I recently purchased The Bedlam in Goliath by the Mars Volta. The story behind the album is that the band bought an ouija board and they were contacted by multiple spirits. Two of the names were Goliah and the Soothsayer. They were told a story of love, lust and murder and at the end of the story, they were asked for something by the spirits. Needless to say they obviously didn't give it to them and bad things started happening, so they buried the board and do not speak of it lest it brings it back to life so to speak. So the whole cd revolves around the story they were told and their experiences with the board.
As some of you know, I bounce between agnosticism and deism on a regular basis and love dabbleing in these kinds of stories, yet I have not dabbled directly with them. A friend of mine claims to contact spirits with her ouija board, but I'm skeptical that it actually works. Religions claim not to use the boards because they can open you to possession of spirits or it opens a doorway. Now I don't put much stock in old wives tales and stories meant to scare younger children, however, the idea to dabble in these realms holds a strong fascination on me.
I also have a thing for supposed supernatural occurances, ie, ghosts and what not. I am also big into cryptozoology. That is just a side ramble that I will get into in another blog sometime.
My point is that it can be proven scientifically that it takes little force from a person touching the planchette to make the rest of the group believe that spirits are talking to them. Still, spiritualists claim that it proves nothing and that you can contact spirits. Personally it sounds like a psychological play on your mind, but stories like the Mars Volta one makes me reconsider my position, but I always fall b ack on my previous statement that is it psychological.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to play around with one and see where it goes. It could be interesting, or merely just another nail in the coffin of the falsisity of the supernatural or spiritualism. I can only wait and see until I delve deeper into the spiritual aspect of life in other regions of the world. As the best, it could change my views, at the worst, I have a wonderful book of myths and scientific debunkings of the supernatural. But I'll learn some stuff and hopefully gain more understanding from this natural world and maybe some from what I believe to be the nonexistent supernatural world.
Any thoughts on the supernatural, ouija boards and the like? Do you believe or are you a skeptic who thinks this is all hogwash, like me?
Also, if you give me a certain rating, tell me why, please. If there is something wrong with my writing, well the criticism will help me grow in my writing. So please, when you rate, critique me as well, thanks. :)
I don't believe any of that stuff, either, but this one time, at track camp...
Two boys were playing with one while the rest of us hung out. We were all from different cities and didn't know each other. They "contacted" a spirit who was a 2-year-old boy whose name started with A. They asked him how he drowned and he kept spelling "lake" over and over. One of the girls across the room started crying and said, "Oh my god! My brother Andy drowned at our cabin when he was two." They quit playing immediately and got rid of the thing. I can't figure out how they found out about that. This was back before there was internet access, so it is doubtful they had looked anything up about the girl's family. I haven't ever really reconciled that one.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
When I hear stories like that, that is when I start to think that maybe, just maybe there is something to all of it. But I always fall back on my skepticism, but still...
Sounds like the same cold reading techniques those damned tv-douche bags have been using for YEARS.
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
My Creative Writing
But these douche bags were 15 year old high jumpers. I don't know what kind of douche bag training they had had at that point. Maybe they were just very naturally gifted douche bags.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Could be. You never know, my friend has claimed weird occurances since he played with one a couple years ago, but I'm skeptical on them.
I just wanted to use the term "douche bag" as many times as possible. It's an under used term. Huge in the 80's. Time to resurrect it?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
You know, there's nothing wrong with that word. It's fun to say, like "cunt." There are like 30 great words in the english language that people tell you never to say.
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
My Creative Writing
Did you hear about the French President calling a reporter a cunt? Lol, to them it is a mild insult rather than a major one like here. What are the 30 words so I may start adding them to my vocabulary? lol.
Douche bag is definitely worth saying.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Oh, absolutely. More fun to say than type though. It's one of my favorites.
“Existentialism means that no one else can take a bath for you” - Delmore Schwartz
"Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real-estate above principles." - George Jean Nathan
Maybe it really was a spirit - you never know.....
