!!! SKEPTIKO !!! - Part 3

Parapsychology: World of the Paranormal 1
 
PARAPSYCHOLOGY1
 
World of the Paranormal
 
Topic: Parapsychology
 
Visit: www.parapsychologylab.com

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This movement, to merely get at the truth, is nothing new. However, Skeptiko is more of an offensive-minded concept. Alex Tsakiris is courageous and a great thinker. An interesting historical overview is A History of Parapsychology and Psychical Research by George Hansen (poor audio quality).Some of the scientific organizations, associations, and departments involved in all of some areas of this research:

Society for Psychical Research
American Society for Psychical Research
College of Psychic Studies
Institute of Noetic Sciences
International Association for Near-Death Studies
Koestler Parapsychology Unit
National Laboratory of Psychical Research
Parapsychological Association
Parapsychology Foundation
Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Lab
Rhine Research Center  
North American Institute of Parapsychology
American Institute of Holistic Theology
Australian Institute of Parapsychological Research
Parapsychology Institute of America
American Association for the Advancement of Science

The first two have, to my knowledge, been the most prominent over a long period of time. The Parapsychology webpage at Wikipedia, which has many links (see bottom of page) to the various areas of study and to the important individuals over time. Naturally Wikipedia, although it's such a great resource, must play along with the mainstream game... "pseudoscience"... "subject rarely appears in mainstream science journals." That's the old game where, when someone or something is targeted for marginalization, they must be directly tied to loose links with negative images... and subtle words like "para," "pseudo," "unofficial," and "self-styled" are used. Obviously if an institution has been corrupted in some way, being "certified" means little intellectually. Also at the bottom is a list of "critics." Social engineering has it backwards: While science is ultimately finite; all human politics should be under constant review. Critics who incessantly defend the mainstream are most often cowards. You can tell a whole lot more about them by reviewing what they will not criticize, than what they do.

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The times of the opening of the veil to the timeless Ur is not of our choice

Right now on this early afternoon--on this formidable mountain's northern lower slope--it's wet, overcast, humid, still, and quiet. It rained earlier this morning, yet we are experiencing warm weather otherwise, creating this relaxing atmospheric condition. On top of that, it's a time when the veil to the other world has been lifted. Of course, I can't prove it; but there's a very unique feeling beyond merely a gentile weather condition. There's that unmistakable sense of timelessness, when all "times" feel as one. I believe from experience that the atmospheric conditions strongly affect this metaspiritual happening. Often heavy clouds, strong winds, rain, or snow, and storms--as well as having any personal enemies or negative people amid you--will frequently cut off a true metaspiritual connection.

Sometimes I think of it as being "on the edge of forever." If I needed any further proof, I observed an occurrence which defied the laws of physics. Again, I will not be able to prove this; however, I am fairly certain it is because of my beliefs and open mind that I was granted this small gift. It would have been easy to dismiss this occurrence as being due to something else. It simply wasn't. With a true critic--especially someone psychologically bound to the physical world and its laws--they rarely are granted an experience because they're so spiritually and energetically disconnected. 

The times when there is an opening to the veil to the timeless and primordial Ur is not of our choice. It can occur in the daytime like this. It happens when it happens. One time last year I chose a good time to commune in this way, and I made a strong connection; although I haven't had much luck recently. Synchronicity, observance of the supernatural, or spiritually energetic connections do not make anyone "special" in of themselves. The universal spirits or the elementals of nature simply recognize "those who wish to know." It's part of a most ancient codex; although I don't claim to know how it works. 

If this supernatural occurrence happened to be caught on film, it wouldn't make one bit of difference; as anyone could claim it was faked somehow. The important thing is that I know it. It was a gift just for me. I have no particular ending to this, except one important piece of knowledge that I may have. Using a Ouija board is not a good method to make a connection. This energetically represents largely a quick thrill, and may allow anything to come over, and you may not even be able to get rid of it. A trusted spiritual guide is fine, but there are frauds out there. A natural loving connection based on trust to ancestral and familiar spirits is best, as they will always protect you.

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 16 - The Melissa Galka case

Ghost Adventures - The Galka Family House by f100003542948733


Melissa Galka was a seventeen year old girl who died in a car accident some years ago. Her continued soul presence and clear relevant conversations--in her own voice--using EVP technology, appears to be proof of the afterlife. If it isn't proof, then we're experiencing the final stages of where soon "proof" will be undeniable. We're offered so many silly things in the mainstream media and popular culture, and here is arguably the most important issue of all staring us in the face. This could change the world forever. For one thing, it would usher in an era where there could possibly be eventual proof of "consequences" for actions committed in this plane of existence. That would be quite a game changer. It would also be the absolute end of Atheism, so I suspect that they will fight this thing to the bitter end. Additionally, it could eventually mark the end of "absolutist" or "supremacist" religion... particularly "faith-based" religion. The world would be a much better place. I'm not saying it would be the end of religion, far from it. But it may lead to more of a spiritual existence.

