This sounds crazy but...

[Janifet]

This morning, or rather yesterday morning I was out watering my young bougainvillea. Poor little thing was starting to look a bit too droopy. I suddenly get that feeling we all get when we're being watched. Uncomfortable, but not menacing. So I stood up and turned around. Standing at the edge of my driveway was a shadowed figure that I have seen before around dead or dying animals. (we get a lot of hit and runs on squirrels, opossums, and raccoons here) I'm not entirely sure what he is but he's definitely associated with them dying. He's male, but is just mostly shadow with piercing eyes. I honestly can't say what color they were...just that they were bright.

"I don't think I'm supposed to see you." Kinda just floated out of my mouth. He shrugged and ran down the driveway. I, being the silly and curious being that I am, decided to stupidly chase him. "Hey! Wait!" And we ended up jogging about 2 or 3 blocks to a sort of park area in the neighborhood. My bad knee was killing me, but I didn't care. I was going to catch this thing once and for all. Course he was faster than me, and laughed when I got almost close enough to grab, only to swipe my hand through air. It was a nice laugh, nothing sinister. I didn't get any bad energy off him at all actually. Just sort of lonely. I got tired though and decided to go home and ice my knee. He followed. :/ That was a little weird and definitely uncomfortable. But I'd chased him so I'd asked for attention. And I got it.

I made to cross the street when a police car slammed around the corner, closely followed by an ambulance. uh oh. I jumped back away from the street to avoid getting hit...and right into my "friend" behind me. COLD. It was like being dropped into the arctic in full winter. I gasped, we both froze like we had been naughty children, then sort of fell away from each-other and untangled our energies. He looked at me, I looked away all embarrassed, and he fled after the ambulance. That was pretty much the end of that...but not the end of my story.

I went home, fell asleep again after feeding and medicating the dogs. Woke up around noon and went online to check messages and moderate the forums on an avatar community website that I volunteer for. It's one of those scorcher days, and we don't have central air because the unit was leaking freon. Yay fans. In a heat wave. How pleasant.
"Too hot. Not good." a quiet male voice said from behind me. I didn't look since I'm used to our residents showing up once in a while. My house is a little bit of an activity hot spot. I've found it best to basically ignore them unless they get invasive or violent, which doesn't happen much at all.
*click* AC turned on. Course it does nothing but blow hot air in from the outside unit.
"Please don't touch that. It's broken." I'm polite, but I really don't like things turning on and off of their own accord.
"broken" the male voice echoed.
*click* AC shut off.

Normally I'm not bothered by such activities as they do usually start to gear up a little as we near autumn at my house. But 2 incidents in one day, much less in one week is a little much for what usually happens around here. Coincidence? I'm not sure. Should I have chased that shadow thing? Probably not, so now I'll probably have to deal with it. Any ideas what it is? Or who? Or why it wanted to "play" with me to begin with...?

[TheMagickSprite]

Off topic:

{TACKLES YOU}

I'm SO glad you are back Janifet!

Huzzah!! 

BB Sprite

[Nitara]

I don't think anyone really knows or is really sure of what or who these shadows/shadow people are.

I have had a couple of experiences in my old house. A couple of times, I would be trying to sleep and a 'shadow person' would stand about 4/5 feet away from my bed, and just stare at me. And a couple of other times, I would be sitting on my bed, listening to music and doing something, and I would notice a 'shadow person' (don't know if it was the same one or not) standing almost in the exact same spot as at night, just standing there staring at me. I would look at them and we just stare at each other for a minute or two, I know that sounds kind of funny since I do not know of them to have faces most of the time, but you know where their face would be, then they would just turn and walk away and disappear.

I would love to know more about these shadows/shadow people, but I'm not sure of where to even start.

I am glad to hear that you were not harmed by this. And I have to say that must have been quite an experience.

[Kathy]

I don't know what i could be but he seems to want to help you or just be acknowledged. you said the energy felt lonely and i doubt that many have been able to see him before let alone interact with it without fear. Maybe hes curiouse about you too?
stay safe 

[Ken Ra]

There are a lot of us practicing " Road Kill Wicca "  We bless the dead animals at the side of the road wish them well and to go on in peace. If you are doing this or something like it you might have attracted someone on the other side who is doing the same. 

[Azriel]

What a beautiful idea... someone on the other side guiding the spirits of lost animals? Or perhaps just someone who hasn't been able to cross over yet who's continuing to bless those who regular people pass by without thought...

Altogether a beautiful sentiment... what kind of ritual is involved in "Roadkill Wicca"? I live in... uhh... what you might call an "untapped hotspot" for just such a thing...

[Ken Ra]

Well you are driving so it has to be fast. We just draw a pentacle and say go in peace. I have expanded the prayer to add lines for specific animals.

Deer          May Herne cherish and protect you.
Raccoon     May Hermes greet you and be a friend.   
Birds          May Aeolus give wind to your wings.
Cat            May Bast cuddle you and love you.

Skunk    Go in peace downwind.   

[Azriel]

Haha oh Ken Ra, that was devious! Poor Skunks.

Well, we don't have Racccoons here... and Skunks I don't think we have either. Deer are very rare...

What do you suggest for Kangaroos, Wallabees, Foxes, Dingoes, Koala Bears (which aren't a bear mind you), Rabbits, Stray Cats and large Lizards?

Oh. And if I ever go back to Phillip Island, penguins. Yeah. We get squashed Fairy Penguins on the roadside. It's quite heartbreaking.

[Atropos]

 I draw pentacles over dead animals that I pass as well. I usually say something like "May the Goddess draw you into her arms and may you find rest and rebirth in the Summerland."

[LupusStormDancer]

What a beautiful notion, we get quite a lot of road kill here I never thought of doing something like that before. Now to get down to the nitty gritty with your shadow ghosty friend. Try to draw him in and talk to him. See what it is he needs doing. A lot of times they just want to be heard, maybe when running he tried to lead you somewhere who knows. As for other activity just talk to them and remember they are just people that have gone onto another part of their journeys. If they aren't hurting you or being aggressive there is no need to fear, they sense that you know they are there so they are drawn to you, they are probably seeking your help. Just listen.

                                                                                     -LupusStormDancer

[Ken Ra]

I have no idea at all about what Gods would get along with what Australian animals. Herne is a God of male led herd animals. Bast is associated with Cats. Aeolis is god of the Winds so flighted birds are his. Having been at ground zero with a skunk I just want it far downwind. Hermes is god of thieves so the raccoon is his. Oberon and Titania seem like a possibility for the Fairy Penguin.  You know the Australian animals better than me so figure out what works best for you. 

Does the Australian Santa Clause really wear a swim suit?

[Azriel]

No, the Australian Santa Claus is the same as the American. Accent and all.

Also, I came across the body of a young stray (I hope) cat in the swamp today. It had no signs of injury or strain... it was like it had just laid down and died without cause.

Regardless, I sent it with well wishes and prayers for peace into its next life.

Perhaps your spirit (referring to the original post) really is just doing this?