Image credit: Spi

Location: Changi beach is located in Singapore

Legend behind this: Thousands of Chinese were tortured and killed during the Sook Ching Operation as they were suspected of being anti-Japanese.

The experience: Strange crying and screaming are reported by people. The heads of the Chinese dead bodies are sometimes seen flying everywhere and headless bodies walk around the beach. The scariest thing is that the ghosts leave blood stains. During nights people observed dug holes that appear as if they were used for burying bodies.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

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Location: Bachelor's Grove Cemetery is located at Midlothian, Illinois.

Legend behind this: According to a legend only men were buried here and hence the name. Many officers have reported that black magic and occult rituals have been occurring in and around the graveyard. Hence it is believed that the ghostly powers are severe here.

The experience: Ghost lights and voices, apparitions, strange recordings and sightings of unbelievable creatures are commonly reported by people.

Monte Cristo

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Location: Monte Cristo, Australia's most haunted mansion is located in Junee, New South Wales.

Legend behind this: Mrs Crawley, the owner of the house never came out of her home after the death of her husband in 23 years of her remaining life except for two times. After her death her ghost haunts the place particularly her former room.

The experience: Bodiless ghost, phantom face in the window, floating apparition, strange and ghostly voices, automatic turning on and off lights are some haunting experiences of the people. Some people reported that when they entered the boy's bed room they were breathless and turned purple and almost died, they became normal after coming out from the room.

Bhangarh Fort

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Location: Bhangarh Fort is on way from Jaipur to Alwar in Rajasthan, India.

Legend behind this: According to a legend, Singhia, a black magic tantrik cursed the palace that everybody would die in the palace and their souls will stay there for centuries without rebirth. Another interesting point is, all the houses in this area are without roofs because whenever a house is built with roof, the roof collapses.

The experience: This is the most haunting place in India. People who visit this place experience anxiety and restlessness. It is said that nobody returns from this place that stays there after dark. Government prohibited this area from staying after sunset. You will find a board installed by Archaeological Survey of India displaying "Staying after sunset is strictly prohibited in this area".

The Screaming Bridge of Maud Hughes Road

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Location: The Screaming Bridge of Maud Hughes Road is located in Liberty Township, Ohio.
Legend behind this: According to the legend, a man and woman were held up on top of the bridge while travelling on a car. At first the man got out to get help to save the woman but she died, later the man also died. Another story says a woman threw her baby off the bridge and then hanged herself.

The experience: Many people reported that they heard the conversations of ghosts, then a woman's scream followed by a man's scream. Some claimed that they saw ghostly figures, mists, lights and a ghost train.

The George Stickney House

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Location: The George Stickney House is located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA.
Legend behind this: George Stickney had twelve children out of which only three survived. He and his wife wanted to talk to the spirits of their children. For this he built this house with round corners to enable free roaming of spirits.

The experience: Now it is the Police House. The police claimed that they heard strange sounds and footsteps, the objects moving around, sudden turning off the lights, doors opening by themselves and door knobs turning suddenly.

50 Berkeley Square

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Location: 50 Berkeley Square is located in the UK.
Legend behind this: According to one legend, a little girl was killed by a sadistic servant in the nursery. Another one says that a young woman lived in the house with her evil uncle. She fell down dead when she tried to escape from a window. Since then the top floor is said to be haunted.

The experience: This is the most haunted house in the UK. Many people claimed that they heard strange noises. Ghosts and mists are seen and many mysterious things are happened. Now this is occupied by Maggs Bookshop and the employees are not allowed to go up to the top floor.

Babenhausen

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Location: Babenhausen Barracks is now a museum located in Germany.

Legend behind this: It is said that the ghosts of German soldiers that died in World War II haunt this place. According to a legend, if a soldier visits this museum and picks up a telephone, a woman will talk backwards in neither German nor English. It is the ghost of a witch who was burned at the stake and since then her ghost was killing many German soldiers.

The experience: Ghostly voices, turning on and off lights without physical cause, sounds of footsteps and strange commands are reported by people.

Screaming Tunnel

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Location: Screaming tunnel is located in the northwest corner of Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Legend behind this: A little girl was burnt alive by her father and since then her spirit haunts the place.

The experience: If anyone lights a match in the middle of the tunnel, a high-pitched screaming voice can be heard.

