Mythral The Mystic – Digging deep into the occult

Thousands of Haitians have gathered to a voodoo festival in July, chanting special prayers to the voodoo spirits to find them new houses and ease their difficulties only six months after a huge earthquake ravaged the island.

Dressed in white, they clambered up the hill to bathe in a waterfall and join in a yearly ritual which has brought the faithful ones for 200 years to the town of Saut d’Eau in the central Haiti.

On this spot in 1847, the Catholic saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel is believed to have appeared. Fearing the apparition could generate a flood of religious enthusiasm, a Catholic priest cut down the tree where the saint was said to stand during this extraordinary event. But he was too late, and ever since sometimes as many as 20,000 people have made the annual pilgrimage here.

Voodoo remains an official state religion, and it is likely that more than half of Haiti’s population practices at least elements of it.

This year fewer people than usual made it to the gathering, which culminated on Friday. For many Haitians, devastated by earthquake, the trip from the capital Port-au-Prince was beyond their means.

But those who came had enthusiastic prayers for the voodoo spirit Erzulie (the spirit of the waterfalls and the voodoo spirit corresponding to the Virgin Mary) to find them a new home.

“Many people are coming for the first time because of the earthquake,” said Paul-Erick Mereilier, who lost his home and a brother during the quake.

The crowds sacrifice animals, usually chickens and goats, and smear their white clothes in the blood, chanting and dancing, often sending themselves into a trance.

Others bathe in the waters of the waterfall, hoping their wishes will be granted. Shaking in the cold water, Mereilier said he always believed in voodoo, but had never thought of coming here before. “I came to look for possibilities, I would like to ask the spirits for a chance,” he said.

Nearby, a young girl in a bright swimsuit shook in a trance, and as relatives kept her from hitting her head on the rocks, other bathers came to touch her and whisper requests in her ears, believing her to be possessed by the spirit Erzulie.

All around, hundreds of men and women of all ages bathed with soap and mint leaves, some naked, others fully clothed. Some chanted verses from the Bible, while young men sipped rum and children played in the water.

Under a tree by the waterfall, Andre Chevry, a thin 50 year-old dressed in the red and blue colors of voodoo priests, welcomed worshippers to light candles and practiced mystical rituals for a fee. “People come here to find satisfaction and solutions to their problems,” said Chevry, sipping clear liquor and warning listeners that it was God who had brought about the earthquake.

“Everyone finds what they are looking for,” he said, but when asked whether the ritual would suffice to solve Haiti’s problems, he answered, “I can’t guarantee anything.”

Haiti is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake. But for many, the pilgrimage is part of the healing process.

//Bruce

This story made me stop my work to post a new message on the blog, which I haven’t done for a few days due to an intense work as far as my book is concerned.

The website Trademe has recently put an auction to buy two ghosts, captured in small bottles filled with holy water. Each bottle would contain the spirit of a person passed away years ago: an old man for the first bottle, and a girl for the second one.

The old man is thought to be Les Graham, a previous owner of the house who lived there in the 1920′s.

On the other hand, the spirit of the little girl, who is presented as disruptive and very powerful, apparently turned up after the couple experimented with a ouija board.

The seller, Melvin_S, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, declares that the two spirits were captured during the exorcism of his house. Before the exorcism, the seller said that he and his partner noticed a weird manifestations happening in his home, like noises, strange vibes or objects moving alone. He then contacted a spiritualist church who led the exorcism.

Since having their troublesome housemates removed last July, the couple had experienced no further disruptions, he said.

The auction is currently reaching the amount of NZ$1840. Do you want to make a bid? Follow the link. It will end on 8th March 2010 Monday.

What do you think about this story? Will you buy the two spirits?

Normally, I would not do a post like this one. But these days, I received two emails from two of my blog followers. They are active posters and I thank them for their loyalty to my site. I know you are more everyday to read this blog and I hope that you will all read my book soon. For who ever wrote one, they know what a long task it is. Anyway, that’s not to talk about my book that I’m posting today.

These two persons complained to me that I was moderating their emails. If two emailed me about it, I assume your are more to think the same thing. That’s why I want to tell you something. The truth is that I receive something like 500 new comments everyday. Most of them are spams !

That’s why some of your messages don’t get through. But don’t worry, I’m checking IPs and emails to publish ONLY genuine comments. Here is a screenshot that I’ve just made. It shows my blog administration desk to accept comments. Note that there is only 1 message from an authentic person. Others are spams !