Needless to say, this is a very important case. Melissa Galka's angel-like spirit is still here. As far as what I have been able to understand, her soul must have passed over, then is free to wander over to this plane for as long as she wishes. Eventually the soul has the choice to experience life again. So she isn't really a "ghost" by exact definition. I don't believe that they can actually interfere with human fate. Just the fact that she can communicate with her family is quite a gift for them. Also particularly interesting in this episode of 'Ghost Adventures', is that at one point fellow spirit "friends" crossed over to where Zak Bagans was conducting communication with her in her parents house. It was a fascinating look at what could possibly be. As this spirit communication technology improves, it should become more and more interesting. The following link is the YouTube channel of Gary Galka, Melissa's father. It has numerous videos of EVP communications with Melissa and of other cases; as well as a good source of the continued evolution of this technology.


Union Cemetery (Easton, Connecticut)

Union Cemetery is a cemetery located near Stepney Road in Easton, Connecticut. The site dates back to the 1700s and is reputed to be one of the most haunted cemeteries not only in Connecticut, but also in the entire United States. Connecticut demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren have written a book about the cemetery entitled Graveyard.


 
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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 13 - "Reincarnation" 2 of 2

How reincarnation works

What I call "the soul process" is--from the best that I call gather--a process by which we all die as far as the physical body, then become "spirit" again. At least the Earthly aspect of the metaphysical or spirit world is usually not anymore "fair" than the physical world. If we perish by suicide, we almost certainly will be temporarily held behind in the process; or many times a death under circumstances by which we feel there is unfinished business, the soul may choose to stay behind. The soul then becomes a ghost, and lives in the "spirit world" on Earth. Certainly we can conclude that this Earthly spirit world is just about as "unfair" as in the physical life. There are many bizarre metaphysical manifestations in this realm, which are very difficult for the average person to grasp.

If we die under more-or-less normal circumstances, then our soul goes towards some type of "light," which is a doorway to another dimension. That "dimension" is something that we simply do not understand. We don't understand where it is or what controls it. There seems to be certain powerful spirits or angels which have long been associated with it. We only know that once our soul gets there, it remains there for a period of time. It may be ten years, or eight-hundred years. At some point we choose to go back, and we may have at least some control over where we end up. The purpose of these lives are to learn some "series of lessons." We simply do not know why this soul process is set up this way. We just don't, period. That's just the way it is. I know, it seems to make little sense from our Earthly perspective.

From this other dimension, the soul can see places upon the Earth, and perhaps even visit them on occasion. Only on rare occasions may they interfere with human interaction, and that may only be to protect or guide a certain person. It's not understood what the terms or rules of this free-soul life is. There is no "hell," but there is a type of "karma" which has something to do with this entire process. Most humans don't seem all that special, so I have no answer as to why this metaphysical-system exists, except that it does. Someone with good karma may have the ability to choose their own parents. Someone with bad karma will likely be placed in bad circumstances. I realize that all of this sounds like "wishful thinking," but this feel-good concept seems to actually get in the way of studying the soul-process.


Gender and reincarnation

We all have either a "male soul" or a "female soul." It's not clear as to what this truly means, but it has nothing to do with being "gay" if a soul experiences an Earthly life as the opposite gender. That is not at all uncommon, although the soul-gender and human-gender are usually the same. Lets just say more than 50% of the time.


Ancestry and reincarnation

Reincarnation is not set up along the lines of personal family ancestry, unless perhaps on rare occasions. About 90% of the time, a soul returns within the same basic racial type. In the first episode last week of 'Reincarnation: Past Lives', the first subject was a young white female from Utah I recall. She regressed to her past life as a man living along the west coast of England during the 1800s, which would have reflected her own basic ancestry. She then regressed to the life prior to that as a Muslim female in Jerusalem in the 1200s. The original Semitic-Arab racial type did not appear in that region until after the sixth century. Therefore, these two women, of that soul, would have shared an ancient Mediterranean link going back five or ten thousand years. In other words, one element of their ancestry matched up.

The second subject, which was the most interesting so far, was a man from Philadelphia who was born in Brazil. He regressed to his previous life as one of the King's soldiers in England in the 1200s. This man appeared to be of Portuguese ancestry, so the two would have shared ancient Mediterranean and Teutonic links somewhere along the line. In the second episode, the first subject was a young white female from Minnesota. She regressed back to a life in the late 1800s as a woman traveling in a circus with her family. This woman was also white; the family being originally from New York state I recall.

The second subject in the second episode was a young man from Los Angeles, who was born in Mexico City. He was "Mestizo" in appearance, perhaps slightly more European. I then thought that this would be a good test of the basic ancestry theory. Would his past life be as an Aztec? A Mongolian? A European? I guessed that it could be a European even though he did not look European. He regressed back to a female from Montreal in the late 1800s. She had a Spanish name, and was married to a man who seemed to have been a French-Canadian. When asked under hypnosis if "she" spoke French, he said "a little bit." Well, it appeared that this woman was very likely an immigrant woman from Spain or Portugal. The ancestry theory held up. In other words there was a link to the European side of his ancestry.


