Thread: The "Old Hag" I've heard so much about.

I for one have never had any such experience. We dream about what we encounter and think about during the day though. That's why we are able to use RC's. I wonder how many people that have encountered this "Old Hag" have done so only after hearing about her in these forums. . .

Hah that's a good point, Iliad.

Watch out for the midget kung-fu master... he will kick your ass hardcore.

The "Old Hag" isn't a DC, strictly speaking, it is a hypnopompic hallucation which sometimes accompanies sleep paralysis. Other people experience the old hag as a "shadowy figure" or just a vague, oppressive presence or force. Old Hag syndrome is the folk name for sleep paralysis.

"The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation."
~Wikipedia, "sleep paralysis"

The Old Hag is a common experience associated with sleep paralysis. It usually happens when you've just woken up. It is usually accompanied by paralysis, or feeling restrained, and pressure on the chest. You might hear voices, and feel a malevolent presence.

The Old Hag is just one (a western) embodiment of this malevolent force. Aliens and alien abductions are associated with the same phenomenon. Every culture has their own folklore and their own version, and the reason many people experience it in similar ways is because of the similar sensations and similar socialization.

DuB is right, it's just something that goes along with sleep paralysis. Many people see creatures and demons.

Mine wasn't an old hag, she was a strange, pale young lady sitting on the foot of the bed, singing to me in a hypnotic voice, the moonlight giving her an eerie glow. She was clothed entirely in blue satin, even her hat. I knew it was her song that was paralyzing me, and I was really afraid.

Originally Posted by Hazel

DuB is right, it's just something that goes along with sleep paralysis. Many people see creatures and demons.

Mine wasn't an old hag, she was a strange, pale young lady sitting on the foot of the bed, singing to me in a hypnotic voice, the moonlight giving her an eerie glow. She was clothed entirely in blue satin, even her hat. I knew it was her song that was paralyzing me, and I was really afraid.

how ... did that ever happen? that's really creepy. thank god my SP is only SP itself, there's no other characters around my bed or something like that.

I remember my friend seeing this girl from the grudge, and that's really scary. But yours, the way you describe it... I really respect you for being able to even remember every single detail bout that girl. happens to you often?

I was rudely awoken one night to find myself paralised and could feel something heavy on my chest and something wrapped around my neck - I was being strangled. I could breath though, just not 100% and I could see thin arms around my neck. I tried to grab them and pull them off but no use. Then after about 2 minutes I awoke out of it.

I have met the hag and lived to tell the tale! :p

(Also I have seen dark figures near my door and walk to my bed and sit on it during SP.

heheh...when I was a kid; I had a dream that a devils hand came out of the ground and grabbed my arm, his hand was real hot!


sorry

in the book series that i just finished reading by Tamora Pierce (both the Immortals quartet and the Trickster's Choice/Queen series) have the mention of the "Graveyard Hag." this "goddess" in her books is kind of like the annoying old woman goddess, one of the major gods, who causes havoc in people's life as gods in most ficiontal books usually do. ive actually never heard of nor had this 'olg hag' in dreams but thats something to think about. im sure Pierce, as she is such an AMAZING writer with SO much experience in fictional writing, has drawn that inspiration of the graveyard hag from some actual historical place... check it out, interesting idea that she shows up in random peoples dreams all over the world!

I don't get old hag. If I wake up in sleep paralasys I know what it is, not scared, I don't wait for it to pass I try with all my force to shake my arms and legs and head violently, and after a while I regain some and then it gets more. It's like it drags you down, I have to keep going or I slip back into the sp.

Originally Posted by NocturnalDreamer

how ... did that ever happen? that's really creepy. thank god my SP is only SP itself, there's no other characters around my bed or something like that.

I remember my friend seeing this girl from the grudge, and that's really scary. But yours, the way you describe it... I really respect you for being able to even remember every single detail bout that girl. happens to you often?

It happened on Christmas Eve several years ago when I was about 7 or 8. (Before I knew about SP.) I guess I just remember her so vividly because it was quite an extraordinary expirience. As far as I know, that's the only time I ever saw imagery along with SP.

Originally Posted by Hazel

It happened on Christmas Eve several years ago when I was about 7 or 8. (Before I knew about SP.) I guess I just remember her so vividly because it was quite an extraordinary expirience. As far as I know, that's the only time I ever saw imagery along with SP.

