Jock Brocas is a spiritual author and teacher with books published internationally. Jock is also the president of the charity organization assmpi and works tirelessly to he others develop spiritually and live a more rewarding life. Join Jock Brocas on a spiritual journey.
http://jockbrocas.us
Encountering people with paranormal gifts can be a wonderful experience, especially if there is no hidden agenda, but in some cases, it can be a bad one, it can even destroy one's life. There are people out there who do not have your best interest at heart and are looking for cold hard profit at any cost and that could even be your soul. According to NBC Boston, a Massachusetts palm reader who conned a client for $7o,000 claiming she needed it to essentially buy back her daughter's soul and remove the demon into a barbie doll.
Palm Reader Arrested After $70,000 Swindle
Courtesy Of Somerset Police Department
A palm reader, Tracey Milanovich, from Somerset was arrested last week. She stands accused of stealing approximately $71,000 from a client. The palm reader in question had convinced the woman that her daughter was possessed by a demon. She also told her that giving her the money would allow her to buy back her soul and vanquish the demon by placing it into a barbie doll.
The Fall River District Court has released a statement on Monday about the palm reader. They state that she stands accused of larceny for an amount bigger than $1,200, intimidation of a witness, as well as obtaining property by trick.
Sources say that Tracey Milanovich is the owner of Tracy’s Psychic Palm Reader and that she stole around $71,000 from one client. In addition to the money swindle, she also told the woman to buy her common household items, including towels and bedding, and that the more valuable the item the more the demon would be affected. Milanovich kept asking for money, according to the police report, claiming that a previous payment "only cleaned half of her daughter," and that she needed an "additional $6,058.00 to remove what was left. Victims can contact Somerset police officer Daniel Cormier by calling (508) 679-2138.
How To Protect Yourself Against Psychics With Poor Intentions?
Just like in any profession, psychics and mediums can be evaluated these days. Evidently, some have become very good at conning people but there are organizations to protect you from them and who have high standards when it comes to the paranormal. There are also organizations that help you find a trustworthy psychic or a medium.
Some of the organizations that are often used as a reference are;
These organizations have standards by which one must abide and also have to reach in order to become a member, certified or listed by them. When using some of the sites, by entering the service that you are looking for and your area, you can get an immediate overview of suitable mediums or psychics. You are able to make a choice on many whom are listed based on their history, reviews and so much more.
Evidently, there are some things you can look out for to ensure you are not being tricked by a fraudulent psychic. Here are some of our tips to ensure you have a good experience.
Do your homework
Research is key when you want to find a good psychic. Some people may appear like the best out there, but the reality can be quite different from the claim. Look for reviews, experiences, and even advice from friends and family who may have visited someone before.
Check the rates
Being a psychic is a job just like any other; this means that you will have to pay a fee for a private reading. The location where you reside can make a huge difference in terms of cost and availability. To get a better idea about the cost of psychics in your area, it can be a good idea to call around or look online for going rates in your area. Remember, the most expensive may not always be the best and similarly to the level of fame.
Unusual demands
The story above is a cautionary tale. The palm reader in question was able to fraudulently obtain large amounts of money and even property by fooling her clients. When a psychic has unusual demands such as signing over your house or buying them things in addition to the session price or using fear to get what they want, then alarm bells should start ringing. Be sure not to give them anything.
To avoid huge costs that have not been agreed upon, agree on a price before you head to the session. If the costs are considerably higher upon your arrival, then you may be dealing with a fraudulent psychic.
Being Approached
If you are approached randomly in public with someone who has a message or who felt like they must connect with you to tell you something out of the ordinary, then run a mile. This is highly unprofessional and is one of the first signs that you are about to be tricked.
Growth In Mediumship and Psychic Business
It is unfortunate that in the modern-day, everyone seems to be a medium, or is an amazing psychic and to some, it seems an easy way to make a living. There are a plethora of courses and small workshops and attending one of these it seems is all one needs to set up in business. The truth is very different and those genuine ambassadors in the community will tell you that it takes years of development and discernment as well as sacrifice and that a great deal of responsibility is needed. Be aware of one's history and development. Even training in a workshop with a famous person in the scene does not make you a professional medium or psychic.
Protect Yourself, But Remember There Are Good Ones Out There
Even though the story about the Somerset psychic is not an isolated case, there are genuine psychics and mediums out there that have the best intentions. Unfortunately, stories such as the one above can make it difficult for genuine psychics to make a living and get the respect from the community they deserve. Therefore, the message is to protect yourself but to remember that there are genuine people with real gifts out there that could contribute to your life. However, they are few and far between.
