F.A.Q.

What is a paranormal entity?

First, we have to define a normal entity, which is: a living thing operating entirely under demonstrable principles within the observable universe. A paranormal entity is thus something other than that.

Quit bullshitting me - what do you really mean?

OK, I'd say there are a few different kinds of paranormal entities. We have:

1. Gods, demons, angels, spirits, and other metaphysical beings/forces that operate outside of normal space-time universe of matter-energy.
2. People attempting to manipulate reality via magic, by invoking any of the preceding beings/forces, especially by performing any rituals.
3. Sub- or super- (extra-) terrestrial entities that operate 'normally', but that have not yet been adequately shown to exist.

Do the voices in my head qualify as paranormal?

That depends on what they tell you. If they convince you that you're inadequate, then they're completely normal. If they tell you to suck out somebody's soul, they probably don't really exist.

What does 'exist' mean in this context?

Reality, like plane geometry, is complex, consisting of both real and imaginary components. Imaginary entities exist only within the imagination; real entities leave physical traces. James Pinkerton was a real British-born 19th-century detective, while Sherlock Holmes was the same, but imaginary. But we're getting away from the subject.

What kind of names will I find in this list?

From cultures around the planet, I'm gathering names of TYPES of magical entities and practitioners. These include the species and genera and orders of gods & demons & angels & monsters etc; and of the sorcerers & seers who try to use those entities. This list is a document of traditions.

What kind of names won't I find in this list?

Not rituals, nor energies, nor qualities, nor devices. Not individuals — there are too many. (Although some personal names may evolve into name of groups.) Not EXPLICIT aliens or literary entities — they're not part of the traditions I'm documenting here.

But aren't the Egyptian gods just space aliens who landed here so they could breed with humans? Do they qualify as paranormal?

I haven't dissected Isis so it's hard to say. That's the problem with trying to be definitive — there are too many fuzzy cases. So I'll just be arbitrary.

Will my soul be damned to eternal torment just for reading this list?

Yes, very likely.

Why are you doing this? What's the payoff?

I obviously have too much spare time. But mostly it's because I enjoy writing macabre songs, and I'm tired of rhyming 'vampire' and 'warlock' and 'witch'. This list will go into my PDA so when I'm feeling creative, whether lying lazily abed or strolling about, I can whip out the list for inspiration. But I'd best not try that when driving or biking.

You expect me to believe THAT? What's the real reason?

Ok, Ok, I'll admit it: I'm addicted to lists, obsessed with Invisible Friends, fraught with fear of leaving someone out, and the voices in my head [transmitted by alien implant] insist that I MUST do this. It hurts if I don't.  <bzzzt>  Damn implant…

How can I help?

Send me valuable stuff. Hey, The End Of The World is near, all the prophets say so, so you won't need valuta anymore, it'll just bog you down. Send all your money, jewels, negotiable bonds, title deeds, bankbooks, credit cards etc — mail them to:

 Box 888, Forestville CA, 95436 USA

Short of doing that, you can email me your comments, corrections, contributions, whatever.

Will you ever make similar lists about kaballah, alchemy, tarot, magick?

Probably not.

Notes:

 §  I have not attempted to be definitive in compiling this page. My purpose is to have as large a list as possible of traditional paranormal entities (labeled by species or genus or order, not by proper name), that the names may be used in artistic writings without complete ignorance and humiliation. The definitions are succinct because the list is targeted to reside on a PDA. Expect to have a few of these names pop up in some of my song lyrics.

 §  Why species only, and not the names of individual entities, like Garelamaisama or Isis or Asmodeus? Well, there are SO MANY named entities — millions, by some accounts — the list would soon become overwhelmingly huge (and I have better ways to spend my time, and others have already put together such lists, and...)   And then there are those who think that calling an entity's name serves to invoke that entity, to make it materialize right in front of you - a perilous prospect, eh? But we don't believe that, now do we? Do we?

 §  Most of the entities here have "powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men"; many tend to devour human substance, whether physical or virtual or spiritual or whatever. ET/Alien species, either from the domain of UFOlogy or from space fiction, as well as mystical and/or paranormal races from fiction or games, are beyond the purview of this list. I may do a similar compilation for UFOlogical specimens sometime soon, but this list is just about families of entities that have traditionally afflicted and/or affected humanity.

 §  Please note that I do not subscribe to any belief system; I do not hold credible the 'real' existence of any of the entities listed here; I do not practice any rituals, worship, divination, invocation, channeling, or other paranormal stuff. I have written a fair amount AGAINST such beliefs and rituals - see some of the entries on my GO! page for my views.

 §  IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) these entities ONLY exist within human belief and consciousness -- they're 'real' only to the extent that they influence human behaviour. These entities are ONLY listed to help my songwriting, and to provide material for researches into human belief. I don't 'believe' in Tarot, yet I've written a large song-cycle based on Tarot imagery. The same is true with songs I've written about vampires and werewolves, saints and sinners, aliens and angels, et al. These subjects offer juicy material for creative lyricism, for dirty doggerel, for entertainment, and for probing the near-infinite complexity of human consciousness. That's all. That's enough.

 §  OK, OK, human practitioners of the occult (known variously as witches, warlocks, wizards, seers, diviners, shamans, faith-healers, etc) DO exist, but not necessarily as perceived by others. Negative perceptions of such folk have led to atrocities for many centuries, from the genocides of the 'burning times' to the 'witch-killings' taking place NOW in Africa, and religious persecutions happening worldwide. The 'dominant heresy' is always dangerous.

The BIBLE WITCHCRAFT entry has moved here.

The DEVIL'S DICTIONARY entry is right here.

The LITTLE PEOPLE entry is also right here.