The Shadow People – Aliens? Ghosts? Or Entities From Another Dimension?

By
Marcus Lowth
Published Date
March 11, 2019
Last Updated
September 30, 2021
Estimated Reading Time
11 min read
Comments
9
Posted in
Cryptozoology, Bizarre Entities

While they have been seen for centuries, at least according to legends and folklore, it would appear that sightings and general awareness of Shadow People are increasing as we surge forward into the twenty-first century. And while these mysterious, black silhouette-type entities are seemingly at home in the paranormal world of ghosts and apparitions, reports of such beings crop up regularly in case of alien abduction.

Depiction of Shadow People Entities

Who or what are Shadow People?

These strange creatures, if we look at the accounts of those who claim to have witnessed them, are never seen head-on. Instead, they are visible for only several seconds, usually at the very limit of your peripheral vision. Perhaps rather chillingly, those who do see them more close-up are usually witnessing these unnerving creatures running directly into them or even jumping upon their chest and “choking” them.

While there are several relatively sound explanations for why people see these strange entities, the overall descriptions given in such accounts are so strikingly similar that “hallucination”, however comforting to many, simply might not be explanatory of the full picture. Whatever these strange shadowy apparitions are, they are most definitely a widespread and feared urban legend of our contemporary era.

Before we move on, the video below examines the Shadow People in brief.

Extraterrestrials In An Altered State?

Many victims of alien abduction, particularly repeat abductees, speak of witnessing strange dark figures out of the corner of their eyes. Indeed, although we should take such videos with a pinch of salt, some have managed to capture these shadowy entities on camera.

Might the Shadow People have some kind of connection to extraterrestrials? [1] Are these sightings “invisible” aliens, for example? After all, even if a person or an entity was rendered “invisible” they would still, one would imagine, have a mass. Might that mass present itself as a shadow to the human eye?

Or, staying with the alien theory for a moment, might the shadow people sightings be of such extraterrestrial entities in some kind of “altered” state? We have examined before the case of Kelly Cahill who specifically mentioned such entities approaching them during an alien abduction by an Australian roadside in 1993.

Most of these alien encounters that cross over into sightings of Shadow People appear to have connections to The Grays. That was certainly the case with Cahill encounter.

What is perhaps also interesting, however, is that many accounts, particularly in recent years, appear to mention “glowing red eyes” as well as encounters lasting longer than the usual several seconds. Given some of the claims of an extraterrestrial connection, many claims from people who claim to have witnessed or come into contact with an apparent reptilian humanoid often claim they too have bright red glowing eyes.

With that last thought in mind, given the reptilians apparent need for blood to maintain their human form, many ancient legends from what is now modern-day Europe speak of shadowy beings who required human blood otherwise “they couldn’t be reborn!”

A depiction of shadow people with aliens blended over the top

Are shadow people actually aliens?

Entities From Other Dimensions

While it has long been seen as the stuff of science fiction, the idea of alternative dimensions existing alongside our own is increasingly being embraced. And what’s more, the living entities within these alternative dimensions may on occasion become intertwined with our own.

Could it be, then, that these other dimensions, on occasion, drift into ours? Might entities in these “other dimensions” have similar visions of shadow versions of ourselves? It is a preposterous prospect for some. But one that would, at least in theory, begin to make sense of these bizarre sightings.

Taking it a stage further, and while still very much in speculation territory, let’s assume that these alternative dimensions are populated with alternative versions of ourselves. Who, on occasions crash into our dimension and us into theirs. Would this explain such bizarre feelings as De Ja Vu?

Some of the descriptions of these shadow figures having distinctly human form and of “flickering” in and out of focus may indeed sit nicely within such interdimensional theories. Even more so when we look at how quantum physics is beginning to look at how the smallest of particles exist as “vibrations” whose frequency is coming closer and closer. This, interestingly, might answer why there appears to be an increase in, not only Shadow People, but in UFOs, ghosts, and all manner of strange encounters.

In a similar way, as opposed to traveling from another dimension, might these dark shadows be travelers from another time. Might it be possible that time-travel is more akin to astral projection (which we will look at shortly). With the “traveler” remaining in their time, while their “self” traveled across space and time?

Depictions of shadow people

Are shadow people dangerous?

Ghosts, Demons, And Other Paranormal Possibilities!

Of course, many would perhaps automatically imagine ghosts or otherworldly apparitions when considering Shadow People sightings. And it is easy to see why. Especially when we look at some of the folklore and legends that document at least the notion of such sightings throughout history.

Indeed, in most cultures with such legends, dark, shadowy entities often coincide with death and the other side. However, given what we know of ghost phenomena and manifestations, almost all images captured on camera have a “white, misty” appearance to them. And while this sounds bizarre, most often bears a distinct likeness to the once living person.

Further still, many witnesses who experienced these Shadow People up close claim they have a distinct feeling that the presence was “not human”. Nor had it ever been. What’s more, and particularly strange, a feeling of intense fear or depression can often permeate those who see these strange entities.

So, if Shadow People aren’t “ghosts” – at least as we might collectively understand them – what else, from a paranormal perspective might they be?

