Signs...

Recently, my cat brought me a wounded finch.  He showed up with it at a very inopportune moment.  At first, I thought it was a mouse.  Yes, my poor cat is so lonely for other pets, he will bring in half-dead animals from outside just to have something to play with.  Sometimes, I think we humans have nothing on animals when it comes to the macabre.  

But anyway, the poor thing could no longer fly and it proceeded to flutter bleeding through the kitchen into the living room and under the couch.  For reasons unknown, it then came out from under the couch, so my cat could corner it.  At this point, I had my gloves on and I was able to grab it up.

The poor little thing broke my heart.  Terrified and beyond help.  I took him outside and put him in some leaves below a tree. I tried to interest him in the birdhouse, but he hopped away into the leaves.  Later, my cat brought the same bird in.  His neck was broken.  There had been deer in that part of the yard, so I'm guessing he got trampled.  Sad, sad story.

I don't know what more I could have done.  Probably something obvious that I'm just missing.

So what does it mean? Maybe nothing.  Or maybe it was a sign.  Symbolically, finches are associated with happiness and freedom.  And what do I take from this? Something is about to fall away.  But the symbols are mixed given the timing and circumstances.  Honestly, it is hard for me to be objective.  I will just have to be patient.  And wait for a clearer sign.  

But patience is not my long suit, so I looked at my week as a whole.  Any predominant themes in the ennui of humdrum that characterizes my life these days? Yeah.  This week I made a true and concerted effort to forgive those who have wronged me.  I put it in writing.  There lies my truth.  Forgiveness in general has been the theme: for myself, for others.  I want to stop hurting over things I cannot change. 

And this was the sign I received.  Maybe I'm doing something wrong.  More eye of newt, perhaps? My life is not perfect.  I struggle with my own personal array of demons.  But I am lucky.  I know how to deal with a haunting.

It was not the only sign this week.  The very next day, someone showed me a key retrieved from a car accident.  The car had gone up in flames.  Luckily, no one was hurt.  The key was all that was recovered intact from the contents of the car.  It was a house key.  My first thought was that it was a powerful sign of the strength and love in that home.  But it was burned black.  That is dangerous.  The fire had come close to home.  Definitely a time for vigilance.  Again, mixed symbols.  If it were me, I would bury the key.  I would bury it on the property, but I would not keep it with or on me.

Sometimes all you can do is acknowledge the message.  Then, turn inward and take inventory.  Because who knows how long the wait will be.  Try to do right by the messenger.  But do not keep mixed signs close or on your person.  Save that place for purely positive signs.

Tonight I found my mug fractured.  Still whole, but unusable.  It was one of a pair of honeymoon mugs.  That was a fun trip!  Granted, they were not real expensive, but I was really upset.  What could it mean? Maybe that it got jostled around with the other dishes and broke.   Maybe it means that I got injured and something had to give.  Maybe it means that I have forgotten how to have fun.  There is so much chaos swirling around me now.  I partially blame this blog.  Sometimes it is easier to leave things shrouded in mist.  I just have no idea what to do with that mug.  I can't stand to throw it away.   This is how hoarding begins, I'm sure of it.  Maybe I should take my own advice and not keep a mixed sign in my home.

Don't Gamble With Ghosts

It is time for another HOW TO DEAL WITH A HAUNTING movie review.

I just re-watched the 1990 Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore paranormal extravaganza "Ghost."  It was kinda fun to see a young Demi and (dearly departed) Swayze.  No pun intended.  However, I thought I was going to be suffering for almost three hours in the name of blog fodder.  Then, twenty minutes in, Whoopi Goldberg appeared with her uncanny ability to save even the worst movie from itself.  

I hung in there.  Soon, I was surprised to see that this movie had salient points to make about the paranormal (in a loveable, over the top kind of way).  In the course of this movie, we watch the ghost of Sam Wheat (Swayze) develop from a shocked, novice shade to a powerful haunting entity.  Sam Wheat acts in order to protect the love of his life, Molly.  But he inflicts a very different kind of haunting upon his enemies.  It is a classic unfinished business/revenge haunting.  

There are many types of hauntings in this movie, which brings me to the Train Ghost.  I can't believe I forgot all about him.  Probably because he is a little too spookily real.  The Train Ghost is trapped in his death state, but he's been around so long he has grown powerful.  He's a deeply confused and possessive haunting entity.  The first time we see him, he's sucking the breath out of some poor sap reading the paper on the subway.  Sage would do nicely for the Train Ghost.  It would slow him down a bit.

