I have noticed a distressing number of stories coming through lately about the tired old "psychic curse" scam, and figured it was time for another warning. I find it incredible that people still fall for this horrible scam, but I guess some folks are trusting and desperate, and it is awfully tempting to think you can buy a magical way out of your troubles. Unfortunately the only thing you buy with these scams is more trouble.
The latest story I posted to Psychic News involves a woman who was told that she needed to bring a so-called "psychic" $5,000 to have it cleansed of a "curse". Of course the "psychic" disappeared with her money.
If any "psychic" speaks to you of "curses", and offers to remove them for a huge fee, or suggests you "loan" then money to have it "psychically cleaned", grab your pocketbook and head for an exit. I would tell such a person that I don’t believe in curses, but I do know a scam when I hear one. If I had not yet paid, I would not offer to, I would just leave. These individuals are not psychics, they have no magical powers, or they would not have to resort to fraud to suppliment their incomes.
If you are at a psychic fair, and something like this happens to you, report the incident to the fair management. In most big psychic fairs you will be refunded any money paid, and the reader will be fined or expelled. The promoter has an interest in running a "clean" psychic fair, and will want to know if anyone is "scamming" this way. It is fraud (it is often called "bunko"), and it’s against the law. "Curses" are nothing but a prelude to an escalating series of demands by the reader who will charge to remove them. Of course the curse is purely imaginary, but a client’s life can become a living hell if you choose to believe in one.
One psychic told me a story of a local client who went to a reader who convinced her that her problems with romance were caused by a "curse on her love life". Years ago, a national TV talk show exposed such scams, complete with magic tricks to show the client how "evil the curse was". There would be a hairball inside an unbroken egg to prove a client was cursed. As silly as this image seems, two of the clients taken for a $10,000 ride were well-educated urban professionals. In a vulnerable, highly emotional state, it can be easy to convince even educated professionals that they have been "cursed".
When the client ran out of money, the psychic suggested that she be allowed to use her Visa card to pay for her "services". This woman was not "cursed" at all. When helped to see that her problems with relationships reflected a co-dependency problem, I am sure she began the road to recovery. Deep issues like co-dependency or adult child difficulties cannot be cured by a magic wave or gesture. A serious person must seek out competent help, and be willing to work things through.
There are other scams, "blessed" candles that sell for outrageous amounts of money (anything over $30 unless the candle is huge, or is an art-piece), "exorcisms" and other questionable practices. Many practices that I might consider fraudulent at worst, or useless at best, are held in high esteem by some of my colleagues, but you can bless your own candles, and you should learn how to clear the energy in your home yourself. If you feel that you need these services, try to find them on a donation basis, or at a reasonable fee. I would want to pay a psychic for her time, and I would judge how much time it takes to "clear" a space, and pay her at the same rate as her readings. If you wish to pay more out of the goodness of your heart or gratitude that is one thing - if you feel you have to because you are afraid she will "curse" you, that is something different altogether.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
LWYPG gets its own domain!
Living With Your Psychic Gifts has moved to its own domain at www.psychicprotection.net. This is more than just a cosmetic change. I'm planning to add a lot of new content over the next few weeks, including several new articles and an expanded FAQ. Over time, there will be additional books, eBooks and sections of psychic abilities and psychic protection, including sections on how to enhance and improve your intuition.
If your club or organization is looking for an experienced speaker to address your group, please contact me on the forms at www.psychicprotection.net.
Letter from a reader
Dear Brandi:
I was shot at the age of 12 in the right chest at 4-foot range with a 4/10 gauge shotgun because a 17 year old wanted something from this 12 year old I was not prepared to give. I never once lost consciousness or went into shock, which amazed everyone, and still remember everything in perfect detail. The last thing I remember was the nurse putting a mask over my face and telling me to count backwards from 10.
I felt like I was walking backwards with my eyes closed and then it felt like I bumped into a wall with my back. I opened my eyes to a bright (although strangely not blinding) white, misty light that covered everything. Slowly the mist started to move away and I saw myself lying on the OR table. It looked like I was many, many stories high and looking down on myself. I saw them working on me and then I noticed I heard (but not with my ears, more like with my spirit) something like singing or voices speaking but I couldn't make out any words. It was all around me.
