Childhood Fears: The Dark, Imagery, and Unseen Entities

Childhood is often filled with mysterious and unexplained phenomena. One such fear that many children experience is the dark. While the fear of the dark is a common one, it can take many forms and have various roots. In this article, we will explore one particular experience that sheds light on the source of one individual's fear of the dark.

Imagery: The Dark as a Projection of Fears

One day, while I was younger, I had the habit of watching several episodes of the popular science fiction television series, Doctor Who. When my brain was faced with complete pitch black, it would start drawing images from the show, each episode a new and revealing ordeal. Despite my efforts to stop this from happening, it persisted, making the pitch black not a mere void but a place filled with eerie and often disturbing imagery.

In essence, I was not afraid of the dark, but of the imagery my brain conjured in its absence. This can be quite unsettling for a child trying to make sense of the world around them. The images, often monstrous and malevolent, could be attributed to the media and the imagination that we all possess, but they can still be quite frightening.

Unseen Entities: Ghosts and Spirits

My fear of the dark was also fueled by the fact that I had always been sensitive to things that others couldn't see or sense. This sensitivity extended to the unseen entities that reportedly haunted me. From an early age, at around six or seven, I began to sense spirits and ghosts. One particular instance that stands out in my memory is a dark and menacing spirit at my parents' house. This entity was described as all black, holding an axe, and covered in blood. It would appear at the edge of my bed, a scene that filled me with terror.

These experiences, while not common, were not the only instances of such encounters. I used to visit my parents' house frequently, and the presence of such entities did not go unnoticed. Being young, I did not have the knowledge to banish these spirits and entities effectively. It wasn't until I turned 13 and started practicing witchcraft that I acquired the skills to handle these frightening manifestations.

Understanding and Banishing the Unseen

With the knowledge and skills gained from witchcraft, I managed to banish the entities that had been haunting my parents' basement and causing mischief. The fact that these spirits could be banished brings some level of comfort, as it proves that there are ways to deal with such fears. However, the ability to see and sense these entities in the dark made the experience all the more terrifying, as I was alone and surrounded by the unseen.

Even today, I struggle with sleeping in total darkness because of these memories and experiences. The fear is less about the dark itself but about the imagery and entities that can appear in its absence. Being sensitive to the world around us, even in the darkness, can be overwhelming. It is a reminder that our perceptions can be influenced by our surroundings and experiences, and that feared entities are not always irrational.

Conclusion

The fear of the dark is a common one, but as we have seen, it can stem from a variety of sources. For me, it was a combination of the imagery my brain would conjure and the unseen entities that I could sense. This experience highlights the importance of dealing with fears head-on and understanding their origins. Whether it's through media, personal encounters, or a combination of both, the fear of the dark can be a significant aspect of a child's experiences, making the world both wondrous and frightening.

By addressing these fears and gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to handle them, we can navigate and understand the world around us better. In the end, it is through this process of understanding and acceptance that we can overcome our fears and enjoy the world as it is, without letting our imaginations dictate our experiences.