Weekly News Round-up 12/29/11

MonsterTracker.com posted an article about the life story of a UFO and Bigfoot researcher named Stan Gordon. You can read it here.

An finger thought to possibly belong to a Yeti was out through DNA testing-turns out the finger is human. Huffington Post has the article here.

Phantoms and Monsters posted an article about how the Hitchcock film, The Birds, was based on an actual event. Turns out there's also a scientific explanation for what happened.

Weekly News Round-up 12/21/11

Gadling.com has a lit of the top 10 lake monsters (besides Nessie.) You can read it here.

Bernews.com posted an article about Ben Franklin writing of reports of a sea monster.

Huffington Post has an article about a UFO-like vehicle being shipped on a flatbed. You can read it here and see a video.

Also, there won't be a Monday post next week as I'm taking the day off from blogging to celebrate Christmas. I hope everyone has a great holiday!

UFO's & Aliens-Are they real?

I realized this morning that I’ve never done an actual post on UFO’s. I figure it’s probably about time to talk about them. The truth is, I’m not sure I believe that aliens really exist. I’ve never personally witnesses anything that could convince me that aliens are a real possibility. Of course, I would love it if they did end up being real (unless of course, they tried to blow up the planet or something) but it seems unlikely to me that we could be sharing space with really intelligent beings without truly interacting with them.

I have heard some pretty convincing stories from people who claim to have seen unidentified aircrafts (including one from a friend claiming a giant flying saucer stopped traffic on a major local highway) but it’s just as likely that those aircrafts belong to government agencies, or mad scientists. Of course, it’s also possible that the government is working to cover this stuff up, but why would they bother? That seems like a huge waste of time and expense. For now, I’m remaining a skeptic.

That’s where I stand on the issue. Where do you guys stand? Do you believe aliens are a real possibility? Have you ever witnesses a UFO?

Weekly News Round-up 12/14/11

 Mail Oline posted an article about an unkown animal that has been dragging geese under the water in Olympic Park. You can read about it here.

NASA cameras captured a video of a strange glowing object in space. While some people believe it is a UFO, NASA has provided a scientific explanation for the anomaly. You can see the video, and the explanation here.

Huff post has an interview with paranormal investigatior and writer Joshua P Warren that you can read here.

EMF's in Ghost Hunting

EMF’s are a poplar topic in ghost hunting today. The term stands for Electromagnetic Fields, which are a fairly normal natural phenomenon. I won’t bore you too much with a long scientific explanation of EMF’s. There’s a decent brief explanation you can read here, if you are really curious. I mostly want to talk about how they are being used in paranormal research.

Just about every ghost hunting group around has at least one EMF meter (my group has several.) There are a lot of theories that ghosts are made up of electromagnetic energy. If these theories are true, we should be able to detect ghosts using an EMF meter. The problem with this theory (besides the fact that it’s nearly impossible to prove) is that just about every location being investigated has natural EMFs. Anything electronic can potentially give them off and identifying sources can be tricky. I’ve been on investigations where our EMF meter was going crazy the whole night. Part way through we realized it was because of an electric line running directly into the top of the building. On another investigation our meter started going off when it got too close to some silverware set out on a table.

It would be pretty amazing if we could track ghosts using EMF’s. I have seen meters lighting up in what appeared to be direct responses to questions. And there’s something comforting about seeing physical evidence of something unseen going on.

But until we can completely eliminate the possibility of natural EMF’s, I’m not convinced that readings on EMF meters are anything more that coincidence. I’m willing to continue experimenting with EMF meters but it’s something my group rarely bothers to show our clients because there’s always going to be a possible scientific explanation for our readings. I think we need a better understanding of ghosts before this technology is really helpful in researching them.

Do you think ghosts could be made up of electromagnetic energy? Do you think it’s possible to detect ghosts using scientific equipment?

Weekly News Round-up 12/7/11

 Some strange lights were captured on video in New Zealand. You can check it out here.

The Gaurdian posted an article about Charles Dickens fascination with ghosts and his interest in a ghostly tale that seemed to be written bu both him and another writer at the same time.

Phantoms and Monsters posted a description of an event that supposedly inspired the movie E.T. You can read about it here.

Book Review: Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter

I wasn’t planning on posting two book reviews so close together, but sometimes you read something so interesting that you have to tell others about it. So this week, I’m reviewing Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter by Josh Gates.

If you aren’t familiar with Josh Gates, he hosts a show on SyFy called Destination Truth. His team travels the world searching for legendary creatures. I’m usually not a fan of books written by celebrities but I picked this book up because I thought it would be fun to get a behind the scenes look at the show. What I got was a total surprise.

This book is so much more than that. While there are stories and anecdotes from the show, at its heart, it’s really a book about the love (and importance) of travel. There are also sections on various monsters, photos from around the world, funny travel tips, and his life story woven throughout this book. There’s a lot going on but somehow Josh Gates ties it all together perfectly. There’s a lot of humor and heart in this book. It’s the kind of thing that stays with you, affects you. Makes you want to do, and be more. His message appears to be that most people don’t spend enough time exploring the world around them-and miss out on so much. Here’s a quote from the book to show you what I’m talking about.

“By staying home, we’re missing a grand opportunity afforded to us by those glimmering silver birds in the sky. The “golden age” of travel is right now. Jetting is no longer just for the jet set; it’s for everyone. The truth is that travel changes us, irrevocably, and mostly for the better. It can nourish the best parts of ourselves like nothing else. Travel broadens our perspective, adds texture to our lives, and makes us more interesting at cocktail parties.”

And he’s right. People should try and see the world around them. Exploration is important. Whether you are hunting for ghosts, or monsters or a better version of yourself, you should be looking.

Because this book is pretty close to perfect, I’m giving it a perfect score. 5 out of 5 ghosts.

Now go leave your house and explore. And maybe pick up this book.

Weekly News Round-up 11/30/11

The paranormal community has been pretty quiet this week with the Thanksgiving holiday, but I did manage to find a couple of stories:


BBC News posted an article on the biggest zombie walk around ever. You can read about it here.

