behaving anomalously; existence not limited to traditional astronomical or mechanical explanations.

• Modern UFO Phenomena:

  • Documented since biblical times, but gained prominence post-WWII with numerous civilian accounts.
  • Investigated by the US Air Force, some remain unexplained.

Conspiracy Theories and Abduction Narratives

• Conspiracy Theories:

  • Allegations that the US Air Force suppresses evidence of extraterrestrial contact or creates UFO phenomena as a diversion from other issues.

• Notable Abduction Cases:

  • Betty & Barney Hill (1961)
  • Betty Andreassen (1963)
  • Popularized in the media by Budd Hopkins and Whitley Strieber in the 1980s.

Common Features of Abduction Narratives

• Capture, examination, and otherworldly journeys.
• Reminiscent of theophany—visible manifestations of divine beings.
• Experiences end with a return to the normal world, often accompanied by new abilities or knowledge.

Parallels Between Fairies and Aliens

• Both are described as existing in liminal spaces, possessing powers unattainable by humans, and having morally complex interactions.
• However, aliens' power is often seen as more technological.

New Mythos and Religious Movements

• Ancient Astronauts Mythos: Originated by Erich von Däniken in 1968:

  • Claims ancient aliens influenced human development and technological advancement.

• Emergence of New Religious Movements:

  • Groups like Scientology and Raëlism view aliens as deities.
  • Reinforce themes of human exceptionalism and exploitative practices.

Sasquatch as a Modern Cryptid

• Description: Large, ape-like humanoids, known as Sasquatch (or Yeti), vary in prominent features and behavior across cultures.
• Sightings Trends:
  • Reported sightings correlate with population density; evidence is mostly anecdotal with no scientific confirmation.
  • Associated with cultural narratives in Indigenous peoples' stories.

Cultural Significance of Sasquatch

• Sasquatch serves as:

  • A symbol of local identity in certain regions.
  • A subject of commodification (e.g., Sasquatch museums).

• Anthropological Considerations:

  • Encounters with Sasquatch reflect social concerns and cultural attitudes, paralleling beliefs about fairies and other supernatural beings, despite lacking conclusive physical evidence.