For a lot of people the world of the supernatural doesn't seem all that mysterious or scary. For them it is simply fascinating and thrilling and maybe even a bit informative. They believe that by lifting the veil, so to speak, you simply remove the power from anything that might be remotely considered negative or bad.
Others believe there is a balance in the world where either good or evil can, of course, get out of whack from time to time. They view the supernatural as a means of understanding that balance as well as a way to keep the balance slightly titled in the right direction. A few others are skeptics that do not believe in anything remotely supernatural in nature.
Wherever one falls within the belief system of the supernatural, they still might find some of the things that fall within that realm interesting in nature. With that in mind, I'm continuing my article series
in the area; this time addressing the B's and C's of supernatural things.
Banshee: Being part Irish, this legend has always intrigued me, even if I don't really think I believe in banshees. According to ancient legend, Banshees are known to hide within the mists of Ireland. They are most noted for their high-pitched wail that is said to be capable of breaking glass for miles its location. Many believe that, if you hear the Banshee's cries, it signifies the death of a loved one.
Oddly enough there is disagreement over what a Banshee looks like. Some believe they are small, bent over hags with wild white hair. Others believe them to be slim young women, still with white hair, but more flowing in nature than wild. Either way, I think I could live my life without ever wishing to see one; assuming of course that they actually exist.
The Bogeyman: Every child I know of has firmly believed in this monster at one time or another; myself included (when I was about six). Of course I also believed in vampires, werewolves, and witches at the same time.
The truth is that The Bogeyman is basically a childhood phenomenon that has been perpetuated throughout the years by certain children's stories, generally fairy tales, and by parents as a means to keep children in line. That's how my father use to keep me cowering in my bed, afraid even to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I was terrified of the dark for many years, even after I'd stopped believing in The Bogeyman. Even now, I don't much care for total blackness.
I personally prefer to totally dispel the myth of The Bogeyman with my grandchildren. There are plenty of real world horrors that they will have to face as they grow up. I don't feel that they need to be terrified as small children. Frankly, I find the whole idea of using this myth as a means to scare children into submission a form of mental and emotional abuse.
Instead, if my grandchildren come to me afraid of what is lurking under the bed or in the closet, I try to give it a positive spin with stories of magical fairies and guardian angels who are there to protect them and help them get a good night's sleep. Sure, it doesn't always work but I'm certain that it works better than letting them believe that monsters lurk around every corner, ready to devour them at the first wrong turn.
Chakras: I do not pretend to know anything about this subject so I'm hardly able to speak to it with any kind of expertise. Instead, let me just try to explain what many believe these to be and let you decide how you feel about this particular supernatural subject.
A lot of people believe that our bodies - which are energy containers - possess a life force so powerful that it literally emanates from us in such a way that it can be felt by others. For example, we can literally make others feel our compassion, our tenderness, and our love by the proper touch of our hands or a look in our eyes. We can increase or diminish our energy fields by a choice of being physically fit or by letting ourselves go.
There are supposed to be seven Chakras including the crown, brown, throat, heart, solar plexus, spleen, and root. Each supposedly has a connection directly to an area of the body. For example, the crown Chakra is believed to be in charge of the brain and nervous system.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any agreement about how the Chakras actually work, whether or not they can actually be blocked (and unblocked) and how that might be achieved (e.g., crystals, yoga, music, etc.). There is, in fact, a huge amount of contradictory information regarding this subject, maintaining its mystery and intrigue.
