The "black light teachings" of Sufism. But surely the Divine, if real, must be more advanced than a dazzling darkness of "unlimited potentiality" strikingly similar to the human subconscious...
The Divine cannot just be the subconscious of the cosmos.
Not sure about this. The band is probably well-meaning, but it simply doesn´t sound as magickal in English as it would in, I don´t know, Sanskrit, Old Tibetan or whatever...
One Swedish TV channel (which I don´t have access to) actually shows the mystery show "The Curse of Oak Island". I recently picked up a book about the "mystery", which I got very cheaply at a used book store, but haven´t devoured it yet. So I asked ChatGPT to generate a little midnight essay about it. It seems to be a, shall we say, evolving legend. Or almost a revolving one! With the risk of sounding like a party pooper, there´s probably nothing in the "Money Pit". And no curse either...
The Oak Island Mystery is a long-running treasure legend centered on a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.
It’s one of those tales that mixes a bit of archaeology, a lot of folklore, and more than a dash of “Indiana Jones” energy.
1795: A teenage boy named Daniel McGinnis supposedly found a circular depression in the ground beneath a tree with a pulley block in its branches. He and friends started digging and found layers of logs every few feet, suggesting a man-made shaft.
This became known as the “Money Pit.”
Over the years, diggers reported strange discoveries:
Layers of coconut fiber (which doesn’t naturally occur in Nova Scotia).
“Flagstones” and oak platforms at intervals.
An inscribed stone (now lost) that allegedly gave a cryptic message about treasure buried below.
Traps that flooded the shaft with seawater via hidden tunnels — the “booby trap” feature.
People have speculated the pit might hold:
Pirate treasure (e.g., Captain Kidd, Blackbeard).
Spanish or British military loot.
Knights Templar or Freemason relics (the Holy Grail, Ark of the Covenant).
Shakespeare’s lost manuscripts (Francis Bacon theory).
A natural sinkhole misinterpreted as man-made.
A local superstition says seven people must die before the treasure is found.
As of today, at least six treasure hunters have reportedly died in accidents on the island.
Dozens of companies and wealthy adventurers have dug, pumped, and drilled — often at great expense — without definitive proof of treasure.
The current popularizers are Rick and Marty Lagina, featured in the reality series The Curse of Oak Island (History Channel), who use high-tech methods but have also found mostly artifacts and debris rather than gold.
Many historians think:
The “layers” were just early well-shaft construction or natural formations in glacial till.
The coconut fiber and foreign wood might be from ship repair or ballast dumping, not treasure hiding.
Over 200 years of digging has muddled the site so much that it’s now impossible to be sure what was originally there.
If you like, I can also tell you about the earliest known written sources on the Oak Island story — they’re surprisingly different from the later, more dramatic versions. That helps show how the mystery got embellished over time.
The earliest written sources for the Oak Island story are surprisingly modest compared to the elaborate “booby-trapped Templar vault” narrative you hear today.
The earliest known printed account is in the Liverpool Transcript (a Nova Scotia newspaper) from October 1861, later reprinted in the Novascotian in 1862.
It tells of a depression in the ground discovered in 1799 (not 1795 — the date changes in later tellings).
A man named Daniel McInnis and two friends dug and found logs at 10, 20, and 30 feet, but no treasure.
No mention of mysterious symbols or coconut fiber yet.
By the 1860s–1890s, local histories (like those by Rev. Dodd and others) began adding details:
“Coconut fiber” appears as a strange imported material.
A “stone with strange markings” is introduced — supposedly found at 90 feet.
The flooding trap feature becomes more prominent in retellings.
First widely publicized in an 1860s account.
Said to have a code that, when “translated,” read something like:
"Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried."
The stone itself is lost, and no reliable early sketch exists — many researchers think the inscription story was invented later to drum up investor interest.
Even in the 19th century, some locals suspected:
It might have been an old ship repair pit, not a treasure shaft.
The flooding was natural — Oak Island sits on limestone and has natural cavities that connect to the sea.
By the late 1800s, treasure-hunting syndicates needed funding.
Adding “mystery” elements — booby traps, coded stones, exotic fibers — made the story exciting enough to attract investors from Halifax, New York, and London.
