Elf-Arrows

These arrowhead shaped pieces of flint were used as weapons against animals and people. They were believed to be fatal to cattle. To save a cow that had been shot with an elf-arrow they had to be touched by the arrow, the arrow then needed to be dipped into water and the cow needed to drink the water afterwards.
Sick animals are still said to be elf-shot if they become ill.

If the person were shot with an elf-arrow, they get sick with a mysterious supernatural illness.
In 1560, a Scottish woman was accused of using of elf-arrows. Catherine Ross, Lady Fowllis, along with her son-in-law Hector Munro, and other nameless witches wanted to kill Ross’ husband and Marjorie Campbell, Lady Balnagown. Lady Fowllis wanted to marry Lord Balnagown. The plot was uncovered before anything happened to the victims. Elf-Arrows superstition is strong in Ireland, England, and parts of Scotland.

Image from Google Search.

Iron

Considered as near magical and credited with supernatural powers.

The Aztecs called it “the gift from heaven” because it fell from the sky in meteor form.

Specialists were needed to remove iron from the ore and harden it. These specialists of Blacksmiths soon were thought of as magicians.

Iron is used to fight evil, keep fairies and demons away, in some case to keep vampires away. It was believed to ward off witches.

Tomtins

Germany’s folklore tells of a small little man dressed in red from head to toe.
The Tomtins were forest spirit servants of nearly forgotten fertility gods, Nacht Ruprecht or “Night Rupert” and Schwartz Peter or “Black Peter”. These gods were worshipped by ancient German tribes.

Tomtins were sadistic vampire fairies. At their masters command they’d attack travelers, beat them to death with sticks and chains then lap the blood that spilled from the corpse. When they were finished eating they’d take the victim’s heart and liver back to their master.

During the winter Nacht Ruprecht would travel around and visit random houses. If you worshipped him ( long before the surprise visit) he’d reward you. If you didn’t worship him. . . You were left alone with his Tomtins.

With the introduction of Christianity to the area, the Church wanted to keep some of the locals beliefs. Something they did often to make the transition easier. Nacht Ruprecht become Germany’s Saint Nicholas.

Nacht Ruprecht wore bells and chains, and Germany’s St. Nic was known as Buller Clause or Belled Nicholas. The Tomtins were still under St. Nic’s control but now they didn’t kill.now they’d wake up sleeping children and ask them questions about their Catechism.

If the child gave the wrong answer the Tomtins would whip them with sticks while Saint Nicholas would stone them with coal. Tomtins would lick the lick the blood off the kids.

Over the years they become nicer still, the Tomtins became happy little elves who made toys for Jolly ‘Ol St. Nic.

Carrickaphouka Castle

Carrickaphouka Castle (Carric-Poo-ka) it means “The rock of the pooka”. McCarthy Castle is the variation of Carrickaphouka name.

This one is going to be so cool. Are you ready? Remember, stick with me no matter what goes through your mind, I promise there is vampirism in here.

Today Carrickaphouka Castle in Ireland stands in ruins, rumors say it’s haunted too!

In 1601 a type of fairy creature the Pooka lived in a large boulder that was on the land. This boulder was used to build McCarthy Castle. The Pooka like many other fairies could shape-shift. Pooka can shape-shift, his favorite forms were that of an eagle, a large horse, and a wild goat.

I hear you. “Fairies, shape-shifting, castles, but where are the vampires?” I ask you to just go along with me.

Cormac Mór MacDermot Tadhg McCarthy, Lord of Muskerry (that is a mouthful!) was made High Sheriff of Cork County after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. The new English rulers couldn’t control the Irish lords, and High Sheriff was given the duty of rounding those that opposed up.

James Fitzgerald a very popular man was one of these “rebel lords” he had a huge following most being displaced nobility themselves. The High Sheriff invited Fitzgerald to McCarthy Castle. The meal was served to Fitzgerald, but it was poisoned.

Fitzgerald’s death wasn’t enough for the High Sheriff. He wanted to impress the English. He had the body drained of blood and cooked. To the horror of his English masters, he then set about the act of eating the flesh and drinking the blood in front of them.

The drinking of blood, even if it’s been drained from the body, it still counts as vampirism.

All of Ireland was shocked and outraged. The High Sheriff’s clansmen tried to say that he had been possessed by the Pooka. The High Sheriff fled to France shortly after.

After his death, his spirit returned to McCarthy Castle. At night, sounds of painful wails and screams of terror are heard coming from the ruins. Anyone who walks by them at night; will be viciously attacked by unseen, spectral claws that will cut deep enough to draw blood, that’s lapped up. Often fresh blood is seen on the remnants of the castle gate.