Huffington post has an article on the first anual Woman's UFO Symposium. The article discusses the idea that most UFO researchers are men and encourages more participation from women. Do you think women should be more involved in studying UFOs?

5 Things I've Learned about Ghosts

When I first started ghost hunting several years ago most of my knowledge about ghosts was limited to the stuff I picked up watching scary movies. I’ve come a long way since then and thought I would share some of the information I’ve figured out over the years.

1. It doesn’t have to be dark for a ghost to appear. Or Halloween. Or Friday the 13^th. The truth is, I’ve actually encountered more paranormal activity in the middle of the afternoon. For me, it seems like ghosts appear at completely random times. You will have a hard time convincing me there’s any real evidence to support all those theories about ghosts being more active after dark.
2. Ghosts aren’t out to get us. Do people sometimes get injured by things they can’t see? Of course. But in my experience, most of those interactions are either accidents or the result of someone provoking an entity to do something. If you ask a ghost to hurt you and it does, the only one you can blame is yourself.
3. There’s usually a reason ghosts are hanging around. Many of the EVP’s our team has captured are voices asking for help or telling us to get out of their space. Even though I can’t completely understand it, I’ve come to the conclusion that ghosts stick around because they either want to accomplish something or don’t want to leave behind a place or person they cared about.
4. Ghosts seem to be able to see us. And hear us. At least some of the time. I’m not sure if they just catch glimpses of us or if they always know we’re around, but they definitely acknowledged us. I’ve heard EVP’s responding to things our team has done, heard my team member’s names called by disembodied voices and I’ve seen objects move on request. I think they want to interact with us as much as we want to interact with them.
5. Ghosts are everywhere. And I don’t mean that in a creepy ‘they’re all around us’ sense. What I mean is that just about every culture in the world has some sort of belief in a spirit world. When people in almost every part of the world claim to be seeing the same sort of thing, it certainly makes you question what’s really happening.

I want to keep studying ghosts because I want to understand them better. For every bit of knowledge we learn about them, a hundred more questions are raised. Maybe someday we will really know what is happening but for now we just have to keep searching.

Weekly News Round-up 11/23/11

 Huffington post has an article claiming that evidence found during a heavily advertised Yeti hunt last month was all fabricated.

A councillor who blamed a cursing stone for several natural disasters has passes away after trying to remove the stone. You can read about it here.

Phantoms and Monsters posted an article about how people in Hong Kong used 'haunted' houses as a way to sell real estate.

Can Animals See Ghosts?

Recently, I’ve been hearing more and more about people using animals to try and detect the presence of ghosts. It’s an interesting theory and it kind of makes sense. Animals are intelligent and often demonstrate intuitions and instincts that humans don’t always appear to have.

 Animals have detected earthquake and disasters hours or even days before they occurred and some species have travelled impressive distances to be reunited with lost family members. If they have these incredible abilities, it seems quite possible that they could potentially be able to interact with ghosts or other paranormal entities.

I have two cats and sometimes they stare intensely at things I can’t see. My boyfriend swears he caught one of them once acting as if it were being petted by someone when no one was there. I’ve seen friends dogs respond to unseen things as well, growling or barking at thin air. While it’s possible they are just responding to distant sounds or figments of their imagination, it certainly makes you question whether or not they can see something you can’t.

We will probably never really know if our pets can see and interact with spirits but it is fun to imagine that they can. A world where our furry companions can interact with lost loved ones or visiting strangers sounds like a fun place to be.

 Do you think animals can sense the paranormal?

Weekly News Round-up 11/16/11

A 7 year old girl has baffled doctors by weeping stones for several weeks. You can read the full article here.

ZeeNews.com has an article claiming that people have found nests that may have been created by the Yeti.

News Weird Magazine posted a piece debating whether strange events near the Bermuda Triage were really paranormal in nature. You can read it here.

Book Review: The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena

I’ve wanted to start doing book reviews for awhile now, so I thought I would post one today. I have quite a few paranormal reference books on my bookshelf. The one I pulled off to review was “The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena (2^nd Edition)” by Bob Rickard and John Michell.

This book is a collection of articles about all kinds of paranormal phenomena. Overall, I think this is a great book. There are very few topics that go uncovered here. Everything from UFOs, unknown animals, psychic abilities, weird natural occurrences, and everything in between are in this book. Some of the topics covered in this aren’t so much paranormal, but interesting animal/human behavior pieces (a man eating tree, a cat with wings ect...) The book relies a lot on witness testimonies, old news paper reports and a bit of story telling to make each section interesting. There are also a lot of photos and illustrations that make flipping through this book fun and easy.

I do believe that skeptics will have a hard time accepting many of the stories in this book, and most likely can find natural explanations for much of what’s covered. The articles are also on the short side, which makes the book read quickly but limits the depth covered on every topic. The book is over 400 pages long, though, so there’s plenty to read. It would make a great starter book for someone interesting in learning about the paranormal. Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 ghosts.

Weekly News Round-up 11/9/11

The curse of Tutankhamun may have not been paranormal in nature, The Telegraph claims, but the act of satanist Aleister Crowley. You can read about it here.

The White House put out a statement claiming that they've found no evidence of Extralife. Hufterrestrial fington Post posted an article about it here.


I also came across this video of news footage of a boy claiming to be attacked by a ghost. What do you think?

Rods

Today I’m going to talk about a phenomenon known as rods (sometimes called skyfish.) These are objects captured on video cameras around the world. Some people believe they are a form of alien life, undiscovered animals, or strange spiritual beings (see video below.) The truth, however is much less exciting.

In reality, rods are nothing more than insects or birds flying past a camera. While traveling at high speed, their bodies are blurred by the camera. Because they move so quickly, each frame captures multiple wing beats. This speed creates an optical illusion that gives the insect the look of having multiple sets of wings and a flat, rod shaped body. Numerous researchers have actually been able to prove that fast-moving flying insects, when filmed, share the same physical properties and appearance as rods.

Have you ever captured a rod on camera?

Weekly News Round-up 11/2/11

This week ghosts were all over the news. Must have something to do with that whole Halloween thing.

A paranormal team is investigating sightings of a black ghost dog on an RAF base. The Telegraph has the full story here.