Dominican Hill

Image credit: Cityofpines

Location: Dominican Hill is located in the Baguio City, Philippines.

Legend behind this: According to some people the ghosts of people who were killed during the war haunt this place. Some say the patients who died here despite having the hope to be alive turned into ghosts.

The experience: Hearing the banging of doors, windows, clattering of dishes and screaming voices during night are reported by people.
Are you ready for the horrifying experience?

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Do you believe in luck?  Two weekends ago, my family and I experienced a trio of "bad luck".  We all got the flu, my son broke his tooth and then my two year old daughter and I were in a car accident.  It got me thinking about the saying "Bad luck comes in threes".  With some research now behind me, I think that the saying comes from the Holy Trinity.  Three is the symbol of the trinity.  If one defiled the trinity's sanctity it would transgress holy law, invite disaster and perhaps, even invite the loss of power of oneself to the devil.

Three is a common number in folklore -- three little piggies, three billy goats gruff, Goldilocks and the three bears, the three ghosts in A Christmas Carol, the three fates, the three wisemen, etc.  Does this mean that once you've hit the cursed number three that your luck will change?  Well, for me personally, things have been pretty quiet (knock on wood) since our nasty trio wrapped up.  The puke from the flu is all cleaned up and the carpets have been shampooed.  The broken tooth is fixed.  I've got an appointment to get the car in to be looked at and have replaced my daughter's car seat.  Luckily, I guess, neither of us was hurt in the car wreck.  Hopefully, that's it for now.

But is luck merely a statistical coincidence?  Is it fate?  If you believe in luck, does that mean that you have an external locus of control?  What I really mean is do you have control of your destiny?  I think that you do, that the concept of luck is a fallacy.  People strive to see meaning in their lives.  Reasons why bad things happen to good people.  Sometimes they just do.  It's the "luck of the draw".

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That is not to say that you should believe that you do not have control over your own life.  You do.  You have the power to behave differently and to think differently.  Instead of viewing all of life's events through the lens of luck, see life as a series of challenges to be met.  Good things can and do happen everyday to everyone everywhere.  It's just that our society focuses on the negative.

If you watch the news, you'll notice that people are killed, children are kidnapped, the economy is falling apart, politically many countries are in ruins, there are terrorists, gang members, and bad people everywhere you look.  People are planning robberies, assassinations, murders, rapes, and all sorts of atrocities.  What they don't report is the positive.  Every day beautiful children are born, people laugh, marry, rejoice, make love, age gracefully, mature, grow and learn.  Kittens are rescued from trees and people are rescued from poverty, disease, unhappiness, and abuse.  Children learn new things everyday.  Perhaps we as a society should not see things as only negative.  It's only one side of the coin.

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I've found in my life that you see what you are looking for.  That is to say that if you are looking for something positive, you'll find it and if you're looking for something negative, you'll find that too.  I've also learned that something awful can turn out to be something good.  I was married previously to a man who was self-centered and immature.  I loved him and it ripped me apart when he left.  Our divorce was painful but served to show me who he really was as opposed to the person I thought he was.  Less than two months after we separated, I began dating the man I am now married to who is so good to me and my children.  He's the most wonderful husband that anyone could ever wish for.  So my divorce lead to me finding the man of my dreams.

I've spent much of my life waiting for the other shoe to drop.  For someone I love to disappear through death or disinterest.  For something bad to happen to myself or to those I hold dear.  I am trying, quite desperately at times, to try to put myself back in charge of my life.  To gain control over my thoughts, emotions, behaviours and destiny.  If bad luck really does come in threes then try to view good luck as coming in the hundreds!

Banshee

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To hear the wail of a banshee is a very bad omen. This fairy from Celtic folklore announces the death of a member of the family that hears her inhuman cry. You may close all your windows and doors, and wrap your head in the thickest of blankets, but nothing will muffle her scream.

Don't be fooled by her appearance. Sometimes she is old and haggard; sometimes she is young and beautiful. Some say she will foretell the deaths of a single household through the generations. Which of these stories is true? Let's hope we never find out.

Bogeyman

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The bogeyman is a wicked, shadowy figure that lurks in the dark. He is powerless during the day but moves through the night, punishing naughty children and sometimes stealing their souls.

