The Dark Rider At The Crossroads

The Dark Rider At The Crossroads, a.k.a. The Black Rider, is a euphemism for Satan, the Devil, or is sometimes used to refer to a demon or spirit associated with the granting of powers to witches.

Appearance: The Dark Rider At The Crossroads is dressed all in black and rides a black stallion.

Lore: The Dark Rider At The Crossroads is a figure of European folklore and is believed to be the Devil or a demon that by means of a pact will grant magical powers to witches in exchange for their souls. One method by which a person can achieve this is to go down to the crossroads at midnight, strip naked, and then place one palm between the souls of one's foot and the other palm on top one's head. Call upon Satan, or the Dark Rider, and promise him everything between your hands in exchange for magical powers. It is believed the Dark Rider will appear and make a blood pact with you.

Powers: The Dark Rider At The Crossroads, being the Devil or a devil, possess supernatural powers and can grant mortals supernatural powers in exchange for their souls.

Defense Against The Dark Rider: Show respect while travelling through crossroads. Do not call upon him if one truly doesn't wish to have an encounter.

The Dark Rider At The Crossroads vs. The Black Man At The Crossroads: These two figures share many qualities and many people equate the two figures. The major difference between the two figures are:

- The Dark Rider has always been viewed as being the Devil or a devil, while the core of the Black Man At The Crossroads is an African deity.

- The Black Man At The Crossroads can teach one any skill, while the Dark Rider is almost exclusively identified with the granting of magical powers.

- The Dark Rider makes pacts for the souls of people while the "pacts" made with the Black Man At The Crossroads do not entail the loss of one's soul, but merely an "indentured servant"-type situation. A person who works for the Black Man At The Crossroads will do so for a set period of time, usually 7 years, and does so while they are alive.

See Also:

The Black Man At The Crossroads

The Black Man In The Woods