From a reader: “Is there really a witching hour? They say it’s 3 a.m., when spirits or whatever comes? I’ve had this thing for some time, which I really ignored—no matter how late I turn in. I wake up at 3 a.m. or thereabouts, as if somebody turns on my alarm or body clock. Of course, I ignore it and go back to sleep.

“I thought it was only me, until my son, who sleeps in his room, told me that he, too, wakes up at 3 a.m. even if he turns in at 2 a.m. Our kasambahay claim that they often wake up at 3 a.m. after hearing my voice calling them (I’m not). They also say even when no one is upstairs that they hear noises or a commotion in our bedrooms. This has been going on for years.

“The other night, I finally prayed about this 3 a.m. occurrence and asked God to shield our room. I visualized a white protective shield over our home, particularly our rooms. Now I don’t wake up at 3 a.m. anymore.

“I don’t know about my son, but I really have bad vibes about his room. And last year, I couldn’t explain his very bad mood swings. I was bold enough to go into his room, with a St. Benedict medal and holy water from Lourdes. I prayed and mentally willed that the bad vibes be gone.

“I must have really mustered my strength, because I was drained after that. I had flu but recovered. I fought for my space. So, what’s with that 3 a.m. invisible alarm?”

Theories

Yes, indeed, it seems that a lot of people here have experienced this phenomenon of waking up at 3 a.m. for no apparent reason.

There are several theories to explain this phenomenon. According to some common belief, the Witching Hour (also known as the Devil’s Hour) is when strange things happen. During the Middle Ages, people believed that witches’ powers are strongest in the middle of the night, and this is also when witches perform their rituals and spells.

It is believed that it is during the witching hour when a portal opens between the visible and the invisible world. So, one wakes up feeling somebody has roused him, or is watching him. This is also the time when out-of-body experience or astral projection usually happens.

Scientifically speaking, however, waking up at around 3 a.m. can be explained by our bodies’ circadian rhythm and rapid eye movement (REM) of deep sleep.

During REM sleep cycle, our body’s heart rate, cardiac blood pressure, arterial pressure and breathing pattern become irregular because our bodies are at rest.

Waking up suddenly while in the middle of REM sleep will definitely cause an odd bodily pattern, which explains why you feel weird, anxious and slightly creeped out for no reason. The eerie chill you feel is another effect of the REM sleep cycle. As our bodies relax, we become more sensitive to temperature and temperature changes.

Sometimes, restlessness in sleep pattern is caused by our sleeping in the wrong direction of our head. As a rule, we should sleep with our head facing north.

Another cause could be mirrors in the bedroom. Mirrors can open up portals to other dimensions. If you have mirrors in your room, don’t make them face your bed where you can see yourself while asleep. Either cover them at night or remove them altogether.

However, in your particular case, it seems obvious to me that the cause of your waking up at 3 a.m. is not due to circadian rhythm, REM, mirror in your room, or position of your head.

It is more likely you have invisible “friends” in your house. These could either be earth-bound spirits or elementals. They can mimic your voice and even appearance.

However, I do not sense these spirits to be negative or demonic. Maybe they want to tell you something, or they may just want to be acknowledged. Just talk to them and ask what they want, if anything. The fact that they no longer bothered you when you prayed and faced them squarely only means they are not negative or harmful. INQ

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