At this point I turned around and that's when I saw "the tunnel". It was sucking the light and mist into it at what appeared to be warp speed. I had a feeling of total peace all throughout this experience. As I started toward the tunnel I was told "NO" by a voice. Strange thing is that it was neither male nor female but it held an enormous amount of authority! Then I asked it "Why can't I come home?" I was promptly told "You can not come home yet." I then felt compelled to turn and look back at my body again and that's when I saw them bringing that paddle machine over to me. When they hit me the third time I awoke in ICU.
My parents were told by the doctor that I had died, I was what they call "sheet-faced" and he took a chance by hitting me with the paddles a third time. He admitted to not being a really religious man but he said he felt he was being told not to quit, so he didn't. I was expected to be in the hospital for at least 2 months but was home in 10 days. I was called a "miracle child" on TV and in the papers. I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. A lot of things have been happening to me since though. Before that, I was able to see, smell and feel spirits. I grew up in a haunted house. Since I have had the near death experience I seem to have several psychic gifts as well. I am empathic, I still have all the abilities with spirits, only stronger now, and I have dreams that come true very often. I can also seem to sense other peoples spirits (what kind of person they are) as well. I think the Bible refers to this as the gift called "Deciphering of Spirits".
KF
Dear KF:
The experience you had is not really all that uncommon, believe it or not. If you haven't already done so, you should check out Raymond Moody’s "Life After Life".
The ability to "read people" is called "The Gift of Discernment" ... "Deciphering of Spirits" is the ability to see the spirits of the departed.
You describe your incredible and fascinating experience with great detail - but you didn't come out and actually ask something. Having to take a guess based on other people's questions and my own intuition, the questions that are most likely are "Why me?" and "What is this purpose I am supposed to fulfill?"
I can't answer those questions. The whole point is for you to figure that out yourself. I firmly believe that for many, if not most of us, life is a quest to find "Meaning". We're all raised to believe it's innate, but it isn't always that way. For the majority, life has no meaning until we imbue it with meaning. We decide at some key point, "This is the thing I shall do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of others."
As for "Why did this happen to me?" ... sometimes there is just no answer to that question. Learning to live without knowing is challenging, but releasing the need to know may be important if you want to move on to the next step in your life.
Brandi
If your club or organization is looking for an experienced speaker to address your group, please contact me on the forms at www.psychicprotection.net.
Letter from a reader
Dear Brandi:
I was shot at the age of 12 in the right chest at 4-foot range with a 4/10 gauge shotgun because a 17 year old wanted something from this 12 year old I was not prepared to give. I never once lost consciousness or went into shock, which amazed everyone, and still remember everything in perfect detail. The last thing I remember was the nurse putting a mask over my face and telling me to count backwards from 10.
I felt like I was walking backwards with my eyes closed and then it felt like I bumped into a wall with my back. I opened my eyes to a bright (although strangely not blinding) white, misty light that covered everything. Slowly the mist started to move away and I saw myself lying on the OR table. It looked like I was many, many stories high and looking down on myself. I saw them working on me and then I noticed I heard (but not with my ears, more like with my spirit) something like singing or voices speaking but I couldn't make out any words. It was all around me.
At this point I turned around and that's when I saw "the tunnel". It was sucking the light and mist into it at what appeared to be warp speed. I had a feeling of total peace all throughout this experience. As I started toward the tunnel I was told "NO" by a voice. Strange thing is that it was neither male nor female but it held an enormous amount of authority! Then I asked it "Why can't I come home?" I was promptly told "You can not come home yet." I then felt compelled to turn and look back at my body again and that's when I saw them bringing that paddle machine over to me. When they hit me the third time I awoke in ICU.
My parents were told by the doctor that I had died, I was what they call "sheet-faced" and he took a chance by hitting me with the paddles a third time. He admitted to not being a really religious man but he said he felt he was being told not to quit, so he didn't. I was expected to be in the hospital for at least 2 months but was home in 10 days. I was called a "miracle child" on TV and in the papers. I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. A lot of things have been happening to me since though. Before that, I was able to see, smell and feel spirits. I grew up in a haunted house. Since I have had the near death experience I seem to have several psychic gifts as well. I am empathic, I still have all the abilities with spirits, only stronger now, and I have dreams that come true very often. I can also seem to sense other peoples spirits (what kind of person they are) as well. I think the Bible refers to this as the gift called "Deciphering of Spirits".
