Mrs. Claus

The Origins of Mrs. Claus
©2016 Lori L. Simpson

Many people have heard of the
fictional Christmas holiday figure of
Mrs. Claus, or Mrs. Santa Claus.
But few know her origins.

The modern Mrs. Santa Claus first appeared in an an 1850 story called "A Christmas Legend" authored by James Reese.

Pre-Christan religions had winter-associated Gods who had wives as well.

In addition there are and  have been legendary  female gift givers such as Italy's Christmas persona La Befana. Also, several Northern countries pre-Christan Frau Holle.

La Befana traditionally leaves
Gifts in children's shoes.

Frau Holle granted   good crops and left practical presents such as coal and flax pods. When she shook out her feather bed, snow blanketed the land.

Artistic depictions of Mrs. Claus today
are varied. She has perhaps become
as much a part of secular Christmas culture in some areas of the world as
her husband.  How might you
Picture her?

Sorry for the delays in posting here

Dear Readers,

I'm sorry about my not having
Posted here in so long.
I've had some health problems
To deal with, and now a personal
Tradgedy of sorts. I am still
Dedicated to the idea behind
This blog.
At the time it might be
Easier for me to keep up
With things through
My Facebook page
Actual Legends and the Twitter
account @ActualLegends.
Thank you for your patience and support!

Lori L. Simpson

Unlucky #7

Unlucky #7
©2016 Lori L. Simpson

*Legends say that if
You are the 7th Son of a
7th Son, you're doomed to
become a Vampire!*

Quick Fact

©2016 Lori L. Simpson

*It was believed
Unicorns  purified
Poisoned water by dipping
Their horns in it.*

Mythical Creatures, Real Advertising Post 1

Mythical Creatures
Real Advertising
©2016- Lori L. Simpson

These are some examples
of how folkloric creatures
have been used in
 advertising.

I neither promote these
products nor do I receive
ANY payment for showing
them. I simply present them
for their folkloric and art-
istic value.

From Top To Bottom-

*A Matchbook or Match
Box Cover.
*Antique Playing Card
*French Perfume Label.

Jackalopes

Jackalopes- A Western Critter 
©2016 Lori L.  Simpson

The jackalope is a generally considered mythological Creature of North America, especially the Western half of the country.

Some people point to possible sightings of jackrabbits with tumors on their heads as the origins.

Whether or not that is true it is known that two Wyoming taxidermists of the 1930's grafted antlers onto  stuffed  jackrabbits. These were sold to a hotel. Then later they were sold to gift shops and the "legend" took off faster than well, a speeding  jackrabbit.  

Jackalopes (jackrabbit + antelope) are now featured as taxidermy mounts, toys, postcards and more.

I grew up in Texas and have seen
fake images of jackalopes all my life.
I wonder what I would do if I saw one alive.

The Blue Men of The Minch

The Blue Men of The Minch

©2016 Lori L. Simpson

Sailors sailing the strait between the Scottish Island of Lewis and The Islands of Shiant, and Long Island (The Minch) once lived in terror of the Blue Men of The Minch. Monsters were believed to be blue skinned, green haired and bearded mermen of incredible strength.Also known as Storm Kelpies, they loved to capsize boats and drown sailors. They might summon storms, or s splash water on the ships. They might also board ships demanding tribute. If it was not given - down the ship went!

The Blue Men were said to be able to be defeated by one method, at least. Their leader might call out two rhyming lines of a poem. If a vessel's captain could reply with corresponding rhymes and get the last word, the Blue Man would give up. And the humans would be saved!

The Blue Men weren't always violent. Sometimes they floated peacefully beneath the water. Other times they bobbed up and down with their torsos showing. And some people claimed the fiends might dive in and out of the water like playful porpoises.

Experts today have several Theories as to how the stories got started.
One is that they are the personification of the dangerous seas.

Another theory proposes that long ago people on the islands saw blue tattooed Picts in kayaks. They might have thought the Picts were swimming.

Yet third idea says that the Blue Men are a folkloric memory of some African slaves marooned by Vikings. These slaves may have belonged to a group of people called the "Blue Men of The Desert."

