Bloody Mary: A Slumber Party Classic

Explicit content warning

02/04/24 • 19 min

5.2.24
Paranormal Pajama Party
Bloody Mary | 3

If you've been a preteen at a slumber party, chances are you've heard the chilling tale of Bloody Mary. Today, we'll dissect the origins of Bloody Mary and the various interpretations surrounding her name.

Bloody Mary, the spectral figure said to appear in mirrors when her name is called 3-13 times (it's unclear and not a risk I'm willing to take), has been a staple of sleepovers and late-night dares. While some might dismiss it as a simple game, we're taking a closer look into the mirror tonight, and into the possible inspirations behind this eerie tale.

One theory ties the legend to Mary Tudor, Queen of England, whose tumultuous life and reign left a legacy of fear and brutality. Other contenders include an accused Salem witch and infamous Hungarian serial killer Countess Elizabeth Báthory.

Beyond Mary's identity, it's interesting to learn why this game is so appealing to the 10-13-year-old PJ-party crowd.

Is it a ritual for girls anxious about the transition into womanhood? Or might she represent a way for young girls to reclaim a sense of power in a world where they often feel powerless?

Key moments

3:29 Who is Bloody Mary?
11:02 Why do we play?
14:42 The history of the game

Sources

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Beyond Mary's identity, it's interesting to learn why this game is so appealing to the 10-13-year-old PJ-party crowd.

Is it a ritual for girls anxious about the transition into womanhood? Or might she represent a way for young girls to reclaim a sense of power in a world where they often feel powerless?

Key moments

3:29 Who is Bloody Mary?
11:02 Why do we play?
14:42 The history of the game

Sources

Previous Episode

The Rusalka: No Mere Mermaid

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29.1.24
Paranormal Pajama Party
The Rusalka | 2
Get ready for a spooky episode as Steph delves into the Slavic legend of the rusalka. Although often associated with water, these spirits are far from the mermaids we might imagine. Instead, they're more like zombies... permanently trapped in puberty. It doesn't sound fun.
At tonight's pajama party, we'll explore the origins of the rusalki and their connection to both fertility and death. We'll also discuss the in-between state these spirits inhabit, caught between girlhood and womanhood, river and field, and life and death. There will be dancing, tree-climbing, hair-styling, and a deadly amount of tickling.

Key moments:

1:09 Ivan and the rusalka
6:29 Meet the rusalki
9:25 The unclean dead
12:48 Green Week
14:49 Rusalki puberty

Sources from today's episode:

A transcript of today's episode is available here.

Next Episode

Sweet Dreams: The Night Hag, the Mare, and the Succubus

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Chances are good, I'm sorry to say, you've already had a run-in with the old hag, also known as the Night Hag. She's haunted the dreams of many across cultures for thousands of years.
She's strongly connected to the mare, a spirit known for riding sleepers, horses, and even trees. To understand the cultural origins of the mare, we also have to understand the outlook of some rural farming communities, where misfortune was attributed to external forces, often targeting vulnerable individuals like older, unmarried women.
There's one more famous lady of the night to cover in tonight's episode – the succubus, who's plagued dreams since at least the Middle Ages.
Tonight's entities are also the first we've dealt with with a real-world body count: The story of the dab tsog, and the tale of Bridget Bishop and the Salem Witch Trials show how cultural beliefs can impact lives.

Key moments

0:50 My paranormal run-in
10:29 What is sleep paralysis?
12:08 The night hag
13:46 The mare
19:31 The succubus
24:56 The Hmong and the Dab Tsog
28:06 Bridget Bishop at Salem

Paranormal Pajama Party - Bloody Mary: A Slumber Party Classic

Transcript

Steph: Before we begin, a quick content warning: Paranormal Pajama Party is a podcast about scary stories and legends, but there’s nothing scarier than the patriarchy.

When discussing tales in which women are often the villains, we’ll have to unpack some stories in which women are the victims.

This episode mentions sexual harassment and violence against women. Please be advised.

[SCARY MUSIC THROUGHOUT]

Steph: Have you ever