USS North Carolina, Wilmington NC photo by Kala Ambrose
As we approach the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, I'd like to share with you an experience I've had encountered a ghost who is connected to this time and place…
This journey begins in eastern North Carolina. North Carolina has a shoreline that is not welcoming to ships and even with the abundance of lighthouses warning ships to steer clear, the numbers of shipwrecks reported along the coast are in the hundreds.
Pirate ghosts are reported to wander the land - looking to save their sunken ships, hide their treasure and settle a score. Blackbeard is the most famous and infamous of them all and remains in good company with the men and women who followed a similar path.
Haunted North Carolina
This is where the haunted history of North Carolina begins, on the beaches and outer islands of the state. Some believe that your soul can't rest when you are lost at sea and thus you will remain a ghost. The coast of North Carolina is full of stories of ghosts said to appear and disappear at will. Some to warn of approaching storms, others on patrol to guard a fort and lighthouse keepers who remain at their station, long after their final retirement.
I find it interesting to note that should you sail directly east from the coast of North Carolina, you will reach Bermuda, putting you directly into the Bermuda Triangle. Were the souls who dared to cross the Bermuda Triangle to enter the North Carolina coast, doomed even before they began? And does this energy radiate through the Atlantic waters into North Carolina?
Over the years, I've explored so many incredible haunting sites in North Carolina. For this story, as your travel guide to the other side, I want to share my experience while visiting a naval ship in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Commissioned in 1940, the USS North Carolina was considered to be one of the world’s most formidable ships. During WWII, the North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific. This earned it fifteen battle stars and was known as the protector of aircraft carriers, including saving the USS Enterprise in 1942.
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor using 353 Japanese fighters and torpedo planes. Four battleships were sunk and four others damaged. Two destroyers and three cruisers were sunk and almost three hundred and fifty aircraft were destroyed or severely damaged. Over 2,400 men were killed and more than 1,200 injured. The overwhelming devastation was a huge shock to the nation.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, almost all of the Pacific fleet was destroyed. The first wave of Japanese attack inflicted most of the damage and the second wave returned to demolish anything left standing. Japan and the United States were in peace talks at the time, so the attack came as a surprise, as no declaration of war had been delivered before the attack. With this act, the United States then declared war and entered World War II.
The surviving sailors in Hawaii were in a state of despair; they had lost many of their friends along with their ships and they were isolated on an island far away from the mainland. The attack had been swift. Reinforcements and supplies were going to take months to arrive in Hawaii. Feeling alone and grieving, the men waited for seven long months for reinforcements to arrive.
Then one glorious day, the first naval ship arrived in Hawaii. It was the USS North Carolina and she was greeted in a mass celebration by an overwhelming crowd of soldiers, sailors, marines and air force pilots, hailing her presence from the beaches with cheers and delight. Upon her arrival in Hawaii, many sailors were quoted as saying that she was “the most beautiful thing they had ever seen.”
Haunted Experience
In my experience as a psychic and paranormal investigator, I have found that powerful emotional experiences of the most positive and the most negative nature leave an energy imprint on the object of the attention. Energy imprints are also left on objects surrounding the area as well.
I believe that the USS North Carolina battleship soaked up all of that energy that day upon her arrival in Pearl Harbor. In the water and in the air, she felt the pain and loss of the destruction which had occurred, while at the same time, she was greeted and filled with joy by sailors, pilots, and marines who saw her like a saving grace and point of hope.
This, I believe, buoyed the battleship, giving her great luck and fierce determination in battle.
A Warship
She was known to be a feisty fighter; stories are still told about the day she fought her first battle against the Japanese Imperial Navy. Her guns roared from the ship and surrounded her in so much smoke that the nearby USS Enterprise reported that they believed her to be on fire.
When the smoke cleared, the facts showed just the opposite. The great lady had shot down seven planes and reportedly assisted in bringing down seven more and she was just getting started. She also fought in Okinawa, where during forty days of constant battle, she shot down hundreds of suicidal Kamikaze Japanese planes.
During the War, the Japanese reported on their radio six different times that they had sunk the North Carolina battleship, all of which proved to be false. The Japanese did manage to hit the ship once with a torpedo, which cost five crewmen their lives. Five other men died aboard the ship from other circumstances and by some accounts some of them still remain on board and in active duty on the ship to this day.
Anchored
The USS North Carolina battleship is now anchored in Wilmington, North Carolina where thousands visit her each year. Many of those who visit and work on the ship have shared a number of ghost stories and other paranormal activity they experienced while onboard.
From the night watchman who sleeps aboard the ship each night to daily tourists and visitors, the reports of the ship being haunted continue to grow. Some of the ghosts are harmless, though they do catch people off guard, giving them a fright. Mostly, they are seen involved in their daily activities aboard the ship, looking for lunch from the kitchen, preparing for bed in their bunks and performing maintenance around the ship. The sounds of their banging as they work on parts of the ship can often be heard throughout the night. These ghosts are hard workers; they bang with their tools, knock on walls, open and close hatches, yell at each other, have heated and animated discussions, and enjoy turning televisions and lights on and off.