As a shape-shifter, he is not easy to recognise and so serves as a warning to children to beware the unfamiliar. What can be done to avoid him? Just be good, or the bogeyman will get you.

Elf

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Sometimes known as the little people, elves can also appear human-sized. Do not confuse the kind elves of the seelie court with the evil elves of the unseelie court. They like to play tricks and will cause diseases in cattle and humans.

They can also steal human children and replace them with changelings. Your nightmares may be caused by an elf sitting on your chest. To recognise a human-sized elf you need to look behind them. They may have a long tail or they may appear hollow from the back.

Fury

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Described variously as personified curses, ghosts of murder victims or the three daughters of Gaea, the furies are vengeful spirits. They ascend from the underworld to pursue and torment the guilty. You have nothing to fear if you're innocent. You are innocent, aren't you?

Ghost

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Ghosts are a favourite topic for stories at Halloween and dark stormy nights. They are the spirits of the dead who have either been victims of a violent death or have unfinished business with the living.

You may see them as a solid being or a nebulous spirit. They may be invisible, manifesting themselves by eerie sounds, peculiar smells or, in the case of poltergeists, by moving objects. To reduce your chances of being bothered by ghosts, avoid graveyards or places of untimely death.

Ghoul

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Another evil creature found in graveyards is the demonic ghoul. It feasts on corpses, but when it tires of dead flesh it will lure travellers from the road and kill them.

Although it is another shape-shifter, it can be recognised because it will always have the hooves of an ass. Be sure to kill a ghoul with a single blow, as a second will make it stronger.

Goblin

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A goblin is a small, grotesque spirit that lives in a grotto. At night, the sounds of breaking crockery and banging are signs you are being visited by a goblin.

Although they punish naughty children, goblins are also known to reward those that are good. Keep them friendly and happy by offering them food and milk.

Ogre

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Ogres are hideous giants, but can change to appear in human form. They like to feed on humans, especially children. Ogres are dangerous to tackle directly but, as they are also greedy and stupid, they can be easily tricked and killed.

Pixie

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Pixies are mischievous fairies who usually dress in green and like to dance to the music of crickets and frogs in the moonlight. They also enjoy themselves by knocking on walls, blowing out candles, playing in water and frightening young women.

Leading travellers astray by confusing them is a favourite pixie trick. If you become pixie-led (or pixilated) while travelling, turn your coat back-to-front or inside-out. This will confuse the pixies and they will release you.

Pixies also respond to bribery. Offer them new clothes and they will disappear.

Vampire

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These undead creatures feed on the blood of their victims by night. By day, vampires must either return to their grave or to a coffin filled with earth from their native land. A vampire has a pallid appearance and long incisors used for biting the necks of its prey. They can also be recognised by having neither a shadow nor a reflection.

Ward off a vampire by use of a crucifix or by wearing garlic around your neck. If you are unlucky enough to be bitten you must kill your attacker or turn into a vampire yourself. A vampire can only be killed by burning, driving a stake through its heart or destroying its daytime resting place.

Werewolf

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A diet of sheep or goats may sustain a werewolf but it prefers the taste of humans. This shape-shifting creature transforms from a human to a wolf by night, sometimes at will and sometimes involuntarily at a full moon.

Any wounds inflicted on the wolf will be visible after its change back to a human. These wounds make the werewolf identifiable during the day. Also beware the weretiger in West Africa, the werefox in Japan and China, the werejaguar in South America and other creatures of this type.

Witch

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Another favourite of Halloween stories, witches generally gather in groups and gain their power from associations with demons. These demons may accompany them in the form of animals, often black cats. The ability to fly, usually with the aid of a broomstick, allows them to travel quickly.

Although old and haggard in appearance, witches are able to transform themselves into other guises. This transformation can also be performed on others. In order to defeat a witch you either have to possess stronger magic or be a cunning and virtuous hero.

Wraith

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As the sound of a banshee is a portent of death, so is the sight of a wraith. Also known as a fetch or a doppelgänger, the wraith is an exact double of the person whose death it foretells. It is usually an apparition, but can sometimes appear real.

Occasionally, the sight of a wraith does not mean death. Sometimes its appearance is an appeal for help and, if seen in the morning, a wraith can herald a long life.