Reincarnation and "lessons"

All of the subjects had strong issues with "lessons" and struggling with issues from their previous incarnations. The second subject's story was the most interesting as far as trying to deal with the lessons from his previous life. He had killed many men in war, and was known as a great soldier. The hypnotist asked him to travel to the very end of his life, and asked him what he had learned. The subject responded that killing was wrong, and he wanted to become a man of peace, and that tied into his current struggles. Again, the research conducted.. did seem to very strongly match up to the various accounts... down to names, dates, places, etc. For just one example, the woman from Montreal did exist. She was married to the man spoken of in the account, they did have a child who died in an accident, etc.


One bizarre clue

It's hard in text to project certain aspects of this without including all of the corroborating elements to it, but I did want to use one possible clue. In one episode of 'Ghost Inside My Child', which means children who remember past lives, one case had a lot of substance to it. The subject, a young boy, told his mother that he choose her for his mother. He said that he saw her as a child riding a blue tricycle in front of her home, and she did have a blue tricycle of which there were no photographs. When asked how he saw her, he said "there are windows in heaven." I know, that's getting just about as strange as it gets. There was a lot of corroborating elements to that case, but that was one small tidbit that really stood out and could possibly give a clue to this other dimension and the length and intent of this process.


Two curious sources

Guido von List, in his book 'Religion of the Aryo-Germanic People', went on in great detail about the afterlife and reincarnation. Also, the 'Tibetan Book of the Dead' I recall, has large volumes of text about the afterlife, reincarnation, and the soul process.

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‘The Conjuring’ (movie review) - Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 11

From The Conjuring Wikipedia page:

The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as Ed and Lorraine Warren who were American paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent cases of haunting. Their reports inspired the Amityville Horror. The Warrens come to the assistance of the Perron family (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor), who are experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island in 1971.

The Conjuring was released in the United States and Canada on July 19, 2013, and in the United Kingdom and India on August 6, 2013. The film has received positive reviews from film critics, and has also been praised by audiences. The film was also a box-office success, grossing over $313 million worldwide from its $20 million budget.

A Google-search shows that this movie has been reviewed many times in its four-month life. However, the point here.. is the study of the metaphysical world. Mainstream science studies 1) Earth, 2) Air, 3) Fire, 4) Water…. but never 5) Spirit. The mostly-false perception is that "they (scientists) must not be too quick to draw conclusions." NO.. they never study it, period! The Hegelian dialectic is more and more often now: Abrahamic religion vs. Atheism. Now what do these two competing concepts have in common? With very few exceptions, they simply will not study this subject objectively. Perhaps they were set up for just this very purpose?

I wasn’t very familiar with James Wan, but he did a good job with this. He let it be what it was, without overdoing it. It was a very scary movie; for me, partly because it was based on a real story. This was an entirely different type of movie than say the recent ‘Evil Dead’ remake. The basement from ‘The Conjuring’ was maybe the most frightening “horror movie cellar” ever seen on film.

Ed and Lorraine Warren are probably the most well-known paranormal investigators of all time. The book and movie ‘The Amityville Horror’ were based on one of their investigations. I wasn’t familiar with the actors here, but they were all good in their roles. Lili Taylor is popular because she brings a certain spirit and integrity to her characters. One of the early episodes of ‘A Haunting’ may have been based on this case, but I’m not certain.

‘The Conjuring’ starts out with the Warrens investigating a 1968 case, and debunking it. I think it was to show that most investigations don’t lead to anything paranormal, and in part.. to present both families’ lives prior to them coming together. Carolyn Perron was portrayed as having asked the Warrens to investigate their house after one of their public presentations, which was very proactive of her.

At the end of ‘The Conjuring’, a quote of the late Ed Warren was shown on the screen:

“Diabolical forces are formidable. These forces are eternal, and they exist today. The fairy tale is true. The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow.”

Although the Warrens have done a great service, both personal and scientific, to humanity with their investigations… I don’t think that their conclusions are automatically “gold.” To say that this must be--or that everything must be--God vs. the Devil, is like saying that Democrats or Republicans are the only choices in political science. They’re not; but the masses are herded into that mentality on many important subjects.

First of all, when negative forces are subdued, it is done using any religious or spiritual belief... usually that of the residents. Wiccan paranormal investigators can get rid of negative spirits or energy too. In other words... negative entities respond to ritual, but not any specific ritual. In the movie, the dark spirit was of a woman who had hanged herself and was referred to as “a witch.” Then she was to have worshiped Satan, and tried to sacrifice her own children to Satan. Excuse me.. but that clearly means that she was a “Satanist.” What is a Satanist really? It’s very possibly a person who conjures up dark spirits. In other words, there may--possibly--not really even be any “Satan.” Just because a person is unfortunate enough to come into contact with a powerful dark entity, does not mean that it has anything to do with the Biblical Satan.

In conclusion, a Satanic woman hanged herself in 1863... and with suicides automatically preventing the soul from moving on… her soul not only remained on the property, but through circumstance she actually became like a demonic entity. Her soul may even have had assistance by the dark spirit(s) that she dabbled in during her life. In any case, ghosts can sometimes achieve great power after a certain amount of time. Usually they just fade away. Ed Warren, who was a Demonologist, conflated this circumstance with his Christian faith. I just don’t believe that this connection automatically applies to every case like this.

