Beware! This might be a real story or it might not.
On the evening of September 15, 2024, Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans became the site of a chilling and inexplicable event. Hundreds of visitors and locals, who had no apparent connection to each other, suddenly began exhibiting bizarre and synchronized behavior. The scene unfolded around 8:45 p.m., when the moon was nearly full and a thick mist rolled over the area, shrouding the ancient tombstones and crypts in an ethereal haze.
The Incident Unfolds:
Witnesses reported that the individuals gathered at the cemetery seemed to be in a trance, their eyes glazed over and their movements robotic. Some began walking in perfect circles around various graves, whispering incomprehensible phrases in languages that ranged from ancient Latin to what appeared to be guttural tones not recognizable as any known language. Others stood in place, raising their hands skyward, as if in a silent invocation of some unseen force.
The eerie occurrence lasted for nearly an hour, during which time those affected showed no response to external stimuli. Bystanders and curious onlookers tried to communicate with the group, but received no reaction. Several of those who were present and unaffected described a strange energy in the air—an unsettling vibration that seemed to emanate from the very ground beneath their feet.
Emergency Services Respond:
Local authorities, including the New Orleans Police Department and emergency medical personnel, were quick to arrive at the scene after multiple reports of “strange behavior” flooded in from alarmed residents living near the cemetery. Upon arrival, officers noted that many individuals were still entranced, performing ritualistic actions around specific gravesites, seemingly in unison.
Attempts to move or awaken those in the trance were unsuccessful. Several officers reported experiencing an intense feeling of vertigo and nausea upon approaching the affected individuals. Some medical personnel described a subtle hum in the air, almost like the droning of bees, that seemed to increase in intensity the closer they got to the group.
The Trance Breaks:
At precisely 9:47 p.m., the bizarre behavior ceased as suddenly as it began. All affected individuals collapsed to the ground as if a switch had been flipped. Confusion and disorientation followed as they awoke with no memory of what had occurred. Most reported feeling as if they had merely “blinked” and lost time.
Local hospitals treated over two hundred people for mild shock, dehydration, and minor injuries from falls during their collapse. No serious injuries were reported, but the psychological effects are still being evaluated. Many who experienced the phenomenon reported vivid, recurring dreams of ancient symbols and dark, foreboding figures following them through a fog-covered cemetery.
Experts and Theories:
Numerous theories have emerged regarding the cause of the incident. Some paranormal investigators have suggested that the cemetery, already known for its haunted reputation, may have become the focal point of a mass possession or spiritual disturbance. They point to historical records indicating that the site is built on a convergence of ley lines, which are believed to channel mystical energy.
Others propose that the phenomenon could have been triggered by a rare celestial event. An astrologer from the local university noted that on the night of the incident, the positions of the moon and certain stars were in alignment with a rarely seen astrological pattern known as “The Gate of Shadows.” This alignment, according to esoteric traditions, is said to thin the veil between worlds and amplify paranormal activity.
More scientifically grounded theories include the possibility of a hallucinogenic gas leak or mass hysteria triggered by unknown environmental factors. Preliminary tests for toxic substances in the air and soil have so far yielded no conclusive results. Psychologists have compared the event to cases of mass psychogenic illness, where a group of people spontaneously exhibit strange symptoms due to shared stress or suggestion. However, the synchronization and scale of the event make this explanation unlikely.
The Role of a Mysterious Figure:
Adding another layer of mystery, several witnesses claim to have seen a solitary figure, dressed in a dark, hooded robe, standing atop a mausoleum during the event. The figure reportedly held a staff adorned with what looked like a glowing crystal. When approached by a few curious individuals, the figure disappeared into the mist. Security cameras in the area captured faint footage of what appears to be a shadowy shape moving through the cemetery moments before the mass trance began, but the image quality is too poor to make a positive identification.
Local folklore enthusiasts believe this figure may be connected to the legendary “Caretaker of Greenwood Cemetery,” a spectral being said to guard the graves of those buried there. According to legend, the Caretaker appears during times of great unrest to perform rituals that maintain the balance between the living and the dead.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigations:
Since the incident, Greenwood Cemetery has become a hotspot for paranormal investigators and curious tourists. The local government has cordoned off certain areas of the cemetery, citing safety concerns and the need for further environmental testing. Researchers from across the country have offered their expertise in an attempt to unravel the mystery of what happened on that eerie night.
So far, no definitive answers have been found, and the event has only deepened the cemetery’s reputation as one of the most haunted and enigmatic places in the United States. Local authorities continue to discourage visits after dark, and a sense of unease lingers over the site.
For now, the mass trance at Greenwood Cemetery remains an unsolved enigma, a chilling reminder that some mysteries may forever elude explanation.
Weather this story is true or not is still a mystery! So beware!
And if it is true, what was the cause? Was it a spell or ritual? Some kind of technology? Necromancy? Well never mind about necromancy, that has to deal with controlling the dead and more.
These sources are in question!
Sources:
New Orleans Police Department Incident Report, September 15, 2024.
"Mass Trance at Greenwood Cemetery: A Paranormal Perspective" – Paranormal Times.
"The Gate of Shadows: Rare Celestial Events and Their Impact" – Astrology Today.
"The Caretaker of Greenwood Cemetery: Legend or Reality?" – Haunted Histories.
"Mass Psychogenic Illness and Unexplained Events" – Journal of Psychological Phenomena.
New Orleans University, Department of Environmental Sciences – Preliminary Report on Air and Soil Testing, September 2024.
Witness Interviews – Collected by Local News Station WNO-TV.
Stay Spooky, my friends! And as always scream on!
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