The paranormal in movies
on Nov 10, 2009 in PARANORMAL POPULAR CULTURE The supernatural has long been a staple of movies.  Yet movies that treat the paranormal as reality are not common.  There is a distinction between using the magical as grist for special effects and considering them thing as real.  As an example,...

Can an orb in a photo actually be a spirit?
on Nov 7, 2009 in ORBS Orbs can be the result of many things; a camera’s flash reflecting off dust, raindrops or some shiny surface.  Yet from my experience, on rare occasions an orb could be something more, perhaps the reflection of an invisible energy, or even paran...

Has Halloween been watered down?
on Oct 28, 2009 in HALLOWEEN Halloween is my favorite American holiday.  Christmas is great, except we spend too much money.  Thanksgiving is about family and food but turkey makes me sleepy.  Halloween is for fun, without stress or worry.  We may not get the day off fr...

Any proof out-of-body experiences are true?
on Oct 24, 2009 in NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE Are out-of-body and near-death experiences true or are they simply a trick of the mind?  Throughout all cultures individuals have experienced the strangeness of the OBE.  These are so widespread science has taken an interest in the topic and has d...

Occult meaning in Halloween costumes
on Oct 16, 2009 in HALLOWEEN Halloween is a great holiday, and not just for children but for adults too.  It is now considered one of the top party days of the year.  Halloween has many traditions from trick-or-treat to carving pumpkins.  These traditions have pagan origins,...

REAL-LIFE ZOMBIES
on Oct 6, 2009 in ZOMBIES Fairy tales often have serious, even grim messages beneath their stories.  Little Red Riding Hood is a warning to beware of strangers.  Tales of lake or river faeries are cautionary stories to warn the young to be wary of the calm surface of the wa...

Did mother visit us after her death?
on Sep 25, 2009 in ORBS Since my mother passed away,  I’ve been wondering how much I should write about her death.  It is appropriate for someone to discuss such a personal event in a blog?  This question especially comes up when I have some pictures.  Yet, I think ex...

Local Hindu statue mystery
on Sep 22, 2009 in RELIGION This story in today’s Chicago Tribune caught my eye. A Hindu statue was found in a local river.  Was it vandalism or a spiritual practice?  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-talk-hindu-statues-in-riversep22,0,6856411.column  I sure hope it...

Hope For Life After Death
on Sep 11, 2009 in DEATH SPIRITUALITY After my mother died recently, my father had an extraordinary experience.  My mother had a strong attachment to family and home.  She was a stay-at-home mom for most of her life.  Family and home were the center of her life.  A few weeks ago s...

Bulgarian traditions for the soul after death
on Sep 6, 2009 in Culture DEATH I’ve been thinking about funerary customs and the significance of the symbolism involved.  The symbolism of the traditional Christian funeral is obvious.  The Christian concept of the resurrection is reflected in the modern burial.  The body...