KF
Dear KF:
The experience you had is not really all that uncommon, believe it or not. If you haven't already done so, you should check out Raymond Moody’s "Life After Life".
The ability to "read people" is called "The Gift of Discernment" ... "Deciphering of Spirits" is the ability to see the spirits of the departed.
You describe your incredible and fascinating experience with great detail - but you didn't come out and actually ask something. Having to take a guess based on other people's questions and my own intuition, the questions that are most likely are "Why me?" and "What is this purpose I am supposed to fulfill?"
I can't answer those questions. The whole point is for you to figure that out yourself. I firmly believe that for many, if not most of us, life is a quest to find "Meaning". We're all raised to believe it's innate, but it isn't always that way. For the majority, life has no meaning until we imbue it with meaning. We decide at some key point, "This is the thing I shall do to make a difference in my life and in the lives of others."
As for "Why did this happen to me?" ... sometimes there is just no answer to that question. Learning to live without knowing is challenging, but releasing the need to know may be important if you want to move on to the next step in your life.
Brandi
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Not connecting with clients
It’s been a while since I have updated the blog, I seem to be dealing with the mid-winter blahs. Anyone besides me sleeping 20 hours a night the past few weeks? Strange days indeed.
Dear Brandi:
I am a psychic too, and I’m pretty good. I have been thinking about starting out as a professional, but I am a little insecure about it. Was there ever someone you couldn’t read? How do you deal with that?
AN
Oh yes ... it has happened to me a few times. I remember one case from an ESP fair in Saskatchewan. This woman came in and it was clear she was abused. I tried to be gentle about it, but his energy came through not as a traditional batterer, but that he had started to batter her to get her to leave, and she would not go! She kept saying "I'm going to MAKE this relationship work!" She started off accepting what I was saying, so I thought I could be more blunt, but that was a mistake. She ended up calling me "evil and wrong" ... I finally stopped the reading and refused to take her money. I was terribly upset by the whole thing. I feared he was going to have to kill her to get her out of his life, she was so obsessed with him. It was the first time I had any empathy at all for a wife beater. She was so negative I could not wait to get rid of her myself.
The next day was the last day of the show, and at the end all the readers went for dinner. Across the table I heard one say, "She kept saying "I'm going to MAKE this relationship work!" I was stunned. She'd seen at least three other readers in the group with the same results! Yet at the end she was still swearing we were all wrong. I never found out what happened to her. It was so sad.
I can think back to maybe 5 or 6 cases out of hundreds that I felt I really didn't connect with clients, and in a couple of those cases, they later came back to me to tell me I'd been right all along.
I just hate it when I don't connect - even if 9 out of ten things I tell a client are true, that one "miss" can make me doubt myself. Yes, I totally get that. I don't know where my self-doubt comes from, even though it is rare that I don’t "connect", it is still challenging. I think the fear of it happening is almost worse than the experience itself. Other psychics have told me I have to let go of the need to be "right" because it interferes with our insight, and I have come to see how this is true. It is when we second-guess ourselves, or try to over-interpret the insights we get that we tend to slip up.
The truth is that there are just some people we can’t reach. They may not all be delusional, as I believe may have been the case with my Saskatchewan client, it may just be that we have incompatible energies. For example, one reason I had many abused clients when I was doing consultations was that there were several other readers who found they could not read certain people. They would refer them to me, and invariably the clients would turn out to be abused. I suspected that the psychics had their own issues with this kind of trauma. Myself, I sometimes find it hard to read certain drug abusers, and people suffering from certain kinds of mental illness (this is a more common cause). But even these cases can be instructive. If you start to journal on the people you can’t connect to, you may discover a pattern, and that could be helpful in your own psychic or personal development.
Dear Brandi:
I am a psychic too, and I’m pretty good. I have been thinking about starting out as a professional, but I am a little insecure about it. Was there ever someone you couldn’t read? How do you deal with that?
