Anyone who has sneaked into a cemetery at night knows that is a thing of terror and equally as much a thing of exquisite beauty. Even in daytime, cemeteries are like memorial parks, still and contemplative, well-manicured and unhurried. But, at night, they become a strange black and white world in which the headstones are the only thing visible in the dimmest of moonlight. In fact, cemeteries real character comes out at night.
At this particularly creepy cemetery, there were dozens of cats that a neighbor came and fed each twilight. Once they were fed and content, they went to wander around the headstones, sometimes resting at graves or atop of them as if soaking up the moonlight.
This graveyard below has given phenomena over 8 years with 5 cameras and 5 photographers.
When I first started ghost hunting, I went to a cemetery with my son so we could find his grandmother's grave. I hadn't met my mother-in-law, she passed away when my ex-husband was little. I had no idea where in this enormous 35-acre cemetery she was located. The guards told us it was dark and we had to leave, so I said in my head, "Betty, wherever you are, I have your grandson here, please give us a sign of where you're located." My son said, "mom, could you take a picture of me next to this cool statue?" So, I pulled out the camera. The first thing I did when I got my cameras was to remove the straps. I didn't want anything interfering with ghost hunting evidence. I took a breath, wished for her to know that she has an amazing and gifted grandson and then took the picture with my 35mm camera. We left the cemetery and I told my father-in-law, "where is Betty's grave?" He said, "about 300 yards from the praying hands statue." The one statue in the entire enormous place that Alex wanted a photo next to! I went to the drug store and got the film and sat there in the parking lot a bit overwhelmed.
My logical side took over and I said, "we're going back to that graveyard." We got some flowers and headed out and found the grave. It was about 300 yards out over my son's left shoulder in that photo. In fact, if we followed that arch we would end up right at her grave.
Yeah, cemeteries at night hold even more secrets than we can imagine. Things come alive there. And only the brave can last as the night turns chilly, the moon sinks in the sky and the trees sway overhead.
Cemetery at Night Movies:
"Phantasm"
"Cemetery Man"
"House By the Cemetery"
"One Dark Night"
"Night of the Demons"
**Go to Strange State today and read the post with the graveyard sounds of digging, hammering, birds cawing, church bell ringing--fantastic blog it comes from**
Love this cat pictures.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea until later on that their eyes glowed in the pics. They were seriously scaring me by following me and jumping into trees near me and walking along headstones as if they were trying to escort me out. Ironically, I actually got locked in the cemetery a half hour after those shots. Perhaps I should have followed the cats' directions.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very eerie, yet at the same time, tranquil picture of your son.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was three, my mom and I took her to a cemetery to find a relatives grave. We never did find it, but as we were leaving my daughter began waving at someone. We were the only ones there so we figure the relative was saying hi to her.
Leave it to kids! They really do seem to sense all the things we miss in our desire to see the world we think it should be instead of the way it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a cemetery man myself--not by night anyway. I've been a time or two, mostly for research purposes regarding "something that happens at night" or in following around a group of investigators, chronicling their exploits. Otherwise, I visit these cities of the dead during the day. I feel like an interloper at night like that customer that comes in a 9:45, just as the restaurant is wanting to close. LOL! :-D
ReplyDeleteCullan, well, you have the right idea. You'd get chased out by security or even arrested sometimes. But, everyone wonders what they do at night and I have to admit that you can't get the full beauty except in the daytime, but what nighttime provides is something very gothic and spooky with all those glowing headstones and it's not that uncommon to see a shadow person darting to and fro, mists gathering, a lone cat screaming, or someone crunching on dead leaves....
ReplyDeletepretty cool story
ReplyDeletelove cemeteries
I have always wanted to sneak into a cemetery at night but that is waaaay too freaky for me. lol.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Zombie, you gotta watch it. That first time you finally get brave enough, you probably get picked up by the cops.
ReplyDeletei went into a graveyard with this girl i liked so she could take black and white photos. now she didn't know i liked her, but i was hoping for some mood making whoopie at 3am. all i got was hold my equipment while we ran out when the police made a drive by. not even a kiss goodnight or a chance to see those finished product. i would have love to see a cat or something.
ReplyDeleteWOW Brilliant Story.
ReplyDeleteYou always feel like many eyes are watching you. It is worst at night.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that sense of being stared at is a bit intense at night.
ReplyDeleteWow I love some of these pictures! I've never really been to a cemetery, let alone at night... would have been a really cool experience.
ReplyDelete