The ship is massive and as you approach where she’s anchored on the Cape Fear River, you can’t help but feel excited and swell with a sense of patriotic pride. Upon boarding the ship, you take a step back into history. As you walk through each section, displays are set up to show what life on the ship was like. Lifesize cardboard cutouts of men are arranged in some of the rooms to showcase onboard activities including; the barbershop, the movie theater, post office, laundry, ice cream shop, and the infirmary. It quickly sinks in that each ship was a world of its own, where sailors lived for months at sea in cramped conditions and where all of their daily needs had to be met.
It was a relatively quiet day when I visited the ship, and I wandered through the ship at my own pace. This allowed me to take my time and linger in some places where I felt the energy shift around me. What I felt first and foremost, was a strong emotional bond linked here on the ship. The men who had served on this ship were extremely proud of their work and their commitment to their country. You can literally feel this pride in the air.
When World War II ended, the ship was sent to an inactive reserve in 1947 in New Jersey. In 1958, it was announced that the ship would be sent to the scrap heap to be torn apart and the metal recycled. Citizens of North Carolina formed a group called SOS (Save Our Ship) and raised the money to purchase the ship and bring it home to Wilmington.
In 1962, the USSNorth Carolina was delivered to the state of North Carolina and dedicated as a memorial to all World War II veterans and those who died in the war.
As I took in the emotional energy resonating from the ship, I compared it to other naval ships that I've been on and I found North Carolina to be quite different in feeling. I’ve been on several naval ships, including going on a Tiger cruise, where family and friends are invited to cruise on a naval ship as it returns from a deployment, so I’m familiar with the look and feel of a ship. I’ve stepped through my share of bulkheads to enter rooms and appreciate the tremendous amount of thought and planning that goes into building a ship to house so many sailors in one confined space.
As I walked through the ship, I noticed that there were certainly pockets around the ship that felt sad (the brig area being a strong one) and a couple of areas that felt very creepy, but overall, the ship literally bursts with pride. It rings from the walls and I think the veterans and tourists who visit the ship each day reinforce this energy, building it to even greater levels.
For the most part, according to history, the men on the ship got along very well and were as happy as men can be when involved in the war-time activity.
But there was one man on board that ship who appears as if he has never been happy and he continues to haunt the ship until this day.
I felt his presence on the ship after only being there for a few minutes. If he was a sailor on the North Carolina during the war, I feel that he caused trouble and mayhem aboard the ship as often as he could. I encountered him during my visit to North Carolina and I’m not sure that he is a ghost. I think instead that he may be a malevolent spirit who has attached itself to the ship.
At one point during my tour, I sensed the presence of another ghost and I began to track it around the ship. I encountered stepping into cold spots, following the sound of footsteps where no one was walking, and overhearing a bit of conversation near the mess hall. I became a psychic detective, using my internal radar to guide me to the energy as it would grow and then disappear. Near the ship’s galley, I saw a shadowy mist begin to appear. I quickly reached for my camera to snap a picture.
Before I could take the photo, the entire camera shut down and the brand new batteries that I had loaded that morning were now completely drained. I always travel with extra batteries; as any paranormal researcher can tell you it is a frequent occurrence when ghosts are near, that the batteries in all types of electronic equipment will be drained. This ghost that had appeared, though, was not the dark presence I had felt earlier on the ship, as he did not emit the intense feeling of dread that I had detected earlier with the malevolent spirit. He appeared to be involved in his daily activities and seemed more interested in getting lunch from the galley area than anything else.
The ship itself makes it difficult to take photos that could realistically be used as evidence of paranormal activity. Besides the fact that the ship is mostly metal and the flash from the camera bounces everywhere, many of the displays on the ship are behind glass, which also makes it difficult to take pictures without light of some kind bouncing off the glass and metal and creating the effect of orbs and other anomalies that could be misconstrued as supernatural in nature.
I loaded new batteries in my camera but decided that it was time to put the gadgets away and use the best tool I have, my psychic sense. I continued through the ship for about a half-hour after that, no longer sensing the ghostly presence. The ship has been wonderfully restored and it was a pleasure just to take the tour of this living legend.
Just as I was about to wrap things up and head for the exit, the angry spirit appeared. I was standing by some stairs when I noticed someone looking at me.
The only way I know to describe him to you is that he was intense, forbidding and not at all interested in the conversation. Reports from various paranormal investigators and researchers have said that the man they encountered offered his name and at times, his rank.