Huffington Post posted an article about a woman in Ohio who claims to have taken a picture of two ghosts having sex. You can read about it here.

Mirror has a brief article about a ghost that people claim has been smashing bottles of wine when they aren't to his liking.

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Halloween! I thought to celebrate, I'd post one of my experiences from my ghost investigation last night. My team was investigating an old building that was once an asylum for the criminally insane, among other things. The place is dark and pretty secluded and just walking in is a little unsettling.

At one point we decided to split up. I went to the 2nd floor of the building alone. Usually this doesn't bother me too much. I've seen and heard just about everything on our ghost hunts over the years. This time, I really didn't want to go alone. The 2nd floor just made me uncomfortable. I set up a camera and a recorder and took about three steps before hearing a loud, blood curdling scream. It was a woman's voice. I was the only female in the building. It was so loud and clear, that it was all I could do to stay there alone. I managed to keep investigating, but I refused to go to that floor alone for the rest of the night!

Exciting News

 I just wanted to post today to share some exciting personal news. I've sold my first novel, Nightfire, to Musa Publishing. I don't want to constantly post writing related updates on this blog (I'd like to keep it focused on paranormal stuff.) So, if you want to follow my writing journey, you can read about it here on my writers blog. Right now I'm excited to see what the future will bring and can't wait to finally be published. Thanks to all my writer and blogger friends who have been supporting me!

Weekly News Round-up 10/26/11

Someone in Woodbridge, VA called cops to report a werewolf sighting. WMAL.com has the full story here.

Huffington Post posted an article about a video that claims to be footage of an alien in the Amazon jungle. The article does a pretty good job of explaining why the video is probably a fake.

Gather News posted an article about a UFO appearing on Monday Night Football. You can watch the video here. I actually think it looks more like a rod (I may do an article on rods in the future, but you can be the jduge.)

Halloween Scare

Halloween is almost here! I thought I'd start celebrating a bit early by posting this video of an older couple getting a bit of a scare! Enjoy!

Weekly News Round-up 10/19/11

Monster Tracker posted an article discussing Big Foot witnesses and whether or not their sightings should be considered evidence.

Mother Nature Network has an article about a cyclops-like shark discovered in Mexico that only has one eye. You can see a picture and read about it here.

Huffington Post posted an article about a woman who claimed to be a psychic who stole a large amount of money from her clients.

The Thrill of a Good Scare

It’s that time of year again. Pumpkins are popping up on porches, horror movies have taken over just about every Television station, and teenagers all over the country are spending their weekends walking through haunted houses, hoping to get a good scare.

But why are people so obsessed with being frightened? You’d think we would want to avoid being terrified, but the truth is, sometimes being scared is just plain fun.

Maybe it’s the rush of adrenaline we feel when are minds are telling us we’re in danger. Perhaps people enjoy increasing their heart rates. Or, possibly, it’s just the satisfaction we feel when the ‘danger’ is over. Relief can be a really pleasant emotion to experience.

Whatever it is, it seems to be addictive. People keep returning to things that frighten, startle, or scare them. As long as they know it’s not real. And that bit of terror is part of what makes this time of year so fun, and so popular.

Do you enjoy being scared? What do you do to get a thrill?

Blog Birthday!

Today is the 1 year anniversary of this blog! It's been a great year and I can't wait to see what the next year of blogging brings. Thanks to all my readers and blogging friends for helping to make Paranormal Pursuits a success!

Weekly News Round-up 10/12/11

The Gaurdian posted an article claiming that most monster hunters aren't scientific enough to be taken seriously by the scientific community. You can read it here.

A coffee worker saw the image of a ghost apear in his coffee cup. You can see a picture of it here.

Examiner posted an article about a UFO that was spotted by many people fying over Kansas City.

Ghost Hunting 101: Preparing for an Investigation

Ghost hunts don’t normally just happen. There’s actually a lot of planning involved in most of the hunts my team goes on. I thought I’d share a few of the steps we go through in planning for people who are considering going on a ghost hunt.

1. The first thing that happens is finding a location and making arrangements with the owners and anyone else that may be at the location. Sometimes property owners will notify law enforcement about what we are doing, in case neighbors get worried and call the cops. We also try and build a relationship with the property owner, so they feel comfortable with having roaming the property.
2. After we have a location, we often do research on it. The internet, libraries, and people living in the area are all great resources for finding information.
3. We also try and visit the location during the daytime, if possible, so we can figure out the best way to investigate. Usually during this visit we will try to figure out where the power sources are (if any) for our equipment, look for spots that may be dangerous, and map out some sort of investigation plan.
4. We try and determine how many people we need to cover the location and figure out which investigators will be the best fit for that spot.
5. The day before the investigation we start charging our batteries and preparing our equipment.
6. Usually shortly before an investigation we have a quick briefing with everyone going to the investigation to share research and information about the site.
7. We load up our vehicles and head out!

Weekly News Round-up 10/5/11

Stoughton Patch posted an interesting article on The Jersey Devil this week. You can read it here.

The Spectrum.com posted an article about a Bigfoot hunter who hopes to use aerial cameras to capture proof that Bigfoot exsists.

Researches have discovered how to make a real-life invisibilty cloak using some pretty advanced technology. Ok, I know this isn't exactly paranormal, but it is pretty interesting. You can read about it and see a video here.

Ghost Children

One of the most disturbing things that can happen during a ghost hunt is running into the spirit of a child. It’s hard to imagine what could cause a child to appear in a spirit form. When you encounter one, you can’t help but wonder what is keeping it here. But children spirits hardly appear to be a rare occurrence. Many people claim to have seen ghost children. On several occasions my team has captured EVP’s that sound like the voices of children as well. Many ghost hunters even bring toys with them on investigations to use with the hopes of interacting with children spirits.

Some people theorize that these children apparitions aren’t really children at all, but evil spirits pretending to be kids, with the hope of luring us into darkness. In my experience, the appearance of a ghostly child hasn’t appeared to be negative or evil in any way. They generally behave and interact like any other spirit.

