Fast forward to a few days ago when I was scrolling Reels on Instagram when one popped up on California cryptids. One of the entities mentioned was the Dark Watchers, I had never heard of them before even though I was born and raised in California so I decided, lets look deeper, this is what I found.
The Dark Watchers were first recorded in the Santa Lucia Mountain range near Big Sur and Monterey. Accounts differ on their heights with a wide range between a mere 3 feet tall to a whopping 15 feet in height. They are always wearing a wide brimmed hat and cloak and are often holding a walking stick or staff, there have also been rare accounts of them having horses. No feature can be made out other than the occasional report of glowing white eyes. These beings seem to be mostly solitary, though there have been sightings of them being in groups of up to seven figures. Those that have seen them in groups agree that it almost seems ceremonial as they’re spaced evenly apart.
The earliest reports indicated that they were only spotted at dusk and dawn, but as time has passed people have reported spotting them at all hours of the day and night and are rarely spotted if you have a cell phone or GPS unit with you and disappear quickly when they are looked at directly. No-one has ever recorded or reported any form of interaction with the Dark Watchers other than seeing them on trails, in the dense forests and near natural areas. As the world has spun and we’ve progressed from walking, riding horses and using wagons; we’ve also gotten reports of people spotting them from airplanes as well as from cars.
The Steinbecks were some of the most famous people to have spotted these phantomesque beings. Olive Steinbeck saw them on her way to work, she often left offerings of fruit or other food items to the Dark Watchers and they would leave gifts ion wildflowers in return. John Steinbeck’s “Flight” describes them as being something to avoid; stating to try not to speak to them or approach them; though this may have been more for dramatic effect than an actual piece of advice. Thomas Steinbeck stated if you look directly at them they will disappear, to see them more clearly or for longer periods of time; look out of the corner of your eye.
The most common information states that they were seen by the early Spanish settlers, but I couldn’t trace down information as to whether or not this is accurate. It’s also been stated that they are from Chumash folklore, but again I couldn’t find sources for this information. There is a myth of of monster land that connects to ours after nightfall, but no Dark Watchers were mentioned or anything that would be considered close to these entities.
What are these beings? Science would state that it’s a case of Parabola, that people are making shadows of trees look like watchful sentinels on the trails. Others will claim they are Brocken Specters, which would explain the shadows seen during certain times of the day that are far taller than any person could be. Hypoxia hallucinations or infrasound has also been said to cause sightings and while that may be the case for the Dark Watchers seen at higher altitudes, it doesn’t explain the ones that are seen at lower elevations nor does it explain the gifts left for Ms. Steinbeck.
Are they a form of Shadow Figures meant to guard natural areas? Perhaps they are related to the Fae or are some form of intra or extra dimensional being. Regardless, it’s fascinating to think on.
What do you think of these sentinels Dear Ones? Have you seen the Dark Watchers? If you have where were you?
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