Perhaps we should return for a moment to the many claims from witnesses of “glowing red eyes”. This, for want of a better and widely understood phrase, might suggest a “demonic entity”. Indeed, historic legends and folklore [2] are littered with such malevolent entities. As are many ancient religious texts, which while not historically accurate, like many folklore legends, often contain snippets of truth.

Another possibility, at least according to author and researcher, Jerry Gross, is that Shadow People are the “essence” of a person who is astral projecting. This is another interesting theory. And perhaps, taking the speculation a stage further, this “essence” is another way to look at “the soul”.

Like A “Three-Dimensional Shadow!”

In her book The Vengeful Djinn, Rosemary Ellen Guiley examines several recent shadow people incidents, [3] many of which of obvious interest to us here, if only to extract further details as to how these strange entities act.

For example, she writes of how these strange entities are there one minute, and then gone the next, stating that “what at first seemed solid has no solidity at all”. One witness to the shadow people would tell Guiley that they appear like a “three-dimensional shadow”. The same witness also goes on to state that these menacing figures “send off vibes of pure malevolence”.

Another person who had a terrifying encounter with the shadow people also offered their account to Guiley. He would claim that the dark figure that suddenly appeared at the foot of his bed was definitely the “shape of a man” but that it had no other defining features.

However, it is perhaps his description of the color of the figure itself – something he would describe as being “blacker than black”. He would further offer that it was “more like a void of all color” than an actual black. Does this suggest a physical, if plasmic, form that is able to switch between dimensions? It is certainly an intriguing detail.

The Shadow Person That Followed The Witness Home

Guiley also documented another encounter she had learned of during her research – this one from a woman who began experiencing shadow people after a visit to a friend’s house.

According to the account, shortly after the visit, the woman awoke one night at around 3:30 am. She began looking around the bedroom, almost sensing that something was amiss. She soon focused on “what appeared to be a man dressed in a black trench coat and fedora hat pulled down on his forehead”. Slightly more chilling was the detail that there were no arms or facial features visible on the unnerving figure. She was unable to move and ultimately the figure disappeared.

When she informed her friend of the sighting the following day her response was that she had not experienced anything of the sort. Initially, the witness let the sighting out of her mind, wondering if she had imagined it. However, on a subsequent visit a short time later, she witnessed the same figure at almost the exact same time in the early hours of the morning. Once more, the figure simply vanished into thin air.

However, perhaps the most alarming incident occurred around a month later – an incident that suggested the shadow person was not limited to her friend’s house and had seemingly followed her home.

Once more, the witness awoke in the middle of the night to see the chilling shadow-like figure seemingly watching her. Even more disturbing, a short time later, the woman’s teenage son also witnessed the chilling figure watching him from the doorway of his bedroom. According to the witness, the shadow person has not appeared since that visit her in her own home. However, a “cat-sized gargoyle” often appears in her room, watching her before disappearing.

We should note that Guiley’s relaying of the above account was in relation to connections between the shadow people and the Djinn. Given that the Djinn can appear in any form they wish, might it be that if the shadow person in this case as a Djinni they simply changed their form to the gargoyle creature that began appearing later?

What is perhaps most interesting about this account is why the shadow person in question appeared to target the woman and seemingly ignored her friend. Might it have indeed been an intentional targeting on the part of the shadow person? Or might it be a case that the woman was somehow able to see them while her friend couldn’t?

Electricity And Electromagnetism May Provide Defenses (And Answers)

Guiley also offers some potential ways to defend against shadow people. Perhaps surprisingly, her research declares that one of the best ways many who encounter these disturbing creatures is to simply switch on the lights, expanding that many people continue to sleep with the lights on following their encounters. She continues that “electricity – and electromagnetism – may provide keys to defenses against shadow people”.

Guiley writes that the sheer volume of electrical appliances – be it computers, televisions, and even electric lights themselves – may “disrupt the ability of shadow people to maintain a form”. When we consider that some researchers suggest these shadow people (whatever they might be) are appearing to humans as part of some kind of reconnaissance mission to learn of our world and indeed us, part of this might be to combat such electrical technology that might potentially make it harder for them to enter and remain in our world?

Guiley also offers a news report from a British newspaper in October 2001 that claimed that “mobile phones are killing off ghosts” due to the research of one person that suggested there was a decline in ghost appearances which began at around the same time that mobile phones became popular.

It is an interesting notion. Many researchers have suggested that ghost sightings very well could be the result of electrical energy. Might our increasing reliance on electricity disturb whichever field ghosts – as well as shadow people – manifest themselves? And if the shadow people are appearing in our world to gather intelligence on this technology so they might combat it, what does that say of the goals and intelligence of them?

Guiley notes a case in her files that just might corroborate what many would believe to be bizarre claims. According to her account, a salvage company that worked with computers and cell phone towers began experiencing strange shadowy figures in their workplace. The strange figure would appear to be watching workers going about the various duties. However, they would report that the strange figure appeared to be particularly interested in the cell phone tower components.

The workers also began to notice their tools being moved to other parts of the workplace, and sometimes even disappearing altogether. And all believed there was an evil feeling about the figure.