We may never really understand why ghost children are still hanging around. Maybe they experienced a violent death and their energy imprinted on a certain location. Or perhaps they return here with the hopes of seeing a loved one. Or Maybe they just never moved on. Either way, if you go on ghost hunts, it’s best to be prepared to run into them because you never really know who, or what, you are going to meet.

Weekly News Round-up 9/28/11

Monster Tracker posted an article on cattle mutilations that occurred in Argentina.

Slate.com posted a slide show on the history of map monsters. You can check it out here. 

A town in Oklahoma is holding their first annual cryptid festival. You can read about it here.

Haunted Objects

A quick search on Ebay pulls up over 100 supposedly haunted objects for sale. Of course, most of these objects are just regular items someone added the word ‘haunted’ to with the hopes of making a quick buck. Dolls, paintings, jewelry and antiques are frequently said to be potentially haunted. But can an object really be haunted?

This is a question that’s nearly impossible to answer because there’s no way to verify whether a haunting is being caused by an object or something else. Right now, all we have is the theory that a deceased person’s spirit might return to the things that were important to them during their life.

I have heard instances of paranormal activity beginning or increasing after someone acquired a certain object. I do believe it’s a possibility. But I also believe that truly haunted objects are rare and it’s usually not wise to go searching them out. Spirits can have a negative affect on the people they encounter. People sometimes claim to feel angry or depressed after encountering a ghost, and you don’t really want to bring that kind of energy into your home. Plus, you will likely just end up just wasting your money.

Have you every owned an object you thought was haunted or known someone with a haunted object?

Weekly News Round-up 9/21/11

MonstersandCritics.com posted an article about Claudia Schiffer performing an exorcism on her house to get rid of a ghost.

People in Jakarta are blaming the paranormal for a series of car accidents on a new stretch of road. You can read the article on The Jakarta Post website.

The Hollywood Reporter posted an article about an old photo of a man that looks like Nicholas Cage. The owner of the photo is selling it on Ebay with the claim that Nicholas Cage may be a vampire.

Ghost Hunting 101: Protecting yourself during a ghost hunt

Ghost Hunting 101:  Protecting yourself during a ghost hunt

One thing that gets quite a bit of discussion among ghost hunters is whether or not people need to be concerned with being harmed, injured, or influenced by paranormal entities.  While it’s unlikely that anyone is going to die from a run in with a ghost, sometimes bad things do happen. People occasionally get scratched, shoved or threatened during investigations.

Everyone has a different take on how to protect themselves. Many investigators wear jewelry or carry tokens they believe will help to guard them. Others recite prayers or go through various rituals before or during an investigation. Some people avoid saying or doing things to provoke anger from spirits (while others do this with the intention of forcing a response.)

There’s no hard proof that any of these things can stop negative activity from happening but I certainly don’t think it hurts. Sometimes the peace of mind created by a ritual can make a big difference. If you can relieve your fear, you are going to be a better investigator. If something makes you more confident, no matter how silly the ritual, it’s probably worth doing.

Have you seen the Ozark Howler?

So today I got an e-mail today from someone from The Travel Channel doing research on the Ozark Howler. They were wondering if I had contacts with people who had seen/heard or interacted with The Ozark Howler. I know a handful of you have shared stories with me about it, so I thought I would see if anyone was interested in me passing on their stories or contact information. You can e-mail me at paranormalpursuits (at) yahoo.com if you are interested or leave a message in the comments. Thanks guys!

Weekly New Round-up 9/14/11

Us News posted an article on government documents discovered that listed specific guidelines for Yeti hunters.

The Guardian.com posted an article on the start of an expedition for Orang Pendek. You can read it here. 

Phantoms and Monsters.com posted photos of a large, bat-like creature (called the Alp) being spotted around Austria. You can check them out here.

Time for a change?

So, I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of blogging (yay!) and i'm thinking about changing things up a bit. Maybe adding some paranormal book and product reviews or focusing more on ghost hunting tips/stories/advice. I'm not sure exactly where I'm taking things though, so I thought I'd ask for suggestions from you guys. I've added a poll over to the side where you can select a few things you'd like to hear more about, or you can leave suggestions in the comments as well. I appreciate all the input you guys have given me over the last year, it's so fun hearing from you!

Oh, and sorry there was no Friday post last week. The hard drive in my laptop crashed. Hopefully it will be fixed/replaced soon. Until then my internet usage may be a little hit and miss, in case you are wondering where I am at.

Anyways, leave any article suggestions,ideas,comments and random thoughts as you see fit!

Weekly News Round-up 9/7/11

Monstertracker.com posted an article on mythical creatures. You can read it here.

Huffington Post put up an article discussing Aliens and the new movie Apollo 18.

CNN posted an article on Tokyo's top mythical creatures. Check it out here.

Happy Labor Day!

Today is the day that Americans celebrate working by not working. So I won't be doing a real post today but I hope you all enjoy your day, even if you are stuck working. Happy Labor Day! ")

Creature Feature: The Mapinguari

The Mapinguari is a creature that some people believe lives in the Amazon rain forest. It’s thought to be around six feet tall when standing upright, and covered in brown or reddish hair. It’s known for its long claws and pungent stench. Some people think it is a carnivore, while others believe it to live on plants from the forest.

While some claim that it is an ape-like creature similar to Bigfoot, many people believe it is actually some form of Giant Ground Sloth that may have escaped extinction.  It’s also possible that stories of encounters with Giant Ground Sloths were passed down and have continued to keep the creatures legend around. For now, the this creature will continue to be passed down in stories and legends.

http://www.paranormal-encyclopedia.com/m/mapinguari/

http://www.unknownexplorers.com/mapinguari.php

Weekly News Round-up 8/31/11

MonsterTracker.com posted an article about a photo of a Bigfoot-like creature taken in Quebec. You can read the article and see the photo here.

Huffington Post posted an article about the increase in UFO sightings.

Examiner.com posted a description of a UFO sighting. You can read it here.

Crystal Skulls

            There’s a legend that the Mayans created 13 crystal skulls possessing special powers that were scattered with the intention of being reunited one day in the future. The story varies quite a bit, depending on telling it. Some say the skulls will bring peace and healing to the world while others see them as a warning to the end of times. The legends origins are uncertain. People have started finding skulls made from quartz crystal and trying to understand why they were created. While most people believe the Mayans were the original source for the skull story, some people also attribute the creation of the crystal skulls to the Aztecs.

