# Supernatural Evil and Occultism in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

The book is saturated with occult practices, witchcraft, demonic pacts, and supernatural entities, such as werewolves, witches, and cursed books like the 'Grand Albert' and 'Long Lost Friend,' which drive the plots of multiple stories.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Golgotha Dancers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-golgotha-dancers): The painting's dancers are malevolent supernatural entities that come to life, embodying occult evil through their animated attacks.
- [The Hairy Ones Shall Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-hairy-ones-shall-dance): The chapter delves into werewolf mythology and occult practices, emphasizing the presence of supernatural evil.
- [III: "That Thing Isn't My Daughter—"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-that-thing-isn-t-my-daughter): The séance summons a grotesque, animalistic creature that attacks Gird, suggesting a malevolent supernatural force.
- [IV: “I Don’t Know What Killed Him.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-i-don-t-know-what-killed-him): The séance setting and the mysterious, unseen creature that kills Gird suggest occult forces at work.
- [VI: “Eyes of Fire!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vi-eyes-of-fire): The grove is described as a 'Devil's Croft' and the creature with eyes of fire and a point-eared silhouette evokes supernatural evil.
- [A Trick That Almost Killed You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/viii-a-trick-that-almost-killed-you): The chapter discusses werewolves, demonic entities, and the occult, with Pursuivant asserting the reality of lycanthropy.
- [XII: “We Are Here at His Mercy.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xii-we-are-here-at-his-mercy): The creature's hypnotic howl and Susan's trance-like response highlight the occult influence of the werewolf.
- [XIV: “I Was—I Am—A Wolf.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiv-i-was-i-am-a-wolf): The werewolf's supernatural nature, ectoplasmic manifestation, and hypnotic control.
- [The Black Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-black-drama): The chapter centers on a dark theatrical production steeped in occult practices and malevolent forces.
- [Byron's Lost Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ii-byron-s-lost-play): The play centers on Lord Ruthven, a vampire-like demon who returns from the dead and exerts a dark, controlling influence over others.
- [III: Enter Judge Pursuivant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-enter-judge-pursuivant): Pursuivant's expertise in demonology and the creepy, occult content of 'Ruthven' underscore the theme of supernatural evil.
- [IV: Into the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-into-the-country): References to ghosts, vampires, and the 'Devil's Wood' at Newstead Abbey.
- [Jake's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-jake-s-story): The glowing, amorphous creature that attacks Sigrid and Jake embodies a malevolent supernatural force, and Varduk's command over it suggests occult knowledge.
- [IX: Davidson Gives a Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ix-davidson-gives-a-warning): Varduk's black book and his ability to cause Schaefer's death suggest occult influence.
- [XI: Battle and Retreat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xi-battle-and-retreat): The non-shapes are described as extraterrestrial, supernatural entities serving a vast evil, and are repelled by a saint-forged silver sword.
- [XIII: The Black Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-the-black-book): The 'Grand Albert' is revealed as a gospel for witches, and Byron's pact with a coven underscores the occult underpinnings of the plot.
- [Zero Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiv-zero-hour): The coven pact, witch initiation ritual, and Varduk's undead existence embody occult evil.
- [XV: “Whither? I Dread to Think—”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xv-whither-i-dread-to-think): Varduk's death and crumbling body, along with the strange lights outside, reinforce the occult and supernatural elements of the story.
- [Fearful Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/fearful-rock): The chapter heavily features occult rituals and malevolent supernatural entities.
- [I: The Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/i-the-sacrifice): The Mandifers serve a nameless, ageless entity, using a talisman and ritual sacrifice to maintain their pact.
- [III: The Image in the Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-the-image-in-the-cellar): The chapter introduces a horned image in the cellar, Enid Mandifer's ritual to summon the 'Nameless One,' and Jager's belief in a 'real devil,' all pointing to occult and demonic forces.
- [IV: The Mandifers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-the-mandifers): Persil Mandifer claims to have killed Newton through a projected vision; he gathers herbs for occult purposes and invokes 'the Nameless One.'