Have a Safe Halloween

With this information at your disposal you should be able to recognise some of the evil creatures that roam the night. But remember, Halloween isn't the only night these spirits and demons appear. With virtue and cunning you can stay safe all year round. Most importantly though, have fun and enjoy your Halloween.

Witches have been around since the beginning of human history and are still with us in abundance. It is not really known where the word originated, but many believe it is derived from the word Wicca (old-English for pagan practice of witchcraft). Here are my picks for the weirdest and most bizarre witches of History.

1. Isobel Goldie: 1662

   Legend says that she had wild sex with the devil who brought her into the art of witchcraft. She was made to confess this several times but many thought that it was just a story she had made.

2. Florence Newton: 1650s

   In Ireland, Florence Newton is also known as "the Witch of Youghal". She was accused of bewitching people and causing them to have fits which led to them dying from frightful contortions. She was eventually tried and convicted of being a Witch.

3. Elisabeth Sawyer: 1621

   Elisabeth Sawyer also called the "Witch of Edmonton" was accused of bewitching her neighbor's children and cattle when the folks refused to buy her brooms. She confessed to being a witch and was hanged.

4. Witch of Endor
   

   The Witch of Endor found in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible was accredited with raising of the spirit of Samuel at the request of King Saul of Israel. King Saul consulted with her concerning his fate and future. Some scholars believe that the spirit conjured up by the witch was the Devil but many believe that it was not the Devil. Those that believe it was not the Devil state the Devil would have been repelled by the word Jehovah.

5. Baba Yaga
   

   Baba Yaga is a legendary witch who was said to have flown around the forests in a mortar and pestle ( not a broomstick). Legend says she loved to roast children for dinner and serve them to her neighbors.

6. Zsussana B. Budapest: 1950-
   

   She is the founder of the "modern feminist" witchcraft movement. Known as a powerful magic teacher who is very much into reclaiming the “wild woman within”, she was born in Hungry about 56 years ago, and escaped that country as a refugee with her mother, a witch and sculptress. Stories tell that she is skilled in spells, and is an advocate of hexing, specifically for warding off sexual harassment at work.

7. The Bell Witch: 1817

   This is the tale of a haunting rather than an evil spell and potion making enchantress. The legend is the basis of several films An American Haunting (2006) and The Bell Witch Haunting (2004) and may have influenced the The Blair Witch Project (1999).

8. Laurie Cabot: 1960s-

   She is known as the Official Witch of Salem and claims to be an ordained High Priestess descended from Celtic ancestry. She has been a practicing Witch for more than forty years. Some may know her for starting the Cabot Tradition of the Science of Witchcraft and the Witches' League for Public Awareness (WLPA), an organization that tries to correct many misconceptions about Witchcraft.

Some Bizarre Witch Trivia

• A Dutch witch in 2005 won her case to allow her to declare her broomsticks and spell casting lessons as tax deductible
  
  
• 18km south of Utrecht is the infamous town of Oudewater, where some of the world's strangest witch trials were held in the late 1500's. The accused women “were weighed on scales in the Heksenwaag (Witches' Weigh House), Leeuweringerstraat 2, to determine whether or not they were witches” (Frommers). Why? Because it was widely believed at the time that witches had no souls and weighed nothing, thus they could fly on brooms through the air effortlessly. If you visit this town today you can be weighed and receive a certificate (if you weigh enough) that states you are Not a witch!
  
  
• Most witch hunters know that salt will melt any witch.

A view of the Baalstone which is located in my friends garden. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Baals origins are in the Middle East, possibly Palestine, and he was the Bull God who wore horns and was the husband of Astarte who became Diana. The Bullstone close to Cluelow Cross not far from Macclesfield has the same derivation of  name, and is connected by the fire worship of Baal to keep the seasons in their right order, and is also associated with Baal the Bull.

Another view of the Baalstone. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

The four seasons when the Beltaine fires were, and are still burnt, were the festival of Druids, and May the first, a traditional fertility celebration when the phallus Maypole is danced around is known as Beltaine.

In 1769, a Thomas Pennant, a traveller through Celtic Scotland said that on the first of May the herdsmen of every village held their Bel-tien, a rural sacrifice. They cut a hole in the turf and made a fire and cooked oatmeal, each person would break off one ninth and throw it on the fire, "for the preservation of my horse", then another piece for the preservation of another animal and so on.

