Arizona
Shedding Light on Shadow People
Shadow people are truly an enigma. These entities, also known as shadow folk, shadow beings, shadow men, shadow ghosts, shadow demons, and shadowers, represent a type of phenomenon that is, at best, vaguely understood by the paranormal research community. The difficulty in comprehending the nature of these beings becomes clearer when you consider the fact that reports vary so widely that no two witnesses to a shadow entity's presence seem to describe the exact same experience. And while these apparitions have undeniably been around us for eons, there is a general consensus that encounters are growing in frequency and complexity in recent times. While few can offer any ideas as to what this rise in activity may mean, to many it does not bode well.
When we talk about shadow people, we are referring to manifestations that are generally described as indistinct dark or black silhouettes or masses, most often humanlike in shape and appearance—though very rare accounts of the presence of six or more limbs, other unidentifiable appendages, and even animal-like forms have been noted. Shadow people are most frequently reported as having no discernable facial features and no details, such as clothing. In the rare instances that features and/or other details are mentioned, descriptions are most often limited to glowing, usually red, eyes or, even more rarely, include the outline of a fedora-like hat or a hooded cloak. Descriptions of structure vary drastically but can include: two-dimensional and shadow-like; three-dimensional and possessing varying densities of mass—structured much like a human body; distorted, smoke- or fog-like, swirling, and columnar; or almost any combination of the above features. Movement is peculiar and erratic, usually said to be rapid and disjointed or “jiggly,” with reports of shadow people “dancing” or “hopping” from one wall or part of the surroundings to another or moving around a room as if traveling on a specific track. In some cases they are said to move slowly like a thick fluid; more like gelatin than water. Rare instances of a shadow person being seen as a motionless or slowly-moving mass that blots out light behind it, or even produces its own halo of light, are also recounted. Shadow people very often appear to be attracted to certain people or places and, though usually observed indoors, they are known to be encountered outside as well.
Profiles or types of shadow people are vast and varied, with a seemingly endless catalog of incarnations that grows virtually every day. Perhaps the most basic among these consists of a swiftly moving, shadowy form seen out of the corner of one’s eye. Typically, this sort is seen only in a fleeting glimpse, instantaneously vanishing or changing location if it is noticed or as soon as an attempt to look at it straight-on is made. It is this variety that is most often depicted in folklore and other accounts from the past, and it was almost always only in this form, according to many researchers, that shadow people were long seen. This no longer seems to be the case. Indeed, they are increasingly being seen directly and for longer periods of time. For example, one variety manifests as a child-sized humanoid figure or a small, indefinite form that can appear to someone, seemingly oblivious to the person’s presence, and then quickly move away—vanishing, as if absorbed, into a dark area or a solid surface. A possible alternate form of this variety is usually seen as an adult-sized male figure, and likes to watch a person unseen, bolting the moment it is noticed. Other types have been said to be abnormally tall, with rare reports of humanoid figures reaching seven feet, ten feet, or even taller. Yet another variety, being quite rare, is seen to “stand” off of walls or in doorways, often lingering sinisterly in front of a witness.
Arguably, many if not most of the above characteristics and portrayals have also been variously cited in alleged ghostly manifestations of human spirits, a point that leads many to speculate that this phenomenon is, in fact, a type of ghost—perhaps one not possessing the strength to manifest in a more complete or brighter form. There is much evidence to back this up, such as noted cases in which the same entity is seen on one occasion as black, another as grey, and yet other times as white or light—thus becoming more typically ghost-like. Probably the single most frequently cited argument against this view has to do with shadow peoples’ disposition. They are said to “feel” differently from ghosts when encountered. People quite commonly describe a lack of any impression that they are in the presence of something that was once human, and accounts very often recall sensing dread, malevolence, terror, or even feeling threatened by these apparitions. Stories of being chased or even attacked, though rare, are not unknown. Victims have very occasionally claimed that such run-ins resulted in scratches, bruises, or burns. Because of these and certain other telling qualities possessed by shadow people, many see links in them that seem to point to fields outside of parapsychology—such as metaphysics, demonology, the occult, and even ufology—and have concluded that these creatures must be something quite separate from ghosts, and very possibly inhuman. Skeptics cite connections to accepted tenets of psychology, psychiatry, and drug use.
The biggest question then becomes, what are they? This is a puzzle that seems to be defying our understanding despite intensive efforts to find answers. No one explanation seems to take into account all of the elements described. Perhaps we are looking at a range of unrelated phenomena that only seem to fit together into one type of event. With attempts to explain their nature presently running the gamut from sounding reasonable to seeming somewhat far-fetched to coming off as downright outlandish, the road to any final conclusion will be hard. One thing is for certain though: Shadow people are growing to become one of the most frequently reported paranormal phenomena, now vying with ghosts for that title. Thankfully, this building, undeniable presence ensures that these bizarre phantoms will increasingly receive the serious consideration that they deserve.
By Steve S.