Here we are once again moving ever closer to the spooky day of Halloween and once again we have five more mythical creatures from the legends, folklore and mythology of the United Kingdom.
Number 1 – The Black Dog
The motif of the Black Dog is normally portrayed as a very bad omen when seen, usually an omen of death and there are numerous paranormal or folkloric creatures that are Black Dogs not only in the United Kingdom but also across Europe as well.
Mythical black dogs are seen as spectral or demonic entities and one that may most often be witnessed during the night. Such creatures are described as larger than a usual dog, always with dark black fur and often with large glowing eyes. The creature may often also be associated with the Devil and/or can also be called a Hellhound.
Times or places of witnessing a Black Dog vary, some folklore say that thunder and lightning storms can be a common time to witness one, or at specific places such as crossroads, areas that once served as a place for executions or ancient pathways. Sometimes a Black Dog maybe be witnessed when someone else in the area is soon to die or is dying and also may appear to witness an execution take place.
One thing for sure is you don’t want to come across one of these as it usually means very bad luck or that death isn’t far off, these entities are almost always sinister and evil. Many areas of the United Kingdom have legends of evil and mysterious Black Dog entities, many of which have their own names.
Number 2 – The Pixie
The Pixie is another well-known mythical creature from British folklore and are described as tiny humanoid creatures that may be naked or wearing rags that they would often be happy to discard for an offering of better clothes. Modern day descriptions tell of them having pointed ears and wearing a tiny green outfit (similar in style to an outfit of a Christmas elf).
Pixies are seen as neutral creatures that can be mischievous and often act very childlike. It is described in folklore that they often enjoy gathering in large numbers and either dancing or wrestling throughout the night. They often inhabit ancient structures such as ringforts, tumulus and stone circles among other ancient sites.
Some folklore tells of pixies stealing children or leading travelers into getting lost, but that this may be a corruption from fairy folklore mixing with pixie folklore, with them being seen in some folklore as separate beings with pixies seen as closer to humans and fairies closer to spiritual forces. They may bless those who are fond of pixies but punish neglect.
Folklore also tells of Pixies being fond of horses and that they may even ride them for fun and make ringlets in the manes of the horses.
Number 3 – The Brag
The Brag is a mythical Goblin creature which is said to have the ability to shapeshift into most often either a Donkey or Horse and will then try and tempt humans into riding them, of which if they do the Brag will eventually buck them off either into bushes or a body of water and will then quickly run away laughing as it goes.
Some folklore tells them shapeshifting into other forms as well and that sometimes they may just cause lots of noise rather than chosen to be seen. It is certainly a very random, odd and mischevious creature that is lesser known than many of this list.
Number 4 – The Church Grim
There are some versions of the Black Dog that is seen as good and one of those is the Church Grim, which in folklore is said to be a guardian spirit of Christian churches and comes in the form of a large black dog. Each Church Grim will stick with the single Church it chooses to guard.
The Church Grim protects against any profane or sacrilege to the Church or its grounds. The Church Grim will protect against thieves, vandals, witches, warlocks and even the Devil and probably any other demonic forces as well.
There was even a belief and custom from the 19th Century of burying a dog alive under the cornerstone of a church as a foundation sacrifice in hopes of the dog’s spirit coming back to guard the church, personally if I was the dog, I’d come back to haunt those who did such a heinous thing.
It was also believed that the first person buried at a churchyard would have its spirit defend against the Devil and so that is why it was decided to bury a dog instead as a substitute so the human soul could move on.
The Church Grim may also toll the church bell at midnight before a death takes place. The Church Grim may also appear during funerals as well and the clergyman may observe the grim in the church tower and depending on what way it is looking could determine if the person was going to Heaven or Hell.
Number 5 – The Grindylow
The Grindylow is a water creature, spirit or demon that is malicious and dangerous. They are most often said to use their long sinewy arms to grab children who come too close to bodies of water that the Grindylow inhabits and then the creature will drag them down into the water and drown them to death.
It is certainly something that is likely used as a bogeyman to keep children away from the dangers of bodies of water that if they were to fall into, they have a high likelihood of drowning due to most likely not knowing how to swim yet.
Many likely know this creature from the Harry Potter books as one of its many magical creatures, specifically in the 3rd and 4th books, in the 3rd the creature is used in a Defense Against Dark Arts class by Professor Lupin and in the 4th book they are part of the 2nd challenge of the Triwizard tournament.
And there we have it. Join me tomorrow as we go over the final part in this Halloween mini-series as we go over five further creatures from the United Kingdom.
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