Lastly, it should always be factored into any metaphysical study that the positive far outweighs the negative. When great things happen to people, they just accept it; but when terrible things happen to people, they take notice. Maybe those great things occurred with the assistance of positive/good spirits? I hate to say it, but the vast majority of us are probably "spiritual ingrates." The metaphysical world is one of the last frontiers. The other being space travel.

Atheists, in reality, are acting in a highly unscientific manner when they are too smug with anti-religious politics that they dismiss metaphysical science. It's either all or nothing to them. At least a small number of Christians think that this is an area worth study. So far, this study has concluded that there is a "soul process," but not necessarily a god(s). Personally, I think that the god or gods of antiquity are actually powerful spirits... good, evil, and everything in-between. It's not necessarily a fair spirit-world either. We have to fix this world; they can merely assist us.

A sequel to 'The Conjuring' has already been announced.

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 9

Although I didn't feel the need to mention every paranormal-themed program, I wanted to mention a few more here. One program on the Syfy network is called 'Paranormal Witness'. It is produced in the same documentary-narrative style as 'A Haunting', and it's quite good. I didn't see season one in 2011, but I did see season two. Season three is scheduled for later this year with twenty episodes. Some people find it easier to just purchase the DVDs.

One other program, also on the Syfy channel, is called 'School Spirits'. It's a school-themed program that's also good. Without making lists, I would loosely say that 'A Haunting' was the best of this program genre, with 'Paranormal Witness', 'The Haunted', and 'School Spirits' being the next three. All four are still active, and produced in the docu-narrative style. 'The Dead Files' (active; new season starts tonight) 'Paranormal State' (ended) and 'Ghost Adventures' (active), are more "investigative." 'A Haunting' and 'Paranormal State' were something like "the pioneers" of paranormal television.

It should be mentioned that 'In Search of' from the late 70/early 80s was a somewhat similar program and deserves mention. It's always helpful to have a great narrator like Leonard Nimoy. 'In Search of' really holds up today. I think part of the appeal of these types of programs, and many metaphysically-themed horror movies, is that they free up this "spirit world" which is part of our genetic memory. Often, people with "dismissive personalities" regarding anything they don't understand--and don't wish to understand--are actually afraid to know or experience anything new. Also, most often, those with strong religious dogma dismiss these ideas based on their social conditioning which is something a little bit different than the fear-based attitudes.

'Celebrity Ghost Stories' is another one which was pretty good. I'm not much of a fan of "celebrities," but I'm not going to omit it or say that it's not good. I think many of the early accounts were sincere, but a lot of the phonies looking for attention will be getting into the act now. YouTube carries a lot of these and other programs. It still amazes me the variety of things uploaded onto YouTube.


Paranormal television (Wikipedia)

Paranormal television is a genre of popular reality television programming. Its scope comprises purportedly factual investigations of paranormal phenomena, rather than fictional representations found in such shows as The Ghosts of Motley Hall and Ghostbusters, or cartoon/children's series such as Scooby-Doo and Rentaghost.

[See above link for history and the program list]

There are probably a lot of programs and concepts that I didn't cover, but I think that I gave a pretty good overview of what this subject and these programs are about. It should be mentioned again regarding this "spirit world," that there is probably many times more "good" and "protective" spirits; but in human nature we just accept the positive things, and only when there is a negative presence do we complain. Although there is evidence of a "soul process," there's also evidence of spirits just coming into being based on love, hate, pain, etc., almost as if they were grown like a plant. Some are the spirits of humans, but others may have been animals or other life forms, or spirits which never were alive and are attached to places or objects.

Also, there is "unfairness" within this spirit world. Human souls are meant to move on to the next plane, but sometimes another soul may stop them and hold them in a place, or even terrorize them. Suicide is one act which seems to hold a soul on the earth. This doesn't mean that this soul is "bad." Sometimes a soul of a person chooses to stay. Other times, there are "energy stamps" from events or acts that have occurred in a place and/or become attached to an object. Sometimes, for example, a negative energy stamp can be placed by a person that commits an act of violence at a location... but that stamp exists even though this person is still alive. This whole subject strongly ties into the concept of "animism" as well.

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 8

I wanted to close this out, for now, with a few final points. One ghost-themed program that I should mention--which began right about the time that 'A Haunting' ended--is 'Ghost Adventures'. This genre is called "paranormal." The program is hosted and narrated by Zak Bagans, and is featured on the Travel Channel. It has aired now for seven seasons. It's not quite produced in the documentary-style like some of the others, but they take chances and manage to capture a lot of eery and interesting EVP's as well as spirit-footage. Zak Bagans' fearless and confrontational style has drawn criticism from some. Despite his "in your face" style, he is hard to dislike.

One other reality/paranormal program is 'The Haunted', which has aired on Animal Planet. I guess everyone just wants to get into the act, as one stipulation on this program is that the subject home/environment must have at least one animal living there. It is quite good actually, and more in the documentary-style that I prefer. One aspect about these programs-that I can't help but notice--is that very often, the featured subjects seem to be pretty interesting and decent people in general. I don't know what that might suggest in the bigger picture. By the way, many of these programs are available on YouTube.