AN
Oh yes ... it has happened to me a few times. I remember one case from an ESP fair in Saskatchewan. This woman came in and it was clear she was abused. I tried to be gentle about it, but his energy came through not as a traditional batterer, but that he had started to batter her to get her to leave, and she would not go! She kept saying "I'm going to MAKE this relationship work!" She started off accepting what I was saying, so I thought I could be more blunt, but that was a mistake. She ended up calling me "evil and wrong" ... I finally stopped the reading and refused to take her money. I was terribly upset by the whole thing. I feared he was going to have to kill her to get her out of his life, she was so obsessed with him. It was the first time I had any empathy at all for a wife beater. She was so negative I could not wait to get rid of her myself.
The next day was the last day of the show, and at the end all the readers went for dinner. Across the table I heard one say, "She kept saying "I'm going to MAKE this relationship work!" I was stunned. She'd seen at least three other readers in the group with the same results! Yet at the end she was still swearing we were all wrong. I never found out what happened to her. It was so sad.
I can think back to maybe 5 or 6 cases out of hundreds that I felt I really didn't connect with clients, and in a couple of those cases, they later came back to me to tell me I'd been right all along.
I just hate it when I don't connect - even if 9 out of ten things I tell a client are true, that one "miss" can make me doubt myself. Yes, I totally get that. I don't know where my self-doubt comes from, even though it is rare that I don’t "connect", it is still challenging. I think the fear of it happening is almost worse than the experience itself. Other psychics have told me I have to let go of the need to be "right" because it interferes with our insight, and I have come to see how this is true. It is when we second-guess ourselves, or try to over-interpret the insights we get that we tend to slip up.
The truth is that there are just some people we can’t reach. They may not all be delusional, as I believe may have been the case with my Saskatchewan client, it may just be that we have incompatible energies. For example, one reason I had many abused clients when I was doing consultations was that there were several other readers who found they could not read certain people. They would refer them to me, and invariably the clients would turn out to be abused. I suspected that the psychics had their own issues with this kind of trauma. Myself, I sometimes find it hard to read certain drug abusers, and people suffering from certain kinds of mental illness (this is a more common cause). But even these cases can be instructive. If you start to journal on the people you can’t connect to, you may discover a pattern, and that could be helpful in your own psychic or personal development.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Communication with ghosts
Letter from a reader:
I'm pretty sure there's a ghost hanging around. This is fine with me, as he's never done anything harmful and actually seems rather friendly. I haven't actually seen or heard him, but occasionally will get a pleasant tingle on my shoulders or have doors open all by themselves...things like that. My question is: Is there any way for me to get better at communicating with him? Or actually seeing him?
AV
I'm actually in the process of writing a follow-up to Living With Your Psychic Gifts that will get into more depth in the details of enhancing psychic ability. That book will feature an entire chapter on spirit communication. In the meantime, there are good books that can help you with your goal - I particularly like The Unquiet Dead by Edith Fiore, and Divine Guidance : How to Have a Dialogue with God and Your Guardian Angels by Doreen Virtue. While Virtue's book is not about spirit or psychic communication exactly, it does have a lot of helpful advice about opening to psychic communication in a safe and positive way (I recommend just about any book of hers you can get your hands on, in fact).
Since this is a very deep topic, forgive me if I only scratch the surface here. I can't help you actually "see" him - people tend to either have that particular ability or they don't. I don't "see" spirits myself - I get a "feeling" for them. I sense emotions, and sometimes I can describe them, but the visions I have are more like memories than actual pictures in my head.
As for communicating with spirits, yes, there are ways to do this better. First - what not to do. Don't use an Ouija board. The Ouija is a powerful tool, but it encourages you to open up to any and all spirits who may come in, and a lot of what does come through is full of mischief. It may well be that the mindset of those using it attracts lower energies, but I have heard nothing but negative stories from people "playing" with it and I recommend against anyone using it under any circumstances.
I do recommend that you first purchase a copy of Living With Your Psychic Gifts, and make yourself familiar with the basic psychic protection techniques in the book before you start attempting to communicate with this spirit. While he may be a friendly spirit (most of them are), you still need to know how to shut down psychic experiences and to know some basic psychic protection techniques before you start enhancing them, or deliberately communicating with spirits. Once you let the genie out of the bottle you can't stuff it back in - all sorts of unanticipated things can start to happen.
Whatever you decide to do, start keeping a journal. Every time you have a spiritual or psychic impression, at each of the following stages, no matter how strange it may seem, write it down.
