Ryan Skinner - Skinwalker Ranch: Tales Of The Skinwalker

TALES

OF THE

SKINWALKER

A

COLLECTION OF STORIES

FROM

SKINWALKER RANCH

AND BEYOND

RYAN SKINNER

A Voodoo Creations book

Published by Voodoo Creations LLC

COPYRIGHT 2015 RYAN SKINNER

All rights reserved. Published by Voodoo Creations LLC. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the express written consent from the author.

Published in the United States of America

Cover by Ryan Skinner

INTRODUCTION

I first became acquainted with Skinwalker lore when I had my first up close and personal encounter with unknown entities on I-70 in Utah, and just south of the infamous Skinwalker Ranch. I have since detailed these encounters and others to follow in my two previous books, Skinwalker Ranch, The Path of the Skinwalker and Skinwalker Ranch: No Trespassing . While these encounters were definitely not limited to the Skinwalker, I nevertheless found myself extremely fascinated by its origins, and then equally so by its evolution.

For those less familiar, the Skinwalker has been, from the sense of the petroglyphs and petro-graphs adorning the canyon rock all through the Great Basin area and the lands that make up the Four Corners, part of the native culture since people walked upright. In its earliest incarnation, however, it was perceived as a spirit or entity existing on another plane or within some alternate dimension and only crossing over to the mortal world of its own volition. That perception changed in the early part of the 19 th century.

In 1864, what remained of the Navajo nation was forced into exile by the United States Army, resulting in what has become known as the Long Walk. Prior to the Long Walk, however, the US soldiers were less than successful in curtailing Navajo activity. To assist in their efforts, they made a deal with the Ute, encouraging them to conduct raids on the Navajo settlements, offering to pay for any stolen livestock and allowing the Ute to keep and sell as slaves any Navajo people taken prisoner.

In response, the Navajo medicine men took revenge by calling upon powerful spirits from beyond, who then sent forth the Skinwalker. From that point on, Ute history is filled with references to its dark deeds, spiritual torment, and, to the very day, foreboding presence among them and throughout the Four Corners.

The short tales to follow are modern day first and third-person encounters with the Skinwalkermainly in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, who in its contemporary incarnation takes on the persona of a Native bogeyman scaring children, bedeviling teens, and exacting revenge upon those who have done it wrong.

The source of these stories are real people, most of whom shared their encounters or experiences with me through my websiteSkinwalker ranch.org.and some of whom I later met in person as I travel throughout the United States, andas is the case with these storiesprimarily the southwest.

CADAVER DUST

Cadaver dust is ground from human bones. The most effective form is said to be derived from the bones of an infant, and even better if from a relative of the Skinwalker. It is blown into the face of the intended victim by the Skinwalker, and generally from the palm of his hand. Reed, too, may be used, sort of like a blowing-straw. The dust, once inhaled, incapacitates the victim, turning him or her into a zombie which can then be controlled by the Skinwalker using telepathic suggestion. Some believe the dust can also have a hallucinogenic effect, may paralyze the victim, and may even kill in extreme situations. Otherwise, the effect is short-term and wears off after a period.

This event happened just south of Polaca, Arizona, within the Navajo Reservation. A pair of Skinwalkerssupposedly an old couple that lived deep back in the reservationwere seen lurking around this small cattle ranch. Two heifers had disappeared recently; one of which was discovered down by the creek and mutilated. The man who owned the ranch, his two sons, and his brother armed themselves and went out to try to run them off.

One of the sons, not yet 18 years of age, was searching out beyond the barn when a dark shape, seemingly materializing from the darkness itself, loomed up in front of him almost nose to nose. As the boy attempted to raise his rifle, the figure raised its hands up to its face as if it was going to yell something. The boy, trying not to look it in the eyes, then felt something rush into his face, like dust or sand. Although he tried not to, he breathed some of it in and almost immediately things went dark and he started experiencing hallucinations and sensory deprivation.

The others found him only minutes later, on his knees, holding the sides of his head, and his eyes rolled back. He fell to the ground and went into some sort of trance, his body limp and he unresponsive. They carried him back to the house and summoned the local medicine man, who came and said some prayers over him. But, he told the others, there was nothing to be done but to wait for the cadaver dust, traces of which were still on his face and his shirt, to wear-off. He promised hed come back the next day when the sun was up and bless the Hogan.

Later, after he had regained consciousness, the boy swore to the others that he was the victim of a dog-faced creature. He described it as not quite as tall as he is, thin and scraggly with patches of mangy and dark hair, a canine snout, only shorter than a dogs, and with the smell of rotten eggs or worse. He said he doesnt recall anything more before passing out, other than suddenly not being able to breathe and having no control over his own body.

MARK OF THE SKINWALKER

Skinwalker lore suggests that the Skinwalker can move by means supernatural and undetected. Making eye contact with a Skinwalker gives him control over his victim, again by means of telepathic suggestion or some similar art. Often, encounters are limited to disconcerting victims simply by the Skinwalker making his presence knowna vague or unexplainable sense of dreador allowing himself to be seen. Accepted lore provides that the Skinwalker is not vulnerable to traditional weapons, such as guns or blades, especially when wielded by white men.

This encounter takes place in Chinle, Arizona at our house. The five of usa school friend, two cousins, my sister and Iwere all in high school at the time. We were hanging out and everyone decided to spend the night. Because it was the middle of the summer and so hot, we set up our folks van and my older brothers pickup truck so we could sleep outside where there was at least a bit of a breeze. We spent most of the earlier part of the night doing what teenagers do, including a little smokeif you know what I meanand some beers. Sometime after midnight, the three girls decided to call it a night and climbed into the bed of the pickup truck. My friend and I stayed out on the porch for another or hour or so before heading to the van. We must have dozed off soon afterwards.

According to my sistershes a year younger than meshe is still awake, just lying there and looking up at the stars. The sky out here is really clear at night; there are stars everywhere. Suddenly the neighbors dogs from across the dry bed start to bark, which around here usually means the local wild life is on the prowl. My sister says she is listening between the yips of the dogs to see if she can hear whats out there. Black against black, she suddenly sees this figure, as if out of nowhere, crouched on the roof of the pickup and staring down at her. Shes absolutely frozen, partially out of fear and partially through no will of her own. She wants to scream or at least say something, but she cant find her voice; its as if shes gasping for air, but without making any noise and as if her lungs just wont fill.

Just then, our younger cousin wakes upshe says because out of nowhere she gets this feeling of intense dread. She sits up kind of suddenly, and at the same time it is like my sister is released from a spell. The air rushes into her lungs and she lets out a scream, pointing to the top of the truck. But whatever it was is now gone.