The face that can be seen in the Baalstone. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Another writer described an eighteenth century ritual in which eggs and milk were boiled to make a custard which is then eaten with special cakes, presumably consecrated and cooked on the Beltaine Fires. This cake had knobs on it and pieces would be broken off, and it is supposed that this tradition stems from the manner that the victim would be chosen to be sacrificed on the fire, whosoever broke off the chosen piece would be selected for the sacrifice.

There is a field to the north of Tittesworth below the Roaches that is known as Custard field, there was a tradition in the past of rolling cakes down the hills here at Beltaine, and it is believed that this originated from an act where wheels of fire were rolled down hills. It is often said that the Kerridge hills where White Nancy know stands was such a hill where Beltaine fires were once lit.

A view of the Baalstone from another angle. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Charcoal has been found under the Baalstone which is thought to be evidence of the Beltaine fires which were burnt here, stock owners would drive their animals between the fires in some sort of purification ritual. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Three Shires head showing the Old Pack Horse Bridge not far from the source of the river Dane. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Three Shires Head is a difficult place to find as you have to walk across fields to get there, and there are no sign posts to direct you, however the walk is worth the effort as it is a very tranquil spot with the river Dane flowing over the rocks and under an Old Pack Horse Bridge. In the past Thorn trees were thought to have been special, and were thought to have been planted by a Holy person, this perhaps stems from the story of Joseph of Arimathea thrusting his staff into the ground on Weary-all hill at Glastonbury, where it took root and grew into a Holy Thorn tree which blossomed only at Christmas time. The Thorn tree was also said to be the abode of tree spirits and it was also said to mark the spot of a battle or a place where a venerated person was buried, these became marking points or boundary markers, this is the case at Three Shires Head where there is an area known as Cut Thorn, which would have been a Thorn tree with cuts or marks on it to mark the boundary between the Three Shires.

Panniers pool below the Pack Horse Bridge. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

There have been many sightings of ghosts around Three Shires Head and Sutton, many have been rough looking men on horseback, often carrying a storm lantern and galloping down the centre of the road much to the consternation of local traffic. A computer operator on January 5th 1995 driving on the road that passes Cluelow Cross came across one such phantom galloping down the centre of the road, he had a long black beard and a three cornered hat on his head, the driver braced for the impact but it never came as the horse and rider passed through the car never to be seen again.

The Old Pack Horse trail follows the course of the river Dane up the valley towards the rivers source. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Evidence of old mine workings further up the valley. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

A view of the man made mound covered with trees hiding Cluelow Cross. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

The mound is question is thought to be a burial mound, and some small excavation has taken place in the past which revealed a skeleton and some pottery. Many theories have been put forward as to the purpose of this strange standing stone, however after talking to local author Frank Parker his theory seems to make the most sense.

Is this an ancient fertility shaft? Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Frank puts forward the theory that this has been used as a phallic fertility stone in the past by women wishing to conceive, in fact in Celtic the word Clurow means "to rub" so perhaps Celtic women used this shaft along with others very similar in Macclesfield park and also St Edwards Church at leek to try to become pregnant. They would proceed to walk around the base of the shaft rubbing it in the hope that it would increase the chances of conception. Probably the nearest analogy these days is sometimes you get a chair in a supermarket checkout till in which female cashiers always seem to fall pregnant after sitting on.

Wear can be seen around the base of the shaft, have these been made by countless feet? Photo by Gary Tacagni.

The nearby town of Leek is thought to have acquired its name after a spring of water from a hillside, however another school of thought is of the opinion that it is from the Celtic word "Lech", which means hiding place or sanctuary. Leek and the surrounding area would have been heavily forested back in those days, is that the reason that these stone shafts were hidden in this dense woodland and perhaps used in religious ceremonies dedicated to the Old Religions, not keeping with Christian values and beliefs, and maybe that is the reason that many have been Christianised by having crosses carved on them. Perhaps the purpose of these strange shafts will always remain an enigma, but their presence in this diverse and wonderful countryside only adds to the mysteries that can be found here.

