Ghost Light Phenomena
For generations, sightings of mysterious lights in the distance have been reported from all over the world - sometimes weaving, sometimes bobbing, sometimes traveling at high speeds or hovering. What are these so-called "ghost lights," "spook lights" or "corpse candles"? The ghost light phenomenon has been variously attributed to a variety of causes, ranging from weather #phenomena to #supernatural forces, to inanimate objects such as swamp gas or car headlights. It is also popularly believed to be associated with ghosts or other #paranormal activity.
Despite sightings of these ghost lights not being uncommon (chances are there's a local version near you), nobody can seem to agree on what they look like or how they behave. Some say they "dance" or perhaps "bob" back and forth, almost like a dangling lantern someone is carrying. Some describe them as balls of light hovering high in the air, occasionally splitting into several lights. Some people have reported seeing the lights travel at high speeds while others have seen them hang motionless until a person gets close, then they retreat. These mysterious lights, often known as "Will-o'-the-wisps" have been reported for centuries, but no one has been able to explain what causes them. Some scientists believe they could be caused by swamp gas and electrical charges in the atmosphere, while others believe they could be a form of supernatural phenomenon.
Will-o'-the-wisps are mysterious lights that are often seen in swamps, marshes, and bogs at night. They are usually pale blue or green, and can be seen moving or hovering in the air. They have been reported for centuries, and have been the source of various folklore and #superstitions. Will-o'-the-Wisp is the most common English designation for a family of fairy-beings characterized by their fiery appearance and their tendency to lead nighttime wayfarers astray. The term wisp refers to a twist of straw used as a torch. Other names for these apparitions include Hobby-Lantern, Jack-o'-Lantern, Jenny-Burnt-Tale, Kitty-Candlestick, Peg-a-Lantern, and many more. For instance, in Japan, they are referred to as #Hitodama, which translates to "human soul" or "living flame", and in Germany, they are known as #Irrlicht, meaning "foolish fire". In literature and #folklore, wisps are believed to be supernatural entities that take on a variety of forms such as a will-o'-the-wisp or a flame. These entities often lead people astray, either for fun or to deliver a message. #Wisps are also associated with the transition between life and death, and it is said that they are the souls of the dead.
Ghost Lights in the USA
Across the country, there are several “Ghost lights,” “Spook lights,” or “Mystery lights” that occur. Many of these lights occur near railroad tracks. Many have legends attached to them concerning engineers or train passengers who were involved in a terrible wreck in which they were decapitated. Most of the lights are flashlights or lanterns that ghosts use to find their heads. For example, the Hornet Spook Light in Missouri is said to be the ghost of a railroad worker who died in a train accident while searching for his lost love. The train station in #Marfa, Texas is said to be haunted by the ghost of a conductor who lost his life in a train crash and now wanders the station holding an old-fashioned lantern. "Marfa Lights" are also well-known in Marfa, believed to be alien spacecraft lights.
Ghost Lights in Asia
The lights at the #Aokigahara Forest in Japan, also known as the "suicide forest", are said to be the ghosts of people who have taken their lives in the forest, and some people have even reported hearing the sound of people crying in the woods. For example, many people have described feeling an oppressive atmosphere when they enter the forest and even seeing strange shadows lingering in the trees. Furthermore, some visitors have reported hearing distant screams, or even feeling like they were being followed by unseen spirits.
Ghost Lights in Norway
One of the most popular sightings is the #Hessdalen lights, which are unexplained lights that have been seen for centuries in the Hessdalen valley in Norway. These lights have been seen rising up from the ground, hovering in the sky, and travelling across the valley in erratic and mysterious patterns. The Hessdalen lights are a phenomenon of unknown origin and have been studied by scientists since the 1980s. They are often described as white, yellow, or orange in color, and can vary in brightness and duration. There are many theories as to what causes the lights, though none have been conclusively proven.
Ghost Lights in the United Kingdom