Luckily, nothing could slow down Whoopi Goldberg's portrayal of Oda Mae Brown, fake psychic turned real.  Honestly, I think she liked her life better before her thoughts were crowded by ghosts.  Oda Mae's story arc is fun, but also substantial.  It shows that once she could hear one ghost, she could hear them all.  The same goes for people who can see beyond the physical plane.  That's where most of us are.  We only sense the physical plane.  A few see more and we call it a gift.  But once you see, you cannot unsee.  It makes everything harder.  

There were a few disturbing elements in this movie as well.  While exploring her newfound abilities, Oda Mae Brown opens herself for possession.  The first time it happens, it is an accident.  Afterwards, she feels as if she is covered in sludge.  But later, she purposefully offers herself up to Sam Wheat.  This mistake looms large in my mind.  There are people who do this.  Either as a gag or with the hope of an otherworldly experience.  Never do this.  Guard your body.  Be vigilant with your soul.  Do not gamble with ghosts.  Never offer a haunting entity anything.  Not your Ipod, not your pets, not your body.

Another disturbing element was the fate of Sam's enemies.  The bad guys' transition to the otherworld was not a smooth one.  To say the least.  Violently, they are whisked away by a spectral police force.  These entities can only be described as shadow people.  Usually, I do not like to think, talk, or write about shadow people.  I was just shocked to see them represented as accurately as they were.  

But since I have started down this road, I will explain.  Shadow people are negative energy made manifest.  Black mist entities; they are more powerful than ghosts.  Different from poltergeists, the two entities often co-occur.   

More on poltergeists later...

Shadow people are extremely dangerous.  Over time, they can do very real damage.  They are not demons, but not far off.  Demons can kill, shadow people can slowly strangle the life out of a situation.  If you have problems with this kind of entity in your home, then move.  That is the deal.  Move and pray they don't follow.  Pray that their connection is to the property and not you.  If they do follow, call a priest or a find a shaman.

Anyway, I don't want to end this post with the negative and scary.  I enjoyed watching "Ghost" again.  It was fun and campy.  I was also pleasantly surprised by how they painted the paranomal.  Whimsical, yet sometimes scary.  But only if you believe in that sort of nonsense.

Mirrors Have Memories

Mirror, mirror on the wall, oh what tales you have to tell...

In ancient times, seeing your reflection was considered powerful magic.  Then again, ancient man was pretty well limited to what they could make out in a clear, still pond.  And while it may not be magic, I imagine if I had only seen my reflection a handful of times during my life that I would think it was a pretty big deal too.  In primitive times, people concerned themselves a great deal with magic.  You couldn't stub your toe without having to think about what god you had inadvertently offended.  

By the time of the Romans (especially in the days of the early Republic), things hadn't improved much.  Certainly logic had begun to eclipse superstition.  People were no longer confused and scared by the idea of a reflection.  But the privilege of being able to gaze upon oneself on a daily basis was reserved for those who could afford it.  Most mirrors of this time were made of highly burnished metal, which did not cast a very accurate refection.  One could probably have gone their whole life without seeing what others saw.  Think about that.  It's hard to imagine.

The Romans also gave us one of the most enduring superstitions about mirrors: the seven year curse.  The Romans believed that there was a powerful connection between mirrors and spirits.  If you broke a mirror, then the soul trapped within it also died.  It was not a permanent curse because the Romans believed the soul regenerated every seven years.  Luckily, this curse could be mollified by burying the pieces deep in the earth.  Curses were common business for the Romans, so they figured out some bad luck loopholes.

There are many other superstitions that revolve around mirrors.  For example, if a mirror falls from a wall it is supposed to mean that someone will die.  Also, it is customary for mirrors to be covered in the event of a death, so that the soul of the deceased does not become trapped in a mirror.  It seems there have always been strong correlations between mirrors, misfortune, and death.  

Reflections and mirrors hold a powerful fascination for the human psyche.  What do we see when we see ourselves? How do others see us? What do we want to see? How much of our self image is dependent upon what we see in a shiny piece of glass? 

Mirrors also have a role to play in myths and fairy tales.  They are archetypal.  Mythology warns us against the dangers of reflections.  Apparently, Adonis would have snorted his reflection if he could.  Fairytales also tell us that mirrors can be evil.  And that they can turn on you.  Remember the Queen in Snow White? I can relate to her plight whenever I see a new wrinkle or grey hair.  

