Mythical Wednesday: Numerology

Numerology, at its simplest, is the belief and study of number and how it relates to our life path. For those who believe our lives are charted out before birth, this knowledge is useful for them to learn and fulfill their desired path.

http://www.astrology-numerology.com/numerology.html

Many people believe there is a mystical connection between numbers and events or incidents that happen in one’s life. It’s thought that each person is born with a number assigned to them through some mystical process, and it holds sway over a person’s whole life.

The rise in this belief could be in part due to the universal use of math to explain the universe. It’s also interesting to note that many cultures assigned a numeral value to letters or characters that make up their language. Both the Chinese and Arabian cultures have their own numeric system. The practice within The Jewish tradition to assign mystical meaning to words based on their numerical values, and on connections between words of equal value, is known as gematria. Christianity sees numerology and other forms of divination as evil, yet there is one number they all strongly believe is associated with evil or the devil. I always found this rather odd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerology

There is a number for everything in your life; career, romance, life path. If you are one of the believers, it’s quite staggering how numbers have such an influence over our lives. There are several different ways to learn the numerology numbers that hold sway over you; one is adding the numbers up in your birthdate, and the other deals with the letters in your name. Both are fun to learn and it’s surprising how the resulting information can be accurate.

Whether or not you believe in numerology, you have to admit that numbers are an important part of our lives. Math is the language of the universe, and perhaps, that is the reason numerology is so popular with those looking to understand what meaning their life has.

Just for fun, try this site.

http://seventhlifepath.com/

What number are you?

Mythical Wednesday: Exploding rocks.

Planet Earth is a strange and wonderful place. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes something so unexpected, so weird, you just have to sit and shake your head. This is what I was thinking when I came across this article.

http://www.iflscience.com/environment/explosive-rock-exfoliation-caught-film

They call it ‘exfoliation’, and as you can see from the video, it happens suddenly, but not without warning. There are many places around the world where this type of geological phenomenon occurs. Typically in areas where there are exposures of uniform with coarse, crystalline igneous rocks.  The majority of the rock mass is at a depth where it is under extreme high pressure from rock layers underneath it. It tends to be very uniform and lack any fractures which could be the reason it explodes. As the progressive erosion occurs, the rocks are subjected to pressure from overlying rocks, which leads to tension in directions at right angles to the surface. This tension is relieved by the formation of cracks, which follow the surface. They are relatively flat on plateaus, but can be steep on the flanks of mountains which are called exfoliation domes. The Yosemite’s spectacular Half Dome is the result of rock exfoliation. Once the cracks develop, water enters and causes chemical weathering which leads to the formation of new low-density minerals. This enhances the cracks and encourages slabs of rock to detach from the surface.

I don’t know about you, but as beautiful and exciting as this is, I’m sure it’s just as dangerous.

Mythical Wednesday: Apollo 11 Conspiracy

There are some conspiracies that I can understand where they come from. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s wise question what we are told to believe, but there are some that to me, are so outrageous that they seem unplausable, no matter how much ‘evidence’ is given to prove otherwise.

The Apollo 11 Conspiracy is one of them.

I’m not sure why this conspiracy is so hotly debated. It might come from the growing mistrust the American people have in their government. At the time the first whispers of this conspiracy were mention, around the Presidency of Nixon (and we all know what a ‘tricky Dick’ he was), the general public was waking up to the realization that not everything their government did or said was in the people’s best interest. The Conspiracy Theorists concluded that the Apollo 11 moon landing was more or less faked to keep their superiority over the Russians in the space race.

Hoax?

http://listverse.com/2012/12/28/10-reasons-the-moon-landings-could-be-a-hoax/

Or not?

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/18/apollo-11-fake-proof_n_5599372.html

Wikipidia has a long page on this subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing_conspiracy_theories

I’m sorry, but considering the time, energy and money put into these projects, not to mention the fact these brave men and women put their lives on the line every, single, time they venture out into space (three astronauts died during a horrible fire http://www.space.com/10674-apollo-1-fire-nasa-disaster.html), I find it very hard to believe this one.

What do you think?

Mythical Wednesday: Does the 3rd Eye really exist?

When you think of psychic abilities, the first thing that comes to mind is the third eye. For years the image of the opening eye in the middle of the forehead have been the calling card for this psychic phenomenon. The third eye refers to the focal point or gate, that opens the mind to inner realms and places of higher consciousness. There are people who believe that everyone has a third eye; that it is a muscle that we have all but have forgotten how to use, and while many see it as nothing more that new age silliness there could be some truth to this theory.

Depicted in images as located in the lower-center of the forehead, just above the brow, it’s interesting to note that the penal gland lies just a few inches back from this spot, inside the brain. Many believe that the penal gland is somehow connected to the third eye, or that it may be responsible for the visions associated with the third eye.

http://personaltao.com/teachings/shamanic/about-visions/what-is-the-third-eye/

The penal glad itself is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic, or seasonal, functions. For those who experience prophetic dreams, could this be the result of the penal gland? The gland its thought to be important in the development of supernatural powers, and the growth of psychic abilities is thought to be closely associated with this organ as well.