The being that I encountered was not in the mood to talk, and though he startled me at first, I soon realized that he wasn’t particularly interested in me at that moment, unless he thought I would be interfering with his activities. He was not the ghost that I had seen materializing near the mess hall; that presence had been fun to follow around the ship. He was pleasant enough and simply engaged in his daily activities. This entity, on the other hand, sucked the energy out of where he appeared and filled it with angry energy. I held my ground, using what I had been taught over the years to keep a protective shield of light energy around me so as not to allow him to come any closer to me.
The entire encounter lasted a few seconds and felt like several minutes. I know nothing about this spirit, not his name or his rank, but I do know what I felt when meeting him. He’s moved past the point of being reasonable, anger has overtaken him and it’s how he feeds his energy. He takes the form of a man when he appears, but I don’t think that his true form is human. I feel that this spirit attached itself to one of the men who served on the ship and now uses his form to manifest as a human when it desires. The sailor to whom he attached himself to during the time he served on the ship was never a mentally well-balanced person. He wrestled with his dark side all throughout his life and enjoyed being cruel to others onboard, which made him prey for this dark spirit.
He’s definitely not giving out information as to whether or not he was one of the men who died on board the ship, but it’s clear that he’s attached to the ship with no plans to leave anytime soon. Should you encounter him during your visit, you’ll know immediately. Even if you do not see him, you’ll feel his presence, a mixture of anger and dread and you’ll struggle not to run as far away from this energy as you can.
As I kept my light force field shield around me, the spirit disappeared and I could no longer detect his presence. He’s motivated by creating fear and making other people feel afraid, so if you bump into him on the ship, don’t engage with him. The best thing you can do if you run into him is to ignore him and move away to another area.
If you encounter the other ghosts here on the ship, they feel very different than this spirit. Should they materialize in front of you, they are lighter in color and go about their daily tasks on the ship. In comparison, the dark spirit appears to be hunting for something or someone on the ship.
Finished with the tour, I gathered myself and prepared to disembark. Turning back to look at the ship one last time, I found myself agreeing with those sailors in Hawaii; the ship is a beautiful sight. Overall the energy there is overwhelmingly positive, but like with all things in life, there is the light and there are shadows. Wonderfully preserved, we can’t quite call her a landmark, but she is a presence to be dealt with and honored.
The nickname given to the USS North Carolina was the “Showboat” and she continues to live up to her name today. My gratitude and deep appreciation go out to all of the men who served during this war, for their sacrifice and commitment. May they all rest in peace.
We would like to start this off with the definition of free will which is the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate. The ability to act at one's own discretion.
We use free will every day when we pick out what to wear, eat and drink. Because free will is what we use every day without giving much thought to its true meaning as we use it in the physical sense. But what about using free will spiritually speaking? The Bible talks about free will a total of eighteen times. From Genesis to Revelation, all one has to do is look for them within.
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
"Life by the Spirit, you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Now these are two of many you can find by looking them up, God gave all of us free will and there are those out there who use it for good and then there are those who use it for evil, for control, for personal gain as well as power, fame and wealth and, to hurt others. What path we choose will have an everlasting effect on us as spiritual beings and our lives in general.
Creation
We were all created in his image, his likeness and when people curse him and push him away not only does it hurt him, it gives the devil an invitation. This is a chance to step in and ensnare us by offering those same things that god was cursed for not giving us, and so we accept them wholeheartedly without bothering to see the consequences further on down the line - until it's too late.
Gifts Galore
The devil will gladly give you anything and everything with the price tag of your soul, and it is now up to you to use your God-given free will to decide which path to take and in some cases most will choose God but in other cases they choose the latter, and by choosing the devil they are forced into a life of torment, oppression and eventually possession with death being the ultimate goal.
A good example of this is when famous people, people of power and influence openly talk about making deals with the devil to get where they are now. This is not a joke as they are openly telling you that they did this. When they speak of being in front of a huge crowd and the music starts and something takes over, it's their attachment they were given after making that deal.
Temptation
Demon Influence
The devil tempts us every day with the hope of trying to ensnare us to find a way in, to get us away from God, and with that same free will we can choose to embrace God and put on our spiritual armor or again choose the latter. The temptation is everywhere. Another good example of it is Genesis when the serpent comes into the garden to tempt Eve, and tricks her into eating the apple from the tree and the downfall of humanity, because before we were without sin.
I don't know about you all, but I choose God because for me he is the light, the truth, and the way and I wear daily the full armor of God. Here are some prayers concerning this:
Armor Of God Prayer
Ephesians 6:10-18 says,
"Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand"
“Stand firm then with the Belt of Truth buckled around your waist... (Lord, please give me the understanding of what is true and right in every situation I walk into today.) “With the Breastplate of Righteousness in place... (Lord, I thank you that I am loved by you and that you have washed my sin away and covered my doubt.)
“And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace..... (Lord, remind me today to be open to what you want me to do; use my hands and feet and show me people you would have me do something for today.)