That brings up another point. Animals, especially cats, can see things that humans can't see. Also, children are often able to pick up things that adults cannot. Another typical theme is that dark spirits usually target the weak, or at least the person(s) who scare more easily. Not always, but often. "Fear feeds" it, and allows it to grow in power. The simple truth is that this is all a normal condition of the planet. Once I saw an image from a polaroid, probably from the 70s, which was perhaps the strangest image that I've ever seen. I wasn't able to find it online, but in this photograph was a small group of teenage boys in a room sitting. The camera somehow picked up some very odd-looking being... hunched over and staring at one of the boys... bent over and just inches from his face, just staring at him! I would guess that it was some type of simple, benevolent spirit. All of us have probably had run-ins which this type of thing and never even knew it.

Parapsychology is the study of psychic phenomena. According to Wikipedia: The term parapsychology (also known as psi phenomena) was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research. Parapsychologists study a number of ostensibly paranormal phenomena, including telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, near-death experiences, reincarnation and apparitional experiences.

Some people suggest that "spectrology is" the study of ghosts. However, this doesn't not appear to be the case. According to Wikipedia (not that I always agree with Wikipedia): Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. It is, however, tied to the study of "visible light," of which we apparently are very limited as far as what our eyes can see. This brings us back to animals, especially cats; who can see more than we can. So when a cat suddenly looks up at thin air, perhaps you should take it seriously...

2-7-13 Addition: I had to add to this series at least two names. Lorraine Warren is--and has long been--a medium, clairvoyant, paranormal investigator, and author. She and her late husband Ed Warren were involved with many famous cases of this type... including the Amityville case, of which books and ten moves have been based. She has been featured in many of these programs from the last seven or eight years; and so many others over the decades. Warren heads the New England Society for Psychic Research.

Another name that I wanted to mention is John Zaffis, who was also involved in the Amityville case. and has long been a paranormal researcher and investigator. He is the chief producer and figure of a program on the Syfy Channel called 'Haunted Collector', which features cases involving "items" which are haunted. For example, if you purchase some old item at a garage sale, it could have something attached to it that you then bring into your home. I guess it's like a form of animism, which is a pretty scary thought if it's a negative energy. How would you even know? Zaffis runs the Paranormal Research Society of New England (also, his own website JohnZaffis.com). He was also involved in the "Haunting in Connecticut case" mentioned earlier, which led to the making of the 2009 movie.

It probably should be mentioned again--and it's so important--that "the negative energies get the press," as it's simple human nature for people to just accept good things in their lives and not question them. Only when something dark comes over them do they question "what's going on?" In other words, we just accept the results from positive energies, and ignore the "cause and effect" from that end. There's much more positive energy than negative.

A few weeks ago I saw a light green beetle, the kind with the broad shoulders, slowly walking along in a spot which presented a danger to it. I allowed it to walk up onto my hand, and relocated it across the street along a hillside. It's not that I care about every "bug," but this one caught my eye and I took the time to do this. Now, do we get some type of "brownie points" in this spirit and energy world for something like this? I wouldn't completely rule it out.

However, if negative energy is coming our way full force, then there's no stopping it. No common "positive energy ally" can help you. I think we need to find the balance between serenity and evolutionary struggle in our lives. For example, the wolf seems pretty happy-go-lucky as he trots along; however, he's ready to fight on a dime when danger confronts him. It's all about engaging with daily positive and negative energies.

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 7

The “movie and reality TV ghost trend” continues on with a new program on the Syfy network called ‘Ghost Mine’, which focuses on spirits and EVP’s in old mines which seems pretty logical. One underlying theme in these programs, and in this entire issue in general, is that “nobody wants to be watched.” On one episode of ‘The Dead Files’, a teenage girl started to cry when something that she had strongly felt already was revealed by a medium... that she explicitly was being watched during private times. That theme is one constant throughout, as well as the intuitive experience of "being watched." We all just assume that, if we were entirely alone, we could say or do anything without anyone or anything on an earthly scale knowing about it. Well… maybe that’s not always so.

Another aspect to this “spirit world” is that spirits, especially dark energy spirits, visually manifest—sometimes by their own choice—in a manner that just seems far to stereotypical. This may be one of the most, if not THE most, glaring roadblocks to the average reasonable person accepting this natural condition of the planet. In one episode of ‘The Dead Files’, the spirit of a very bad man (for a lot of reasons) was existing in the same house where he had performed many abortions. In one of the “spirit photographs” taken, there were numerous “little faces” of what basically looked like newborn babies. Just the faces. Again, this ties into that same theme. It looked fake, but it wasn’t. There wouldn’t have been any kind of political agenda here. It was real. Another weird aspect of this theme is that some negative spirits are able to read a living person’s mind and conjure up something that would specifically frighten that person.


One eerie EVP!