This is how a fairly mundane digging story turned into a centuries-long legend.
If you like, I can give you a side-by-side chart showing how the original Oak Island account evolved into the modern “Templar vault” myth — it’s a perfect case study in how folklore mutates.
Here’s a simplified side-by-side timeline/chart comparing the earliest, original Oak Island accounts with modern legend elements, showing how the story evolved from simple facts to elaborate myths:
| Aspect / Detail | Earliest Accounts (circa 1861–1880s) | Modern Legend / Popular Myth (20th century onward) |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery date | 1799 or 1803 (early reports vary slightly) | Often cited as 1795 |
| Who found it | Daniel McInnis and two friends | Often generalized to a group of treasure hunters or syndicates |
| Nature of site | A depression in the ground; digging found logs at intervals | A deliberately engineered “money pit” with wooden platforms |
| Flooding mechanism | Flooding reported but thought to be natural | Elaborate “booby-trap” flood tunnels connected to the sea |
| Strange materials | Logs found; coconut fiber first appears in accounts decades later, likely added to add mystery | Coconut fiber said to be deliberately used to reinforce tunnels (odd because coconuts don’t grow locally) |
| Inscribed stone | No mention in earliest reports | Stone with mysterious coded inscription claiming treasure worth millions |
| Treasure claim | No clear mention of treasure value; just intrigue about the pit | Massive treasure caches—Templar gold, pirate loot, Spanish gold, Shakespeare manuscripts, even Holy Grail |
| Associated groups | None | Knights Templar, Freemasons, Pirates, Mafia, Secret Societies |
| Excavations | Repeated digging by locals in 19th century | Commercial treasure hunts continuing into the 21st century |
| Public perception | Curiosity mixed with skepticism | Cult following, TV shows, documentaries, conspiracy theories |
| Historical documentation | Local newspaper reports, town records | Many “lost” documents, disputed artifacts, unverifiable claims |
The original story was a simple curiosity: a hole with logs and natural flooding.
Over decades, new elements like coconut fiber, coded stones, flooding traps, and exotic treasure claims were added, often to boost investor interest.
The story has never produced credible treasure but persists due to mystery, romance, and popular media.
If you want, I can recommend some good sources/books for deeper study!
Great! Here are some well-regarded books and resources that explore the Oak Island Mystery from various angles—historical, skeptical, and cultural:
"The Oak Island Mystery: The Secret of the Money Pit" by Edward Rowe Snow
A classic, early detailed account by a local historian, written with skepticism but also fascination. Good for understanding the early 20th-century perspective.
"The Oak Island Gold Mystery" by John Godwin
Focuses on the search for treasure and the various expeditions. Covers many details and theories with a critical eye.
"Oak Island Obsession: The Restall Story" by R. A. Restall
A first-person account of the Restall family's extensive treasure hunting efforts in the 1960s-70s, providing insider experience and documenting modern attempts.
"The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World's Longest Treasure Hunt" by Randall Sullivan
This book is a well-researched popular account and was a key source for the History Channel series. Covers history, myths, and recent investigations.
"Treasure Island: The Search for Oak Island's Legendary Lost Loot" by Michael Arbuthnot and Rick Lagina
Written by researchers directly involved in recent digs; gives a current perspective but with critical insights.
History Channel’s “The Curse of Oak Island” (TV series)
Popularizes the story today, with ongoing exploration. Though entertaining, it’s often speculative.
Skeptical articles and analyses by treasure hunting historians or local historians like Edward Rowe Snow or Frederic Blair
Useful to balance the sensationalism with grounded facts.
Academic articles on local Nova Scotia history
Place Oak Island in the context of 18th-19th-century maritime activities and folklore.
If you want, I can also help find specific scholarly papers or detailed timelines on Oak Island’s excavation history! Would that interest you?
 |
| Credit: Pertsaboy |
För ett tag sedan försökte en krönikör i Aftonbladet frimodigt förneka att Generation Z blivit mer religiös, men trenden har nu visat sig i ett flertal opinionsmätningar i helt olika länder. Så det är antagligen sant. Om det är ett "riktigt" trendskifte återstår väl att se. Observera hänvisningen till Jordan Peterson. Och jag som trodde att han var en dagslända som skulle försvinna från offentlighetens ljus typ 2017 eller så!
