The body of work that comprises modern psychology is almost synonymous with names such as Freud, Pavlov, Skinner, and a number of other pioneering individuals. But perhaps there is none so revered–and also as curious in his many interests–as Carl Jung.
It’s no secret the Psychologist Carl Jung spent his lifetime fascinated with various aspects of occult spirituality. These interests in the unusual aspects of existence manifested in a number of ways for Jung, especially early in life. For instance, Jung came to believe at an early age that his soul was divided into his natural youthful persona of the present, paired with an “authoritative and influential man from the past,” namely what could be likened to the spirit of an eighteenth century man. There is also the very curious “ritual” Jung created as a boy, in which he carved a small figure out of wood and, placing it in a box he hid in the attic of his home, would write notes on tiny slips of paper in a “secret language” of his own creation; later, Jung would recognize this sort of activity as being similar to totem worship by primitive cultures around the world, and thus inspired his later innovations with his theories of psychological archetypes.
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Within various Medieval literature detailing history and folklore throughout Europe, one who looks hard enough won’t have to struggle to find references to hairy, manlike beasts, variously referred to as orcs, ogres, trolls, woodwoses, and wild men in various documents from England and its surrounding countries.
The Konungs skuggsjá, or “King’s Mirror” is one such document, written around 1250 in Norway. Though various translations exist today, the one available here was translated from the Old Norwegian by Laurence Marcellus Larson in 1917. There are many curiosities and “wonders” referred to throughout various portions of the text. One of these sections, subtitled “The Natural Wonders of Ireland,” features a rather strange account of a manlike beast allegedly captured some time prior to authorship of the document.
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In my book Magic, Mysticism and the Molecule, I spent a good bit of time detailing various methods cultures around the world have used to induce mind-expanding altered states of consciousness. Granted, when using any inordinary or otherwise foreign method to evoke altered states, typically there are a number of extreme circumstances that become involved, and hence, a number of obvious dangers that may also become present.
Unfortunately, this was the case with a paid participation seminar being hosted by a James Ray, a popular author on mysticism and holistic health. A recent CNN News article details tragedy that occurred during a sweat lodge ceremony, described as a “Spiritual Warrior” retreat conducted near Sedona, Arizona in 2009, during which three participant passed away and more than twenty others became ill.
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It was approximately 10:30 this morning while traveling into the high mountains of North Carolina, following an impromptu but unrelated interview with local Asheville news station WMYA My40, that I received the news: “Knobby,” a name given to a Bigfoot-like creature seen in the region, had allegedly been spotted yet again.
The story is accompanied by footage, taken by a Mr. Thomas Byers, who allegedly filmed a “creature” as is hobbled across Golden Valley Church Road in Rutherford County, North Carolina, on March 22. Below I’ve included that footage, for your enjoyment and analysis:
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