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On October 2, 2021, members of Spectral Research and Investigation traveled to Beckley, West Virginia for what we assumed would be a rather routine investigation of a local antique store, The Deep End Antiques. The store, filled with military memorabilia, crystals, and various objects obtained from police auctions, is located directly over the filled-in former swimming pool for Honey in the Rock Motel. So, we know we were possibly dealing with activity associated with the location itself, which has a long history of violence and tragedy dating back even before the motel was built in the early 1960's, but also perhaps with some of the items housed within the store.
What we weren't prepared for was dealing with a location that absolutely embodied the idea of liminal space. The whole property, which encompassed way more than just the store itself, seemed trapped in a really weird, in-between worlds type of space, and seemed to have a really weird effect on our members. Located at a major crossroads, we were within half a mile of mine disasters, Civil War activity, fatal car crashes, claims of Satanic worship, and lots and lots of overdoses, assaults, and accidental deaths, and even murders. Throughout the evening, it was hard to distinguish just who or WHAT may have been trying to communicate with us, and at one point, it seemed as if we were dealing with something that was almost indescribable. Whether or not this was what some would classify as an elemental or as an ancient being older than we could ever comprehend, or if it was an observable concentration of just all the evil and sadness of the area that manifested itself, we might never know. Over the next few weeks, as our evidence review is completed and I've had time to really gather my thoughts, I'll be posting more about the history of this location, the reported hauntings, and of course, SRI's experiences. But first, I wanted to share a brief (and happy) experience with a rather unique little being that inhabits the store.
Travis Aurednik, co-owner of the shop, was kind enough to share with us his family history. He attributes his Slavic roots and ancestral belief system to his increased ability to attract and experience paranormal activity. Brian and I sat down with Travis before the investigation and conducted a rather lengthy pre-investigation interview about the activity in the shop and the history of the location. What didn't come up was that the shop was home to a little creature---one not associated with the property itself or even with any of the antique items. Rather, this little creature was attached to Travis himself and ties in with his Slavic ancestry!
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I had just come into the main building of the shop after spending some time in one of the old motel rooms, which was currently being used as storage, when one of our members pulled me aside and told me I had to check out this area of the shop because he and several other members had seen this little black creature! While some of the members had been in this particular area, a small black being was seen in the reflection of a mirror, peering over the shoulder of one of our guys. The investigator who saw the creature then saw it jump off a shelf, and described it almost like a small monkey.
But this wasn't a monkey. It was an Ovinnik!
Different sources all say something a little different about the Ovinnik, but the basic idea is that it is a Slavic cat spirit (or demon) with either green glowing or fiery red eyes, and a bark like a dog. These creatures would take up residence in a family's barn (called an ovin) and if they weren't appeased with gifts of food, such as roosters and blini (a Russian pancake/crepe) would either eat all the stored grain, or even burn down the barn/granary!
Mythology doesn't paint the most flattering picture of the Ovinnik, but luckily the Ovinnik inhabiting The Deep End Antiques doesn't seem to display the same malevolence. This little cat spirit is more of a protective, familial spirit that has been with Travis his entire life, and I believe now protects both him and the shop. So of course, I wanted to see it for myself!
I sat alone in the room where the initial sightings had taken place, but unfortunately, didn't have a sighting. I THOUGHT, as I sat on a vintage couch, that I felt the very light 'pounce' of a cat jumping on the back behind me, but I couldn't swear by it. A little later, I thought I may have seen the shadow of what looked like a black cat (or monkey) curled up atop a clothes rack, but again, I couldn't swear by it. Finally, I just asked aloud for permission to see it. About that time, Travis came back and asked me if I had seen it yet. When I answered that I wasn't sure, he confidently stated that if I wanted to see it, it was in the office area. We went back there, and again, I couldn't swear by it, but holy cow! There was a storage tote with various items piled in it, and peeking out of the corner, it looked exactly like a little black cat with green eyes peering out. I could make out the eyes, which at one point BLINKED, the ears, and what looked like little white teeth.
You know how people always ask UFO or Bigfoot witnesses why they didn't take a picture of what they saw? I now know the feeling. Travis asked me why I didn't take a picture of it, but that thought honestly didn't even cross my mind. My mind was too occupied with trying to make sense out of what I was seeing to even consider photographing it. My logical, scientific side is still at war with the side of me that really wants to have been lucky enough to be granted a glimpse of the Ovinnik.
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My sighting wasn't the end of our Ovinnik encounter that night. Later on, Brian and I were talking in the area of the sightings, when we heard a disembodied 'voice' mimic a sound he had just made. We can't be sure, but Travis tends to believe that it was the Ovinnik, who is known to be able to mimic other animals. Not long after, we were getting some really weird spirit box communications that sounded like the other entities present were intimidated by the Ovinnik, which makes sense if you look at it as a protective spirit. These communications even went as far as asking us to give an offering of salt to the Ovinnik, which we did. Right after the salt was put in the corner where the creature was seen several times, we heard the cutest little squeak of delight. I'm not sure how appropriate it is to describe a cat 'demon' as cute, but it was a pretty adorable sound.
I do feel blessed that the Ovinnik (maybe?) chose to let me view it, and apparently it's good luck! I feel an affinity for this little creature, possibly because I have my own living black cat, but before she came into my life, I've always had this weird connection with black cats. All my life, I have seen a shadowy cat that seems to follow me, showing up more often in times of personal hardship and depression. Hopefully the fact that several of our team members saw the Ovinnik and we had a positive experience with it overall means good luck for Spectral Research and Investigation!
We are definitely going back to The Deep End Antiques in the near future and if you're in the Beckley area, I highly recommend making a stop at this unique location. Browse the selection of antique and vintage goodies (including lots of Blenko glass!) and keep your eyes open. You might just witness a ghost, but if you're REALLY lucky, you might just witness a little black cat spirit.
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