Konservativa unga män flockas till den ortodoxa kyrkan
Unga svenska män går med i ortodoxa kyrkan - inspirerade av Jordan Peterson
The Big Bang never happened...the Big Bang never happened...the Big Bang never happened...
Maybe the standard cosmology will go out with a bang, after all! And yes, I know, I already linked to Sabine´s video, but here we go again.
YouTube videos of skeptics going after some really low hanging fruit.
The first clip tells us what happens if a fairly well-educated skeptic (in a black mask) decides to seriously comment a confused spouter of quasi-quantum woo-woo. It´s funny, after a fashion.
Next, that South Korean guy who pretends to have the world´s highest IQ is apparently still at it. Just wait until the more serious Christians realize that he´s a "heretic". But sure, maybe flat earthers will still take him at face value?
And then there´s some fake "time traveler" who claims he´s the next emperor of North America or something to that effect. LOL. He´s also afraid of catching diabetes because he drinks too much soda?!
The ride never ends. And I want a tastier fruit salad!
HA HA HA. Look what I just asked ChatGPT...
While that’s a fun idea on the surface, it’s not exactly in Greta Thunberg’s wheelhouse. Let’s unpack it a bit:
The Waheela is a cryptid from Northern Canada and Alaska, particularly associated with the Nahanni Valley in the Northwest Territories. It's described as:
A large, wolf-like creature
Heavier and more muscular than modern wolves
With unusually large feet, and sometimes said to have no tail
Possibly a remnant prehistoric predator, like Amphicyon (a so-called “bear-dog”)
It’s sometimes linked in folklore to mysterious disappearances in the region, adding a supernatural or legendary aura.
Greta Thunberg is known worldwide as a climate activist, focusing on:
Global climate policy
Environmental justice
Scientific consensus on climate change
Mobilizing youth activism
She generally avoids mythological or fringe topics, especially those that could distract from the science-driven foundation of her advocacy.
Unless it were part of:
A campaign highlighting biodiversity loss
Or a symbolic journey to protect endangered wilderness (and not actually looking for cryptids)
…then no, a Waheela hunt wouldn't align with her mission. In fact, being associated with cryptozoology might undermine her credibility in the eyes of scientific institutions and the climate movement.
If a creature like the Waheela were somehow real, and evidence emerged pointing to it being a surviving prehistoric species, then yes, environmentalists like Greta might have a reason to advocate for protecting its habitat.
But as it stands, the Waheela is a fascinating part of Northern folklore and cryptozoology, not a known species under threat.
Greta Thunberg searching for the Waheela would make a great satirical cartoon or metaphorical adventure, but in real life, it’s not aligned with her mission or strategy. Better leave cryptid-hunting to cryptozoologists — or sci-fi novelists!
Would you like a list of other northern cryptids or mythical creatures from Indigenous traditions in the Yukon and Alaska?
Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT a rather silly question, but actually got an answer. So I suppose this is today´s AI essay, LOL.
Are there (alleged) reports of surviving dinosaurs from North America, i.e. cryptid reports interpreted as dinosaurs or similar prehistoric creatures by cryptozoology enthusiasts?
Yes, there are a few alleged reports from North America that cryptozoologists and enthusiasts have interpreted as possible surviving dinosaurs or prehistoric reptiles. These are fringe claims and are not supported by mainstream science, but they have circulated in cryptozoological literature and popular culture.
Here are the most notable examples:
Sightings of a large, serpentine or humped creature in Lake Champlain.
Some descriptions suggest a plesiosaur-like shape: long neck, flippers.
Widely considered a modern myth or misidentification (e.g. sturgeon, logs, waves), but featured in cryptozoology circles since the 1800s.
Described similarly to Champ.
Also interpreted by some cryptozoologists as a possible relict marine reptile, though more often described as serpentine.
These lake monsters are the most commonly linked to "prehistoric survivors", especially plesiosaurs, though no physical evidence exists.
Scattered reports in the 1940s–1970s, especially from rural Georgia and South Carolina, of large, upright lizard-like creatures.
Sometimes described as being 5–7 feet tall, walking on two legs.