- [V: Blood in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-blood-in-the-night): The house burns with unnatural blue flames, suggesting a supernatural influence tied to Persil Mandifer's occult practices.
- [Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vi-return): The Fearful Rock country is described as under an unhallowed influence, with corpses drained of blood, unidentifiable creatures, and the Mandifer farm as the center of devil's business.
- [VII: The Rock Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vii-the-rock-again): The dead Persil Mandifer and his son are sensed as haunting presences, and the land itself is cursed, refusing to grow crops.
- [VIII: The Grapple by the Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/viii-the-grapple-by-the-grave): The reanimated corpse and the empty human skins suggest a supernatural evil at work, with occult elements like Jager's Long Lost Friend providing protection.
- [XI: Return of the Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xi-return-of-the-sacrifice): The dark presence seen in the mirror and the occult ritual underscore the supernatural evil at work.
- [XII: Jager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xii-jager): The blue light, the ghostly figures performing a withershins dance, and the empty skins of the Mandifers evoke occult and supernatural evil.
- [XIII: Lanark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-lanark): The undead guerrillas cannot be killed by conventional means; severed body parts continue to move and attack, suggesting a supernatural curse or occult reanimation.
- [XIV: Enid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiv-enid): Enid encounters undead creatures, a headless torso, and the transformed Persil Mandifer, all animated by dark forces.
- [Evil's End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xv-evil-s-end): Persil Mandifer's worship of a Nameless One, the power of the secret writing, and the skinless undead embody occult evil.
- [The Witch's Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-witch-s-cat): Jael Bettiss's use of a magical book, love philtres, and transformation spells embodies occult practices and the theme of supernatural evil.
- [The Song of the Slaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-song-of-the-slaves): The undead slaves, with their wet, fish-gray skin and chains, return as supernatural beings to terrorize Gender, embodying the occult power of their curse.
- [It All Came True in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/it-all-came-true-in-the-woods): The giants are monstrous, supernatural beings that threaten Clay, and the magic pipe serves as an occult charm against them.
- [The Half-Haunted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-half-haunted): The Hessian spirit haunts the house, and Pursuivant uses an exorcism spell to combat it.
- [The Liers in Wait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-liers-in-wait): The chapter depicts a coven performing a ritual invoking Lucifer and other dark entities, drawing Charles II into their lair.
- [Coven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/coven): The coven is presented as a band of witches, directly invoking supernatural evil and occult practices.
- [I: The Cursed Damozel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/i-the-cursed-damozel): The chapter introduces a vampire-like creature in a bridal dress who uses hypnotism and is staked with a hawthorn stake, drawing on classic occult lore.
- [II: The Flying Horned One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/ii-the-flying-horned-one): The Flying Horned One, a monstrous bat-winged creature with horns, and the masked men's use of unknown incantations suggest occult forces at work.
- [III: The Night Side of Preaching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-the-night-side-of-preaching): The coven's worship, the winged chief devil, and the vampire attack illustrate active supernatural evil in the community.
- [IV: The Gathering of the Vultures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-the-gathering-of-the-vultures): The chapter depicts a witches' sabbath, demonic summoning, and a horned bat-winged creature, emphasizing occult evil.
- [V: The Rout of the Witches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-the-rout-of-the-witches): The coven's rituals, the 'Flying Horned One,' and enchanted weapons embody occult evil.
- [VI: The Five Silver Bullets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vi-the-five-silver-bullets): The chapter features the Flying Horned One, a demonic entity summoned through occult rituals, and the use of magical diagrams and incantations.
- [VII: The Grave-Digging](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vii-the-grave-digging): The Flying Horned One is described as a demon from another sphere, and the cult's actions are attributed to his spell.
- [Warrior of Two Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/warrior-of-two-worlds): Presence of dark forces or rituals challenging the warrior's path.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/themes/supernatural_evil_and_occultism
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/themes