But the Queen was not the only one to utilize the magical properties of mirrors.  Practitioners of magic have long used mirrors (or crystal balls) for scrying.  There are also party games (e.g. Bloody Mary) where people try to get a thrill by calling forth an evil spirit from a mirror.  For me, this is akin to playing with Ouija boards.  It should not be done.  It is not a game.  It is dangerous to try to call forth entities from the spirit world.  Generally, it is not "good" spirits who are looking for a way back in.

This all boils down to the idea that mirrors can be repositories for wandering spirits.  And while this may or may not be so, it is worth considering that mirrors are powerful repositories for memories.  Not because there are gnomes living in the mirror.  It is because each time you have ever looked at your reflection, it made an impression.  Somewhere in your psyche is a stored memory folder called Reflections.  It's probably buried somewhere in that 95% we don't actively use, but it's there.  All those stored memories combine to help form perception of self.

But what does this have to do with hauntings?

If you move, it is a good idea to leave the mirrors behind.  If the house was haunted, there is a chance the haunting entity can become trapped in the mirror and move right along with you to your new home. But even if that does not happen, some part of you will recognize all that fear and trauma in the reflection of the old mirror.  Likewise, if the house was a place where physical or emotional trauma occurred, it is better to the leave the mirrors behind.  

If the home was a happy one, I still recommend buying new mirrors for a new home.  It is part of making a fresh start in a new place.  The memories will always be with you, but you will be able to see yourself in a new light.

"The Others": A Review

If there is one movie that proves there is no playbook when it comes to hauntings, it is "The Others."

"The Others" shows tremendous insight into the world of spirits.  When dealing with a haunting, there are no guarantees that you will directly hear or see the dead.  Different members of your family may experience different things.  Children and sensitives are most likely to report sightings and strange occurences.  

There is also no guarantee that the ghost will hear or see you.  Most likely, haunting entities will be aware of their death state and recognize you as living (or as an "other").  But some ghosts are so lost to their death state, it is all that they re-live, over and over.  Something has to happen to break those chains.  In the movie, it was a seance conducted by a medium.  But I do not like seances.  Like Ouija boards, they exist for a reason and a purpose, but it is like playing with fire.  

When Grace is forced to confront what she did in life, the activity in the home immediately calmed down.  But only because she was able to accept the truth.  It is dangerous to confront spirits.  Just as it can be dangerous to confront people.  In this respect, the same rules apply.  Wait until the right time.  Be sure of what you want to say.  If possible, get professional help.

I suppose that it is possible for the living and the dead to co-exist peacefully.  Just like it is possible for people to co-exist peacefully.  But, just because something is possible, or even the best outcome, does not make it so.  Unfortunately, life is not a movie.  Spirits may become angry or violent when confronted.  Therefore, it is best to tread lightly and deal with the problems that are within your power to control.

The Day is for the Living...

The night is for the dead.

This is an important rule to remember.  It is too bad that Michael in Paranormal Witness's "The House on the Lake" had no idea how important this rule could be.  This was Big Mistake #2.  

Though seldom heeded, this old creed is sound in its wisdom.  Just like it is best to deal with hard business early, so it is when dealing with a haunting.  Or trying to prevent a haunting from getting a real foothold.  Make your changes, do your cleaning, take care of what chores you can during the day.  Allow the house to settle at night.

If you are living in a house that you have occupied for a while, this rule may not be so hard and fast.  Especially if you are not being disturbed by signs of a haunting.  However, don't be surprised if your evenings become much more peaceful as a result.  It is a difficult rule to manage in this modern age when there are seldom enough hours in the day.  But it is a goal worth pursuing.

Whatever you do, don't buy an ancient home and wait until night falls to start hammering away.  This is no way to introduce yourself.  If there are haunting entities, there is no better way to annouce yourself as a hostile presence.  Your new neighbors will probably not thank you either.  Be a good neighbor.  Conduct your business during waking hours.  

Why Fresh Air is so Crucial...

Fresh air is essential to neutralizing negative influences in your environment.  If there is no air movement, it will be impossible to keep a lid on the tensions and pressures brewing around you.  In feng shui, this energy is referred to as Chi.  Chi is the flow of energy around you.  This energy can carry a charge, either positive or negative.  It is not possible to maintain a good quality of life without a positive flow of chi.