“In addition to all this the Shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one..... (Lord, I thank you that by faith in your power I can be protected from temptation and wrong desires today. Guide me and protect me. Keep me from temptation and increase my faith in you.)
“Take up the Helmet of Salvation... (Lord, I celebrate the fact that I am your child!) - “and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.... (Lord, give me the desire to read your word. Help me not to just read it but to obey it as well.) - “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...
(Lord, guide my day problems of the day to you as they arise.) - “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints....”
Lord, keep me alert and focused on you today for you are my hope! Amen. God Bless.
As an esoteric wisdom teacher and someone who works, breathes and lives with one foot firmly grounded on the earth plane and the other just as firmly set in the spirit world, I thought I should begin by introducing you to my work.
I'm known as 'Your Travel Guide to the Other Side' as the body of my work is focused on metaphysical abilities, wisdom teachings and how to live your best spiritual life here on earth, including seeing auras, developing your psychic ability, interpreting dreams and discovering the hidden wisdom within you.
The publisher of my two paranormal books created this series called America's Haunted Road Trip (AdventureKeen/Clerisy Press). They asked authors who live in each state of the US to write about the haunted history in these states and in some cases, prominent haunted cities. I grew up in Louisiana and later lived in North Carolina as an adult, so it was my great pleasure to share the incredible haunted history of both places. The books are travel guides to publicly accessible haunted sites so that you can visit each one to see what supernatural experiences you may encounter.
I visited each location to see what I would experience as a psychic medium and I reported my encounters in the books. In some locations, I didn't experience any paranormal activity while there and I reported that too. I think it's just as important to share this information when doing paranormal research, as a place could have activity, but this doesn't mean that the activity is there 24/7. There are a lot of variables in each situation, including but not limited to; does activity pick up when certain people are present, does the weather or season or time of day or night play a factor, or is activity connected to a specific date like an anniversary. Spirits, like people on earth, have other things to do and they come and go just like we do.
My journey with spirits began at an early age when I became aware of my supernatural abilities by having dreams that would come true. I would share these dreams with my parents and they would note their accuracy and discuss. As I became a bit older, around eight or nine, I was able to share more details about the dreams and this is when my parents began to pay attention, as I was now predicting future events about people and situations that were part of their lives.
The dream that was life-changing for me and for them was when I dreamt that my grandfather was about to pass away and when I awoke from this dream in the middle of the night. I could still feel this physical death experience happening to him as I had while dreaming. This was what I would later come to understand as being an Empath, having the ability to connect to others energetically in this form. As I ran to wake my parents so they could go help my grandfather, I could feel the physical pain he was experiencing. It's one of those moments you never forget.
It was a very troubling experience for me in many ways, losing my grandfather was the first death of someone that I was very close to, which was devastating. Along with that, I would find this beyond frustrating that I could feel someone's illness or sadness as am Empath, but many times there was little I could do to help them in their situation.
During this time, my great grandmother visited me in spirit before his passing, preparing me for the abilities that were coming through for me. I wish I had been older and had the ability to discuss with her what I was seeing with my grandfather, for now I realize she had probably been visiting him all of this time too, preparing him for when he would cross over. I had wanted to discuss her visit with my grandfather, but after a psychometry experience where I held some of my grandmother's jewelry and shared the stories of what she had been doing while wearing the jewelry, I was asked to no longer discuss these things. So I had shied away from discussing most of what I saw and experienced supernaturally with the family anymore.
Once my grandfather crossed over, she informed me that I would be doing the work she did and much more, and that it had been in the family for ages. The most interesting thing I found when she visited me was that she spoke in French the entire time. This is when I realized that people in spirit communicate telepathically with energy, images, and impressions and that there is no language barrier when communicating in this manner. I could understand her as if she was speaking to me in English.
My journey as a 'spirit walker', which is what my mother referred to me as, a person who travels back and forth between the earth plane and the spirit world, was active since my childhood. I came back remembering past lives and I would share these stories with my parents. I would spend a great amount of time in the local library checking out books on mythology and haunted history and then would proceed to 'edit' these books, explaining how they were wrong in many ways. My journey as a wisdom teacher began early in this form. At the age of twelve, I went to my mother and declared that I was ready to begin my formal studies in Astrology again and she agreed and encouraged me. The next year at age thirteen, I went to her again and explained that I was ready to study the Tarot and she bought me my first deck of cards and found a teacher for me. I was so fortunate to have a mother who understood and encouraged my journey. I think by this time my mother had realized it was a huge part of my life and who I was, so she didn't want to stop it.