One program featured an EVP of what clearly sounded like a little boy who seemed to have been very scared, responding to the investigation team being present. He made statements like “who are these people?” “Why won’t anyone listen to me?” For whatever reason, this boy’s spirit seemed to be trapped in the house instead of moving on to where he needed to go.

Personally, I have witnessed paranormal activity throughout my life, few and far between. After they happen, with most people I think, denial kicks in. These type of happenings are usually very personal to a person, and there’s a strong reluctance to share them. I feel that right now, because they would tend to sound fake… as if the person is seeking attention or wanting to feel special in some way by making up a “ghost story.”

One state park, where I go hiking, has a lot of residual energy from the past. I would guess that one time in seventy that something paranormal occurs while up there. Only once or twice did I actually see something. Almost always it’s voices or sounds. They’re very faint, almost as if I am hearing them with my mind instead of my ears. I can’t really explain that. However, they’re very “directional.” I can’t tell where they’re coming from. This state park was once home to some rural roads and houses; and also the historical record shows that there were Amerindians living at least nearby.

There’s one particular spot where there is a high point along one side of the trail, but it’s flat beyond that high point and the heavy brush. I can’t see that area when I pass by, and the brush is so heavy that it’s just not a place that one would want to fight their way into. At this spot on the trail, and emanating from that direction, I have clearly heard the sounds of children playing.  It’s clear but very subtle. If a person was there with me, they may not even hear it; which leads me to believe that not everyone is able to hear these types of sounds or voices. Needless to say, there were no children over that ridge.

There’s another spot along the trail where there’s a thicket of trees, and I sometimes hear whispers in that one spot. Again, something like this occurs only one time in seventy I am guessing. If this were a condition of the wind or something natural, then these sounds would happen much more often. Also, there’s one particular spot up in the foothills where I clearly have heard voices speaking just beyond a bend, and when I get there, nobody is there within a hundred yards. I can’t hear any of the words. It’s like that “cafeteria sound.”

I only saw something up there on one, possibly two occasions. I saw a phantom figure walking across the trail once. Another time there could have been an explanation, as it may have just been the mist. I’m never frightened by any of this because it’s outdoors, and my ability to see and respond is much greater than inside of a house or building. These sounds and voices are somewhat ethereal, and again that sounds like the stereotype-manifestation I mentioned above, and that probably prevents people from sharing their experiences.

I won’t share my indoor experiences, but after one such event that was pretty above board as far as clarity--in other words… impossible to deny—I thought that it may be some type of “protective spirit.” That’s another common theme… spirits who look after you. Beyond this “spirit world” concept, I think the bigger picture shows more of an “energy world.” For example, "thoughts” and “words” are energy. Living people can even create poltergeists or energy stamps in a place.


Samhain in Spring

Last spring, while hiking in that same park, I had an experience throughout the entire hike. I had one like this before, but this was far beyond that. It was during an unusually warm night. I’m not going to write about what happened now, but the park was crazy-active! I just soaked in the experience. It was amazing. At the time I was reading ‘Secret of the Runes’ by Guido von List--who was a mystic and had experiences like this—and that may have given me the spiritual impetus to connect with something like this.

Unlike the other times, the energy was actually interacting with me. It was an ominous and beautiful experience. There were also some bizarre synchronistic type of happenings tied to this experience, and I’m just not ready to share it. I think I would only do it verbally. I know I’m not crazy. I just had a very powerful psychic-connection with a particular place. This is why I don’t advocate spells or magic. You can tap into things using your own natural abilities. It’s like the difference between “being invited” and “banging on the door.”

I will share that experience at some point. Even right now after ten months, I can hardly believe that I had the experience. Some experiences are synchronistic, which means they are specific to YOU and your connection to the universe. Although wonderful, synchronistic connections don’t make you special. Other experiences go beyond that, and I would guess that there is some type of blessing involved somewhere. I wanted to end this with a question-and-answer quote from the movie ‘Mothman Prophesies’, which was based on a true story, and a quote that I was thinking about while I was typing this.

Q: “Why me!?”

A: “You noticed them… and they noticed that you noticed them.”

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 6

A Wiccan group finally get it right

On an episode of ‘A Haunting’ from season four (2007) entitled ‘Echoes from the Past’, finally the “white witch” hypothesis--in relation to house/property cleansing and dark spirits—was proven to be true. This episode tells the story of the Johnson family who in 2005 purchased a house in Chester, Vermont which was built in the 1700s. After the house undergoes renovation, dark spirits begin to terrorize them. That’s another common theme. When houses or possibly properties are altered, spirits—perhaps dormant--become unsettled. Probably only a small percentage of those cases would unleash dark energy strong enough to create this type of “haunting,” which includes continuous intimidation, as opposed to occasional benevolent paranormal activity.

After attempting the use of burning sage around the property for cleansing purposes to no avail, the family turned to a Wiccan paranormal group called “Isis Investigations.” This particular team included three women and one man. Each member is a gifted psychic: Patricia Gardner, Co-founder and Co-director; Angela Kaufman, Co-founder and Co-director; Dayna Winters, Psychic Sketch Artist; and Justin Staley.