I promise I will be a more active blogger as soon as my book is finished. Until then, I hope you understand that I have difficulties to face such extra work.

//Bruce

Spanish news are covering the story of the world star football player, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, misfortune. According to the sources I found, he had pissed the wrong woman off (being the ladies-man that he is…). She then apparently paid the sum of 15.000 Euros for the spell casters Pepé’s services to injure him and end his career. As the spell caster is currently working on the case, we will have to see what the final result turns out to be.. So far Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered from a smaller injury caused by the spell caster.

It has also been told that another spell caster has now been set to protect Cristiano Ronaldo.
The news translated (with google translator tool)from Spanish sites:  Terra website ,  Sports.es

//Bruce

I first got to know about the Native American peace pipe from a Native American friend. I often noticed that he used the expression “Smoked the peace pipe” whenever he referred to patching up with someone after a fight. One day I got curious and asked him about it. He enlightened me on the ancient tradition of smoking a peace pipe by the native Indians. The peace pipe also known as medicine pipe or calumet is used by many Native American tribes as a symbol of peace and as an offering to Mother Earth for her bountiful gifts.

Peace Pipe

I had the fortune of trying out the ritual myself thanks to my friend. He had saved up the smoking pipe that his forefathers had used years ago. Along with the pipe came a pipe bowl which is usually made of red pipestone. The ceremony began with the pipe being loaded with tobacco, and then being pointed to all four directions – East, West, North and South with respect to Mother Earth (Gaia) and Father Sky. It finally ends with the final ceremonial offering to the Great Spirit. On one hand I held the pipe firmly by the bowl and pointed the stem of the pipe to the east. On the other hand I held a pinch of tobacco, which I sprinkled on the ground to the wise and prosperous Mother Earth and also in recognition of what I have taken from Her. After this I inserted the tobacco in the bowl of the pipe. The sprinkling, it seems, is also a message to the spirit world that a portion of the tobacco is for the powers from the East. The last step is the holding up of the pipe pointed straight upward, into the centre of the universe as Wakan Tanka is regarded to be above, said my friend, although Indians admit that God is everywhere. I had to chant ritual words which included praises and thanking each of the directions for the various gifts.

After chanting the ritual words I turned to the south and pointed the pipe stem facing the south. I held another pinch of tobacco slightly above eye level in the south direction. And I chanted the respective verses. Next I turned west and added another pinch of tobacco. The west is where, according to their tradition, we gain our spiritual wisdom from. Then I sprinkled the tobacco to the north and then inserted into the bowl. After all four directions were accredited I touched the pipe bowl to the ground. I sprinkled tobacco on Mother Earth and then pointed it at an angle into the sky. We performed the ceremony in day and hence I had pointed it to the sun. My friend told me that I should point to the moon if it was night. This was an acknowledgement to Father Sky. Then more tobacco is sprinkled on the ground and the pipe is again loaded and held almost straight up to end the ritual.

My friend said he still believes that the ritual of the peace pipe gives him peace of mind. I borrowed it from him for a week and realized it was true. Many of these customs and traditions though different in many ways are aimed at making a better world. I was glad I was open to such cultures and having learnt more about the Native Americans.

//Bruce

Got back today from a nice weekend vacation with the family. We went to the beautiful Airth Castle!

Airth castle

We had planned this trip for some time and I believe the whole family was somewhat overwhelmed with what we experienced there. I have seen many castles but this felt very exiting as it was the first time we went all together.

We started the day by visiting the SPA and we decided to take massage and sauna. I love the sauna! It feels like you are punishing your body but in a good healthy way. The first evening ended with a really tasteful 3-course dinner. We crashed in bed around midnight and I felt the excitement for the following days adventures..

The next day we went up early for a healthy breakfast (no bacon and sausages!) and a stroll in the area. I enjoy those relaxing walks when you feel as one with nature. You just observe and you don’t interfere with anything.

We continued the “Family Get Together Holiday Breaks” with some more SPA and a lunch consisting nothing else but fruits and berries… Did I mention that I LOVE strawberries?

We all relaxed and enjoyed the facilities and waiting for the evening to come. We had signed up for a “Murder Mystery” and I must say it was very amusing. The kids loved it and I guess Cindy (my wife) was the only one who felt uncomfortable with the layup of us solving a murder we supposedly had witnessed… If you have the chance to do something like this, then take it! I really recommend it.