Often interpreted in retrospect as hoaxes, folklore, or misidentified animals (e.g., large lizards, escaped pets, or alligators).
Some local legends describe reptilian creatures in swampy areas, occasionally linked to cryptids or “living dinosaurs.”
These often reflect tall tales, with little consistency or credibility.
In states like Texas, New Mexico, and Illinois, there are scattered reports (19th century to 20th century) of giant flying creatures with leathery wings and no feathers.
Sometimes described as having crests, long beaks, or bat-like wings.
Occasionally interpreted as living pterosaurs by cryptozoologists.
Notable case:
Tombstone, Arizona, 1890: A newspaper account told of cowboys shooting a huge bird with a wingspan of 160 feet. Some cryptozoologists argue this could have been a pterosaur, but the story is likely fabricated or exaggerated.
Native American legends sometimes describe giant birds, serpent-like river creatures, or monstrous reptiles — which modern interpreters occasionally link (anachronistically) to dinosaurs or prehistoric beasts.
These are more symbolic/mythic than cryptozoological, but occasionally repurposed in fringe literature as “evidence” of survival.
No physical or fossil evidence exists of non-avian dinosaurs or Mesozoic reptiles surviving past the Cretaceous.
Many sightings are explained by:
Misidentified animals (e.g., sturgeons, birds, alligators, hoaxes)
Folklore and storytelling
Pareidolia and eyewitness error
Popular interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric life
Influence of creationist pseudoscience (e.g., young earth creationists sometimes cite these reports as evidence against evolution)
Cultural fascination with the idea of "lost worlds" or "living fossils"
Yes, there are alleged reports in North America of creatures interpreted as surviving dinosaurs or pterosaurs, especially:
Lake monsters (Champ, Ogopogo) → interpreted as plesiosaurs
Flying cryptids (Thunderbirds) → interpreted as pterosaurs
Swamp creatures → occasionally likened to bipedal dinosaurs
But these are folkloric or anecdotal, and lack credible scientific backing. They remain part of cryptozoological lore rather than biological reality.
Would you like a list of books or articles from cryptozoology circles that promote these interpretations?
Yes — the so-called "river dinosaurs" or dinosaur-like cryptids of the Southeastern U.S. are a little-known subset of American folklore and cryptozoological lore, often involving reports of large, bipedal, reptilian creatures near rivers or swamps. These reports are rare, scattered, and not well-documented in scientific literature, but they have circulated in fringe or local sources, especially in the 1940s–1970s.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s known (or claimed):
Size: 5 to 8 feet tall
Stance: Bipedal, walking upright
Features: Lizard-like skin, long tail, small arms, glowing or reflective eyes
Movement: Fast and agile; some reports say they moved “like a man,” others describe “lizard-like hops”
Altamaha River, Georgia (also known for the lake monster “Altamaha-ha” or “Altie”)
Congaree Swamp, South Carolina
Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia/Florida border
Green Swamp, North Carolina
These areas are rich in wildlife and have long been settings for swamp monster stories, some dating back to Native American oral traditions and pioneer legends.
Although technically not a "dinosaur", this is the most famous modern case of a bipedal reptilian cryptid in the Southeast.
He claimed a scaly, green, man-sized reptilian creature attacked his car near Scape Ore Swamp.
Had red eyes, clawed hands, stood 7 feet tall.
Prompted a media frenzy and numerous follow-up sightings.
Widely considered a hoax or misidentification, but still celebrated locally.
Some cryptid enthusiasts speculated it could be a “relic dinosaur” (e.g., a theropod, like a small T. rex or raptor).
Others believed it might be a mutant alligator or humanoid reptilian.
The Lizard Man became a local legend, spawning festivals, merchandise, and decades of debate.
Some creationist authors in the mid-20th century and beyond (e.g., John C. Whitcomb, Carl Baugh) promoted the idea that dinosaurs still exist.
They occasionally cited Southeastern U.S. sightings (along with reports from Africa and Papua New Guinea) as evidence against evolution.
The narrative was that humans and dinosaurs coexisted, and isolated populations may have survived the Flood.
While most cryptozoologists separate themselves from creationist agendas, there's significant overlap in dinosaur cryptid speculation.
