Welcome back to AfterWyrd where we dive into the anomalies, the unexplained, and the unsettling stories that were just too "Wyrd" for the main show.

]This week, we confront the strange reality of modern science and ancient folklore. From the disturbing pattern of researchers vanishing after experiments involving quantum matter, to the "data rot" causing AI chatbots to hallucinate the same fictional man—Elias Thorne—we explore the boundaries of what we think we know. We also revisit the debate over "witch marks," challenging whether those iconic daisy wheels and hexafoils are truly ritual protection, or merely the practical geometry of bored medieval stonemasons.

The conversation takes a darker turn as we move to the clinical and the paranormal: dissecting the electromagnetic glitches at Skinwalker Ranch and the terrifying "mind games" of the devil as documented by modern exorcists.

The Wyrd News:

The Quantum Disappearances: We look into the disturbing trend of researchers vanishing after experiments involving quantum state research. Is this a statistical anomaly, or is there a darker, more persistent thread connecting these cases?

Elias Thorne & The AI Glitch: Why are the world’s most advanced AI models obsessed with the same fictional lighthouse keeper? We explore why our digital intelligence is running out of original ideas and stuck in a loop of its own making.

Witch Marks vs. Geometry: Following our talk with Toby the Stone Carver, we analyse new research suggesting that iconic "witch marks" might just be the practical practice sketches of medieval stonemasons—and debate if that explanation is simply too convenient.

Skinwalker Ranch & Exorcisms: From the physicist who used magnets to replicate the ranch’s electronic glitches to the priests who claim the "mind of the devil" is a tangible, terrifying presence, we examine the fine line between the clinical and the paranormal.

The Semen-Injection Incident: A bizarre, clinical look at a medical case study involving a DIY "remedy" that serves as a grim reminder of what happens when human curiosity ignores all medical logic.

Don't blame the Owls!

Website: www.wyrdwessex.co.uk

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Hosted by: Craig Brooks & Andy Stevens

Edited by: Craig Brooks

Intro music by: Universfield Dark 80s Sci-Fi Atmosphere

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Craig as he leaves the comfort of the studio behind for a special live recording from the stunning Peak District. Amidst the magic and folklore swirling around the festival grounds, this episode captures the raw energy of Solskin, featuring intimate conversations on shamanism, Celtic mythology, and the supernatural. Between teaching butchery and cooking over open fires, Craig sat down with fascinating guests to explore the deeper currents of myth and spirit that define the event.

First up, we speak with Faber Horbach from Sowulo about his spiritual musical practice. Known for blending Anglo-Saxon lyrics with modern orchestration and historical instruments, Faber delves into the cyclical nature of the sun, the roots of shamanism, and how drumming acts as a gateway to non-ordinary reality. He shares insights on creating meaningful music for the present moment using old ingredients, and why authenticity resonates more deeply than high-budget production.

Next, we catch up with storyteller Jason Buck to discuss his latest production, Sláine: the Horned God. Adapted from Pat Mills’ celebrated 2000 AD graphic novel, Jason breaks down the journey of bringing ancient Celtic myths to the stage for a 21st-century audience. We talk about the "warp spasm," the hero Cú Chulainn, and the challenge of translating hand-painted comics into immersive storytelling without needing to get lost in costume.

Then, we delve into the strange and wonderful work of Snooze from Portable Weirdness. Describing herself as a "taxi for dead guys," Snooze uses animal remains to create craftwork and spiritual tools. She offers expert analysis on a listener’s terrifying lifelong night visitations, decodes the runes carved into a cow bone talisman, and discusses the concept of spirit animals in preparation for the festival's big animal mask ball. Finally, while getting a tattoo from Hamish (Pictavia leather) Craig shares a captivating account of a 1950s Pictish time slip, exploring archaeological evidence, warrior tattoos, and the possibility of glimpsing history across time.

Whether you’re here for pagan music, bone work, ghost stories, or the mystery of the Horned God, this episode brings the essence of the festival straight to your screen.

Stay Wyrd!

Support the Show:

Join our Discord: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex

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Written and hosted by Craig Brooks

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Antipodean Writer: Full of Soul - Neon Waves Extended - Remix

Outro music by Colt Fingaz: Ding Ding Dong

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to WyrdLore, our bonus series dedicated to the strange tales, local legends, and folklore that are just too "Wyrd" for the main show.

In this episode, Andy and Craig tackle the classic global folk motif known as "The Endless Tale." We meet a powerful king who offers his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage to any suitor who can tell a story that never ends—though the penalty for failing to entertain is an immediate, rather harsh decapitation.

When a clever poor man steps up to the challenge, he unleashes the ultimate narrative filibuster involving a massive barn, a sky-high supply of corn, and a relentless swarm of singular locusts. As Craig dives into the repetitive rhythm of the legend, Andy finds himself caught in a psychological war of attrition that threatens to trap the entire studio in a permanent loop.

Support the show and join our Discord here: buymeacoffee.com/wyrdwessex

Buy our merch here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/saxonforageruk/shop?asc=u

Written by Craig Brooks

Hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Main theme: NRA-LAB Intro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.