When the case was solved, we all (the group who was participating) went to a local tavern to eat and drink

Last day, Sunday, was just checking out, eating and then heading home.  We all enjoyed our weekend together and we will surely do more things like this very soon!

//Bruce

Just wishing you all a Marry Christmas and a happy new year! Take care,

//Bruce and family

My daughter Lara turned 18 and we had a big party! Since it is 18, she got to chose the location and how we would celebrate it. Of course she didn’t think about her old dad’s wallet… :’(

We had a lovely day with a tour, special seating and great food. She had invited some friends and the family, naturally. 20 people enjoying a great day together.

What did we we get her? A horse…

//Bruce

I want to talk about something that is warm at heart. Witchcraft! If you are like me, intrigued about the possibility to have powers to take control of your life and being in command, then you should read this post below!

Celts were the people of Indo – European origin. Initially from central Europe, they spread to Western Europe, Britain and further south-east spreading their culture and traditions. They lived before the Romans around 700BC to 100AD. They were god fearing people who paid adulation to both a God and Goddess. They were proficient in most of the fields they undertook, from being warriors to artists to farmers etc. The Celts believed in after life at Summerland and also in Reincarnation.

The priests of the Celts were known as Druids. Twenty years of difficult training and study was required to becoming a practising Druid. They were all powerful and wise. They remained in existence even after the defeat of the Celts by the Romans often proving political assistance and advice. They were called as peacemakers.

They travelled a lot and were country dwellers. Here is an interesting twist – Pagan means country dweller. The ways and means of the Celts, their religious beliefs were later denoted as Paganism. Their traditions fused wit other descendant tribes making up for the Pagan rituals that grew. Each tribe had its own means of living and worshipping. Healing was often one by concocting potions that were derived from medicinal herbs of the respective areas and hence these customs began to be called as witchcraft.

Witch

The wise Celtic women were called witches which is said to be a derivative of the word ‘wicca’ which means wise. Thus witch craft holds the meaning ‘Craft of the wise.’

The travellers that Celts were, they moved to Northern America. The local colonies there did not support the witchcraft practices openly. Thus secrecy in such practices was maintained. The potions from those practising witchcraft were said to have healing powers and offer protection from enemies like Native Americans. Because of such benefits, the witches were widely respected. They were not initially feared. Fear slowly corrupted the minds of the majority of innocents when the common public realized that they do not possess powers to perform what witches can. Adding fuel to fire was the claim by the Church that witch craft can only be learned from the devil. Thus witches lost their importance in the society and worse still were looked upon as enemies when epidemics and famines occurred. People believed it to be the work the witches for disapproving them and the work of God’s wrath for supporting the witches. Slowly even women who were not witches came to be looked down upon. Women were looked upon as distractions in places of politics and religion. They were not allowed to visit holy places with men. Beauty and all forms of happiness were sins and not to be allowed. Mass killing of women took place. Those that were slightly suspected of practising witchcraft were executed without notice or trial. The witches were tortured in unmentionable barbaric ways and killed along with cats, which were thought to be faithful reporters of witches. Anyone and everyone accused of Witchcraft were killed mercilessly. This was not the plight of the common man alone. Even priests and kings were not spared.

The torture and killings of those practising witch craft was encouraged by many Vatican popes and kings. Rules and laws were created to capture witches and large ransoms were offered.

This carried on for more than 150 years after which the craze of witchcraft killings finally ceased to exist at approximately in the 1700’s.

//Bruce

I took a trip into Glasgow today and walked around the old parts. I went into this lovely antique book store and found a book called  “The Equinox Vol 1″ by Mr.Aleister Crowley.

For those who do not know who he is, look at wikipedia.  Well. I like to say that the book was very interesting (and too expensive to buy) but he have written many good books about the occult. My favourite is his work “The book of the law” where he states it was an entity who was the author and he was only writing it down. The book is about Egyptian magick and occultism. Really interesting!

//Bruce

A subject that is close at heart is “psychic powers”. Have you met a psychic? Consulted him/her about your life? It is normal these days and back in my youth we used to visit an old woman living outside the village. She was know to have psychic powers and many also went to her to communicate with dead relatives. I have been thinking much about her powers and if she was born with it or if it was something she could develop through the years.