I’ll just give a brief summary of what they did in this case, and this was a tough case. I forgot if they used sage or salt. Upon arrival, the first thing they did was gravitate to a tree in the backyard and it’s energy. That tree figured prominently in past events, so they tapped into that as well as photographs which were found in the house of what ended up being some of the spirits there. Not all of them were of negative energy. Prior to looking at the photographs, Dayna Winters sketched the spirits which she was psychically tapping into, and they were a perfect match for those in the photographs, as well as those seen by the family.

Then they performed something called “casting a circle,” which witches use to protect themselves before rituals. I had always thought that this phrase basically meant “opening a door,” which it may in some cases. I don’t know. In Odinism, "casting a cirlce" is part of some ceremonies, but I don't know how that may tie into other related traditions. Next candles of different colors and scents were lit to absorb negative energy and replace it with positive energy. Incense is then burned to prepare the mind and body before the ritual. I guess they meant before “the main ritual.”

Finally, everyone—including the inhabitants—joined hands and formed a circle. They then began to chant… something about protection against evil. They called upon guardians called “Watchtowers” to protect “the four directions of the circle” and create “sacred space.” I don’t know what exactly all of that means, but it seems to be “eastern” because they used that word in their chant. However, as I believe is proven by the series in this blog entitled ‘Arctic Home in the Vedas’, sometimes “eastern” traditions have folkish tie-ins to our culture. Incense is then offered to the Watchtowers in exchange for their protection.

Lastly, the ritual leads to crossing the soul-spirits in the house over to the next phase in their journey. I don’t claim to know what that process is, but Guido von List sure had a whole lot to say about that subject. Then graphics are used to portray in this episode… the spirits being transported to where they needed to go… and it’s an emotional and powerful portrayal. It was like, their time had finally arrived to be redeemed in some way… “acknowledged.”

In Wicca, that place is called “the Summerlands.” At the end of the ritual—which indeed worked—a feeling of calm and peace replaced the heavy negative energy according the the narration. The concept that some places just "don’t feel right," while other places feel tranquil, is something that most people probably struggle with. I know that I do, because we can’t always choose where we want to be. In other words, at what point is that “feeling” valid enough to make issue with?

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 5

First off, I just wanted to say again that I believe that the ‘A Haunting’ series was the best series of its type that I know of. Although others have done good research, this one ended up touching upon all of the main themes and realities of the spirit world. I can’t regress all of them in one sitting. For example, in one of the pilot episodes, ‘A Haunting in Georgia’, the literal science of residual soul energy was explained in some detail. That is different than a “ghost,” which is more genuinely interactive and may respond with very relevant EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) answers to questions. Those EVPs are I think the strongest evidence for the spirit world. Using scientific method to gauge this reality, it would be impossible for it not to be real. Impossible! The spirit world is real, although this reality isn’t absolute “proof of God”; however it goes in that direction with soul spirits “crossing over.” So… what is the next step in that process?

I wanted to look at two facets to all of this that I personally find fascinating. One is in regards to EVPs. These spirits are just like living people. Sometimes they are cold, eerie, and blunt. Other times they are surprisingly childish! One common theme is that the negative spirits are all talk. They put out EVPs or energy that they hate the inhabitants of the house and that they want to kill them, which sounds ominous enough, but 99% of the time they don’t have the power to do anything. They seem to clearly have the ability to pick up when someone is plotting against them or at least going to investigate them. The second facet that I find most interesting is that there are good spirits who actually protect the occupants of the house, sometimes from dark spirits. That came out strongly in one episode of ‘The Dead Files’.


“Fear Feeds”

One clear reality of negative spirits is simply that they like to scare people because they can absorb that “fear energy” to make them stronger. In one episode of ‘Ghost Adventurers’, an EVP was captured that stated flatly: “I want your energy.” Concurrent with the spirit world is a world of revolving energy. “Thoughts,” for example, are energy; as is “love” or “hate.”


A benevolent spirit

In one episode of ‘The Dead Files’ (season 1 – ‘The White Widow’), a two-hundred year old New Orleans house was being haunted by the spirit of a young widow named Louisa Clay who hanged herself in the attic in 1888. Although active, this spirit was actually very benevolent. Amy Allen, a very gifted clairvoyant and spirit medium, saw her and a sketch artist drew her. Louisa Clay was a beautiful young brunette, and her eyes seemed to reflect her benevolence. Not quite an “angel,” she did seem to at least be a positive spirit. The children would see her in a white gown at night, but she was probably just checking them. She had been a mother after all. Of all the episodes of any of these programs since 2005, this was the only one which emotionally moved me. I rarely make comments like that I “felt a tear in my eye,” but in this instance I did. It was easy to make the leap of seeing her as something of “a fellow spirit being.”


Sage and salt

Spirits respond to ritual, whether Christian or Pagan, theist or polytheist, etc. Whatever the religion of the inhabitants of a home are, negative entitles will respond to those rituals and leave 95% of the time. However, even if a ritual is not the religion or spiritual traditions of those inhabitants, respect for that traditional ritual is enough.

Rituals very, but one common theme is the use of burning sage to cleanse a home or property. Also, the use of salt to form a protective barrier around a house or property; and also to cleanse. This ties into what I mentioned in earlier posts about “a metaphysical science” developing from trial and error.