I don't doubt that trying out a Oija borad would be fun. I just don't think that you'll be contacted by a spirit.
I thoroughly enjoy any for of occultism because I think it's funny.
Actually, I just bought the Necronomicon... It was $16 with a Barnes and Noble membership.
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
What is Necronomicon?
Necronomicon, or "Book of Dead Names," is supposed to be a book of occult knowledge. One site I found on it, claims it to be more of a history book. It's originally mentioned and referred to by H.P. Lovecraft.
I don't personally know much more about it. I need to pull it from my roommate's shelf and read it sometime.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
From what I've found, it doesn't actually "exist." It was made up by Lovecraft and he even said it didn't exist. Still, it'd be an interesting read.
It didn't exist. But it has now been written a few times.The copy I have is amusing and has some well written parts.
"Don't blame me. I voted for Kodos."
Homer Simpson
If you are spiritually loaded and interested in living new experiences you can always try to tap into energy fields, there is no danger with it and it’s way cool. Like extremely cool, lol
The only thing you need is an open mind!
We are not human-beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual -beings having a human experience.
;-)
Aww, but danger is so much more fun, lol. So how do you tap into energy fields?
OK, I will check it out for you, there are many ways to tap into these fields, i will see and try to find out which is the easiest way.
There is no danger involved, but you might think you get crazy when experiencing energy fields, but it’s normal, don’t mind it. The reason why it might appear you get crazy is because not many people venture in these fields.
If you are already crazy, that’s just great and it will make it more easy,,, haha
Also the younger you are, the more easy you will be able to access these fields.
I will be back soon,
OK, watch this first, the music is crap but the words are correct and if you can believe them to be true, I will point you out other stuff to go trough….
Will take it step by step,,,lol
http://awaken.greatday.com/
So, when you are ready with the above, go to this one, it caries a message you need to support in order to create some understanding about life….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l-YYqjhVi4&feature=related
I will be back with some more soon,
It's more fun than talking to dead people,,,haha
;-)
Sounds interesting. I'll definately take a look at it this afternoon. Hmm, I wonder what happens if you can tap into energy fields and contact the dead. Could be an interesting mix of stuff that might happen.
Once you get to get into tapping energies, you will quickly lose any interest in contacting the dead! Lol
Just take your time, meanwhile I will see if I can get some good material that can get you there….
;-)
yeah that's motivational, tell myself I'm crazy enough and I'll believe it. I like the second picture isn't that a sand trap on the left. No but seriously that's a well done presentation. I kept watching, anticipating. LOL I thought it was going to turn to some joke, but it wasn't anyhow not bad. Im about to check your youtube link.
Lol, indeed it is, we call it a bunker…. ;-)
I've seen mixed reviews about Ouija boards, even among Pagan communities (who generally use other tools, such as tarot cards).
The supposed purpose of it, however, is to communicate with the dead. If I were you, I'd learn a little more about the world of the dead and communicating with them before doing anything. Dabbling in what's considered the more advanced areas is generally not recommended. In this case, it is because some believe it does open you to possession. Even if it doesn't open you to possession (which I personally don't believe it does, at least not nearly as much as astral projection, but that's a different matter), others believe it to open a sort of "portal" (for lack of a better term) between the two worlds. One that a novice may not necessarily be able to close.
Either way, the ability to communicate with the dead in such a way is generally held in high esteem and considered something that only the experienced should try.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
The problem is, can you really communicate with the dead? I mean, the whole purpose of the radio was at first to communicate with the dead, and from what I've heard, it fell flat on its ass. So I don't believe that you can actually communicate with a nonexistent being or entity. I've always known the ouija board has a game and haven't heard of it as being better used if you're advanced so this is an interesting development.
I would say that I'd promise to become more advanced but knowing me, I'll get bored one day and go buy the thing and just be on my way with it. Lol, one of my many defects.
The problem is, can you really communicate with the dead?
What if you can?