These three stone shafts can be found in the unlikely location of a childs playground in West Park, Macclesfield. Originally they were located in Macclesfield Forest and moved here for some unknown reason. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Is this also a fertility shaft? It bears a strong resemblance to the other four shafts and can be found in the churchyard of St Edwards church in Leek. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Many believe that the Moon is the reasoning behind some of the bizarre occurrences that leave us perplexed and terrified. This has lead to a supernatural disease extremely rarely in humans and not of this realm.

Lycanthropy begins when one believes that he/she is destined to metamorphasi z e into another being. Usually this happens in a time of vulnerability, such as after a wedding, death, or major change. Often, the transformation is triggered by someone saying or doing something that triggers a physical reaction in the person, making them believe they need to transform.

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The term Lycanthropy comes from Greek ("wolf") + άνθρωπος, ánthrōpos ("human")The word lycanthropy is sometimes described as any transformation of a human into animal form .

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Lycanthropy has also dated back to Lycaon , a king of Arcadia who, according to Ovid "s Metamorphoses , was turned into a ravenous wolf in retribution for knowingly serving human flesh to visiting Zeus in an attempt to disprove the god"s divinity.

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Lycanthropy is often confused with transmigration (reincarnation); but the essential feature of the were-animal is that it is the alternative form of a living human being, while the animal is the vehicle of the spirit of a dead human being.

Nevertheless, instances in legend of humans reincarnated as wolves are often classed with Lycanthropy , as well as these instances being labeled werewolves in local folklore.

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One bizarre case that was presented before the Higher Court on the 2nd of June, 1603 was Jean Grenier. " Jean Grenier, a French were-wolf ", was arrested when he freely made a confession of the most odious and hideous werewolfery ; crimes which were in every particular way to be proved true. He had killed several children and eaten the remains leaving nothing behind but the bones.

The evolution of this supreme behavior has transcribed into a more odious and malicious act over centuries. The presentation of cannibalisms in modern society has only added fuel to the blazing fire of this rarity.

The wife and sister of Zeus; the goddess of marriage, often depicted as regal, often enthroned, topped with the "polos," a tall cylindrical crown worn by some major goddesses. She was pictured as carrying in her hands the pomegranate, a symbol of fertile blood and death. Her union with Zeus produced four children, namely: Ares (god of war), Hebe (goddess of youth), Eileithyia (goddess of childbirth) and Eris (goddess of discord). Most of all, she was best known for her jealous and revengeful spirit, not only toward the mortals who opposed her like Paris (who earned her ire by picking Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess) and Pelias (who desecrated her temple) but especially toward her husband's mistresses and their children by him.

Danae

The daughter of King Acrisius of Argos and Eurydice. Frustrated by his lack of male heirs, Acrisius sought an oracle and was told that he would be killed by his daughter's son. Intending to keep her daughter childless, he locked her up in a bronze tower or cave, where Zeus came and had intercourse with her in the form of a golden shower, impregnating her. Not long after was born the hero Perseus, who would become the slayer of Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda; and who would also unwittingly fulfill the oracle when he accidentally struck his father with a discus in an athletic contest.

Europa

A Phoenician princess. Zeus, very much enamored with Europa, transformed himself into a tame white bull and was able to blend in quite well with her father's herds. While Europa was busy picking flowers, she noticed the bull and stroke him, eventually climbing onto his back. Zeus, not one to miss a golden opportunity, ran toward the sea and swam to the island of Crete, where he exposed his real identity, made her the first queen of the island and lavished her with many gifts. Three sons were born to them: Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon, all of whom became judges of the dead in Hades upon their deaths.

Alcmene

The daughter of Mycenaean king Electryon, and wife of Amphitryon. During her husband's absence, she was visited by Zeus, who assumed the likeness of her husband and slept with her for three consecutive nights. Shortly thereafter, she slept with her husband upon his return; and would eventually give birth to twins: Iphicles by her husband; and Heracles (Roman Hercules) by Zeus, who was best known for his many adventures featuring extraordinary feats of strength and courage.

Aegina

The daughter of the river-god Asopus and the nymph Metope. She was abducted by Zeus who took the form of an eagle; and was carried to an uninhabited island near Attica called Oenone; the island hereafter became known by her name. A son was born to her named Aeacus, who became the king of the island after Zeus created inhabitants out of the ants of the islands known as the Myrmidons.

