Clarissa Johal: Shadow Figures

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Shadow Figures


I thought I'd write today about shadow figures. I've been putting it off at the risk of sounding like a loon, but I figure I've talked about so many other paranormal things in my blog--I'd give this topic a go.

I discovered there was such a thing called shadow figures about six months ago. I was watching a program on television and the subject of shadow figures came up. The description gave me the chills. Further reading on the topic left me speechless because it related to several experiences I've had in the past. Experiences I've shrugged off as "weird stuff" because "weird stuff" just happens and there's not a thing you can do about it.

For those of you that haven't heard of shadow figures, they are supernatural shadow-like humanoid figures that, according to believers, are seen in the viewer's peripheral vision. They are often reported moving with quick, jerky movements, and can move through walls or mirrors. They are believed to be evil and aggressive in nature, although a few people consider them to be a form of guardian angel.
Common characteristics reported by those that have seen shadow figures are:
  • Male
  • Usually seen in a trench coat/cloak
  • Usually have a hat, fedora or top hat
  • Usually very tall
  • No facial features
  • They have a sinister aura
  • Extremely fast
  • Silent
  • Seem to have mass
  • They can move through walls

There seem to be two classifications of shadow figures.
  • Bedroom Invaders or Sentinels: They stand in corners of rooms and watch you.
  • Omens: They are associated with bad luck, or death. They are attached to people or families. Omens may show up in your bedroom.

About fifteen years ago, my husband and I were renting a duplex while we attended university. I would wake in the middle of the night and see a man walking through our closed bedroom door and around the foot of the bed. He would walk up to my side and stand there, looking down at me. He would continue to stand there while I screamed. I thought somebody had broken into the house. When my husband would turn on the lights in a panic, the man would disappear. This happened several times. I'm a very light sleeper, so I have serious doubts that I was dreaming. A neighbor told us that our duplex was built using old timber from a barn that had been dismantled in the 1920's. My thoughts were that we had a ghost in our house. A very persistent and sinister one.
In retrospect, the characteristics of this figure give me pause for thought. Male, moving quite swift, no facial features, a sinister aura, wearing an overcoat and fedora. Now, I am unsure whether it was a ghost, or a shadow figure.
A year ago, I had another experience. I was lying in bed, trying to sleep (insomniac) and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a very tall male figure rush across my bedroom and disappear into the wall. Again, no facial characteristics, a very sinister feeling to him, tall and moving very fast. And the one detail that stood out? He was wearing an overcoat and fedora. The following week, I received a letter that my step-father had died of a stroke the very night I had seen this shadow figure. Coincidence? Perhaps. But I slept with a light on for quite some time, and I don't scare easily.

What are your thoughts on this phenomena? Crazy talk? Ghosts? Or something else? 

15 comments:

Rita Monette, Writer said...

What is the theory of where these shadow figures come from? Since they seem to have these same odd features, they are not ghosts or angels, right? I've never experienced one, so I don't know what to make of it. It sounds intriguing though. Do they bring messages (as in your father's stroke)?

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

There are several theories, Rita, take your pick, lol. They range from demons, dark angels, and ghosts to aliens. What I found different with my experiences was the fear/dread that I felt. Like I said, I don't scare easily, I'm not afraid of paranormal "stuff" but this was different. In the case of my father's stroke, I didn't experience the figure as being benign, more like a feeling of dread. Thanks for stopping by :)

Patricia said...

Oooh, loved these stories. I don't disbelieve the paranormal, I've just never had anything happen to me - I wish. These experiences of yours sound scary and I've never heard of shadow figures. Cool.
Patti

Willo said...

Fascinating account.No you're not loony. In my experience,nothing good or positive has ever been associated with shadow figures. They are a malignant force but also capable of projecting feelings of "safety". I still sleep with some kind of illumination,however slight. Be wary and be safe.

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Patricia--well, now you can sleep at night, lol. Willo--thank you! It's good to know I'm not loony. At least not 99% of the time.
Thanks for stopping by. :)

Sharon Ledwith said...

Well, Ms. Johal, thanks to you, I'm sleeping near a nightlight! Wink. Actually - I wonder if these shawdow beings/figures are some some of harbingers. It makes sense. I've experienced figures hovering over me (albeit, not in trench coats)and once they were aware that I was awake, they left quickly. There was no sense of dread linked to their energy, but their appearance did freak me out. Kudos on a informative paranormal post that will make me look at the world a little differently. Cheers!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Well, there you go, Sharon. Sleep well, lol. But that's what was different about these experiences, that sense of dread and the hat/coat thing.

Rhea Rhodan said...

This is the first I've heard of shadow figures. I'm happy to say I've had no experiences with anything like this. Just ghosts, thank you.

Fascinating post, as always. I'll file the information away, in case someone brings a similar experience up to me. Always better to be informed!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

I hadn't heard of them either, Rhea. The more I've been reading--the more they seem to be showing up in different eye-witness accounts and mythology. Interesting, to say the least! Thanks for stopping by :)

Kristian Reinertsen said...

Heard about these guys a few weeks ago, never seen one though. Actually, I never see anything that haunts me, just really freak out from time to time. Think that's why I liked reading first-hand accounts.

Sloane Taylor said...

Glad to see you back, Clarissa and even happier you still have your terrific style.:)

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

I'm happy to share my weird experiences, then. haha Thanks for stopping by, Kristian!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Thanks, Sloane :)

James Garcia Jr said...

Ooh! Very interesting, Clarissa. I don't disbelieve in anything as a rule. Let's say I have a very healthy respect for things that could show up in my bedroom in the middle of the night or in the middle of the road as I drive to work at the ungodly hour that I do.
Thanks for sharing.

-Jimmy
http://jamesgarciajr.blogspot.com/

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Ha! Yes, James, I would say a healthy respect is always good--you never know. ;) Thanks for stopping by.