#California folklore

[briefbestiary]

The rattle on a roperite's tail is said to be used as it pursues its prey. Throughout its hunt, the rattling noise is a force of intimidation, used to strike fear into the quarry's heart.

[mattievictoria]

You’ve been driving north for over two hours since you left Los Angeles, the unrelenting fog you’ve encountered thus far on your journey highly unusual for this time of year. Some time ago you crossed the county line over into Kern, but the endless stretch of Joshua Trees and dry, shrubby landscape that make up the Mojave Desert continues to remain unchanged. Around some middle-of-nowhere crossroad marked Kelso Valley and Jawbone Canyon, you get out to stretch your legs and fill your lungs with the dry desert air, the fog still gathering around you. It’s then something catches your eye out in the gloom of the valley floor— circling a single tall, bizarre yucca plant known locally as Our Lord’s Candle, you spy a white stag. An albino animal? Out here, in this harsh terrain? You look closer, and see the creature radiates a ghostly glow, brighter than the whitest piece of desert quartz currently scattered around your feet. As fast it takes you to blink only once, the phantom creature seems to fade out of view, becoming one with the surrounding haze. You peer into the fog that has so uncharacteristically blanketed the desert valley, but you soon find yourself smiling and shaking your head. It’s been a long drive, you say to yourself, and you’ve still got a long way to go— it’s far too early on the drive to start seeing things.

~

For the biweekly Cursed Files art prompt on The Unexplained Phenomena discord server! This time the theme was Local Folklore, so I drew the White Stag of Kelso Valley. My stint in the high desert may be over, but it’s definitely left an impression on me!

[paranormal-playground-podcast]

The Legend of the Dark Watchers in the Santa Lucia Mountains

The Legend of the Dark Watchers in the Santa Lucia Mountains is a captivating tale that has intrigued locals and visitors for generations. These mysterious shadowy figures, known as the Dark Watchers, are said to appear at twilight, standing silently and observing the landscape. The Legend of the Dark Watchers in the Santa Lucia Mountains continues to be a subject of fascination and fear,…

[augustsgrass]

caught between a rock and a hard place (my hometown and the rest of the world)

idle town, conan gray / dead poets society (1989) / california, chappell roan / anne carson / unknown / ribs, lorde / paul revere, noah kahan / my tears ricochet, taylor swift / richard siken / little women (2019)

[valdevia]

"Pepé looked suspiciously back every minute or so, and his eyes sought the tops of the ridges ahead. Once, on a white barren spur, he saw a black figure for a moment; but he looked quickly away, for it was one of the dark watchers. No one knew who the watchers were, nor where they lived, but it was better to ignore them and never to show interest in them. They did not bother one who stayed on the trail and minded his own business." —John Steinbeck

[mecthology]

The Dark Watchers from American Folklore.

The Dark Watchers are a group of mysterious dark human-like creatures who stand on the hills, ridges, and peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains of California and Mount Mingus and Mount Graham of Arizona. They supposedly watch those who wander into the mountains and are not aggressive. They are most often spotted around twilight and are usually seen staring upwards toward the sky while standing atop the mountains. They seem to be some sort of spirits however their origins are currently unknown.

According to legend, no one has seen one up close and if someone were to approach them, they disappear.

While sometimes attributed to the Chumash people who historically inhabited the central and southern coastal regions of California, nothing analogous to the legend appears to exist in their mythology. When Spanish Settlers first moved into the area they were said to have witnessed the Dark Watchers whom they dubbed Los Vigilantes Oscuros.

The Dark Watchers are most famously given a brief mention in John Steinbeck's "Flight", included in the 1938 collection of his short stories The Long Valley. It is mentioned that " No one knew who the watchers were, nor where they lived, but it was better to ignore them and never to show interest in them".

According to newspaper archives in the mid-1960s, a Monterery Peninsula local and former high school principal went on a hiking trip in the Santa Lucias when he suddenly spotted a dark figure standing on a rock and surveying the area. When the principal called out to the other hikers, the creature vanished. More sightings continue to be made to this day.

Follow @mecthology for more lores and legends. DM for pic credit. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSxwY1oDJB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[blood-injections]

Imagine being a killjoy lost in the desert and looking up and seeing giant fucking birds with ten foot wingspans circling above you and in your half insane state, delirious from dehydration, you don’t realize what they are, you just think of stories you’ve heard and the word ‘thunderbird’ escapes your parched lips like a prayer.

[novaraptorus]

Starting a series of illustrations of Jesus as depicted across North America in the post-post-apocalypse of After the End! Starting wiiiiith:

# CALIFORNIA

In the Imperial Palace of Sacramento, the capital of the Most Righteous Celestial Empire of California, the marble statue of Guru Jesus is not the largest, or fanciest of the Gurus depicted. Yet it is Guru Jesus who receives offerings and prayers to a degree almost unmatched by any other Guru.

Symbolising the Star Sign Scorpio, Guru Jesus teaches us the world is full of dangers and it is only with a steadfast commitment to living a pure life that we can hope to navigate them. It was he who remarked on the power that faith has over those that wish us ill - "In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all."

Peace and Love dudes.

[wardrobeoftime]

The Eras Tour + Costumes

Taylor Swift's white & golden dress.

[buttsaremyassthetic]

Niche Crytpids #2: The Dark Watchers

This is one of my favorites! The Dark Watchers are a very old piece of folklore originating from the Santa Lucia mountain range in California. It is said these (very) tall figures stand motionless in the hills during twilight and dawn, watching you from afar as you wander the wilderness. Should you ever approach them, they seemingly vanish into thin air! It’s a bit unclear on which group the legend can be attributed to, but it seems to most often be to Spanish colonizers, as nothing in the folklore of the local Chumash people translates directly to the Dark Watchers. Regardless of origin, this folklore has existed for a long time and has influenced quite a few writers and artists, including John Steinbeck! Cool! As for less supernatural explanations of the phenomena, there are a ton. The most common are attributed to isolation, exhaustion, animals doing animal things, pareidolia, or just the good ol’ Brocken specter.

Thanks to my patrons for picking this prompt for April's Illustration!

[bayareabadboy]

[briefbestiary]

A bizarre fearsome beast capable of unbridled ferocity. While the creatures can be solitary, they often live in groups or pairs.

[tiffanydaleo]

Folklore

"Folklore" is 11" x 14" mixed media collage in my sketchbook!

11″ x 14″ Mixed media collage on paper Instagram Facebook Pinterest Tumblr YouTube Link

[paranormal-playground-podcast]

The Legend of the Devil’s Gate in Pasadena

The Legend of the Devil’s Gate in Pasadena is one of Southern California’s most intriguing urban legends. This site, known for its eerie atmosphere and paranormal activity, has captivated locals and visitors alike. The Devil’s Gate Dam area is steeped in mystery and has become a focal point for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. Historical Background The Devil’s Gate Dam was constructed in 1920.…

[iriswalrus]

happy winter

❄️⛄️🫧

california dreamin’- the mamas and the papas

❄️⛄️🫧

♪ and the sky is grey, i’ve been for a walk, on a winter’s day ♪

❄️⛄️🫧

[saru18castillo]

The Eras Tour ✨

Santa Clara, California.