Callisto

The daughter of Lycaon, king of Arcadia. As with all devotees of Artemis, she vowed to remain a virgin, but she would lose her virginity to the insatiable Zeus, who seduced her into his embrace and ravished her disguised as Artemis. She was subsequently turned into a bear by a very jealous Hera who was so enraged upon discovery of her pregnancy. Her son, Arcas, almost killed her in a hunting expedition, but Zeus averted the tragedy and placed them both in the sky as Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

Io

The daughter of the river god Inachus. She was taken one day by the ever-lustful Zeus and continued on in their relationship until Hera almost caught them in the act. However, Hera was not deceived even when Zeus changed himself into a white cloud and Io into a white heifer to avoid detection. She demanded the heifer as a gift, and placed her under the charge of the ever-awake hundred-eyed monster Argus. To free Io, Zeus had Argus killed by Hermes who lulled all its eyes to sleep with boring stories. But then, Hera forced Io to roam about the earth without ceasing, and sent a gadfly to harass her into insanity. In due course, she ultimately reached Egypt, where she was changed back to human form by Zeus; and gave birth to Epaphus, who would become one of the ancestors of the greatest of all heroes, Heracles.

Leda

The Spartan queen and wife of Tyndareus. She was deeply desired by Zeus, who fell into her arms in the guise of a swan seeking refuge from a pursuing eagle and then raped her. Their consummation came on the very same night she also laid with her mortal husband. As a result, two eggs were hatched, each containing a set of twins: Pollux (Polydeuces) and Castor (collectively known as the Dioscuri); and Clytemnestra and Helen "of Troy." Thus, half of the twins were wholly mortal while the other, half-immortal.

Leto

A daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe. Discovering that it was Zeus who got Leto pregnant, Hera forbade her to give birth on dry land, on any island or any place under the sun. But then, Leto found a desolate floating island of Delos, and there, she gave birth to the twin Olympian gods--Artemis (goddess of the hunt and virginity) who was brought forth without much struggle; and Apollo (god of light, music and medicine) who was born nine days and nine nights after, because Hera had kidnapped the goddess of childbirth Eileithyia to prevent her from going into labor. Delos, the birthplace of two splendid gods, was consequently secured by pillars and would become a place sacred to Apollo.

Metis

A Titaness and Zeus' first great consort. Zeus had received a prophecy revealing that Metis would bear a son mightier than he. To keep the prophecy from fulfillment, he tricked her to transform herself into to fly that he immediately swallowed to prevent her for having children, but it was already too late for she was already pregnant. While inside, Metis would nurture her child, make her a robe and helmet, the forging and hammering of which caused Zeus great suffering. In time, Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, was born and emerged from Zeus' head fully grown and armed with weapons.

Semele

The daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia. Learning that her husband was responsible for Semele's pregnancy, the ever-vengeful Hera cooked up a plan by assuming the form of an elderly woman to befriend the girl, who confided to her that Zeus was her lover. Hera pretended to discredit her statement and cast some doubts in her mind. Curious, Semele demanded Zeus to reveal himself in all his glory to show evidence of his godhood. Though Zeus initially refused but upon her persistence, he reluctantly agreed; and as no mortals can live having seen a god, so she perished and was consumed by lightning-ignited blaze. Zeus was able to save the embryonic Dionysus by sewing him into his leg. A few months later, this future "god of wine" was born.

Mnemosyne

The titaness daughter of Uranus and Gaia; the goddess of memory. Zeus spent nine consecutive nights with her, and thereby produced the nine muses, a group of goddesses who personified and inspired the arts; and were usually associated with Apollo as their leader. They are: Calliope (epic or heroic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (erotic poetry), Euterpe (music and lyric poetry), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (sacred music), Thalia (comedy and bucolic poetry) and Terpsichore (dance) and Urania (astronomy).

Mokele - Mbembe: Africa

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This is an artist's rendition of the Mokele-mbembe. It resembles a Styracosaurus, a kind of dinosaur.

Mokele-mbembe is believed to roam the countries of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Zambia. It is believe that this monster lives on lakes and swamps. The meaning of its name is “one who stops the flow of rivers” in the Lingala language, is the name given to a large water dwelling cryptid found in the legends and folklore of the Congo River basin. According to some accounts, the first sighting of this monster was in 1776 and was last sighted Congo by Eugene Thomas in 1989 and last sighted in Cameroon in 2006. It is sometimes described as being a living creature and sometimes as being a spirit. It is analogous to the Loch Ness Monster in Western culture.

