Ghost Lights - True Creepy Stories

GHOST LIGHTS

A variation of ghost lights exists in many cultures, in parts of the UK and America they are known as Will o' the Wisps and these spectral lights are said to be ghosts that haunt the moors and boglands, captivating, lonely travellers and leading them to their doom. The classic tale of Will o' the Wisp (meaning Will of the torch, as a wisp is a small bunch of twigs or paper used to light the way) tells the story of a blacksmith Will who was so evil, that at the time of his death; Saint Peter sent him back to earth and gave him a second chance at life to right his previous wrongs. Unfortunately, Will was even more vicious the second time round and Saint Peter banished him to earth where his ghostly form will remain for all eternity. The devil, liking Will's wicked ways, fashioned him with a single piece of coal to keep himself warm but he used it to frighten people and lure them to their deaths.

The name Jack o' lantern originally referred to Will o' the Wisps and in Irish folklore Jack (or Stingy Jack/Drunk Jack) was an incorrigible alcoholic who upon the time of his death, tricked the devil into turning himself into a coin so that Jack could buy one last drink. Instead, Jack popped the devil in his pocket next to a crucifix which prevented him returning to his natural form. Jack bargained for another 10 years and after the 10 years had lapsed, he again tricked the devil by making him climb a tree. He then carved a crucifix into the wood and the devil was stuck. In exchange for Jack removing the cross, the devil forgave his debt but when it was time for him to leave this life, no one as bad as Jack was allowed entry to heaven and, out of revenge, the devil wouldn't allow him into hell, so his fate was to roam the realm between life and death with other lost souls. The devil, however, did gave him an ember from the fires of hell to light his way and Jack put into a carved turnip to use as a lantern.

Resources:

Introduction - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will-o%27-the-wisp

Story 1 - https://www.reddit.com/r/freehorrorstories/comments/5cob9z/the_laughing_choldren/

Thanks so much for listening and we'll catch up with you again next week for some more true, scary stories.

Sarah and Tobie xx

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