Mainstream scientists consider these reports to be:
Folkloric exaggeration
Misidentified animals, especially:
Large monitor lizards seen on two legs or alligators
Escaped exotic pets (e.g., iguanas)
Bears or other large mammals glimpsed briefly
Hoaxes or pranks
Possibly even mass hysteria in rare cases
There is no physical evidence — no tracks, scat, remains, or credible photos — for any of these supposed creatures.
The American South has a rich storytelling tradition, including monster legends tied to swamps, rivers, and backwoods.
Some stories may stem from fear of the unknown, especially in isolated rural areas.
Cryptozoological interest in the Loch Ness Monster and Mokele-mbembe (Central African "dinosaur") likely encouraged local reinterpretations of unexplained creatures as dinosaurs.
While not mainstream, some books and articles that discuss these creatures include:
Loren Coleman, Cryptozoology A to Z (1999)
Lyle Blackburn, Lizard Man: The True Story of the Bishopville Monster (2013)
Regional folklore collections from the Carolinas and Georgia
Cryptozoological websites (e.g., Cryptomundo, Mysterious Universe)
Yes, there have been scattered reports — mainly from the Southeastern U.S. — of bipedal, dinosaur-like creatures, especially near rivers and swamps. Most are folkloric or anecdotal and include:
The Bishopville Lizard Man
Rumors of “river dinosaurs” or reptilian bipeds in Georgia and the Carolinas
Occasional interpretations by cryptozoologists or creationists as surviving dinosaurs
However, these remain unsubstantiated and are considered legend, hoax, or misidentification by mainstream science.
Would you like a map or timeline of these kinds of sightings across the U.S.?
The Monster of Partridge Creek is a cryptozoological legend from the Yukon Territory in Canada, dating back to the early 20th century. It’s one of the more obscure “living dinosaur” stories and is often cited in fringe literature and cryptozoology discussions.
The tale originates from two main reports published in the French newspaper Le Journal in 1907 and 1908, written by a French writer and mining engineer named Georges Dupuy.
According to Dupuy, the creature was seen near Partridge Creek, close to Dawson City, during a gold prospecting expedition in the Yukon.
According to Dupuy’s reports, the creature was:
A reptilian, dinosaur-like animal
Around 30 feet (9 meters) long
Covered in scales, not fur
With a serpentine neck and large tail
Described as similar to a sauropod, like a Brontosaurus
Witnesses claimed the beast left large tracks in the snow and frightened both humans and sled dogs.
Dupuy claimed he saw it himself, along with:
Prospectors
A local Indigenous guide named Tom, who reportedly said his people knew of such creatures
However, the only written source remains Dupuy’s articles, which appeared in Le Journal, a French popular newspaper of the time.
No independent corroboration of the event exists.
No physical evidence (tracks, bones, photos) was ever collected.
The story was published in a popular newspaper, not a scientific journal, and reads more like a piece of early science fiction or adventure journalism.
The location (Yukon in winter) is ecologically and climatically implausible for a cold-blooded reptile or any large dinosaur to survive.
Dupuy may have fabricated the story or presented a fictionalized account as nonfiction.
It could be a case of hoax, tall tale, or misidentification (e.g., a moose, bear, or even drifted snow around animal tracks creating odd illusions).
Despite the lack of evidence, the Monster of Partridge Creek is sometimes cited by:
Young Earth Creationists seeking to discredit evolutionary timelines
Living dinosaur enthusiasts
Cryptozoologists interested in supposed relic populations of prehistoric creatures
It has appeared in books like:
Mysterious Creatures by George Eberhart
Searching for Hidden Animals by Roy Mackal
But even among cryptozoologists, it is treated as a fringe case with extremely low credibility.
The Monster of Partridge Creek is a dinosaur-like creature reportedly seen in the Yukon in the early 1900s.
Originated from reports by Georges Dupuy in Le Journal.
Described as a sauropod-like reptile in a snowy, northern setting.
Lacks any corroboration or physical evidence.
Widely regarded as folklore, fiction, or hoax, though it continues to interest fringe theorists.
Would you like to see excerpts from Dupuy’s original articles, or how this story compares to other alleged "living dinosaur" tales like Mokele-mbembe?
