Spiritualism and the Paranormal: 2014

Friday, April 25, 2014

Ghost or Camera Anomaly

[Image: Daily Mail]

A viral video has been circulating on the net of what looks to be a “shadow person” during a soccer match.

On Thursday the 17th in Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, Bolivia, the camera captures a shadowy figure run across the seating. When slowed down, the figure appears to have legs and strides across the screen with very little effort and amazing speed as it disappears in a group of spectators.

The anomaly can be explained, some say: It is a double exposure of a player on the field.

Yet, others have witnessed the shadow person and have claimed that it has influenced the outcome of games in the past.

What do you think?

Sources:

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Ghost Haunts Country Store in NH

The Huffington Post spotlighted a country store in New Hampshire where there are reports of paranormal phenomena.

In the video, a glass object moves from the center of the counter to the edge and onto the floor… All on its own! Another example of activity in the store is a man whistling.

In a video clip from WMUR-TV Brian Cano, associated with the series Haunted Collector featuring John Zaffis, appears with psychic and medium Karen Tatro. Karen feels that the energy is centered around the area where the glass object fell.

The owners deny that it’s is a publicity stunt to drum up business. They claim that it is genuine paranormal activity. All they want is answers to the mysterious goings on.

Library of Most Controversial Files

Friday, April 11, 2014

Cursed Objects

I am a firm believer of energy. I believe that energy is never created nor destroyed and that it passes from one form to another.

I’m also a believer that objects can carry energy from previous owners as the following iO9 article shows: 7 Terrifying Cursed Objects That Actually Exist.

One of the items that is listed in the article is Annabelle, a raggedy Anne doll. According to the various stories I’ve read, the doll is the vessel for a demonic spirit that convinced her owners that it was the spirit of a young girl. Her owners tried many times to rid themselves of the doll for it to inexplicably reappear in their home. Sometimes it was accompanied with a note or writings on the wall!

The doll was eventually taken in by the famous paranormal couple, the Warrens, for display in their Occult Museum. During the drive to the Warren’s home, various unfortunate happenings occurred. One was a unexpected flat time. The doll is so cursed that ropes delineate a safe viewing distance.

I’ve heard of other stories of cursed objects. One that comes to mind is from a former friend who passed away a couple of years ago.

He and his boyfriend would visit estate sales on their days off. During one of their hunts they found a China set that belonged to a woman who had recently passed away. Her daughter eager to sell her house and her late mother’s belongings, sold the set for $300. When they arrived home, they put the box of China in another room to wait for another day to inspect the purchase.

That very night they heard the shuffling of plates in the room where they placed the box. Concerned that someone might have broken into their home, they walked in to see what was causing the noise to find that the plates were out of the box! For the next few nights they would hear the plates move and find them out. Luckily they were able to contact the daughter. She was leaving for a business trip in the next couple of days. They explained the nightly goings on and returned the China for a refund.

The late woman was so attached to the plates that she didn’t want anyone else to own them save for her daughter.

Word of advice: If you ever buy something that had a previous owner, “feel” it out first.

Technorati Tags: Cursed objects,Annabelle,The Warrens

Monday, April 7, 2014

NBC Introduces the Aswang to the US

POSSIBLE SPOILER!!!

I have been following NBC’s weekly supernatural cop drama Grimm since it first aired a few years ago. I’ve even gotten a few friends watching along, too. But, being a Filipino, the episode “Mommy Dearest” has me addicted to the show even more.

Watch on Hulu here "Mommy Dearest".

NBC’s Grimm site “Mommy Dearest”.

After watching the first 10 minutes of the episode, a thought came to mind, “Aswang!”

If you’re not familiar with this creature, read my previous post "Aswang: Filipino Folklore".

After watching the episode and the following episode, it’s evident that Drew Wu, AKA Sergeant Wu will no longer be a peripheral character. His trauma of being attacked by an actual aswang has left scars and started an underlying arc: Is Wu in or out? We know he’ll be part of the “in” group. Only the writers of the show know at this point when or if that happens.

Reggie Lee grew up in Quezon City and plays Sergeant. Wu has submitted four creatures from Filipino mythical cosmology for potential “Wesen”.

But, like any show or Hollywood retelling, I do have some criticisms because there are some inconsistencies with what I know of the aswang.

First of all, Grimm makes it look like aswangs only take their first unborn grandchild. I thought that the aswang was an equal-opportunity ghoul. This leads into the next “deviation”. The first aswang we meet is the husband of the victim – He’s a man! I’ve always heard that aswang were female. The overall look is ghoulish, yes, but as I know that aswang are predominantly female, I was expecting a more feminine yet ghoulish look to the creature. And, maybe that’s why when the creature appeared, it didn’t click immediately until it began making it’s attack.

Despite my critique, I’m eager to find out what creature from Filipino mythology will have a story in Portland, OR, and how the writers will present it to US audiences.

Sources:

'Aswang' Lunges on American TV Series

How Fil-Am actor Reggie Lee brought 'aswang' to Grimm
'Grimm' Culls From Reggie Lee's Real-Life Childhood in the Philippines to Give Sgt. Wu a Backstory
‘Grimm's’ Reggie Lee Addresses Fears Around Sgt. Wu's Big Episode: ‘I'm Not Leaving’ the Show

'Grimm' Season 3: Reggie Lee discusses 'Mommy Dearest' shocker and Wu's first name reveal

Do you want to know if you’ll get some tonight?

Or, maybe just a peck on the cheek? Or, a hug?

Is there any potential with that guy or girl that you had a date with?

How will that job interview go?

Will you get the job?

Do you want the job?

Should you keep looking?

Scroll down to find out how to get the answers you need…