The term psychic refers to people possessing extrasensory perceptions or to their proficiency to observe information which is usually hidden to the ordinary senses. This word is a derivative of the Greek word – psychikos which means ‘mental’ or ‘of the mind’.

Develop Psychic Powers

I’m sure most of you, like me, are fascinated with psychic powers. My interests in psychic powers led me to gather more information on it. I read that H.P Blavatsky in her magazine ‘Lucifer’ (1988) had written, “Yet this (psychic) power is latent in all men, and could, in time, be wielded by anyone who would cultivate the knowledge and conform to the conditions necessary for its development.”

Encouraged by this I read more on how to develop one’s psychic powers. Here’s what I know.
First of all you are to believe that psychic powers are not inherited. It is a latent power that exists in all, not only in psychic families. This is nothing more than any other human ability and can be easily awakened. ‘Practice makes perfect’ is a proverb that can be aptly quoted for developing psychic powers. For this, meditate everyday and tell yourself that you are a psychic. Maintain a positive attitude throughout the exercise and BELIEVE YOU CAN. This is like training a mind to mould into and tap your psychic potentials. Imagination is also a very important tool.  Envision every task you do in your mind’s eye. When faced with any problem relax and close your eyes and envision the problem and its possible solutions and their outcomes. This task may seem simple but the power is enormous. To relax, visualize that all negatives around you are being removed. Clear your mind to focus on the problem at hand. This will take practice to perfect, and so repeat this as many times as you can.

Try to be more sensitive to your surroundings. Lie awake with your eyes closed every morning and try to use your other senses in observing the surrounding around you. Be aware of the multitude of sounds and tastes, feelings and textures around you. It is important that you relax and understand the importance of this exercise.

Usually it will be difficult to bring control into these thoughts and to remain focused during such mediations. Instead of trying to control such thoughts, let it free. Pay attention to random thoughts also. It is better if you carry a journal with you at all times. Jot down such thoughts.

Dreams are another way of entering the Psychic world. Pay attention to your dreams. Remember dreams by waking up 10 minutes prior to the usual wake up time and try to recall them. Waking up suddenly and getting ready for the day in a hurry will let you forget what happened in your dreams. Jot down your dreams also and over a period of time, you might see a pattern.

As you start practising this every day, you will be able to notice changes in you. Try guessing who is calling when the phone rings or door is knocked. If you don’t get it right, do not worry. Perseverance is the key to success. As you become well versed in the above mentioned techniques, you can progress to other psychic abilities as Clairvoyance, telepathy etc.

//Bruce

I want to take you all back with me when I was 12. This was many years ago as you can imagine. I was staying with my grandparents and this particular summer, they decided to take me out to a castle. It belonged to an old countess and she rented out rooms in a part of the castle, as a hotel.

This was a really enchanting place for a young kid like I was back then. The old medieval castle with all the old paintings and artefacts. You can imagine the story built into those walls… Wars, power struggle, murders and schemes being plotted.. I wonder how many, who had to give their lives throughout the years, in that mystic castle..

Well, the day we arrived it had started to blow up and I saw a storm was coming closer. Normally when there is a storm here we have nothing to fear but this time the power of the wind was enormous. We were told to stay below the castle to be safe. Thinking back on it now, it seemed silly, as the castle was built of stone. I bet the walls could have withheld that storm easily.. Anyway, the old Countess took us down to the secret rooms under the castle. This was really, scary very cold and dusty down there. The only light was our small torches.

My grandparents decided to let me sleep alone in my own room, as I was a “big boy”. I didn’t feel that big that night. It was the most horrifying night I had experienced..

Around midnight I heard noises. I stepped up and reached the door to look into the hallway but something grabbed a hold of my ankle and I fell. It was as if something from under the bed had leaped out to grab me… I didn’t see anything but in fear I ran out to the hallway and was met by a man dressed in, what seemed to be very old, a military uniform. I didn’t stop, I just ran as fast as I could into my grandparents room.

They asked what had happened and I had a hard time explaining. They believed I had nightmares but what I saw, felt and heard that night was not a dream. It was real. That night I slept in my grandparents bed.

The next day I discovered the same man I saw last night in the hallway, in one of the paintings. He had been dead for 400 years…

Well I was not sleeping alone for almost an year and it took me 20 years until my next visit to a castle. Have you ever experienced something like this?

//Bruce