Would You Believe?
That’s a pretty good question if you ask me. I know, I know. At a time when the world is dripping with conspiracy theories, this may be a hard subject to consider.
Yet, it is my belief that no matter the topic, we must first listen to the “evidence” presented before we give a dismissive wave of the hand.
Tree faeries, for example. There are loads of people in the world who believe in tree faeries. One example comes from Ireland, in the way of the Hawthorne Tree. The traditional Celtic folklore explains to us that a lone Hawthorne tree growing in the middle of a field is called a fairy tree.
As such, this tree is the gateway between the worlds of the mortals and the world of the faeries. The faeries prefer to be called “wee folk,” and they are very protective of their portals. It is said that they will severely punish those who damage their trees.
Another part of this, as explained to me, is that tree faeries are present near any old tree. That is why, sometimes, when you are walking in the woods, your eyes will play tricks on you. The faeries are very small and very fast. They are only seen when they want to be seen. And they can disguise themselves in the tree with a camouflage of the greatest kind imaginable.
A few days ago, someone sent me a photo of a lizard on a branch. I was on the phone with them as they sent the image. When it came to my phone, I said I could not spot the lizard. This, I imagine, is how the tree faeries work with their disguises.
Now, would you believe? As for me, I can neither confirm nor deny. I have no proof either way. So for those people who shrug it off and say, “that is ridiculous,” I wonder how they know? I wonder what data they have collected to deny the claim? Is it just that their eyes are too weak to see them, or their brains too slow? We are merely sluggish humans, after all.
So in the way of tree faeries, I can only say, “I do not know.”
I bring this up because on this date, May 22, 1933, the first modern sighting of the Loch Ness Monster occurred. This happened in Scotland, not far from Ireland, where we found the Hawthorne Tree. A couple, Aldie and John Mackay, saw “something resembling a whale” but not quite a whale. More like a sea serpent.
Loch Ness, located in the Scottish Highlands, has the largest volume of fresh water in Great Britain. And that big body of water reaches a depth of nearly 800 feet and a length of about 23 miles. It is substantial.
I might add that it is not just a bunch of drunk Scottish yahoos that have made these claims. There have been scientists studying this “being beneath the surface.” Scholars of the Loch Ness Monster have found a dozen references to “Nessie” in Scottish history, dating back to around 500 A.D. Apparently, they also discovered some very old drawings carved into standing stones near Loch Ness, which depict a large aquatic serpent.
It’s curious.
There have been hundreds of sightings over the years.
And yet, over the years, several sonar explorations — notably in 1987 and 2003 — set out to locate the creature. None were successful. In addition, there have been numerous photographs that allegedly showed the beast. Not all, but most, were discredited as fakes or as depicting other animals or objects.
To me, the sonar was a waste of time. They really didn’t prove anything unless they put enough boats equipped with sonar in those 26 miles of water, side by side, and simultaneously scanned the water.
I’m not saying Nessie exists. But I’m not saying she doesn’t either. It simply hasn’t been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, one way or the other.
So yes. This date, May 22, 1933, marked the “modern” era of sightings for Ness.
Maybe it is the date. On this day in 1945, the famous American paranormal investigator Lorraine Moran wed her paranormal-seeking partner Ed Warren. More unknown.
And a century earlier on this date, in 1859, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born. One of the best mystery writers, ever.
Like magic. Now you see them. Now you don’t.
===========
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
― Roald Dahl
============
“But remember. Just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”― Katherine Howe
==========
“Beliefs are choices. First you choose your beliefs. Then your beliefs affect your choices.”
― Roy T. Bennett
===========
The mystery of Nessie, and the wee people.