Once you have decided to try to speak to the spirit, draw a circle of protection (visualize a bright pink, blue or while globe or circle around you in your mind and affirm that only the most positive spiritual energies may enter for the greatest good of all concerned). Ask your spiritual guides (or angels, if you feel more comfortable with that term) to open up your spiritual awareness. Then simply ask your spirit, out loud or in your mind, who he is, and what he wants to tell you. Stay open to the impressions you receive. Write everything down, no matter how wild. Then, see what you can verify.
I also recommend that you "center" yourself or meditate at least twice a day. The Rainbow Lotus meditation in Living With Your Psychic Gifts is very good, there is also an excellent guided centering meditation in Ross Quinn's book Controlling Others for Love and Profit (don't let the title throw you - it's a clever play on words). He's going to offer guided centering CDs soon - when they become available I will let you know about it here.
Brandi
Brandi's Fun Tip:
If you feel that your life has become a bit boring this holiday season, get everyone together for a re-gifting party. Everyone brings clothing, nick-nacks and doo-dads that they no longer need ... puts them in a pile ... then everyone takes something they want. Anything left over? The host/ess takes it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Throw in some potluck snacks ... plus everyone brings something to be donated to the foodbank.
I'm pretty sure there's a ghost hanging around. This is fine with me, as he's never done anything harmful and actually seems rather friendly. I haven't actually seen or heard him, but occasionally will get a pleasant tingle on my shoulders or have doors open all by themselves...things like that. My question is: Is there any way for me to get better at communicating with him? Or actually seeing him?
AV
I'm actually in the process of writing a follow-up to Living With Your Psychic Gifts that will get into more depth in the details of enhancing psychic ability. That book will feature an entire chapter on spirit communication. In the meantime, there are good books that can help you with your goal - I particularly like The Unquiet Dead by Edith Fiore, and Divine Guidance : How to Have a Dialogue with God and Your Guardian Angels by Doreen Virtue. While Virtue's book is not about spirit or psychic communication exactly, it does have a lot of helpful advice about opening to psychic communication in a safe and positive way (I recommend just about any book of hers you can get your hands on, in fact).
Since this is a very deep topic, forgive me if I only scratch the surface here. I can't help you actually "see" him - people tend to either have that particular ability or they don't. I don't "see" spirits myself - I get a "feeling" for them. I sense emotions, and sometimes I can describe them, but the visions I have are more like memories than actual pictures in my head.
As for communicating with spirits, yes, there are ways to do this better. First - what not to do. Don't use an Ouija board. The Ouija is a powerful tool, but it encourages you to open up to any and all spirits who may come in, and a lot of what does come through is full of mischief. It may well be that the mindset of those using it attracts lower energies, but I have heard nothing but negative stories from people "playing" with it and I recommend against anyone using it under any circumstances.
I do recommend that you first purchase a copy of Living With Your Psychic Gifts, and make yourself familiar with the basic psychic protection techniques in the book before you start attempting to communicate with this spirit. While he may be a friendly spirit (most of them are), you still need to know how to shut down psychic experiences and to know some basic psychic protection techniques before you start enhancing them, or deliberately communicating with spirits. Once you let the genie out of the bottle you can't stuff it back in - all sorts of unanticipated things can start to happen.
Whatever you decide to do, start keeping a journal. Every time you have a spiritual or psychic impression, at each of the following stages, no matter how strange it may seem, write it down.
Once you have decided to try to speak to the spirit, draw a circle of protection (visualize a bright pink, blue or while globe or circle around you in your mind and affirm that only the most positive spiritual energies may enter for the greatest good of all concerned). Ask your spiritual guides (or angels, if you feel more comfortable with that term) to open up your spiritual awareness. Then simply ask your spirit, out loud or in your mind, who he is, and what he wants to tell you. Stay open to the impressions you receive. Write everything down, no matter how wild. Then, see what you can verify.
I also recommend that you "center" yourself or meditate at least twice a day. The Rainbow Lotus meditation in Living With Your Psychic Gifts is very good, there is also an excellent guided centering meditation in Ross Quinn's book Controlling Others for Love and Profit (don't let the title throw you - it's a clever play on words). He's going to offer guided centering CDs soon - when they become available I will let you know about it here.