Because the gland is located so close to the area in which the 3^rd eye is depicted to be, there could be some correlation between the two. Many of those who use crystals, myself included, will put a stone associated with opening the third eye on our forehead, to give the ability more power.

Do you believe in this ability? Do you think your 3^rd eye is awake?

Mythical Wednsday: What is that green glow?

Mythical Wednesday: Most Haunted Places in Ontario

Ontario and Quebec are two of the oldest provinces in Canada. They were, in fact, the beginnings of this country and saw many a battle fought over the land. The War of 1812 took place in Southwestern Ontario, and even though this country is ‘young’ compared to the European countries, there is just as much paranormal activity here as anywhere. Here are just a few examples of haunted places around Ontario.

 

Georgian Bay – Cove Islands Lighthouse 

A lighthouse keeper can be a solitary and lonely occupation. Even with a spouse you’re cut off from the community due to the isolated areas that these buildings need to occupy. Never-the-less, the idea of a ghost inhabiting your post can be un-nerving.

http://www.torontoghosts.org/index.php?/20080820330/Central-Ontario/Georgian-Bay-Cove-Islands-Lighthouse.html
Hamilton – Albion Falls

The specter of Jane Riley has been seen since her suicide, and some tourists have witnessed her fatal fall repeating itself. Other paranormal activities are disembodied voices and there have been reports of Riley herself, speaking to some people, light anomalies, general feeling of unease and of being watched.

 

 

Peterborough – The Peterborough Lift Lock

This site is cursed by an anonymous woman who was burned alive at the stake in the 1840s. This curse was responsible for the large number of accidents. Disembodied faces have been seen looking out of the tunnels by tourists. Other paranormal activities include light anomalies, spectral footsteps, unexplained smells, spectral footprints and disembodied voices and screams. Men have been attacked by the burned woman’s spirit who may be the sorceress. Apparitional suicide victims are seen both in and at the Lock by tourists.

 

Turtle River – White Otter Castle

James Alexander McOuat’s apparition has been seen by tourists both in the castle and in the surrounding area since his tragic death in 1918 due to drowning while netting fish. Mysterious noises are reported by investigators to come out of this castle.

 

If you are interested in reading more hauntings around Ontario, I found this site that offers haunted places by region.

http://www.torontoghosts.org/index.php?/Haunted/The-Province-Of-Ontario/

Mythical Wednesday: Things you might not have known about Area 51

As one of the most sought after places on the map for alien enthusiasts, there are a lot of things that perhaps the layman might not know about this place. Very ordinary things. Even after President Obama made a mention of it at the 2013 Kennedy Center Honours (stating that when he wanted to know what was going on at Area 51, he asked Kennedy Center Honour inductee Shirley MacLaine), and the Russian satellite that revealed the base does exits, the United States government still holds it under tight security.

Here are some interesting REAL facts about the secretive military base.

•  -Area 51was also known as Groom Lake (the name of the dry lakebed the base was built around), Paradise Ranch, Watertown (the official name it was given in 1956, and Dreamland, after an Edgar Allen Poe poem.
• -The nickname Dreamland was derived from an Edgar Allan Poe poem by the same name, where It admonishes that “the traveler, traveling through it, may not-dare not, openly view it; Never its mysteries are exposed, to the weak human eye unclosed.” Seems rather appropriate.
• -There is a hint of truth in the conspiracy theory that states the moon landing was staged at Area 51. In reality, the land rovers and support systems were tested by the astronauts at the nearby nuclear testing site.
• -The range is used for the testing of new technologies and training operations that are critical to the effectiveness of the U.S. military and the security of the United States.

If you’d like to know more, I found these interesting facts at the link below.

http://www.educatinghumanity.com/2011/06/area-51-facts-secrets-things-you-did.html

Mythical Wednesday: Understanding Parapsychology

To understand what parapsychology is, you have to understand first what it isn’t. Parapsychology is not the study of anything considered weird or bizarre. It doesn’t have anything to do with astrology, UFOs, searching for Bigfoot, paganism, vampires, alchemy, or witchcraft.

Parapsychology is the study of phenomena that falls outside of human experience or experiences that tend to be ‘unusual’. The most interesting aspect of parapsychological phenomena is that they aren’t limited by the known boundaries of space or time. They blur the distinction usually made between mind and matter.

The basic parapsychological phenomena are:

Telepathy: A direct mind-to-mind communication

Precognition: Also known as premonition, it’s the act of obtaining information about future events and information that cannot be extrapolated through normal means. Some people claim their dreams are precognitive.

Clairvoyance: Sometimes referred to as Remote Viewing, information is obtained about events at remote or specific locations, beyond the reach of the normal senses.

ESP: Extra-sensory perception, is a general term for gathering information about events beyond the reach of normal sense. This term would include telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition.

Psychokinesis: Also known as PK, this is a direct mental interaction with animate or inanimate  objects.

Bio-PK: Direct mental interactions with living things.

NDE: Near Death Experience: These experiences are reported by those who have come close to death or have been revived from dying. At the core of this, are feeling of peace, seeing lights, and other phenomena.