I really don't know how to handle this kinda situation. it is like 'shoot, i rather die now, please just kill me' its worst than a horror movie. and on christmas eve...? That's just sad..but I guess you're alright, and you didn't sound like you're afraid at all or anything close to that. you're really brave

I had a major episode of old hag once.

Only it wasnt an old hag. It was a hawt young girl.

Sure was fun being paralysed by a gorgeous woman....

xD

Originally Posted by Ryan Macaroni

So I've heard in various posts on this website, people just casually mentioning the Old Hag. Now I've had many dreams involving a particular old witch-like woman. When I was younger, she used to stand over me, and sometimes attack me. I'd experience real pain, the sort that you get when someone pokes you really hard in your ribs. When I awoke, the pain would linger for a few minutes, then disappear.

Obviously not all these details will be the same, but is this "Old Hag" a common DC, so much so that it's actually named?

As others here have pointed out, the 'Old Hag' is a sidekick for sleep paralysis. I once read that 99% of the world's population have this experience at least once, which I find amazing when you consider the difference in cultures, etc. We are all really so much alike.

Originally Posted by NocturnalDreamer

I really don't know how to handle this kinda situation. it is like 'shoot, i rather die now, please just kill me' its worst than a horror movie. and on christmas eve...? That's just sad..but I guess you're alright, and you didn't sound like you're afraid at all or anything close to that. you're really brave

you might be surprised! sometimes some of the scarier dream related experience is much scarier when you look back on it, and not when you are experiencing it

Ive never had the old hag, instead I get a dark fuzzy figure pressing on my chest, choking me, or turning my head so I can't see him.

Originally Posted by Dizko

I had a major episode of old hag once.

Only it wasnt an old hag. It was a hawt young girl.

Sure was fun being paralysed by a gorgeous woman....

xD

Haha, that must have been fun...

If I ever see the Old Hag, I'm gonna ____ beat the crap out of her... Sounds like she'd be annoying and I wouldn't want her in other dreams...

Originally Posted by Griman

As others here have pointed out, the 'Old Hag' is a sidekick for sleep paralysis. I once read that 99% of the world's population have this experience at least once, which I find amazing when you consider the difference in cultures, etc. We are all really so much alike.

where did you see that?? i find that amazing!!

Originally Posted by NightLife

If I ever see the Old Hag, I'm gonna ____ beat the crap out of her... Sounds like she'd be annoying and I wouldn't want her in other dreams...

lmfao watch she comes tonight in your sleep XD

Originally Posted by juroara

you might be surprised! sometimes some of the scarier dream related experience is much scarier when you look back on it, and not when you are experiencing it

Ive never had the old hag, instead I get a dark fuzzy figure pressing on my chest, choking me, or turning my head so I can't see him.

hahaha that's cute! Isn't that Sully from Monster Inc? Lucky you!!!

so where did that dark fuzzy figure come from? I'm sure you'll be able to think bout it only because you've seen it somewhere else once before. right? =) that's partly how this old hag thing comes, it is formed by how your mind is playing with you. that sounds scary.

oh and how did he turn your head!! That's just plain creepy. I'm really lucky My SPs are not like that. Dark fuzzy purple Sully. that's just cute, and choking you and turning your head around just makes it plain creepy.

Originally Posted by NightLife

If I ever see the Old Hag, I'm gonna ____ beat the crap out of her... Sounds like she'd be annoying and I wouldn't want her in other dreams...

haha sorry dude, but you can't 'beat the crap' out of her, you're kinda in SP mode, so you can't move =P she'll scare the crap out of you though. xD

this thread was actually the first time ive been hearing of people feeling hallucinations during sleep paralysis...... so weird o.O ive never experienced this!!!

Originally Posted by quattykitty

this thread was actually the first time ive been hearing of people feeling hallucinations during sleep paralysis...... so weird o.O ive never experienced this!!!

thank god we didn't experience it, yet. Pray hard that it won't hit us. I really don't know if I can take the shock. I'll probably be shouting so loud inside till I don't know what will happen. I mean, think about it...a girl that looks like an old lady on top of you? Thats just freaky! And not to mention, wrong.

I've only ever had this happen to me once, but I had imagined it was a huge black panther that had me pinned down. This was a few years ago, I first heard about it from my dad.. he gets it all the time, he tells me every now and again when he has them and he said he has never got used to them
My dad has wierd sleep occurances though, recently I think he has started to sleep-walk