Paranormal

Paranormal events are things that occur in the invisible realm. Our eyes only see things that absorb light in a very limited range of frequencies from red through violet. But, all frequencies from the ELF Radio Waves through Gamma Rays would present different colors if we were able to see them. I merely use this as an example to show the limitations we have as human beings to only rely on what we can see with our eyes or measure with an instrument.

There are several types of paranormal phenomena that capture the interest of both researchers and enthusiasts alike. Ghosts and spirits are among the most well-known, with countless stories of hauntings reported worldwide. Additionally, phenomena involving psychic abilities, such as telepathy or clairvoyance, challenge our understanding of human potential. UFO sightings also belong to this realm, often igniting discussions about extraterrestrial life.

What is a Skeptic? – by Dr. Michael Schermer

The study of the paranormal has significantly influenced popular culture, from literature to cinema and beyond. Books and movies often explore topics like ghost hunting and the search for extraterrestrial life, reflecting society’s fascination with the unknown. While some approach these subjects critically, others embrace them with open curiosity, leading to a diverse range of opinions about the nature of reality.

In conclusion, defining what is paranormal sparks both intrigue and debate. Many people are drawn to tales of haunted places, supernatural beings, and unexplained events that challenge our understanding of the world.

Whether you’re a true believer or a skeptic and while scientific explanations continue to develop, the allure of the paranormal remains a powerful force in popular culture and in the human imagination.

“It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled.”
– Mark Twain

Parapsychology

Parapsychology – a Challenge for Science | Walter von Lucadou | TEDx Talks

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and experience. Para-psychology, being a challenge for science, studies anomalies of behavior and experience, called paranormal experiences. Paranormal phenomena transcend the boundaries of time, space and force. Parapsychology is generally subdivided into two types:

Extrasensory Perception (ESP): the paracognitive, including clairvoyance, telekinesis, and precognition.
Psychokinesis (PK), telekinesis, or the paraphysical: movement of an object without the use of physical force or energy.

The ESP or paranormal experiences include i) telepathy or communication between two geographically separated persons, outside the range of sensory organs; ii) clairvoyance or knowledge of hidden objects or events occurring outside the physical reach of the person and iii) precognition or knowledge of future events that can not be predicted or inferred from the available information. Examples of PK would include poltergeist phenomenon and paranormal healing.

Superstitions

A Superstition is any belief or behavior based upon one’s trust in luck or other irrational, unscientific, or supernatural forces. Often, it arises from ignorance, a misunderstanding of science or causality, a belief in fate or magic, or fear of that which is unknown. Humans (Homo Sapiens) are superstitious because we fear, because we feel powerless and because we hope.

“Superstition” – by Stevie Wonder

Homo Sapiens

No one likes feeling they have no control over what happens to them. Some people feel less in control than others. It may be their life’s circumstances or because they were raised to believe they can’t change their lives. Or even raised to believe there are invisible powers that can work for or against them. That’s what’s behind throwing coins in a fountain and making a wish on birthday candles. Even reasonable people do this because, “Why not?”, “What if?” and “It can’t hurt.”

Astrology

The origin of Astrology? Long long ago, thousands of years ago, there lived a bunch of people. They gazed at the stars and they dazed at the shooting stars. They thought, maybe, just maybe, there was someone up there talking to them. Writing on the sky, hidden in patterns, for them to decode and learn. The wise ones among them, caught a few patterns in delight.

The patterns of the sun, moon, stars, and constellations helped create calendars, predict tides, estimate harvest seasons, and navigate the seas. These celestial patterns, always returning, mirrored the cycle of life. Some believed celestial alignment breathed the same cycle of life.

With this belief, they projected everything onto the sky: joy, suffering, pain, floods, death, birth, and human existence. Under the stars and moon, astrology was born as an ancient pattern-matching scheme, and it thrived.

They collected celestial alignment data at birth for kings, queens, royals, servants, saints, widows, and witches, manually labeling and looking for patterns. They checked if royals had common celestial alignments and did the same for the poor and misfortunate. This massive pattern-matching scheme involved years of data collection and model tuning. A chart was assigned at birth, indicating destiny, personality, likes, dislikes, and even sex life.

To be honest, it’s an ingenious idea and great efforts too.

“You know, I designed the Queen crest. I simply combined all the creatures that represent our star signs-and I don’t even believe in astrology.”
– Freddie Mercury

Who Was Nostradamus?

Nostradamus was a 16-century French astrologer and physician whose prophecies earned him fame both during and after his lifetime. He was born Michel de Nostradame on December 14 or 21, 1503, in the south of France in Saint-Remy-de-Provence. He was one of nine children born to Reyniere de St-Remy and her husband Jaume de Nostradame, a well-to-do grain dealer and part-time notary of Jewish descent. Nostradame’s grandfather, Guy Gassonet, had converted to Catholicism a half century earlier and changed the family name to Nostradame, in part to avoid persecution during the Inquisition.

Little is known of his childhood, but evidence indicates he was very intelligent as he quickly advanced through school. Early in his life, he was tutored by his maternal grandfather, Jean de St. Remy, who saw great intellect and potential in his grandson. During this time, young Nostradame was taught the rudiments of Latin, Greek, Hebrew and mathematics. It’s believed that his grandfather also introduced him to the ancient rites of Jewish tradition and the teachings of astrology, giving Nostradame his first exposure to the idea of the heavens and how they might drive human destiny.

Psychic Abilities

Psychic abilities, often regarded as extrasensory perceptions, refer to the capacity to receive information beyond the normal human senses. These abilities can manifest in various forms, such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and precognition. While some individuals claim to possess these talents naturally, others believe that training and development can enhance such skills.

There are numerous types of psychic abilities, each with its unique characteristics. For instance, clairvoyance enables individuals to witness events or information that are beyond the physical world. Meanwhile, telepathy allows for direct communication between minds without spoken words. Such phenomena have intrigued researchers and enthusiasts alike, leading to a myriad of studies aimed at understanding these abilities more deeply.

Despite the growing interest in psychic abilities, skepticism remains prevalent. Critics argue that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the existence of these powers. They often cite the need for rigorous, peer-reviewed studies to validate claims of psychic phenomena. However, many enthusiasts maintain that personal experiences and testimonials serve as compelling evidence of psychic capabilities.