Have you ever been involved in an argument that stretched out slowly over months? The kind punctuated only by the occassional skirmish where new lines are drawn before the Cold War resumes? Guess what kind of charge that energy carries.  Often the pressure will build until one of you explodes, usually at a ridiculous hour of the night or morning.  Then, nobody gets any sleep.

Feng shui is filled with many ideas about how to stop this negative cycle.  But one of the best is allowing fresh air into the environment.  This simple act will improve the flow of chi around you.  Of course, there is a balance to be struck between fresh air and bills.  It is important to find this balance.  In the dead of winter, get outside and fill your lungs with crisp, cold air.  Shovel snow or tromp around the block in your warm boots.  Enjoy the winter wonderland.  You will feel better about whatever is bothering you.

In the summer, open the windows at night and early in the morning.  If you are running the air conditioning 24/7, understand that this is expensive and unhealthy.  Sometimes, we have to adapt, rather than paying to adjust the environment to our needs.  Find the balance.  Search for a place to live where you are comfortable.  Air conditioning unnaturally compresses and freezes air flow.  It does for air what nuggets do for chicken.  Besides, ghosts love air conditioning.

The study of Chi indicates that the flow of energy is like the ebb and flow of the ocean.  If you can channel this energy, then your life will be blessed with good health, wealth, and love.  

When you restrict the flow of chi, you are restricting the good around you.  Homes that are cluttered feel stuffy and oppressive.  Taken to an extreme, it may result in a living hell of hoarded objects, dead air, and emotional turbulence.  A perfect storm for a haunting to manifest.    

The easiest element to deal with is dead air.  Give in to your id and crack open those windows.  Let the wind blow.  Let the storm thunder.  Breathe deep and walk around barefoot when its warm.  Pull on a sweater and drink hot chocolate when it turns cold.  Take a moment to be grateful for the beauty of summer.  And the deep peace of winter.  It is your home.  It deserves to be a true haven for you.

Knock, knock...

Nobody's there.

Happy Friday the 13th!

When dealing with a haunting, one of the most common occurences is hearing something knock, bang, pound on a door.  If you are ever unlucky enough to experience this, it may be difficult to resist the urge to swing open the door and confront whatever might be on the other side.  Brave, yes.  Admirable, sure.  Foolish, absolutely.

Haunting entities who are bent on taking over your house (and, most likely, you) are looking for ways in.  Opening the door signifies that you are available to the haunting entity.  I know it does not seem fair, but it is what it is.

Haunting entities want acknowledgment.  It empowers them.  In essence, you are saying, "Yes, come on in."  And that's not a good idea.

It is natural for us to satisfy our curiousity.  Whatever could be knocking? Something is in my house! But, it is a mistake.  And while it may be a noble pursuit to confront your personal demons, there is no prize for walking on quaking legs to lay your shaking hand upon that doorknob.  Nor to stride purposefully towards the sound of the disturbance, fairly ripping the door off its hinges to do battle come what may.  The result will be the same.  You have given permission to the haunting entity to enter your space.

At this point, you will probably experience a dramatic uptick in the activity.  Physically, you can probably count on dwindling finances, breathtaking mood swings, relationship problems, and the onset of health troubles.  On the haunting front, anything goes.  

Living with a haunting is like living in a prison.  You may feel exhausted.  It will be hard to share your troubles with others.  You may feel isolated.  You may feel that you are rushing about in slow motion.  Everything seems dark.  Fear may imbue your life with an eerie quality.  Never knowing what is coming next.  Always waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Regardless of knocks, if you recognize these symptoms, then you are being haunted.  Either in your mind or in your home.

Not opening the door may not stop all this, but continued refusal to cede your ground will tip the scales in your favor, especially when the time comes to really deal with the problem.  So, it is better to wait out the knocks.  No matter how loud they get or how scared you are, they will stop.  This may not stop the haunting entity from entering anyway, but you have stood your ground.  

Leaving the space by any available avenue is also preferable to opening the door.  But, beware, the haunting entity may follow and resume its campaign.  It takes courage to hold your space.

If you have trouble with slamming doors, a similar rule applies.  Do not rush to investigate and throw the door open.  Again, this is an acknowledgement.  Instead, let the moment pass.  And, the next time you come across the door in question, casually re-open it, and then go about your business.  Remember, it is your home.  You have the final say over what doors stay open and which ones remain closed.