Louisiana Bayou
Around this time, my mother and my grandmother had taken me with them one day when they drove to a lady's home where I had never been before. The home was in the country near the bayou where we lived in Louisiana. It was a beautiful two-story clapboard structure, painted white with a wraparound porch and black shutters. Outside the home stood several big oak trees and under one of these trees, there was a rope swing with a slat of wood for the seat. My mother explained that she and my grandmother were going inside this home to talk to the lady who lived there and that I needed to stay outside and sit on the rope swing. I sat on the swing, enjoying the peaceful feeling that surrounded this property. The sun was shining, birds were singing and there was a cool breeze blowing steadily. It was easy to wait here and I enjoyed my time on the swing.
About an hour later my mother and grandmother appeared back on the front porch and I saw the lady behind them waving goodbye. She and I looked at each other and I saw her aura, which I had been able to do with everyone for as long as I could remember. I also saw someone in spirit standing next to her. Her aura was glowing and it felt familiar to me. I waved to her and she was staring just as intently at me and waved back.
In the car on the way back to my grandmother's house, my mother and grandmother were trying to speak as adults do, in code, that they think children won't pick up on. Growing frustrated with their strained conversation and the tension it created that I was feeling as an empath, I spoke in my sweet southern Louisiana voice and said to my mother,
"I know y'all went to have a psychic reading with that lady and that she told you about what's coming for you. I agree with her, as I've seen the same thing and it will scary at first and then it will be ok".
Well suffice to say, my family was used to hearing about my prophetic dreams, but not as much about how psychic I was on a daily basis. The psychometry jewelry experience had given them a small hint of things to come, but me knowing what they had discussed inside the home with the lady, changed how they perceived what I knew and could know. Let's just say it put a strain on the relationship between my mother and I as she had a lot of things going on in her life at that time.
It was at this point in my journey that I began to understand discernment and how important it was not to share too much with people when they weren't ready to hear or face certain situations. My frustration grew again. Now that I was old enough to understand how difficult life is many times for people and while I could see what they were experiencing, I didn't know yet how to help them. It was during these early times that I believe is what set the tone for me to study and then become an esoteric wisdom teacher. I didn't want to just be a psychic and see things for people (give a man a fish and he eats for a day), I wanted to teach them what I knew, about discernment and energy bodies and how the aura fluctuates with our thoughts and emotions and how what we think and feel, affects our daily lives. I wanted to explain how to connect with the wisdom within our soul, and from the Akashic records and higher soul and how we are intuitive creators (teach a man to fish and he eats forever).
This is how my journey began in this lifetime. In future articles, I'll share how it's all culminated and led me to what I do today as a I teach, write and offer consultations to help people on their path.
author Kala Ambrose
It's wonderful to connect with you here. I hope you'll join me again here soon. Next time I'll share what happened to me when visiting the spiritual planes this year at Halloween and into the next day, which the Catholics refer to as All Soul's Day. It certainly was for me!
Halloween or Samhain (pronounced Sow-in or Sow-een) falls on October 31st. Samhain is one of the eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, the Wiccan calendar. Samhain is possibly the most important festival celebrated by Witches and is also known as the Witches’ New Year.
Samhain marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of Winter or dark half of the year. It is seen as a time of endings as the trees and land rest paving the way for rebirth and the start of a New Year. This dark part of the year, seen as a magical time, will inevitably be followed by light. There is also a belief that during Samhain the veil between the two worlds is at its thinnest, making it easier to contact those who have passed to the spirit world.
Around 2000 years ago the ancient Celts believed that spirits returned to earth due to the boundary between the two worlds being dissolved. They also believed that the presence of the spirits made it possible for the Druids (Celtic priests), to make predictions about the future. The druids built large bonfires where they made animal sacrifices to the Deities. They also dressed in animal skins and heads and told each other’s fortunes. Once the festivities were over the Celts re-lit fires in their hearths from the sacred bonfires, to protect them through the coming months.
The Romans
Two Roman festivals were later combined with the traditional Celtic Samhain. These were Feralia, a day when the Romans honored their dead and another day when they honored Pomona, Goddess of fruit and trees. The apple is a symbol of Pomona which could be where the tradition of bobbing apples has originated.
November 1st became known as ‘All Saints Day’, a day which Pope Gregory III decided would be about honoring all Saints. He combined this with ‘All Martyrs Day’ which was initially established on May 13th, 609AD by Pope Boniface IV. The night before All Saints Day became known as ‘All Hallows Eve’, later named Halloween. The reason it was given this name is that All Saints Day was also called ‘All-Hallows’ or ‘All-Hallowmas’. In 1000AD November 2nd became known as ‘All Souls Day’, dedicated to honoring the dead. This day was celebrated by the Church with bonfires and people dressing up as angels, devils, and saints.