To look at this wide open subject as a study, and a study which should be one of the most important endeavors of the human race. It’s not just something that’s interesting to look at. It’s of the utmost importance, and it clearly should not be restricted to religious dogma as it would even tend to support those traditions. Only Atheists—possibly, if their beliefs are politically-driven—could feel threatened by this metaphysical science.


Are “hate” or “fear” always bad?

Lastly, I just wanted to look at the emotions of “hate” and “fear.” Hate is a strong energy. Often it is a very valid response to something. Hate—if turned inwards—can be a big problem for an individual. However, if that hate-energy can be redirected outwards into positive action, then it can be a positive. Obviously, sometimes that may be a hard thing to do. Especially if you are under constant pressure from something negative. However, you must do it for your health.

“Fear” is also an energy. Have you ever heard the expression, usually sports-related, “fear is your friend.” It can be. It’s an energy! It can be redirected if it is understood as an energy-force. Lets just say that you had to make a speech in front of five-hundred people, and you feel some “fear” about it. That fear-energy can be redirected and used to give a great speech. It sounds like a contradiction, but it isn’t if you understand it.

In other words, just allow yourself to be nervous, and you may find that the fear-energy will turn into hopefully “a controlled emotional energy” that will translate into your speech. Sometimes if you just admit something like “I am afraid,” it can be the first step in gaining control over that energy force.

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Ghost programs and the metaphysical issue: Part 4

Again, the issue of “witchcraft” came up in an episode of ‘A Haunting’ from from season four. The episode from 2007 was entitled ‘Spellbound’.  The events took place from 1965 through the late 1970s. Sandra Waldron, her son Gene, and his stepfather, moved into an old house in Geneva, Ohio. I will just give a very brief summary, since there are many sub-plots and unusual circumstances involved.

There was a grave marker in a corner of the front yard, of a schoolmaster who had died on the property when it was a school or part of a school many years earlier. A strong spirit was present in the house; most likely this man. This spirit, Sandra’s interest in magic spellcrafting, and a very strained relationship between the stepfather and his wife and her son—all seemed to merge to create a perfect storm of much paranormal activity for years.

After divorcing, Sandra and Gene moved and rented a house in Texas City, Texas where they had relatives. Two interesting synchronistic connections were that she had a reoccurring dream about driving and arriving in Texas City, of which she didn’t make that connection until she actually traveled the route. The second irony was that there was a large pentagram crafted into the hardwood floor of one of the rooms.

Just as in their previous home, there likely were other factors which may have contributed to the negative events that were to follow. For example, the previous owner of the house may have practiced dark magic. This may well have cursed this particular pentagram. Also, when Sandra—who had become a Wiccan at this point--began practicing on it, she seemed to have released negative energy when she evoked “Isis.” When people use words like “the occult” or “rituals,” they have no real meaning in my opinion because what culture/spiritual traditions are we really talking about? Isis was part of Egyptian mythology, which is a different culture than other traditions under those same “labels.”

To make a long story short, things went very badly. She performed a ritual for her son, which consequently led to him being attacked in his room; as well as other eerie occurrences. I think it’s obvious that the former practitioner of that pentagram was the real culprit. Watching this episode, it’s was pretty clear that “witchcraft” was blamed for all of these negative events. This was further highlighted with Gene turning to the Church for strength from an early age; and finally became a Minister. So to him, this was all just point-blank-Satanism. At one point he returned home from the Air Force, and this docudrama portrayed a painting of a goat-like Devil figure on the wall of his former bedroom, and he referred to it as “a picture of the Devil in my room”….. which sounds suspiciously like perhaps the actual image was one of Cernunnos. It also portrayed Celtic-designs, so is that “the Devil” too?

I’m not necessarily trying to be an apologist, but there can be other explanations for negative paranormal experiences. If someone conjures up four evil spirits—who cause much mayhem—and who are historically associated with say.. ancient Oman, one couldn’t say that it is a reflection of say.. Druidic tradition if they had a momentary ounce of intellectual honesty. “Moloch” is another evil entity tied to the Middle East, and would have absolutely nothing culturally to do with Heathenry. However, it can exist in a Universalist way, so nobody is completely safe from it.

Sandra Waldron eventually became a published author, and her books are available at Amazon.com. She is no longer Wiccan; having given up on it at the time these events came to a close. I am not Wiccan. I think some very good things have come out of it; as well as some very bad things. I just think it’s a good testing ground. Since Wicca is universal and eclectic, we can learn what positive or negative energy comes out of some of these rituals. Wicca can serve as a spiritual gauge.

One simple and interesting alter that was portrayed showed the elements of “Earth” as represented by a container of soil; “Air” as represented by incense; “Fire” as represented by a candle; and “Water” as represented by a container of water. “Spirit” is not an element. I also wanted to add, since Isis was mentioned earlier, that the “dollar sign” (“$”) that we use is the symbol for Isis. So countless millions, more likely billions, of people have used a magical symbol all of their lives and didn’t even know it.

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