            In the last hundred years, several crystal skulls have been discovered. Unfortunately, all of the large skulls show evidence that they were created after 1800. The tools used to create the skulls most likely didn’t exist in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. A small group of people claim that the skulls could have been created by extra-terrestrial beings, but it’s widely believed in scientific groups that the skulls were actually fake artifacts created by early treasure dealers. None of the known crystal skulls have come from archaeological sites.

            Despite the lack of evidence for early origins, some people still believe the skulls posses mystical qualities. The owner of one of the skulls, Anna Mitchell-Hedges, claims to see visions in the skull and that it has demonstrated the ability to heal disease.

            We will probably never fully understand the origin or meaning behind the existence of crystal skulls but people will most likely be fascinated with them for years to come.

Sources:

http://www.archaeology.org/0805/etc/indy.html

http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_6_1.htm

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/crystal-skulls/

Creature Feature: Goblins

Goblins are mythical creatures thought to live in tree roots or under ground. Early goblin legends portrayed them as brownish in color but modern stories often give them a green coloring. Goblins are 2-3 feet tall, usually depicted as ugly, and share several physical characteristics with humans. They may be able to speak many human languages.

Goblins are thought to be mischievous, intelligent and sometimes evil in nature and enjoy playing tricks on people. They are also known for stealing horses and moving objects. It’s believed they live in a separate spirit world, and occasionally visit the world of humans.

The earliest origin of goblins is a little uncertain. The legend was popular throughout several parts of Europe including the British Isles, France, and Scandinavia. Many of the early stories claim that goblins are a type of fairy.

There have been numerous variations of goblins in stories in the last few decades. Many modern books, movies, and games have attempted to bring their legend to life. Goblins continue to fascinate and inspire and probably will for many years to come.

Weekly News Round-up 8/24/11

The well-known physicist and parapsychologist Helmut Schmidt passed away last week. You can read a little more about him here.

The Huffington Post put up an article about a foundation offering a million dollar prize to anyone who can prove their psychic abilities under a controlled scientific environment. No one's been able to claim the prize so far.

Mail Online posted an article about workers claiming The National Archaeological Museum in Naples is haunted. Ghost hunters have been called in to investigate the claim. You can read about it here.

The Crystal Ball

Since I’ve been doing a series about psychic stuff, today I thought I’d talk a little about the crystal ball. It’s definitely one of the most recognizable psychic symbols around. Just the mere picture of one can conjure up images of gypsies, fortune tellers and mystic old women. But where exactly did they come from?

It turns out crystal balls have been around for a really, really long time. Ancient druids once used them. It’s believed that Merlin (a druid himself) used one in predicting King Arthur’s future. Some Greek oracles also used clear pools of water for the same purpose. Eventually the practice was refined by using clearer stones and adapted by many groups across the world including gypsies and even modern magicians. Unfortunately, Its earliest origins will probably always be a mystery to us because our written records just don’t go back far enough.

The use of the crystal ball is almost an art form in itself. The idea is to use it as an object of focus in order to clear the mind. It’s thought that with a clear mind, a person with psychic abilities should be able to see future events. The person doesn’t necessarily see the future in the ball itself, but in their own mind.

If you’re really curious about trying it, you could probably achieve a similar affect by gazing into a bowl of clear water.

Have you ever used a crystal ball? Have you had a psychic reading? I’d like to hear about it!

Creature Feature: The Arabhar

The Arabhar is a type of snake thought to live near the Arabia Sea. The thing that makes this creature special is its ability to fly.

There’s a lot of debate about how the Arabhar actually takes flight. Some reports say it flies by using bat-like, leathery wings. Others think it may use some sort of flap or specialized spine that allow it to glide through there air. There are also real known snakes that ‘fly’ through the air by jumping from branch to branch, so it’s possible this snake has adapted that ability as well.

Right now most of the information about this creature is still a mystery but I think it’s very possible a creature like this might exist.

Weekly News Round-up 8/17/11

Wales Online posted an article about a hoax photo of a girl that has been appearing all over the internet.

Hufffington Post posted an article about a former UFO project chief apologizing for intentionally discrediting reports of UFO activity. You can read it here. They also posted an article about a man who broke into a woman's house, claiming to be a 500 year old vampire who needed to feed. I'm guessing someone who had actually been around that long would know better.

NPR posted put up an article about a group hiring a psychic to help locate an escaped cow. You can read it here.

5 Tips for Finding a Psychic

I thought today I’d post a few ways to help you differentiate between true psychics and the people pretending to be psychics who are just out to take advantage of others.

5 Tips for Finding a Psychic

1. A good psychic isn’t out just to make money. In my experience, true psychics rarely make a living off their abilities. If someone asks for money in exchange for psychic information, proceed with caution.

2. Try and get a referral from someone you trust. If you ask around, your friends may know someone with genuine psychic ability.

3. Ask a lot of questions. See if they can pull up information about you without asking.

4. Don’t tell someone doing a reading everything about you before you start. Keep information to a bare minimum at first. Many of the people pretending to be psychics are great at reading people. They will pull verbal clues and body language to make it look like they posses special ability.

5. Know what type of psychic you are dealing with. Some psychics can pull information about the future while others simple read information about a location or person. Find out what to expect before you begin a reading.

Creature Feature: The Adjule

The Adjule is a type of wild dog in the Sahara Desert in  North Africa that local nomads believe roams the area. It takes the appearance of a black dog or wolf-like creature that hunts in pack. Some people think it is more of a phantom creature than a biological animal.

Most of the sightings are thought to be cases of misidentification with people simply seeing packs of wild dogs in the area. But, In the legends and stories of the people who believe in it, this creature will most likely live on.

Weekly News Round-up 8/10/11

Another strange hairless animal was found on the side of the road in Minnesota. You can see a picture and read about it here.

ParanormalDailyNews.com posted an article about an under water anomaly that some claim may not be from Earth.