Would you rather try it in ignorance and open up a proverbial can of worms, or would you rather go in with knowledge and have nothing happen?
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
The latter sounds much more interesting since people do it all the time with usually no consequences. But it is always better to have knowledge, so how does one gain the knowledge then?
Lots and lots of research. Also, meditation helps a lot in the event itself, since it teaches you to focus and clear your mind.
Since the afterlife is generally a religious matter, you might want to start there. Look at how different religions view and practice communicating with the dead/spirits. Rituals and the like would be something to look into, as well. Pagans/Neo-pagans often have rituals that involve spirits (casting and closing circles especially, would be relevant here), and of course Hispanic and eastern cultures have things about communicating with spirits and the dead (Dia de las Muertas, for example).
Such matters aren't my cup of tea, so unfortunately I can't do a whole lot more than that. I prefer things like extrasensory perception, remote viewing, and a little energy work (and I agree with the other poster, working with energy is quite fun, you should try it sometime).
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
I definately start looking at them, but from a skeptical point of view because I am convinced that you can deal with the afterlife and dead not from a religious view. Playing with this should be a whole hell lot of fun, and I am terrified of this stuff, yet I feel completely calm about playing with all of it.
It's time for someone to try to bring science and the supernatural together or to blow one completely away.
Oh indeed. And I'm not trying to say take a religious standpoint. It's just that, from my experience, religion generally deals with the afterlife more than science in the context of what you're looking for, which would make seeing what the religions have to say a good place to start.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Right, I understand what you're saying.
The idea that some kind of department store cardboard, well board, with letters typed on it can be used by any old 15 year old to contact the dead is fucking stupid. I am of the opinion that if anything like a Ouija board or tarot cards works it is as a focus for personal power or energy. Unless you have a real Ouija board that was created by a witchdoctor rather than manufactured in a damn factory along with millions of its brothers the board itself is the least special thing you have for contacting the dead.
Things like this are psychological focuses and metaphorical props. Their power lies in proper use, not their simple existence, assuming they have any power at all. There are hundreds of ways that can be used to supposedly contact the dead or tell the future or read minds. People who are inclined to do so use whatever method makes sense to them. They use the symbols and systems that help them focus.
I have my own theories on ghosts and contacting the "dead." I figure that the brain is just matter ideally, or nearly ideally, arranged to hold information, experience and emotion. This can sort of leak out onto objects, which are also matter. They aren't as good at holding information, or interpreting it, but it can still linger there like a sort of stain. You could also use the computer metaphor. A punch card computer can't do everything that a desktop can do, but it can do some of them much less efficiently. Same idea with say, a knife used in a murder. Your matter contains everything you feel and experience about the murder, and the knife might absorb the parts of that that its matter can hold.
“Existentialism means that no one else can take a bath for you” - Delmore Schwartz
"Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real-estate above principles." - George Jean Nathan
I am of the opinion that if anything like a Ouija board or tarot cards works it is as a focus for personal power or energy.
Regardless of whether it was handmade or machine made, it's still a tool (though many believe that it has more power if the user makes it themselves). Tools for occult purposes are like tools used for mundane purposes, the item itself is useless on its own. Put it into the hands of a novice user and it can be useful or dangerous. Put it into the hands of a skilled user and it is generally more useful than dangerous and can be very powerful.
Unless you have a real Ouija board that was created by a witchdoctor rather than manufactured in a damn factory along with millions of its brothers the board itself is the least special thing you have for contacting the dead.
It doesn't have to be anything special. Many spell casters, for example, use things as mundane as brooms, kitchen knives, and candles for their spells/rituals, depending on the need (that's not to say they don't have tools specifically for their rituals, such as a ceremonial dagger).
Things like this are psychological focuses and metaphorical props. Their power lies in proper use, not their simple existence, assuming they have any power at all. There are hundreds of ways that can be used to supposedly contact the dead or tell the future or read minds.
