The Old Hag

Imagine you are sound asleep suddenly awaken by an unseen force applying pressure on your chest. You try to scream, but your vocal cords are paralyzed by fear. You try to move your body, but you are unable - no matter what you do. You are absolutely horrified by the inability to breath/move and there is a sense that something evil is lurking in your room.

For centuries, individuals who have had this terrifying experience were believed to have been visited by a malevolent 'old hag' who sits on the chests of her victims, paralyzing them. Today, scientists attribute this phenomenon to sleep paralysis. In a number of cases this explanation is the answer for many. However, there have been incidences where individuals too scared to be alone have had loved ones stay with them to help them get through the night. They too then experience this horrifying phenomenon along with the sensation of being touched and spoken to.

A girl living in Ontario experienced nightly visits by the old hag. She began to have these encounters after suffering from a sever form of anorexia. At first, she herself believed her visitor to be a hallucination caused by her failing body. After nearly dying from her illness, she was able to recover. The visits, on the other hand, became more frequent and more threatening in nature. Convinced it was no longer a hallucination, she took her story to a television show dealing with the paranormal. They arranged for her to get the help that would rid her of this malevolent presence. The night before the intervention, she was attacked more than a dozen times along with the person staying with her. They saw black shadows moving about and heard strange sounds throughout the night. After a night of hell, she made it to the intervention the next day. A ceremony was performed on her where she felt as if something was being pulled out of her. As a result, she no longer needs to clutch her bedding at night in fear. After that day, she has not had any more visits from the old hag.

So can this worldwide phenomenon, that has been around for hundreds of years, be attributed solely to sleep paralysis? If so, how does one explain the family and friends of these victims sharing in their scary experience? How does one explain the experience the girl from Ontario had? If it is indeed the malevolent spirit of an old hag, what does she want and why does she choose to torment these individuals?

~Kat, wherever you are... I hope that you are well and your nights continue to bring you peace.~ Aura

Jessica Alba Attacked by a Ghost !

Here is another celebrity story involving ghosts that I recently stumbled upon. "Jessica Alba was attacked by a ghost when she was 17, claims the The Eye star. " Sounds to me like she had a visit by "the old hag".