Was this a spying mission to gauge just what is taking place with our technology? It is an intriguing suggestion.

The “Waking-Sleep” Explanation

One explanation put forward for sightings of Shadow People is hypnagogia, or “waking sleep”. This is essentially where a person is aware of the reality of their surroundings, but also still caught in a dream or sleep-like state. This can result in perceived paralysis and visual hallucinations of “lights or shadows”.

Given that many apparent victims of alien abduction also witness shadow people, it is an interesting crossover to examine. And not just in terms of shadow people or alien abductions.

For example, some people will report, in those few seconds between sleep and becoming fully awake, hearing voices like the “sound of a distant conversation or a television in another room”. Those voices fade so quickly most don’t even register them. However, some researchers suggest, as speculative as it is, that these sounds are our subconscious minds listening to voices from another realm. Whether of spirits of people from “the other side” or even from entities from an entirely different dimension.

As truly bizarre and outlandish as that notion might sound, let’s accept at least the possibility for a moment. Might it be the same with sightings of the Shadow People? There is no doubt that waking-sleep very much exists. And could very well account for many such sightings and possibly even alien abductions. Some cases, however, simply have too many other factors for this explanation to hold true. As scientifically sound as it is.

Might it be, then, that rather than such conditions as hypnagogia being the cause and explanation to such bizarre occurrences, certainly from the alien abduction angle that, in certain cases, such conditions are induced, either purposely or as a byproduct of some other conscious controlling procedure?

Mind Control Experiments?

If we return to the hallucination aspect for a moment, there are several other apparent causes for such hallucinations. And what’s more, two of them are regularly linked to the mind control programs of the intelligence agencies.

There is documentation, for example, that the US intelligence agencies at the very least experimented with various such programs. Including the use of LSD for mind control purposes. We also know, if we accept the claims, that they would, through employed prostitutes, administer such drugs to their targets. So causing purposeful hallucinations which they could control, to a degree.

While speculation, might the apparent increase in Shadow People sightings be the result of some kind of secret government experiment? And what would the purpose of that experiment be? Or might participants have simply been guinea pigs? Involuntary participants in secret trials before such mental weaponry is unleashed on an unsuspecting population?

When we look at another potential cause of such hallucinations it does nothing, however, to quash such assertions. Speculative or otherwise.

We have written on several occasions of such claims of low-frequency-programing. And the use of electromagnetic technology to “control” masses of the population. And again, while these claims are exactly that, they if nothing else are both persistent and consistent.

Electromagnetic waves or energy fields can affect the temporal lobe. This can then create hallucinations, both visual and auditory. What’s more, these can be successfully induced. Further still, intelligence conspiracies aside and with further research, help explain why some areas have more paranormal incidents than others.

The notion that military intelligence, if it had the capability, would almost certainly weaponize such “mind-weapon”, should not be lost on us. However speculative that notion is.

The Start, And Key, To Mind-Altering Understanding?

In the 2013 film, Shadow People, the notion that only when people “believe” in these strange entities do they have any power over you. While the movie, despite its portrayal as a true story, is complete fiction, that premise is an interesting one.

Before we explore this further, you can check out a trailer from the film below.

You can see the trailer to that film below.

Let’s go back to the claim that more and more people appear to be witnessing these strange entities. Might it be, at least in part, that more and more people are aware of such things? That they are mentally open to them, whether they realize it or not?

Might it be not a “power” or “gift” that’s given to such victims of alien abduction, for example? Maybe these sudden abilities are a direct consequence of a literally mind-altering experience? Such apparent wisdom as “once the mind has been stretched it can’t go back to the way it was” might perhaps have much more direct truth than we think.

Perhaps we should recall the words of Tesla of “frequency, energy, and, vibration” and the secrets to the Universe. Are they proving true with the aforementioned quantum research into interdimensional entities? And the apparent, in theory, meeting of their vibrational frequencies.

Might it be that such bizarre, to most, concepts as the Shadow People will prove crucial in understanding concepts? Ones much further reaching than the physical world in which we all live and call reality? Indeed, unlocking such understanding might force us to reevaluate what “reality” actually is.

Check out the video below. It looks at the myths, legends, accounts, and theories of the Shadow People a little further.

References

References
1 Shadow People, Crystal Links https://www.crystalinks.com/shadowpeople.html
2 Ancients Lore Concerning Shadow People, The Pagan and the Pen, December 10th, 2009 https://thepaganandthepen.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/ancients-lore-concerning-shadow-people/
3 The Vengeful Djinn: Unveiling the Hidden Agenda of Genies, Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Philip Imbrogno, ISBN 9780738 721712

Marcus Lowth

Marcus Lowth is a writer with a love for UFOs, aliens, and the Ancient Astronaut Theory, to the paranormal, general conspiracies, and unsolved mysteries. He has been writing and researching with over 20 years of experience.

Marcus has been Editor-in-Chief for several years due to his excellent knowledge in these fields. Marcus also regularly appears as an expert on radio talk shows including Troubled Minds and Unexplained Radio discussing these topics.

Read Marcus' full bio.

You can contact Marcus via email.

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