07: Forests That Watch: Haunted Forests

Some forests welcome you. Others… watch you.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Spooky, we explore two of the world’s most haunted forests: Aokigahara, Japan’s mysterious Sea of Trees, known for its silence, sorrow, and restless spirits... and Germany’s Black Forest, where werewolves roam, witches cast curses, and tall shadowy figures are said to follow wanderers home.

If you’ve ever felt the woods were watching — maybe they were. 

Content Warning:

This episode contains discussion of:

• Suicide and grief (Aokigahara)
• Historical executions and violence
• Themes of isolation and supernatural danger

Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone.
 📞 Canada & U.S.:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 (24/7, free, and confidential)

📞 For Canada (Talk Suicide Canada):
1-833-456-4566 | talksuicide.ca

📞 For listeners outside North America:
Visit https://findahelpline.com for international resources. 

Sources & Further Reading:

• Wandering in Japan’s Suicide Forest, The New York Times
  https://archive.nytimes.com/lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/wandering-in-japans-suicide-forest/
• “The Werewolf of Bedburg” (Peter Stumpf) – 1589 trial records and historical analyses
• “The Wolf of Ansbach” – Bavarian legend and folklore (1685)
• Morbach Monster – U.S. military base accounts and shrine folklore (1988)
• “Yūrei: The Japanese Ghost” by Zack Davisson
• Encyclopedia of German Superstition and Folklore (translated editions)

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