Trick or Treating
The tradition of trick or treating can be traced back to the Christian tradition of souling which took place in England during the Middle Ages. This practice took place from Halloween through to All Souls Day. Poor people would go from door to door and were given pastries known as soul cakes, in return they would pray for the souls of the person’s dead relatives. This tradition, started by the church, was believed to be a replacement for a previous tradition of leaving out food and wine for roaming spirits. Eventually, children began calling to neighbors’ houses where they would receive food, ale, and money. This became known as ‘trick- or- treating’ and later became popular in the United States as well as the United Kingdom. It has since led to the custom of asking neighbors the question Trick-or-Treat?
The idea of dressing up at Halloween came from the Celts and their fear of encountering spirits at Halloween. They would wear masks when leaving their homes after dark, in the hope that spirits would think they were other spirits. To please the spirits and prevent them from entering their homes they would leave bowls of food outside for them.
There are various legends associated with Jack-O-Lanterns. They are believed to have originated from the UK. Carved out turnips or other root vegetables were made into lanterns with scary faces, to ward off evil spirits. They were often left in windows or doorways to prevent the spirits from entering the home.
Irish Halloween Legends
One of the more popular legends came from Ireland and revolved around a man known as Stingy Jack. The story tells how Jack tricked the devil, convincing him to turn into a coin to pay for drinks. Jack then used a silver cross to prevent the devil from returning to his original form. When he allowed him to turn back, he made him promise that he would not claim his soul when he died.
Jack then persuaded the devil to climb a tree and pick some fruit. He carved the shape of a cross into the tree trunk and the devil was unable to get down. Once again Jack made him promise not to claim his soul. When Stingy Jack died, he was not allowed into heaven. He tried to enter hell, but the devil kept his promise and refused to take his soul. The devil gave Jack an ember from the fire and sent him away. Jack placed the ember inside a turnip and used it to light his way. Stingy Jack is believed to have been wandering the earth ever since.
Irish immigrants brought the Jack-O-Lanterns into the United States. Pumpkins were plentiful in the US and they soon realized that these would be perfect to carve out and use as Jack-O-Lanterns. Pumpkins were then used instead of turnips and are still used today.
Halloween Traditions and Superstitions
Halloween was a time when the Celts felt closer to deceased relatives. They would set extra places at the table for relatives that had passed to the spirit world and leave treats on their doorsteps and along the roadside. They would also light candles to aid their loved ones in finding their way back to the spirit world. Today people still follow the tradition of setting extra places at the table for loved ones in spirit.
Although not necessarily a Halloween superstition, the belief that a black cat will bring bad luck when crossing a person’s path stems from the middle ages. People thought that witches turned themselves into black cats to avoid detection. However, some people believe that if a black cat crosses their path it will bring them good luck.
Bats on Halloween
Bats were not considered to be a good sign on Halloween. It was believed that if a bat flew into someone’s home then it was haunted. If a bat flew around the home three times it was believed that someone would die. There are also superstitions involving spiders. If a spider is spotted on Halloween it is thought to be a sign of a loved one in spirit watching over the person. If a spider is seen falling into the flame of a candle lamp, then witches are said to be close by.
Some of the Halloween superstitions, still popular today, involve ways of potentially foretelling the future, relating to marriage and children. Cutting open an apple and counting the seeds was supposed to tell a person how many children they would have. If a woman peeled an apple and then tossed the peel over her shoulder it was believed to land in the shape of the initials of her future husband. In Ireland, during the 18th century, cooks would sometimes place rings in mashed potatoes on Halloween. This was meant to bring true love to the person who found the ring.
Throwing nuts into a fireplace was supposed to tell whether a relationship would last. If the nuts exploded or popped, the relationship would not last but if it turned to ash they would marry. It was believed that if a woman ate walnuts, hazelnuts, and nutmeg before going to bed then she would dream of her future husband. Another legend tells that if a woman stands in a dark room, looking in a mirror, holding a candle, she will see the face of her future husband over her shoulder.
Witches
Witches Of Halloween
Witches will often make a broom, known as a ‘besom’ at Halloween. These are then used to sweep away any old, stagnant or negative energies that no longer serve them. This is seen as a way of creating space for the new year.
The act of giving an acorn to someone was apparently a secret sign to tell the person that they were a witch. Witches often used to keep their identities secret due to widespread persecution of witches. Acorns were meant to be a symbol of protection, fertility, growth, and friendship.
Halloween and its traditions have become increasingly popular over the years, predominantly in the US and the UK. There are a variety of celebrations in other countries across the world which are celebrated on October 31st,including The Day of the Dead, celebrated mainly in Mexico and parts of Latin America, The Day of Dracula in Romania, Kawasaki Halloween Parade in Japan and Pangangaluluwa in The Philippines. Other countries have similar celebrations to honor the dead at other times of the year.
How many people whilst having that quiet amble through the woods think about those that walked before, and your own footsteps now treading that same path?
