Clearly spirits, ghosts, and ancestors are often given unique statuses in the afterlife, and are viewed as having different functions and effects on the living.  in many respects the relationship of fear and responsibility of elders toward ancestors is mirrored by the son-father relationship among the living.  The ancestral world in many cases is an extension or model of the real world.  The supernatural status of the ancestor exhit its major differences, for although one can argue to a point with an elder, no one questions the wisdom and authority of an ancestor.  

The power of the dead is an important aspect of religion and social control.  If, for example, a Lugbara man threatened the solidarity of the clan or lineage in any of a number of ways, the elder may invoke ghosts to punish the troublemaker (Middleton 1971: 488-92).  Without doubt this veneration of the ancestors and fear of their power functions importantly to help control many societies.  Interestingly, ancestor worship also contributes to the conservative nature of those cultures where it is practiced.  Typically, dead ancestors do not smile favorably on any kind of change in the cultures of their living relatives.  Because ghosts are capable of severly punishing an earthly mortal desirous of change, the force for conformity is strong.  

Not all societies assign power to ancestors.  In many cultures, North America included, a high god (monothesim) or gods (polytheism) exert authority over the living, punishing those who violate religious tenets, rules that often are duplicated in civil law and serve as the bases of appropriate social behavior.  In these groups ancestor cults and worship of the deceased are not found, although the spiritual nature of ancestors and belief in the afterlife persevere.  

Among peoples where the deceased are believed to take an active role in society, the living are understandably concerned with the welfare of ancestors.  Customs are established to assure the comfort of the dead in their life after death.  Most commonly rituals carried out at funerals, burials and in some cases reburial or cremation, insure that loved ones arrive safely at what the living believe is the proper abode of the dead.  The care taken in preparing the deceased for the afterlife is an important reinforcement of the society's customs and an expression among its members.  Participation helps insure that the same care can be expected to be given at the time of one's own death.  Beyond this motivation, however, the power to rain down misfortunes is a major reason for carefully foloowing customs surrounding the preparation, interment, and propitation of the dead.  No one wants to be the subjected to supernatural punishment by vengeful and angry ghosts.  

Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion Third Edition Lehmann and Myers

Picture taken by me - my great granddad, granddad and dad were hog farmers.
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Does It Exist? 11/18/2011
 
 I watched the show My Ghost Story on Bio.  Most guests on the show telling their stories spoke of fearful tales.  In the last fifteen minutes of the program  an older gentleman told of his experiences with the unseen on his property.  He had a fuzzy snapshot of a little girl skipping across the lawn.  He believed she is the young girl who died in the house when she stepped too close to a fire and she and her dress went up in flames.  Also he has a picture of a woman dressed in period wear walking the grounds.   

Like me, he isn't afraid of what he sees.  He believes as I do  - ghosts and spirits have the power to come and go.  A ghost feels entitled to the place they dwell or visit to bring peace to family and friends in solving their earthly demise.  They like to hang out at the places and close to the people who made them happiest.  Spirits are around us to protect and guide.  

Ghost is a general term which refers to the visible spirit of a former person.  Spirits is the term used for souls of the dead, whether active or not.  

Most people are afraid of the unseen.  They are more afraid of what they don't understand than the entities themselves.   

The "occult" science is that branch of learning, searching for things not yet known to all - the hidden facts of life. Rather than being a word to be shunned occult is a word that attracts the thinking.  Our spiritual nature cries out that we seek the things we don't understand. (Mysterious secrets give wisdom to the wise, but entangle the minds of fool)  

I am a Canadian writer, practicing Witch and Spiritualist who also divines with Tarot and ordinary playing cards.  The cards, as well as messages from Spirit assist to connect to the information I need for myself and hopefully inspire others.  My only desire is to share with you what works for me.  

Witchcraft and Spiritualism gave me a chance to take my life in a whole new direction. Remarkable improvement took place in my life. I enjoy life more and that is a good thing. My family is important to me. I have only a few friends, but they’re very loyal.  There might be a slight setback, but the overall results are positive.    

Doing the right thing, patience spurred on by ambition, makes life easy for me.  I live my life surrounded by people who care about my well-being while doing the things I like to do.    (Positive responses one takes attracts positive results)

Because I couldn't understand or accept all the injustices around me I became an angry and  fractured soul.  Once I embraced a Higher Power and started talking I disposed the problems ( problems are a necessary stage to purification).    (We all want to be loved - We all want to be heard)  

Life isn't perfect.  Life can be really unfair.  We all suffer a run of bad luck or illness.  Slowly and gradually life will change for the better.  Most problems will dissipate into thin air.  The bad times fade.  It takes courage to make the changes in your life to claim your life. Sometimes we need help and support to do the right thing - kindness - disposed or mutual understanding to do good  to others (In ye harm none do as ye will).  

When I pray I speak out loud in a polite and respectful manner to my Spirit Guide and Grandfather.  As I apply my own natural talent and effort as well as positive invisible forces supporting my destiny, heaven-sent people, new places, and unique opportunities appear like never before.  I'm not pushed or agitated by the whims of others for a long period of time.

No matter ones faith, when we pray do we not expect to be heard?   

It can be hard to believe the photos I post are what they are.  I can't give you a rational explanation.  Some things are not meant to understand. - defies logical explanation.  I have nothing to fear.  The snapshots are not illusions.  They are beyond imagination - they are reality.  They allow me to know I am on the right track and and give me the courage to continue in my quest for what is right.  
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Books In Sync October-November 2011 Book Trailer Recognition Contest my promo trailer  The Summons is entry # 3    http://booksinsync.com/booktrailercontest.html Please stop by and VOTE!!!!


 

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Earth Lights 11/01/2011
 
  Earth Lights — balls of light that appear to issue directly from the earth, and often appear repeatedly in specific locations. The term was coined by Paul Devereux in 1982; but prior to that they had been known as spooklights.
  • The light is usually seen at night, especially from 10pm into the early hours of the morning. People who have had close encounters with the light describe it as being anywhere between the size of a baseball and a basketball or larger. It can be almost any colour, and may change colours or have multiple elements, but is most frequently described as orange or yellow. Its light is strong enough to illuminate the surface of a road, and is often compared with a lantern or headlight. Indeed it usually looks like a lantern or distant headlight, and many people often take it for such until it exhibits unusual behaviour such as darting across a field and then suddenly extinguishing itself.
SPOOKLIGHTS They appear in the distance with a regularity that seldom disappoints those who come to view them. Glowing in the night with an eerie, soft color, they sometimes pulse, sometimes dance about, usually near the ground or horizon. Their source is a mystery. When the curious try to approach them, they vanish, as if purposely keeping their true nature a secret. They’re called "spooklights" or "ghost lights" and they have baffled observers for centuries. Many theories have been offered to explain their presence, including hallucinations, UFOs, automobile headlights (either direct or reflected), ball lightning, electrical discharges caused by tectonic forces, swamp gas – and even, as the name implies, ghosts.(By Stephen Wagner, About.com Guide)
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The Summons 09/26/2011
 
You should consider carefully the nature of the forces you are invoking and what effect they will have upon yourself and others.  Ask for guidance not a freak show.  

Thank you for watching. I appreciate your support.

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I am not a Ghost-buster.

I am a Canadian writer, practicing Witch and Spiritualist who also divines with Tarot and ordinary playing cards. 

The tarot, as well as messages from Spirit assist to connect to the information I need for myself and hopefully inspire others.

My only desire is to share with you what works for me.
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