Many cultures have a belief in shapeshifting in some form. Shapeshifting is the ability of a being or creature to completely transform its physical form or shape. The Aswang reportedly has the ability to combine various elements from different creatures.

In this episode of The Crypto Files, we take a look at the Aswang and explore some of the characteristics and behavior of this cryptid.

Here is the episode (ep. 25)

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I often chuckle when people start talking about critical thinking. Many people think they’re critical thinkers,including me at times, until I correct myself, because it’s harder to think critically than one might imagine.

According to the Foundation For Critical Thinking, critical thinking “is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.”

This is a great and very thorough definition. And I was happy to see that it now acknowledges the flaw in it that I’ve been talking about for years. The flaw that comes from the humans themselves.

No human, no matter how much they claim to be a critical thinker is devoid of human flaws. We all believe lies sometimes. We all are subject to irrational or uncontrolled thinking at times. We are all slaves to our personal perceptions more often than we imagine. Real critical thinking relies a great deal on our ability to understand and control our own thoughts and recognize when our thinking is flawed. The problem is, the majority of people are unable to do this. And the most dangerous thing is that, all the while, they’ll think they’re doing it. This is why I’m a bit guarded when people claim to be critical thinkers. I’ve known very few.

It's one thing to be able to think. It's quite another to be able to think about what you think. To pick it apart and analyze it and decide if every part of it is useful or not. And it’s quite another thing entirely to be able to decide that maybe what you were thinking before is wrong. That’s where the supposed critical thinkers often hit a snag.

Even the most intelligent people get caught up in the idea of being right. Like being right is the most important thing there is. And being wrong is the equivalent of the sky falling. And the basic insecurities of humanity cloud the discussion before it even starts. Egos get in the way. They often need to feel they’re right and superior in their thinking. So, in order to achieve this, someone has to be wrong. And this is where critical thinking falls apart. Not because of critical thinking itself, but in the failure of the humans to implement it.

There are a lot of people who might roll their eyes at me when I say this, but exercising subjects like cryptozoology and the paranormal is a good practice on the subject of critical thinking. They teach us to think about what we once thought and whether we still want to believe it.

In the worlds of cryptozoology and the paranormal, there is a whole group of people whose paradigms have been forever changed by something they saw or experienced. Something that wasn’t supposed to exist, or something they didn’t believe existed.

Are these people incapable of critical thinking? Not at all. But they are, like every other member of humanity, subject to their own personal perceptions, shaped by an unusual experience. This can’t be avoided. But the important thing to remember is that the group of humans judging this person’s experience and claiming it was a figment of their imagination are also in possession of the same human flaws and personal perceptions created by their LACK of having had the same experience. So is anyone here really applying critical thinking? Not really.

If our personal perceptions get in the way of our analyzing a subject, then we’re not thinking critically. In order to be a real critical thinker, we have to recognize this problem and eliminate perception from our thought processes. We have to have the ability to clear our minds of any preconceived thoughts, beliefs, or ideas that will hinder the process of getting to the truth.
  
That is what critical thinking REALLY is. It’s being able to think about and analyze our own thinking and correct it when necessary. But the hardest part is recognizing when we need to do this. It’s  not an easy task, and I’ve rarely seen anyone able to do it completely. We have to  entertain the idea that we could be wrong, and that’s not easy for many people.  It takes a lifetime of self-reflection and self-analysis in order to even begin to really do this right.

So, are you a critical thinker or not? If you’ve read this article through this far, then I know you’re at least open to the idea. The real success is in implementing it. Which requires critical thinking. It’s hard being human.

Reference: The Foundation For Critical Thinking

*************DF






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This report was submitted to me by our researcher in training Wyatt Zombro. He has done the leg work on this case and interviewed the witness. I will input some of my commentary but the bulk of this work was done by Wyatt. I'm only putting it all together. -Tom


First lets start with the photograph. The picture was taken 3 or 4 months ago in Morgan county West Virginia by Steven. We are only using his first name to protect his identity. Steven took the picture around 12 or 1 o'clock in the day. The circle rainbow stayed in the sky for about an hour. While the picture is beautiful, there is something potentially odd about it.


A rainbow like this does happen from time to time but if you look at the top of the rainbow there appears to be a UFO. As you can see in the zoomed in picture a dark object is towards the top of the rainbow.

During the interview, the witness said he did not notice the unknown object at the time.



  


The shape of the unknown object seems to be in the shape of a fedora or a bell type shape. Of course this could be nothing more than something on the lens but it does appear to be an object that was actually in the sky.