Most of us like to venture out into the woodlands for a walk as a rambler, or simply out with the dog in ancient woodland and newly managed environments. For centuries these woodlands have been shrouded in mystery, and at night most people will stay away from them because of the perceived taboos attached to their secrecy, these are haunted woods.
Evil In The Haunted Woods
Despite being spiritual havens for the soul searchers, darker forces have invaded woodlands throughout the world.
If we look at historical records of the environments surrounding infamous murders, we will often come across woodlands - [Proctor's Ledge] in Salem, Massachusetts being just one example of a woodland that has been laced in the murders of accused witches through the hangings there. Today the woodland is deemed haunted not just by paranormal enthusiasts, but also visitors to the sight.
Haunted Woods
Other lesser-known woodlands from around the world have their own urban legends and regular paranormal activity. For example, the vast woodland and jungle areas of Malaya in Southeast Asia is home to many myths and folklore that include ghosts and mysterious creatures -some good, some bad. One such ghost is known as the ''Hantu Galah,'' a tall, thin ghost, usually female can be seen hiding around bamboo poles - to have her removed, you'd need to break sticks. Nature here is part of everyday life, and it is the diverse and eeriness aura that awakens their souls.
The ''Witches Wood'' at Lydford Gorge in Devon is another example of plentiful activity -the perfect hideaway for a band of outlaws called the ''Gubins'' who settled here in the 17th century. At Whitelady Waterfall a ghostly figure appears then suddenly vanishes from view.
Transylvania's Most Haunted Woods
One of the most intriguing, yet striking, and supposedly haunted woodlands in Europe has to be the ''Hoia Bacui'' in Transylvania - known as the ''Bermuda Triangle'' of Romania. Farmers here swear that its entirety is haunted. As well as the general feeling of being watched by invisible eyes, a story unfolded about a five-year-old girl who once got lost in the woodland only to reappear five years later without any memory.
Another woodland steeped in unexplained mystery must be that of ''Devil's Canyon'' in the mountains of San Bernardino in California. This was founded by the Spaniards many centuries ago, and has been encased with ritual murder; devil worship being a predominant factor. Cryptology has also found its way into its colorful history in the form of ''giant rats'' seen crossing the roads alongside the woodlands. The community believes that all the houses here are possessed by the devil.
The conclusion to this exciting journey makes me realize that all woodlands, large and small take on a different form, particularly during the night. Throughout the centuries residual energies have become entwined around lush - green leaves, and remain amongst the vast canopies, appearing when it suits.
Every woodland tells a story, some proven, others not. Can it be that woodlands, especially our magical and ancient ones play tricks on our wary minds? You decide.
There is a rather large, behind the scenes PR campaign going on. You may not have noticed it yet, but you are being trained to accept a new name and more importantly a new brand for UFOs. The new name change from Unidentified Flying Objects to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, (UAP), by the U.S. Navy is an interesting addition to the soft disclosure that has been going on for the last several years. Why this new term? Is it all about ownership? Even though we have no idea what these things are flying through our skies at thousands of miles per hour and taunting our most advanced jets, is this the Navy's way of saying, "We got this"?
We know what re-branding is all about: repositioning and changing perceptions and it is no different in this case. Re-branding occurs in business when we want to make a strategic shift in the marketplace. In this case its a strategic shift in the perception of UFOs. When we look at how UFOs have been categorized in the past we see government denial, attacks on the character of witnesses, and societal schooling that maintains whoever sees this stuff is just plain crazy. You must agree with this position or be linked with the loonies who see strange crafts in the sky.
Times have changed. Just about everyone has a cell phone with a camera and now when someone sees something unusual they can photograph it, take a video and send it out over the internet to millions worldwide before any government agency can even think of stopping it. Technology has given power back to the people in the case of UFOs. A retired FBI agent confirmed this for me and said, "They're not even going to try to deny it anymore."
Now, the Navy is slowly admitting it. Piece by piece, just a little at a time we are being shown that there are indeed unidentified crafts in our skies. This, of course, is something we in the field of the paranormal have known for many years. It is something new, however, to see Tucker on FOX News interviewing military about this and the military responding in the affirmative.
So where is this re-branding going to take us? An acceptance that we are not alone in the universe? Notice that they have not yet said that they know who or what is piloting these advanced crafts despite reports of alien encounters. Is that next?
From what I've seen, heard and experienced in this field we are dealing with phenomena that goes beyond aliens into the even stranger world of inter-dimensional. So if you think aliens from other planets are concerning just wait until the next piece drops.
Have no fear, however, the Navy will deliver this slowly and get you accustomed to your new neighbors who have been living down the street for years.
Patricia Baker is a paranormal researcher and author who has worked in the field of the supernatural for over 30 years. Her hit radio show, Supernatural Girlz can be heard LIVE every Wednesday night on Blogtalk Radio.