Brandi
Brandi's Fun Tip:
If you feel that your life has become a bit boring this holiday season, get everyone together for a re-gifting party. Everyone brings clothing, nick-nacks and doo-dads that they no longer need ... puts them in a pile ... then everyone takes something they want. Anything left over? The host/ess takes it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Throw in some potluck snacks ... plus everyone brings something to be donated to the foodbank.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Book Review: The Afterlife Experiments
October 21, 2004 - Book reviews ...
I have decided in addition to letters and comments from readers I am going to throw the odd book review into my blog. Some of these will be new books, some older, and I will be saving them in the recommended reading section of Living With Your Psychic Gifts. I will only review books that I can recommend. If you are a writer on psychic topics, and would like to have your book reviewed here, please contact me and I will send you an address where I can receive evaluation copies and galleys.
Book Review: The Afterlife Experiments
Gary E Schwartz, Ph.D with William Simon
Atria Books
ISBN 0-7434-3659-8
The Afterlife Experiments is an intriguing study of some of the top mediums in the United States today. The author has managed to pull together a "Dream Team" of mediums including Suzane Northrop, John Edward, George Anderson and several others who were asked to contact deceased loved ones in a series of experiments.
The transcripts from these reading leave little doubt that something incredible is happening when these gifted people get to work. Schwartz clearly started out as an interested skeptic, but the data he uncovered quickly led him to realize there was more than cold reading and self-deception going on. Skeptical arguments are fairly considered, but it is clear from the evidence that there are often moments where the mediums are made aware of details that it would be impossible to know, unless they are in fact speaking to the consciousness of the dead.
The Afterlife Experiments is destined to become a classic in the library of any spiritual seeker, but it is only the first step in a long path to discovery. Much more research needs to be done if we are finally to pierce the veil that blocks our understanding of the world beyond. It is an important work because it takes a serious and cautious approach to the subject, making the conclusions that much more credible and compelling.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Ghost Story from a Reader
Letter from a reader ...
Dear Brandi,
A ghost story? What a coincidence!
I just last night had an experience. Once again I was having one of those nights where I could not sleep. When this happens to me, I sort of roam the house checking locks on the doors and windows or some other activity, and usually I will have a small snack and a drink also. Then I might go onto the computer or even sit on the couch and read a book, what ever I do, it is an effort to calm my mind. As of lately my mind has been in need of a lot of calming down … thus I have not been sleeping well. This night I mainly just walked around the house looking out of the windows into the darkness and onto the lights. Not really looking though. What was very strange was as I walked through the house, I constantly kept feeling this cold chill brush my body.
I made my way down the stairs, into the living room, through the kitchen, down into the study, and once again back up stairs where I walked into the bathroom. In my bathroom we have a huge window that oversees much of the neighborhood and a lot of the lights cast shadows around the trees. I also live in a semi-rural area where there are a lot of pine trees. I looked out into the night and the moon lit up the cloudy night as the lights from the houses made small area of the darkness visible.
I stood there trying to ignore the cold chills that were starting to touch me more and more. I looked out of the window thinking I am psyching myself out. I at first looked ‘out’ of the glass as I tried to not think about the possibilities of the cold chills. The chills were persistent. Then a great chill came over me and made my entire body tighten and then tremble. I started to feel a little frightened at this moment. Then I told myself: “If I was going to get hurt, I probably would have been hurt already.” At this point the chills were racing over me making my hairs stand on end over my entire body. I had seen pictures of people in books and on the Internet looking into windows and in the reflection seeing figure standing by them or behind them. I tried hard to fight the temptation to look at the glass to see my reflection. I stole a quick glance and to my relief, I was alone in the window. The chilling wisps were still with me though. I quickly looked away just in case something might ‘pop’ up… and I did not want to see something scary looking.
I had to admit to myself that I was definitely 'not alone' or I was completely fooling myself into thinking the cold chills were something other than my own thoughts playing tricks on me. I began to feel sleepy once more so I turned and made my way toward the door to leave. Just before exiting, I chanced to look into the mirror using my peripheral vision. In the mirror was a reflection of the window, in the window was a reflection of the mirror; and in that reflection was a gray misty image/shape of a human leaning forward and shadowing me out of the bathroom.
I quickened my pace and leapt for the bed. Where I quickly snuggled under the covers and kept my eyes closed. Amazingly, I fell fast asleep and through out the day had nearly forgetting the incident until I decided to frequent your site once more.