MSN.com posted an article about a strange orange goo that appeared in the water in a town in Alaska. Scientists have determined the goo to actually be some sort of eggs but the type of creature responsible for laying them is still a mystery.

Psychic Connections

Many people, even those who report little psychic ability, often report sharing some sort of psychic connection with another person at some point in their life. Sometimes it’s something little, like thinking of that person just before they call or finishing each others sentences. Other times it’s more obvious, like being able to sense when someone else is in danger or upset. Twins frequently are thought to share this sort of psychic connection with each other but it doesn’t seem to be limited to family members.

I strongly believe this ability is a real phenomenon because I’ve experienced it numerous times in my life. I have a friend who always seems to know what I’m thinking and vice versa. We’ll often pick the same restaurant without discussing it with each other or pick up on things with each other that no one else would notice. It’s hard to explain, but when she’s sick, I can usually feel it.

I also got a phone call once from an old friend after something upset me. I hadn’t talked to him in months. When he called, he said he was just calling because he felt like something was wrong. It surprised me, but sometimes it’s good to know that people are keeping a watch out for me.

It’s hard to say what causes the connection between two people. It could be the amount of time they spend together, their experiences together, or something we don’t even fully understand. I hope that someday we will understand psychic abilities better. I hope people will be more willing to accept that it’s a possibility so we can learn more about it.

Have you ever shared a psychic connection with someone? I’d love you hear your stories about it!

Creature Feature: The Storsjoodjuret

The Storsjoodjuret is a lake monster spotted by numerous people in Sweden. It’s thought to be anywhere from nine to thirty in length. Its most recognizable feature is a series of humps that appear to rise out of the water. It’s usually described as grey or brown in color and is thought to resemble some sort of sea serpent.

The Storsjoodjuret is often thought to be the result of misidentification. Driftwood, overturned boats and even waves in the water can be confused with something more unusual. Convincing the people that have spotted this monster that it isn’t real may not be quite so easy though. Some pretty interesting footage was captured off a boat in the early 90’s. You can watch the video here.

Do you think lake/sea monsters could be real?

Weekly News Round-up 7/3/11

MonsterTracker.com posted an article on sightings of a human-like sea creature called theNingen that some people claim to have seen in the Antartic. You can read about it here.

CBS42.com posted a video about a playground that many people believe to be haunted.

KTLA.com posted a video on Bigfoot sightings in California.

Telekinesis

Telekinesis is the idea that people can use their minds to move objects. People have been fascinated with the idea for hundreds of years. Most of the time, it’s thought to be caused by the movement of an objects atoms using some sort of brain wave or unidentified mental ability. The idea that humans could have such amazing powers is appealing. Who wouldn’t want to have that kind of control over the world?

 The United States government has done numerous studies on telekinesis and privately funded parapsychology labs still actively research the possibility. Most of the reported tests show little more than small evidence of the phenomenon, which is usually credited to bias on the parts of researchers. Many early studies also attempted to use trickery to demonstrate telekinesis. Despite all the negative attention it’s brought, people are still interested in it. Spoon bending parties were popular for awhile and there are still all kinds of websites that claim to teach people telekinesis.

We may never be able to prove that telekinesis exists (or doesn’t exist) but that won’t stop people from trying. Maybe someday we will truly understand how the mind works but until that time comes, telekinesis will probably be little more than a mystery.

Do you believe telekinesis is a real possibility?

Guest Post: Top Six Cryptids Known to Man- Or Not Known to Man

This guest post was written by Hollywood Psychics, where you can find a phone psychic who will provide clairvoyant psychic readings to anyone in need of spiritual guidance, relationship advice, or some other insight.

Imagine you are a kid again, and you are out camping with your friends. The sun has gone down and it is dark and silent, you are all gathered around the campfire and you ran out of smores. What is the first thing you do? For us, it was brewing up a scary story. It usually involved some sort of monster concocted by our imaginations, and maybe our worst fears.

It’s human nature to revel in the unknown, as it is proven over and over again with the stories across the generations of cryptids. They have been emphasized in pop culture and in movies such as The Mothman Prophesies, and also countless movies on mermaids and Big Foot. Here are our top six of the more popular cryptids, what their story is, and the likelihood of their existence.

6. Giant Octopus

The giant octopus is classic fisherman’s story of a monster the size of a small island, which attacks ships and brings its victims underwater in a whirlpool of soggy doom. It is also known as the Kraken, whose name probably came from “krake” the German word for octopus. Though there has been partial carcasses washed up on shore and photographed, and many siting reported by seamen in different parts of the world, cryptologists believe that it is just a large jellyfish or the recently discovered giant squid.

5. Nandi Bear

Nandi Bear is kind of the big foot of Africa. It’s a large carnivorous bear with a sloping back and high shoulders, sometimes as high as four feet. It is said to only eat the brains of its victims, like some sort of African zombie teddy. Unlike your childhood teddy, it is said to be ferocious and highly dangerous. Some people believe it is some form of previously undiscovered hyena, or even a baboon.

4. Giant Vampire Bat

All European romantic folklore aside, vampire bats actually do and have existed. These bats are very small though, usually not any bigger than the palm of one’s hand. There have been reported sites by herdsmen of bats with over 3 feet wingspans who suck the life (or blood) out of their cows. Though there is one species of bats on a blood diet that have up to a 17 inch wingspan, they are believed to be extinct. However, scientists believe there are still many undiscovered species.

3. El Chupacabra (Goat Sucker)

One of the most diversely described cryptids; they have been described as lizard, dog, or small bear like creatures with red eyes, sharp teeth, and darting tongues. All the descriptions have one thing in common though; they all use their teeth to suck out the blood of goats. Though the likelihood of a lizard with a goat vendetta is low, cryptologists believe that it may be a diseased or new breed of a dog or bear. Some even believe it to be a hybrid between the two.

2. Mothman

This creature usually is described as a large, moth like man with wings, brown fur, and red eyes. The Mothman has been cited by numerous people, usually is not aggressive, and flies away abruptly. Some people think it was a warning of impending doom, as there was a collapsed bridge around the same time as the sightings. Most write it off to be a siting of a Sandhill Crane, or an Artic Snow Owl, as both birds match the description.