OBE: Where the Human consciousness is detached from the body for a period of time. Many who have had this experience say they were floating over their bodies. Some have even reported ‘crossing over’ to heaven.

Reincarnation: The belief that we live a number of lives. The primary evidence coming from those who have strong recollections of places they have never been.

Haunting: Phenomena reported to occur in particular locations that include apparitions, sounds, movements of objects and other effects.

Poltergeists: PK phenomena on a large scale, often attributed to spirits, but lately there are suggestions that they are linked to living people. In particular, young adolescent girls.

People view parapsychology with suspicion because the name is associated with a huge variety of mysterious phenomena, fringe topics and what many feel is pseudo-science. It’s often linked with a broad range of people who claim to be psychic entertainers, magicians and investigators, even though psi phenomena occurs in all cultures and throughout history.

Mythical Wednesday: Holiday Urban Legends

Since the holiday season is quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the superstitions and legends involving the season. Scouring the internet, I found three Christmas urban legends I thought would be fun to explore. 1) That candy canes were created to pay homage to Jesus, 2) the song The 12 Days of Christmas, was created to help young Catholics learn the tenants of their faith, 3) The Star Wars Holiday Special

Candy Canes:

A yummy treat that is signifies the holidays, the urban legend states that a candy maker in Indiana created the candy cane and “stained them with red stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received.”

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/candycane.asp

 

This article on the link below agrees there is a religious context to the creation of the treat, but that it’s not as religious as some are led to believe.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/cane.html

 

 

The 12 Days of Christmas:

I was surprised to find there is such a controversy surrounding this song. For decades, people have battled whether or not this song is fun nonsense song or a ‘coded song’, used to teach young Catholics their tennets during a time when Catholics were persecuted in England.

 

http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=3465

 

What Snopes had to say about it:

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp

 

Another rebuttal:

http://www.worshipmap.com/lyrics/story12days.html

 

Star Wars Holiday Special

I’m not putting a picture up. As crazy as it sounds, I can honestly say that this is real. I remember watching it on television, and to this day, I’m still confused by it.

http://www.starwarsholidayspecial.com/text/urban_legends.htm

 

What holiday urban legends fascinate you?

Mythical Wednesday: Robins; the Magneto of the animal world?

Used with permission. © Seppo Leinonen, http://www.seppo.net

A relatively new word, magnetoception was first referenced during the early 70’s. It’s an interesting and fascinating ability that allows an organism to actually sense the earth’s magnetic field.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoception

It’s thought this is sense is what lets birds and insects migrate every year, and it has been observed in bacteria and invertebrates such as fruit flies, lobsters and honeybees, but out of all the creatures that have this ability, only the robin has the ability to actually see the magnetic field that encompasses the planet.

Yes, you heard me right.

Scientists have known for decades how homing pigeons use small magnetic particles in their beaks to guide them, but there is now research that states certain birds, robins in particular, were able to actually see the invisible lines.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/01/robins-can-see-magnetic-fields-one-eye/

An experiment was conducted where researchers injected a special traceable dye into the eyes of the bird (ouch), and into the region of their brain called Cluster N, and area known to be active when the birds orient themselves. As the birds got their bearings, the tracers traveled and met in a region of their brain responsible for vision, showing a link between the eye and Cluster N.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/09/070927-magnetic-birds.html

More interesting is this, there are some scientists who feel that these same elements are present in human eyes, and could very well be used the same way.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-06/humans-might-be-able-see-earths-magnetic-field-without-realizing-it

Looks like we might not need the GPS on our phones after all. Good, that damn voice drives me nuts…

What do you think?

Mythical Wednesday: Is there a conspiracy around the Jack the Ripper murders?

Even after 128 years later, the world is still captivated by the name Jack the Ripper.

We all know the gruesome details and story behind one of the world’s worse unsolved crimes. Eleven murders in the Parrish of Whitechapter from April 1888 until February 1891 were contributed to the murderer only known as Jack the Ripper, but more than half were never really confirmed as victims. Only five; MaryAnn Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly are considered victims, or the Canonic Five.

While theories abound as to who the murder could have been, there are a few names that may surprise you. Check out this more unusual list of people.

http://www.bbcamerica.com/ripper-street/2013/01/14/the-5-craziest-jack-the-ripper-theories/

Many people strongly believe the murderer was either an un-educated immigrant; who were flocking to London around the time of the murders, or a member of the aristocracy of the time. Two separate ends of the economical spectrum of the Victorian era, but could there be more to these murders than the authorities of the time were able to understand?

Two of the more popular theories both involve the Royal family, and that only one woman was the target; Mary Jane Kelly.

http://conspiracy.wikia.com/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper

Twenty-first century science has now thrown a new suspect into the ever growing list. If you missed it, DNA found on a shawl at one of the crime scenes has been identified as belonging to Polish-born Aaron Kosminski, which was later disputed.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/jack-the-ripper-id-hinges-on-a-decimal-point-as-scientists-flag-up-dna-error-in-book-that-claims-to-identify-the-whitechapel-killer-9804325.html

Suffice to say, this unsolved murder has even withstood the technology of our time and will remain a mystery for the ages.

What do you think?