Sincerely,
Your Friend,
C.S.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Halloween Ghost Stories
Halloween is coming! In honor of this special holiday, I thought I'd tell one of my favorite ghost stories. I'd like to put some of your ghost stories online too! Send my your ghost stories, and they may be featured in an upcoming blog entry.
One day in the middle of summer, my best friend and I decided to go for a long drive in Southern Ontario's countryside. After a long day of driving, we decided to stop for the night at the only lodging we could find, a quaint bed and breakfast tucked off side if the road next to the highway. Exhausted, we trudged into bed right away and settled in to get a good night's sleep.
Or so we thought. For the next two hours, my friend tossed and turned, which was odd enough, for my friend sleeps like a rock (and snores like a banshee!) at the worst of times. And I was kept awake all night by the presence of a spirit at the end of my bed, a rather prim and proper older woman in a Victorian costume and hat who insisted since I was the first to really see her that I must pay attention and relate her story and wishes to the owner in the morning!
Finally, desperate to get some sleep and with only a few hours left until daylight, I agreed to speak with him in the morning. Besides, I was curious to find out if this charming home had the colorful past she insisted had followed after her death. She'd told an interesting tale of all kinds of unsavory characters who'd used the place for "rum-running" as she'd called it, during the 20's and 30's. She insisted that these naughty characters had made a real mess of her beloved home, and it had passed through several hands before falling into the current owner's care, a "Fine gentleman, with a lovely family!" whom she clearly adored.
The next morning, I made my way down for breakfast and sat, bleary eyed, at the table nearest the back wall. When the owner came in, he gave me a kind smile and some orange juice and didn't even skip a beat when I asked him if he knew his inn was haunted. "If it wasn't, we'd have to make it up! Ghosts are good for business!"
Yet he did seem bemused and surprised when I told him the story. It was true that the place had a shady past, just as the old woman had described it. And he pointed behind me to a picture on the wall that I had not seen before. It was a picture of the woman who had stood at the end of my bed!
I told him not to worry about this particular spirit. It was clear her intentions were loving and protective after all. And it was indeed a well-run place. Though I did not get much sleep there, it was a very interesting stay.
Brandi
Letter from a reader ...
Dear Brandi,
First, thank you for your time. I am writing because something occurred a few months ago that I just can't seem to get out of mind. I was riding in the country with my boyfriend. We had been drinking, but too much. All of a sudden it seemed like I was thrust into a movie or another place. It was very dark then there were these red streaks on both sides of me. As I watched I felt like I was watching something taking place from above. There was a car with a young girl in it lights were out, then there was another car with a boy, the boy hit the girl's car from behind, then the girl crashed. I felt like the two were close and this was a serious mistake in judgment. All of this was happening while I watched from above. I heard everything and felt very strong overwhelming feelings of sadness. Let me just say this is the first time anything like that has happened and I am not taking drugs or anti-depressants. I am really trying to stay open minded. There is another facet.
There was a young girl in our town that was killed early in the spring from a car crash and I always have felt bad for the parents. I just really feel I need your opinion about this, so I can let it go, or learn more. Thank you again and take care.....
DW
Dear DW,
When I first got your letter, I did not know how to respond exactly ... then something awful happened. Just last week, my friend and former boss Bill Campbell lost his son Chris last week to a terrible car accident (I still don't know all the details, only that his family is suffering an unbearable loss). So I can understand your feelings, and the feelings of the family in your town.
It sounds to me like you had an intuitive or psychic experience during a partial out of body (OOBE) experience. You don't say if the accident took place before or after your experience, but tragic events have this way of imprinting themselves in a place ... and they can reach backwards or forwards in time.
The experience you had is not really all that unusual, believe it or not. In most surveys I have seen more people have had them than haven't. We just think they are odd because people don't talk about these things too much.
Alcohol does have a way of opening you up to psychic experiences, and of course mixing drinking and driving can lead to disaster. I think your heart was telling you that you were taking an awful risk, and it is possible that the spirit of one of the young girl from the crash was reaching out to warn you of the danger.
The Campbell family has put up a memorial site for Chris. Please feel free to visit it. And remember to listen to your heart ... this experience did happen for a reason.
Brandi
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