I recently stumbled upon a VHS recording that featured a rather peculiar sight - a flying witch head. It was an unexpected and eerie image that left me both fascinated and slightly unsettled. The recording started off with a black screen and I could hear crackling sounds, hinting at the age of the tape. Suddenly, a blurry image emerged, revealing the silhouette of a witch's head. It was distinct and unmistakable with its pointed hat, crooked nose, and menacing expression. The head appeared to be floating in mid-air, defying gravity with ease.
The inscription “He is Odin’s man” is seen in a round half circle over the head of a figure on a golden bracteate unearthed in Vindelev, Denmark in late 2020. It is the oldest-known reference to the Norse god Odin. Image Creator: Arnold Mikkelsen, The National Museum of Denmark | Credit: AP
In March, Scandinavian scientists in Denmark announced the discovery of the oldest known runic reference to Odin, on a golden coin from the 5 th century. He has published four books of translations and is working on an educational text for helping readers learn how to read Old Norse literature like the Eddas and sagas.
The head appeared to be floating in mid-air, defying gravity with ease. As the tape played on, the witch head began to move, swaying from side to side as if controlled by an unseen force. It seemed to be gliding through the air effortlessly, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Meet Norse Rune Expert, Jackson Crawford, PhD
2023 has been a big year for Norse runes. In January, the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History announced the discovery of the oldest rune stone, up to 2,000 years old. In March, Scandinavian scientists in Denmark announced the discovery of the oldest known runic reference to Odin, on a golden coin from the 5 th century.
The inscription “He is Odin’s man” is seen in a round half circle over the head of a figure on a golden bracteate unearthed in Vindelev, Denmark in late 2020. It is the oldest-known reference to the Norse god Odin. Image Creator: Arnold Mikkelsen, The National Museum of Denmark | Credit: AP
Runes have fascinated scientists and the general public alike for centuries. Late medieval Scandinavians ascribed magical qualities to them, and a mystical aura surrounding runes survives to this day.
Yet runic is an alphabet, not a set of magical symbols. And one person at the forefront of runology in the English-speaking world, linguist Jackson Crawford, PhD, is helping to correct some long-standing misconceptions.
“A lot of what is preserved is storytelling,” Crawford states. “Icelanders in the 1200s were very interested in writing down their oral literature – stories of the bishops, of the kings of Norway, of the gods in poetry and prose, and stories of the pioneers in Iceland, which resemble our westerns.”
Crawford notes that plenty of workaday runes have been discovered. “Most of them are short,” he notes, “such as a name, a title, or a statement of ownership.”
Nevertheless, in recent years, Old Norse and runology have attracted thousands of enthusiasts, many of whom ascribe mystical value to the alphabet and go as far as seeing Norse as their personal religion. Crawford brings a career of academic study and teaching to the public, spreading the truth about runes.
Crawford describes a natural path in his life that led him to this field of study. “I was a big dinosaur kid, really,” he laughs. He grew up west of Denver, near a lot of fossil sites. “In middle school, when we got to choose a foreign language to study, I chose Latin because of the dinosaur names I knew.” He became interested in how languages change over time. The field of linguistics was a natural fit.
After his undergraduate years in Texas, Crawford received a Master’s degree in Georgia and his PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He studied many languages in school, but specialized in Old Norse, partly, he quips, “because there were a lot of cool stories to read.”
From there, he taught at several prestigious universities, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has published four books of translations and is working on an educational text for helping readers learn how to read Old Norse literature like the Eddas and sagas.
During these years, Crawford also started a Youtube channel and quickly found a large public audience hungry for information about runes. Crawford has been a prolific creator of educational videos, boasting over 730 videos on his channel. To say it has been well received is an understatement; as of July 2023, he has 265,000 subscribers.
Crawford describes his Youtube channel as “real expertise in Norse language and myth, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus.” He is passionate about cutting through pseudo-science and untruths.
“I always look forward to answering questions about runes and Norse myths, as well as sharing new discoveries and their context,” he says.
Crawford has transitioned to a career outside of academia as a writer, translator, consultant and educator. He is very grateful to his Patreon supporters for enabling this shift in his career. His consulting work includes working for movies like Frozen (he wrote the runes you see in the movie), television, and video games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
NHMU is proud to have welcomed Jackson Crawford, PhD, to speak on July 12, 2023. See a full list of all upcoming events at the Museum in Salt Lake City.
The room in which the recording took place was dimly lit, further enhancing the mysterious and supernatural atmosphere. Despite the low-quality recording, the witch head exuded a certain magnetism that captured my attention. Its painted face had a spectral glow, giving it an otherworldly appearance. Its eyes seemed to gleam with an unearthly light, adding to the sense of enchantment and danger. Throughout the recording, the witch head performed various mesmerizing maneuvers. It spun in circles, performed intricate loops, and even darted towards the camera, almost as if it was aware of its observer. The movements were swift yet controlled, giving the impression of a skilled pilot guiding the head through the air. The sounds accompanying the visuals were equally eerie and haunting. The tape captured faint whispering voices, echoing in the background as the witch head soared through the room. These whispered voices carried an air of ancient incantations, adding to the enchanting and mystical nature of the recording. Unfortunately, the tape abruptly ended, leaving me with more questions than answers. Who had recorded this mesmerizing spectacle? What was the purpose of the flying witch head? Was it a mere illusion or something more supernatural at play? While I may never learn the true origins or intentions behind this VHS recording, the image of the flying witch head has certainly left a lasting impression on me. It serves as a reminder of the mysterious and mystical aspects of our world, reminding me to keep an open mind and embrace the unknown..
Reviews for "Forgotten Oddities: Rediscovering the Disturbing VHS Recording of a Flying Witch Head"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - This VHS recording of a flying witch head was an absolute waste of my time. The video quality was grainy and blurry, making it almost impossible to see what was happening. Not to mention, the sound was muffled and distorted, making it hard to understand any dialogue or sound effects. I was hoping for a thrilling and spooky experience, but all I got was frustration and disappointment. Save your money and don't bother with this VHS recording.
2. John - 2/5 stars - While the concept of a flying witch head might sound intriguing, the execution in this VHS recording was lacking. The video quality was poor, with frequent glitches and distortion making it difficult to follow the action. The storyline was also quite weak and poorly developed, leaving me confused and uninterested for the majority of the recording. Overall, I was expecting more from this VHS recording and was disappointed by the lackluster presentation.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for this VHS recording of a flying witch head, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The video quality was subpar, with the image appearing grainy and blurry throughout. The storyline lacked depth and coherence, leaving me feeling disconnected from the plot and characters. Additionally, the audio was often difficult to hear, making it hard to fully engage with the recording. Overall, I would not recommend investing in this VHS recording unless you have a particular fascination with obscure and low-quality footage.