1. Merfolk

Merfolk are usually reported being seen in any civilization with a shoreline since as early as can be recorded. They are creatures with a humanoid torso, neck and face, and an aquatic animal’s body from the waist down. The mermaids, much like the sirens, are said to drive ships to crash by mesmerizing the seamen with their singing, leading them to be distracted and dangerous. There are no theories as to the type of animal it could be, besides an extinct semi-aquatic primate.

Cryptologists are still studying and searching for hundreds of different cryptids, trying to distinguish fact from fiction. Let’s keep our eyes peeled on the wood line, and the shores, and see what we can get a glimpse of.

Weekly News Round-up 7/27

 A boy in Texas shot and killed an animal he believed was a chupacabra. You can read the article here.

A photographer believes he's captured a shot of the Loch Ness monster. MailOnline posted the article.

AusralianGeographic.com posted an article about the possibility of sea monsters lurking in the depths.

Pyrokinesis

So I’m continuing with my look at the world psychic abilities, and I thought this week I would feature the ability of pyrokinesis. Pyrokinesis is the ability to create or manipulate fire using only the mind. The term was actually created by the Author Stephen King, for his book Fire Starter, but the concept has been around much longer.

While it’s difficult to judge when the first claim for this ability occurred, magicians as early as the 1600’s used a variety of parlor tricks to create the illusion of starting fires. Magicians still use fire tricks today to impress and confuse their audience. It’s all too easy to be distracted by the flash and lights.

But are there real cases of this happening? It’s hard to say for sure without solid, controlled studies of the phenomenon. Most of the modern cases involve seemingly random house fires. I did come across a video of a man that appeared use his mind to heat a wet towel that was impressive, but every case of fire-staring I came across seemed to be the product of active imaginations or trickery.

Maybe it is possible. Maybe someday we will understand matter well enough to know how to manipulate it. But for now, I’m not holding my breath.

Do you think Pyrokinesis is a real possibility?

Creature Feature: The Unicorn

The unicorn is one of the best known mythical creatures today. It’s thought to represent strength, purity, and grace. While both China and Japan have early unicorn legends, their versions look very different from the European unicorn that most people have come to recognize. The European unicorn, usually depicted as a horse or goat-like animal, first appeared in Greek accounts of natural history. Early people believed the unicorn was a real biological creature that lived in far away lands such as India. The unicorn is also mentioned numerous times in certain translations of the Bible, though later translations corrected the word to ‘ox’ in place of unicorn.

Many animals were misinterpreted as unicorns. Rhinoceros’s and several antelope-like animals were occasionally called unicorns by early people. The horn of the narwhal whale was also brought to Europe and sold as belonging to the unicorn. The horn was thought to posses special healing powers and was highly sought by Europeans.

One legend tied with the unicorn is that virgin maidens are able to lure and capture the creature. Some believe the story is thought to be a metaphor for the Virgin Mary.

The unicorn legend is still thriving today, though people are less inclined to believe it actually exists.  Stories, movies, books, and word of mouth are keeping this creature alive in our minds and our hearts.

Weekly News Round-up 7/20/11

Lifeslittlemysteries.com posted an article on some footage taken that some believe may be of a sea serpent. You can see the article and video here.

An ex-astronaut us going to be speaking about his opinion on UFO's and ET's, claiming he hasn't seen enough evidence to support the theory. The article is here.

AOL News posted an article debating the possibility of human-animal hybrids.

Guest Post:Tarot Cards

Today I have a guest post from Michael Offut on Tarot Cards. Be sure to check out his blog SLC Kismet! Thanks for the great post, Michael!


                                      History of the Tarot

Although Tarot decks first made their appearance in the 14th century, the ideas and symbols they embody stretch much further back into history, embracing the knowledge and philosophies of ancient Egypt, Greece, China, the early Roman Church, and the teachings of Talmudic scholars. The striking visual imagery of the Tarot served as a means of communication despite barriers of language and culture, so that seekers after hidden truths could share their discoveries through an understanding that transcended cultural barriers.

Tarot cards have gone through many permutations through the centuries. Used as vehicles for telling fortunes by Gypsies throughout Europe in the late Middle Ages, the attractive and compelling cards soon became popular items in noble households. The French transformed the Tarot into playing cards, discarding the Major Arcana and changing the suits from Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles to the more familiar spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs of the modern 52-card deck found in casinos everywhere.

Although a few students of esoteric lore still used the Tarot as a mnemonic device for preserving ancient truths, it was not until the mid-19th century that the resurgence of interest in theosophical studies led to a rediscovery of the cards and an attempt to restore them to their original purpose. Eliphas Levi, Israel, Regardie, Helena P. Blavatsky, William Butler Yeats, and Aleister Crowley all made vital contributions to the modern Tarot. But they were only the first wave.

The Rider-Waite Tarot deck, designed by Arthur Edward Waite and William Rider and illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith, is by far the most popular and inspirational of the standard Tarot decks in modern use. In recent years, interest in the Tarot has spawned a wealth of variant decks, reinterpreting the ancient symbols to fit feminist, holistic, and multi-cultural paradigms. For the most part, the images have survived in translation, a testimony to the underlying resiliency of the truths the cards encompass.

Finding Your Own Tarot:

There are all kinds of readings that you can do with a Tarot deck and you can purchase them at Barnes & Noble. What I prefer to do, or that I advise to individuals wishing to familiarize themselves with the craft, is to follow a few simple rules.

1) Find a deck that speaks to your spirit...one that you really really like. This is a good match for you. Once you have this deck in your possession, you should familiarize yourself intimately with each picture and decide what you think each picture means. My personal deck has the Death card included with the picture in this post. I loved the swirling dark purple background of the cards and the illustrations were awesome.

2) Never ever let anyone handle your Tarot deck on any circumstances. The only time someone is to touch your deck is when you give it to them during a reading after you have shuffled (and this is simply to cut the cards or to give them one shuffle themselves).  This momentary contact is all that is needed by the cards to tune themselves to that person's particular fortune.