However the tales began, I don't think you would ever confuse the Blue Men of Minch with a happy Disney mermaid named Ariel!

The Wendigo

THE WENDIGO
©2016 Lori L. Simpson

This article is about some of the traditional  Native American and First Nation thoughts on the cannibalistic Wendigo spirit. I neither endorse nor disagree with these beliefs as written here.

"Beware of the  Wendigo!" say people among several native tribes in the US Great Lakes regions and parts of Canada.

The Wendigo are  gaunt, grey, sometimes giant beings with torn bloody lips and a never ending appetite for human flesh. They are believed to be the evil spirits of  people who have committed cannibalism, perhaps in times of famine. Certain tribes say a Wendigo may come as the end result of a person who is too greedy, as well.

These ideas may be linked to cultural taboos against greed and consumption of human bodies, one of the articles I referenced claims. There are traditions that state a person  might also be possessed by a Wendigo, however. It also said... 

A Wendigo can be summoned simply by mentioning one, especially in deep winter. And that it can lure humans by calling the names of the living into the howling winter wind.

So if you hear yourself being summoned into the winters blast for some unknown reason... Don't go. Do whatever you have to to resist!

Just... Don't... Go!

La Lechuza

LA LECHUZA, WITCH OWL OF THE NIGHT©2016 Lori L. Simpson

NOTE: This article focuses on the folklore aspect of La Lechuza, a supposedly paranormal creature. It neither endorses nor discredits beliefs the monster.

Some say La Lechuza wings through the Mexican and South Western United States night. One of her favorite haunts is the area around my hometown of San Antonio, Texas, USA.

This fiend is believed to be a giant witch-owl, often taking the form of some Harpy.

There are those who claim La Lechuza is the ghost of a witch who was killed by angry neighbors. Other people swear she is a living BRUJA (evil witch) who cannot be killed.

La Lechuza is only seen at night, and her appeance may coincide with thunderstorms. Tales of her go back over 100 years and sightings continue to this day.

Modern day accounts tell of large owl like beings terrorizing cars and travelers. But traditional accounts relate La Lechuza's goal is to kill humans.

She lures  people out of their homes by imitating the cries of a baby lost in the night.   If someone goes out to look for the child, she SWOOPS down and carries the person away!

Other times she calls a person's name, banshee-like, as a portent of death.

In either

 case one's only  hope may be to stay inside, and/or curse at the monster, driving it away

Wouldn't you like to have one of these birds as a pet?

Dia de los Muertos

Note: this article is presented for entertainment purposes. The beliefs within are genuinely held by some people, but the writer of this piece neither endorses them nor discredits them.

Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead.2016 ©Lori L. Simpson
With much credit and thanks tomexicansugarskull.com

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is not as scary as it may sound.
It is a Mexican holiday which has also spread into parts of  the United States due to Mexican-Americans and Mexican Immigrants sharing their culture

According to tradition, the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31. All souls of deceased children are allowed to visit their families.Adult spirits are said to revisit their relatives on November 2.

But these ethereal guests are welcomed, not feared. It is believed happy spirits will bless living family members with protection, wisdom, and good luck.

Beautiful altars are set up in homes. The altars are covered with flowers, special mementos, gifts, and food and drinks for the heavenly guests.

One of the most iconic offerings is a sugar skull. The idea of crafting molded sugar church decorations was brought to Mexico by 17th century Italian Catholic Priests.

Down through the years, some Mexicans invented candy sugar skulls for their Day of the Dead celebration.

These sugar skulls aren't usually grim! They are brightly iced and decorated molded candies.  Large ones are left out for adult spirits, and smaller ones are dedicated to the angelitos- child souls.But, humans like to look at them- and eat them- too.

An Introduction
Oct. 31, 2016

Do you long to look for the
Loch Ness Monster? Have you
ever wondered what a Wendigo was?

Well, so have I!
My name is Lori L. Simpson.
I am a lover of legends, both
Folklore and Supposedly true.
I am in my 40's and live in San
Antonio, Texas.

The purpose of this blog
is not to promote or debunk
Paranormal Theories,though
I may present multiple sides
to a story. It is primarily
for entertainment.

I hope you will be entertained,
And follow me on this
adventure!