While we can not say just what this object is, or even if it was an actual object, it was worth talking to the witness and attempting to gather more information about it. Thanks goes to Steven for allowing us to use the picture and for doing the interview.

Have there been other reports of UFO's around rainbows? Yes, it seems to happen very often.

Thanks
^Wyatt^




This report by TCC's Wyatt Zombro.Wyatt is a Cryptozoology enthusiast, enjoys being outdoors and exploring the forest. Wyatt researches bigfoot in his home state of West Virginia. Wyatt also has interest in other mysteries such as UFOs and ghost.






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Bodfish, Ca

I recently got in this report of some odd and unusual activity happening in and near Bodfish, CA. It appears to have elements of several different phenomenon. I'm not quite sure to make of it all, but wanted to share it with others in case they have had a similar experience.

Here is the report.

-Start Report- 


Name: Lisa ******

Email Address: On File

State: Ca

County: 

Date of Sighting: November 10, 2016

Time of Day: 4:00 pm

Nearest Town: Bodfish

Length of Sighting: 10 seconds

How many Witnesses: Just Me

Any Photos/Videos: Not of this put I have pictures of entities all over the mountain I speak of

Describe sighting in detail:

I moved into my mothers house Sept 1, 2016. She lives in Bodfish, Ca. in a very secluded area. Just a few neighbors. Her back yard stretches into the tallest mountain in our area,but a small mountain that has many strange activities going on...I think in it?

First let me explain the sound that roars. It almost sounds like a jet but not quite. Never see anything overhead and I understand the sound barrier affect. I was constantly looking for an object until I just ignored it, until Nov. 10, 2016. I am walking to my truck to take my dog to the park as I always do and I just happened to look up because the roar was so loud and I saw a HUGE I MEAN HUGE white almost see through air craft 10 times the size of a 747 flying just above the ridge of the mountain dropped down straight INTO THE MOUNTAIN. No booms. It was amazing and I think the sound rumbles from within along with creatures and people of the 4th dimension. They morph in and out of sight. But they can't hide in pictures.

I am always taking pictures of this mountain it oddly has things change on it, I understand the sunlight changes things dramatically but rocks and dirt always moving, caves appearing then vanishing. Every picture has faces of people clear as day, people standing in different places, alligators in some, giant ants, elephants, demons, giants and much more.

And I just saw a truck that said UFO investigators camped at the Old Ghost Town down the street. It was to late to drop in but first thing in the morning I am going to see whats up.

-End Report-

First, a thanks goes to Lisa for sharing her experiences with us.There are things going on that fall into several different categories. It is an interesting report and I thought I would share it.

Maybe, Lisa will have an update for us in the future.




Thanks
~Tom~


 
This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.


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Mock up photo.

You want to talk about an unforgettable evening, I think this is it. I know growing up we all had various friends we hung out with and we probably spent many evening trying to find something to do. This following report has a lot of different elements in it. It is a glimpse at youthful lives, and a reminder how our areas can change over time. That on rare occasions events happen to us that we can't explain and that we will never forget.

Here is the report.

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Well, it is that time of year again....where we have a feast and think about the things we are thankful for.....oh and watch football. 

There is not a lot of time left in this year, seems like it has went by really fast. We have many things to be thankful for...far too many to name them all, but one thing we are thankful for is our fans and supporters.

So, from all of us at The Crypto Crew ...we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, we still hope you have a great day. There will be no other post for today, as we enjoy time with our families. Thank you.   


Now, the age old question ...Turkey or Ham?



Thanks
~Tom~


 
This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.


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Mock up photo, not actual photo.

A few weeks back, when we had the Bigfoot seminar in Harlan, I got one unofficial report before the seminar and then at the event someone briefly told about a sighting. Today, I want to share these two reports, they are unofficial at this time due to the lack of some information, such as time of the sightings and location.

On one of the sightings, I personally know the witness but have not seen him in a long time. I hope to eventually catch up with him and get the full scoop.

Okay, lets start with the one I was told before the seminar. It also has the most details.

So, the person that saw this is a person I have known for 20-25 years, maybe more. He is a Pentecostal preacher and an avid hunter. I will not share his real name, not even his first name at this time. I will only call him Sam. Here is what I was told about his sighting.

