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| Back to D's | Earth lights (also Ghost Lights, Spook Lights) - Mysterious luminous phenomena seen around the world, including more than onehundred sites throughout the United States and others in Britain, Japan, and elsewhere. Earth lights are inexplicable balls or patches of light reported to have been seen in remote areas, often near power lines, transmitter towers, mountain peaks, isolated buildings, roads, and railway lines. Neither marsh gas nor artifical lights, most earth lights are yellow or white, while others are red, orange or blue. The lights may change color as they are observed. They apear randomly or regularly at particular sites, varying in size and configuration, and may be "active" for years. Some appear and become "inactive" after short periods of time.
Researchers have identified several common characteristicsof earth lights: (1) the lights appear only in remote areas; (2) the lights are elusive, and the viewer nust be at the proper distance and angle to see them; (3) the lights react to noise and light, such as from flashlights or car headlights, by receding into the distance or disappearing altogether; (4) the lights are often accompanied by outbreaks of gaseous materials; (5) observers report a buzzing or humming sound in the vicinity of the sightings. Not all reported earth lights are anomalies. Some have been shown to have natural explanations, most commonly car headlights. The anomalies have produced numerous theories as to their origins, causes, and meaning. Electronic Voice Phenomenon - The recording on magnetic tape of what seem to be supernatural voices, some of which are audible. Some of the voices identify themselves as spirits of the dead. Other theories to explain them propose that they are extraterrestrials, impressions from the Akashic Records, or an unknown phenomenon of the subconscious mind. Many psychical researchers believe the voices, at least in some cases, are merely intercepted radio transmissions or static, or distorted mechanical noises. Electronic voices are also called "Raudive Voices," named after Latvian psychologist, Konstantin Raudive, a leading researcher into the phenomenon in the 1960's and 1970's. Raudive, who died on September 2, 1974, expressed no particular theory. At the time of his death he was studying a parakeet that apparently had begun uttering meaningful sentences in German, in a manner characteristic of the Raudive voices Research into the electronic voice phenomenon continues by various individuals and groups. The American Association-Electronic Voice Phenomena, was founded in 1982 by Sarah Estep, has more than two hundred members in thirty-four states in the United States and eleven foreign countries. The association calls itself "a metaphysical organization interested in spiritual evolvement as well as all genuine evidence for postmortem survival," and focuses on "objective contact with those in other dimensions through tape recorders, televisions, and computers." Exorcism - The expulsion of troublesome or evil spirits, ghosts, demons, or other nonphysical entities. Exorcism rites exist universally, and their use is common in many societies where spirits are believed to interfere frequently in earthly affairs, causing illnesses, bad luck, and disasters. Exorcisms are performed by the appropriate, trained individual, usually a religious official or magical or occult adept. Western psychologists and psychiatrists also perform a sort of exorcism in the treatment of patients who feel taken over by alien and extrernal personalities. "Exorcism" derives from the Greek exousia, "oath," and refers to "putting the spirit or demon on oath," or invoking a higher authority tobind the entity and compel it to act in a way contrary toits wishes. Rites vary from simple invitations to leave, to elaborate ceremonies, some involving dance and trance, in which deities are petitioned for help in forcibly expeling the offending entity. Techniques also include prayer, invective, foul odors, incense, and the use of holy substances, such as sacred herbs, blessed water, or salt. In Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, and many other religions, spirits and ghosts are routinley blamed for a host of ills and are cast out of people and places. Most such afflictions are not considered all-or-nothing battles for souls. Typical Hindu exorcism techniqes, for example, include blowing blowing cow-dung smoke, pressing rock salt between the fingers, burning pig excreta, beating the victim or pulling the victims hair, using copper coins as an offering, reciting prayers or mantras, and offering gifts of candy or other presents. In some shamanic traditions, it is believed that demons or spirits cause maladies and misfortune by stealing souls. The shaman enters an ecstatic trance to search for and recover the soul and drive the demon out. |
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