Some cryptozoologists believe that such a creature exists. This belief has originated from the reports of the Bantu tribesmen, pygmies and other natives living in the region. These people report sightings of long-necked, water-dwelling animals of gigantic sizes that occasionally kill people without provocation. Some scholars suppose that the creature might be a type of dinosaur that could have survived the mass extinction of the dinosaurs that is believed to have occurred about 65 million years ago. So far, scientists have failed to find a reliable evidence for the existence of a creature corresponding to the native legend.

Ogopogo Monster: Canada

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This is a reconstruction of the Jim Reiger sighting.

Ogopogo is a lake monster reported to live in Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. According to local legend it was first sighted in 1860 in the said area. The first clear sighting, witnessed by a large group of people, occurred in 1926 at an Okanagan Mission Beach {fact}}. There were about thirty cars of people who all claimed to have witnessed the same event. It was also in this year that Bobby Carter, then editor of the Vancouver Sun, wrote, “Too many reputable people have seen the monster to ignore the seriousness of actual facts.”

Similar sighting of another lake monster named Manipogo was also reported. Believed to live in Lake Manitoba, sightings of this serpent like sea monster have been going on since roughly 1908.

Issie Monster: Japan

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Monster Issie or Ishii is believed to live in Lake Ikeda, a Caldera lake in Japan. It is perhaps best known to tourists as the location of the purported sightings of Issie the monster. The creature was reportedly photographed in 1978. In 1991, another visitor of the lake caught video footage of a bizarre looking creature, approximated to be 30 ft. in length.

Nessie: Scotland, UK

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Nessie is a lake monster believed to inhabit Loch Ness in Scotland. This monster is one of the best-known cryptids studied by cryptology. Popular belief and interest in the animal has fluctuated over the years since it came to the world's attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is largely anecdotal, with minimal, and much disputed, photographic material and sonar readings: there has not been any physical evidence (skeletal remains, capture of a live animal, definitive tissue samples or spoor) uncovered as of 2008.

A similar loch monster named Morag is reported to live in Loch Morar, Scotland. After Nessie herself, Morag is among the best known of Scotland's legendary monsters.

Champ or Champy: USA

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Champ or Champy is a lake monster is first reported in 1609 and had been last sighted in 2005 in Lake Champlain in USA. While there is no scientific evidence for the existence of this cryptid, there have been over 300 reported sightings. The legend of the monster is considered a “big draw” for tourism in the Burlington, Vermont area.

Like the other lake monsters, Champ is considered a relative of the plesiosaur, an extinct group of aquatic reptiles. A recent sound recording, said to be of Champ, consists of numerous echolocation clicks, suggesting that the alleged cryptid may be a new kind of freshwater whale or dolphin.

Lake Van Monster

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Another lake monster allegedly spotted in 1995 is the Lake Van Monster. Lake Van is a large alkaline lake in Eastern Turkey. There are now more than 1,000 people claiming to have witnessed the beast which is reported to measure around fifteen meters long with spikes on its back and appears similar to a Plesiosaur or Ichthyosaurus. Following these reports the Turkish government sent an official scientific survey group to the lake who failed to spot the creature. A 4-meter high statue based on reported sightings has been erected to its honor in Van, Turkey. Skeptics point out that the region would benefit from tourist revenue and a hoax might attract visitors.

Lake Tianchi Monster: China/Korea

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Many believe that Heaven Lake or Lake Cheonji is home to the Lake Tianchi Monster also known as Lake Chonji Monster. This monster was first seen, according to report, in 1903. It was said that in 2007, Lake Tianchi Monster was seen near the border of North Korea. Some reports argue that there is not just a single monster, but an estimated 20 monsters.

Assuming that that these monsters exist, with al the similarities of their descriptions and pictures, isn't it possible that there is ONLY ONE monster roaming around the world? Well, whether these creatures exist or not, they still continue to captivate imagination and interest of many people. To wrap it up, I'd like to ask this - How about in your place? Are there also legends or sightings about monster? If you do, please feel free to share it with us. Thank you!