One day, Sam, was out deer hunting. He was sitting on the side of a ridge, waiting for a deer to come by on the near by ridge across from him. As he is sitting there, he sees something coming up the ridge across from him. He can't really tell what it is at first, but as it gets further up the hill, he noticed it was a large man shaped figure. He kept his eyes on it as it made its way up the steep ridge. This is when he realized it was a bigfoot. A large, covered in hair, human shaped creature walking up the side of the mountain. He just sit there watching it. The figure made it up to where it was level, where there was an old coal mine. Sam continued to watch the bigfoot as it walked over to the mine opening, duck down a little and enter into the old coal mine.

I hope at some point I can verify this sighting with the person. I do know him but it has been a while since I had a chance to actually talk with him. I'm sure at some point our paths will cross again....and when it does, I'll ask about his sighting, if possible. Many of us have long speculated that bigfoot stays and travels in the old coal mines and this could help confirm it.

Now, this second one was told at the bigfoot seminar and once again it is an unofficial report and I will not give the person's name. It is a very brief story but here it goes.

It seems this man owned some horses and on a few occasions he witnessed a large bigfoot walking next to the fence line. The bigfoot would walk real close to the fence and the horses. I assume the horses were not afraid of the bigfoot.

If I remember correctly, this happened many years ago and I think it was in Kentucky somewhere. I was hoping the person would officially submit this report but I guess they are not going to.

Well, that is all I have for right now. Anyone with a sighting, who would like to report it, please use the link at the top of the page.


Thanks
~Tom~


 
This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.


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Hwy 33 in WV - Photo from Google Maps

Here is another bigfoot sighting report. This one is more recent and comes from Pendleton, WV.
Pendleton county is the fifth lowest populous in West Virginia. The landscape is very much like what we find here in Southeast Kentucky. It is a truly beautiful area.

Spruce Knob, located in Pendleton County, is the highest point in the state and in the Alleghenies, its elevation being 4,863 feet. Parts of the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests are also located in Pendleton. It is and idea area for bigfoot.

Here is the report

-Start Report-

Name: Wesley ****

Email Address: On File

State: WV

County: Pendleton

Date of Sighting: 2013

Time of Day: 10 p.m.

Nearest Town: Franklin

Length of Sighting: 15 sec

How many Witnesses: 2

Any Photos/Videos: no

Describe sighting in detail:

We were traveling on route 33 and observed a large object beside the road. I knew immediately it was Bigfoot. My wife asked what was beside the road. I replied "a bear" not wanting to get into the Bigfoot discussion with her again. (she was a nonbeliever at the time).
Her reply was "that was not a bear, that was Bigfoot!" I am working on getting permission to research this area from the landowner.

Follow up questions:
TM: Where did it go and describe the height and color?
W: We're not sure where it went. When we passed it was standing beside the road. We turned around and went back and it had left. It looked to be all black and judging by the tree it was near I would say it was 7 to 7.5 foot tall.

-End Report-

Thanks for the report, Wesley. We wish you good luck in obtaining permission to research the area. If you get in there and need some help, have questions or want to share what you find, then just email or message us.

Maybe we will have an update on this sighting and area in the future.

Thanks
~Tom~


 
This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.



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Mock up photo.

We got a few Bigfoot sighting reports recently submitted to us over the last few days. So, I wanted to share them and of course add them to our sightings map. I hope to share the other reports over the next few days. This report I'm sharing today took place in Oregon, which as you know, is a great place for Bigfoot.  Here is the report.

- Start Report -

Name: Mike *****

Email Address: On file

State: Oregon

County: Wasco

Date of Sighting: August 2009

Time of Day: Noon

Nearest Town: The Dalles, Oregon

Length of Sighting: 30 to 60 seconds

How many Witnesses: 1

Any Photos/Videos: No

Describe sighting in detail: 

On a hot sunny afternoon I drove up to the barn area to park under the trees while I changed the irrigation pipe in the alfalfa field. The temperature had been in the 100's for a few days and no rain in a long time. The horse barn was the only water close to the woods/tree line. As I got out of my pick up, I was standing next to the door. I saw a large black Bigfoot walking away from the water trough.

He was at least 7' tall and had grey hair. He never looked back at me and kept walking into the trees.

The distance was under 60 feet. I had a camera/phone in the truck but never thought to take my eyes off the animal. Something told me not to go looking or chase it. I didn't even walk up to look at the tracks.
It wasn't a bear, cow, horse or person. I know what I saw that day.

-End Report-


Thanks for the report Mike!
You know, when you tell someone you saw a Bigfoot, they sometimes tell you, "you saw a bear", but if a person gets a pretty good look at one, you know right away it is not a bear.  Once you see one for yourself, no one and nothing can change your mind.


Thanks
~Tom~



 
This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.



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