I've never heard of people using tools to read minds, except maybe taking an item that belongs to them, but then that's one of those "tell you about your life" type of things and not actually reading minds. That would be interesting to look into, though. I have my own theory on mind reading that I plan on posting sometime in the near future, once I get a chance to write it.
-- quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
In my opinion, they're no good.
(and, this is not from a religious standpoint- just from personal experience)
-Amanda-
How can they be no good, when they are toys that are mass manufatured?
I go with what Dr. Gonzo said. It is all in your head. You are taught that evil happens and your mind tricks you into believing it is so.
The one my friend and I used was not a toy, she made it from a shelf. After 'playing' with it I became more frightened than normal, I had night mares almost every night. Once, I saw a shadow on the wall of my living room which was not my own. The thing is, even though I was scared, it became almost addicting. It definitely had an impact on my life, and I'm glad that I have never played with a oija board again.
It kind of makes me angry to see those things being sold in Toys "R" us, and other stores...
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
People don’t really realize the power of thought and all that is linked to it! It doesn’t surprise me to read you had nightmares and stuff.
If you start to tap into your own mind it must not come as a surprise one can discover and come across more than he/she might wish for.
What really freaked me out, was that when we were 'talking' to some spirit. We asked it how that person died, it said something like close your eyes.
My friend and I closed our eyes and saw the flashing image of the same thing, a stormy night and lightening around a tree with a person hanging from it. That is what really got to me.
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
Wow, that’s crazy stuff you bring up here!
I believe many people have experiences but they don’t like to bring them up because they carry fear around how people would respond.
I’m lucky never to have had experiences like that, I would freak out BIG TIME!!!
Thank you for sharing this, ;-)
I don't care about talking about it now, because it's in the past. I realize what I did was foolish and hopefully others can learn from my experience rather than having to go through it on their own.
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
It works in both directions, which is just fine.
You brought it up, some will realize how freaky this can become.
But the ONE who posted this blog, is somewhat set upon a mission! When he is going to read what you brought up, I don’t know what is going to happen, lol,
He might become even more inspired to have a chat whit the one’s on the other side.
I know one thing for sure, he will probably not ask anyone how they died,,, haha,
So you see, once again, this place in which we write down our thoughts and experiences is Top Notch beneficial for all…
;-)
She has propelled my want to play with the board even farther. To disprove and show that it was all in her head and that it is linked to our unconscious thought process.
Asking about the death is the basic part of it all, the story behind the contact, if it truly is contact; is the most fascinating part of the experience. I have some interesting stories I have created in my mind and it should be interesting to see them manifested like her subconscious thoughts manifested.
It wasn't just me, it was also my friend.
-Amanda-
Check out my blog
That proves nothing really. You both had the same experiences, but it's like two people in different places having the same dream, it just happens and is triggered by even the smallest subconscious thought, so it doesn't prove much.
It makes me happy to see them being sold at Toys R Us. It is all in your head. I see shadows all the time, but I don't say it is a ghost, I chaulk it up to my mind playing tricks on me.
It is like the time I saw a wasp on my bed and when I got up it disappeard into thin air, it was all in my head. If you go play with an Ouija board and believe that spirts can contact you, then your head will naturally take that and twist and distort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE5foC-EQmw
The background music is cool too....
Mostly that ouija board stuff seems like sleepover nonsense. I mean, like you said, that little marker thing--planchette I think you called it--can easily be moved by anyone touching it. You want to show me real spiritual activity on a game board? Make some Monopoly pieces move on their own.
Don't get me wrong; I do believe in ghosts, but just because I believe some things doesn't mean I'll fall for every supernatural hijinks.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I have seen a ghost before and my mother grew up in a haunted house, so I definitely believe in spirits and ghosts. Of course, I used to think my mother was completely nuts until I saw a ghost with my own eyes - and no, I wasn't on drugs or hallucinating or half-asleep. I have absolutely no desire to try and purposely contact the "spirit world" however. The ghosts haunting my mother's childhood home were not exactly friendly, so I would be completely terrified of unleashing something terrifying.