3) While they shuffle and/or cut the cards, they need to be thinking of a question that they want answered. They must concentrate on this question and the cards will respond to it and give them a glimpse of their options or even an idea of what may happen within the future. Try to discourage negative questions. I can always tell when someone is depressed and asks the cards a negative question because I get powerful Major Arcana cards like the Tower, the Devil, and Death and I usually chastise the individual and may stop the reading. One time I had a friend ask the cards an extremely dark question and I knew within three cards that this wasn't a reading I liked and I stopped it, talked with him, and then sent him home. That's the kind of crap that teenagers like to fool around with.

 

When I do a reading, again, I pay close attention to the cards. Example: The Death Card. You can see several images here. On the left there is a comely man in a tuxedo. On the right there is a maiden dressed in red. The tapestry is green which is the color of life and the rose on it is red which matches her dress and the sea beyond the tapestry. Well the red here is the blood of the woman's life and the sea outside the window is roiling and stormy and also the same color as the woman's dress. To me, this card simply represents strong change. But it also represents a powerful choice. In order to truly live, the woman must not only embrace herself and what life offers her, but she must also play the game (the chess board before her) of which she is a piece. Perhaps she is a pawn, perhaps a rook...you will know by talking with the person what the cards are trying to say. In either case, it is only through choice that she will truly live, and the view behind the curtain shall be revealed. Also, the choice may be stormy, there may be trouble ahead, but nothing beautiful is ever offered without its thorns.

Creature Feature: The Nandi Bear

 The Nandi Bear is a creature that many people believe lives in the wild of Africa. It gets its name from the Nandi people who live in West Kenya. There is no current physical evidence of the Nandi Bear but many of the local people tell stories of seeing it in the wild.

While physical descriptions vary, it’s often described as being large and covered in dark fur. It’s most distinctive feature is its bear-like face. Many think that the Nandi Bear is actually some sort of hyena, or large cat but locals often refer to it as a type of unidentified baboon. Witnesses claim it can stand on its hind legs and can reach up to six feet in height. It’s thought to hunt and kill both people and livestock, making this creature on you probably want to avoid.

Coleman, Loren and Jerome Clark. “Cryptozoology A to Z, The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chucpacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature.” Simon & Schuster.

Weekly News Round-up 7/13/11

A diver in Canada claims to have seen some sort of underwater monster on a dive. You can read the article here.

BBC News reported that a Nottinhamshire police office got a large number of reports of UFO's, Ghost,and witchcraft. The article is here.

LacrossTribune.com posted an article about a middle school in Sparta taking a field trip to a haunted location in town. Do you think it's appropriate for kids to go on ghost hunting field trips?

Is Psychic Information Helpful?

If you say the word psychic to someone, all kinds of images potentially comes to mind. To some, psychics are evil charlatans out to take people for all they’re worth. To others, they are problem solvers, or innovators or simply people with a really unique gift. But the only people that truly understand psychic ability are the people who experience it first hand.

Psychic ability is a concept that goes way back in history. Biblical prophets, Greek oracles, and medicine men (and women) from around the world have claimed to possess knowledge of future events.

The idea of being psychic sounds really appealing. Who wouldn’t want to know what is going to happen in advance?

But it is really a good idea see what’s coming? Part of the enjoyment of life can come from life’s surprises. Sure, they may be stressful at times, but the element of surprise also keeps us on our toes. Plus psychic knowledge is usually information interpreted by a human being, and humans often make mistakes. Making decisions based on poorly interpreted (or false) information can lead people in the wrong direction.

The risk of error usually isn’t enough to keep people away from psychics though, and in many instances psychics have helped to solve crimes, or assisted in working through others’ problems.

There’s a delicate balance between using psychic information and depending on it. I think if you are going to apply psychic knowledge you need to use care and discretion on how you apply it to your life.

If you had a chance to look into a crystal ball and see where you would be one year from now, would you look? Do you think psychic knowledge is useful?

Creature Feature: The Megalania

The Megalania was a creature that once roamed Australia during the Pleistocene. This carnivorous lizard got up to 30 feet in length and weighed up to a ton. It’s thought to resemble a large Komodo dragon. It was still roaming Australia when aboriginal settlers lived in the area and they still tell stories about this creature.

While many people are skeptical that something as large as the Megalania could exist undetected, several sightings have been reported, some as recently as the 1970’s. Some people believe the sightings are misidentified crocodiles. A print was also find, although there’s been some debate on its authenticity.

It’s hard to say whether this animal is still living outside of the legends and stories that surround it, but I’m certain people will keep looking.  

Weekly News Round-up 7/6/11

io9.com posted a fun list of theories about the Loch Ness Monster. You can read it here.

MonsterTracker.com posted an article about a door that some people claim exisist in Lordsburg, New Mexico. The door is supposed to be some sort of portal. While the story is a bit far fetched, it does make an interesting story.

You can now own your own candy crystal skull for just $10. Check it out here.

Happy Holiday!

I was going to start my psychic series today but my brain seems to be taking a holiday, so instead I'm going to just wish all my fellow Americans a happy 4th of July! I'll start the psychic series next week. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves!

Creature Feature: The Bunyip

The Bunyip is a mythical creature from Australia, thought to be part of Aboriginal legend. Physical descriptions of the creature vary widely. Some people claim that it has a dog-like face, a horses tail and that it’s covered in fur. Others describe something similar to a dinosaur with a long neck, claws, and scales. There are even claims that it has flippers and a set of long tusks.

It’s possible that the Bunyip is actually a fusion of several different creatures that once lived in the area. Many people believe that the Bunyip legend is based off the remains of the extinct Diprotodon, a large extinct marsupial.

If there’s one thing that people discussing the Bunyip agree on, it’s that this is one scary creature. It’s both feared and respected by the people of the area. Many aboriginal people try to avoid nearing water ways because it’s believed the Bunyip will come out and try and eat them and their children. It’s supposed to give off a loud cry when approached as a warning.

Whatever the Bunyip is, if you see it coming, you might want to go the other direction!

Sources

http://www.cryptozoology.com/cryptids/bunyip.php

http://www.eaudrey.com/myth/bunyip.htm