Ghoul's Gorge: Mysteries of Ghost Ranch and Halloween

​By Tamra Testerman

It's midnight. Low slung moon and shimmery clouds shadow tentacles over a sea of sagebrush.
There is no wind, yet cottonwoods rustle. A barn owl screeches. Your dog howls, and something goes bump in the night.​

Ghost Ranch is steeped in legends and myth, campfire tales of restless ghosts of cattle rustlers and outlaws who ramble moonless nights on horseback. Dinosaurs’ fossils buried and scattered are a reminder the ghost of T-Rex may be grazing near. And ancient tribes present in spirit, protecting and preserving their legacy. There are no reported ghost encounters (yet) with Georgia O’Keeffe, Ghost Ranch’s most celebrated resident, but the supernatural power of the land and sky were her muse and spiritual connection evident in her work and life.

​Before they were ghosts
Outlaw rustlers took advantage of the rugged terrain to stash stolen cattle. And to keep locals out of the way, spread stories of ghostly haunting and evil spirits ready to pounce. Visitors now report the sounds of ghost cattle and cowboys riding the range on dark nights. The ghost of Box Canyon is rumored to be one of two brothers who owned the ranch. One moonless night in a heated argument over gold (or a woman), he was brutally murdered by his brother, the body hidden in the canyon. Hikers report hearing anguished cries and hoarse whispers. And there are reports from staff and visitors of ghostly figures, objects levitating and unexplained cold spots in the ranch’s dining room.

What is a ghost?
In Spanish, the name “Ghost Ranch” or “El Rancho de los Brujos” translates to “Ranch of the Witches”. A ghost is believed to be the spirit or soul of a deceased person or animal that can appear in visible form or other physical manifestation to the living. The belief in the existence of a world beyond death, is ubiquitous, dating back to animism or ancestor worship in pre-literate cultures.

Ghost lore has become a cornerstone of Halloween. According to Celtic beliefs, on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, and the spirits of the dead would return to the earth. This belief arose from the idea that spirits could cause mayhem but also communicate wisdom and guidance.

Ghosts are believed to be trapped in a state of mind or location and may be linked to people, or objects. Some believe ghosts exist because they have unresolved trauma. Others speculate they might not even realize they’re dead, or could be trapped between the physical and spiritual realms.

Indications of a ghostly presence
Beliefs and interpretations about ghosts vary across cultures, and not everyone believes in their existence. Yet, for those who do, many signs and events are cited as proof of ghostly beings. Some reported indications of paranormal activity include sudden, unexplained cold areas in rooms or locations believed to host a ghostly presence. In the absence of others, the sound of footsteps, urgent knocking, doors swinging open and slamming shut and gibberish whispering — Lights flickering and electronic devices sputtering and acting independently. Seeing fleeting shadowy figures, transparent entities, or full-bodied apparitions that vanish is a sure sign. The sensation of being watched or an abrupt change in atmosphere is chillingly common. Some claim to feel the creepy crawling sensation of wispy cobwebs brushing against the body when none are around. 

In photographs or videos, orbs of light radiating or streaks in the film indicate spirits. Animals acting bizarrely, howling or hissing, a stampede away from (or towards) something you can’t see (but they can.) Audio recordings mysteriously capture sounds and voices that were not perceived. And unexplained scents — pungent  tobacco, or a strange perfume that wafts in.. and out. 

What about mirrors?
In horror literature, ghost stories involving mirrors are widely appreciated. They capitalize on the nature of seeing oneself, and something looming behind. The mirror is also thought to serve as a portal to another dimension. Some cultures believe mirrors trap souls, mirrors in a house where someone has died are covered as a measure of prevention.
 A well-known urban legend where, if you say “Bloody Mary” a few times in front of a mirror with the lights off, a malevolent spirit appears menacingly in the reflection. And the absence of reflection suggests the person might be a ghost or is definitely cursed – Inscriptions appearing on fogged-up mirrors after a steamy shower, written by an unseen hand or from the inside are especially chilling. Mirror stories probe into primal human fears making mirror-related ghost stories especially creepy.

What to feed your ghost
If you are a staunch believer, and wish to placate your ghost, offer them liquor, candy, fruit, fresh tobacco, clean water (for those thirsty space travelers) or a hot beverage (as a gesture of warmth).

In New Mexico—a burrito will do.

​All images are ghostly fragments of the author's imagination created with OpenAI's DALL·E
(permission granted)