March 2022 - These Curious Times

The World’s Trusted Source for Paranormal News
March 2022
Turkmenistan Government Seeks
to Extinguish ‘Gates of Hell’ to
Maintain Natural Gas Fields
Darvaza Crater, also known as ‘The Gates of Hell’, is located in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan.
Image from Creative Commons
Paranormal Truckers Ride Again
Tammye McDuff
K
athy Owen is a 60 something
physical medium with many abilities,
she can speak with the dead which she
calls ‘earthbounds’ and is known as the
‘Paranormal Trucker’. Owen has been
able to speak with those that have
crossed over her entire life, “Everything
just intensified when I had my own near
death experience,” she told TCTN.
“Being able to have abilities came in
handy when dealing with the deceased. I
found I was able to communicate better
with them, have a better understanding
of how things work on the other side,
while obtaining information from the
deceased and get some answers,” stated
Owen. She has been involved in the
paranormal for 44 years, long before
the genre exploded as it has today.
“My abilities helped me to establish a
connection with the deceased and being
there myself, witnessing firsthand the
other side, I can help others know what
to expect when we die.”
Paranormal investigation became
the paramount quest in her life. “I needed
techniques, needed to research and
conduct my own experiments in proving
how this all works. It was back in 1998 that
my husband and I decided to become
truck drivers. It was a passion of ours ~
being able to work as truck drivers and
travel the country and see everything
while being paid to do so.”
Owen grasped the concept of the
paranormal trucker while being on
the road with her son who is also a
truck driver, combing driving with the
paranormal. Being able to travel all over
the United States and stop at places of
interest that appear to be haunted is
‘House’ Continued Page 12
For CoVid-19 Updates, Visit HMG at LosCerritosNews.net
I
n January 2022, the government
of Turkmenistan decided to
either try to extinguish the Fiery
Gates of Hell, or find a way to limit its
impact on the nearby environment.
The Fiery Gates of Hell is a
Turkmenistan gas crater, and is
officially named Darvaza Gas Crater.
Itis more popularly known as the
Gates of Hell, and has been burning for
decades, becoming one of the country’s
most popular tourist attractions.
It is approximately 1.33 acres, and
is about 98 feet deep. The crater is
located in the middle of Karakum
Desert, near the village of Darvaza.
The origins of the monstrous
chasm and its iconic inferno are murky
at best with unsubstantiated sources
stating that it was accidentally created
in the 1970s by Russian miners hoping
to extract natural gas from the area.
That version of events is now doubted
by researchers, who believe that the
crater probably formed sometime in
the 1960s.
The January 2022 commission
hopes to extinguish the fire once and
for all, or to find some way to mitigate
the damage it has on the region.
Turkmenistan’s concern about
the crater is that it will affect the
development of natural gas fields
nearby. Turkmenistan’s goal is to
increase natural gas production. The
extinguishing of the Darvaza Gas
Crater is key to that effort.
INSIDE
Aloe Blacc ... 2
Editorials ... 3
Paranormal Activity ... 4
The Creative Spark ... 5
Mantras ...6
Book Review ... 7
WWW.THESECURIOUSTIMES.NET

Feature
Soul artist Aloe Blacc sings a duet with his wife and fellow performer Maya Jupiter, at the Phantom Projects Theatre benefit show in La Habra, California.
Photo by Andrew Perry
Aloe Blacc Helps Kick Off New Theatre for La Habra, Calif
The La Habra Pacific Electric Depot
[1906] symbolized the beginning of a
new era of development in the rich
La Habra Valley. The La Habra Line
was one of the most significant in
Southern California progress. Early
stops and supplies to the new oil fields
could be rapidly transported via the
popular red cars.
Fast forward to 2019, the Depot was
home to another theater group, who
decided they could no longer sustain
or survive. In the second five-year lease,
they closed their doors all together.
Steve Cisneros, Executive Director of
Phantom Projects said, “We have been
eyeing this building since November
2019.”
The theaters grand opening was
held January 29 featuring Grammy
nominated singer Aloe Blacc and
Maya Jupiter, performing alongside
special appearance by current and
past Phantom Projects Phamily. The
gala was planned as a fundraiser that
featured a silent auction, cash bar,
music and light refreshments.
Blacc & Jupiter were tremendous,
to say the least. Jupiter was poignant
in her approach to life, love and
motherhood with music that was
a blend of hip-hop, rap and lullaby.
Blacc was just amazing. His music and
performance touched the very heart
of every one in attendance, so much
so that they were literally dancing
in the aisles. It was a performance of
immense magnitude that boosted
the energy of the evening through the
roof.
Attending the gala that evening
were Marti & Michael Parry, acclaimed
husband and wife mediums. They were
invited to get a real ‘feel’ for the theater
as a possible performing option. At
intermission, Michael was asked if had
witnessed any attendees that were of
the ‘unliving’ type and he said no.
On the way home Marti gave me
a call. She said that when Aloe was
singing the song that got everyone up
out of their seats, she saw Prince on
stage. Marti is not usually the one to
see the other side, she is the artist. “He
was standing just behind Aloe playing
along with his band and dancing with
Aloe.” As the song came to an end,
Prince put his finger to his lips as if to
say ‘sssshhh’.
You might think this unusual,
however when TCTN did a bit of
research we found out that Blacc was
part of the musical tribute for the
superstar performer [Prince] back in
2017, the concert featured a roster of
popular R&B singers who rocked out.
To add to this, Prince was quietly well
known for his philanthropy, giving
away millions. But
with the close of
each one of these
donations, he would
always put his finger
to his lips, as if to say
‘don’t tell’.
Next year the
theater will be
partnering with the
children’s museum
which is next door,
for field trips, “For
our children’s shows,
we are offering field
trips and we are
almost completely
booked for the
school year. Our
goal is to re-educate
our audience, that
Phantom Projects is
not just about teen shows, which we
are most known for.”
In order to re-brand themselves
the Depot is offering several ways
that individuals can support the new
theater. For as little as $100, patrons
can participate in the ‘Adopt-A-Seat’
program, where a nameplate can be
placed on the back of a particular
theater seat. Organizations and
businesses can also participate
with ‘Naming Rights’ by sponsoring
different areas of the Depot. The
concession stand and box office have
already been claimed, but there are
areas such as the lobby, the front patio,
dressing rooms and train cars to be
named.
Phantom Projects is still running
programs at the La Mirada Theater
as their home, “The teen projects will
stay in La Mirada, here in La Habra
we will present main stage shows.
Things you would see at the Pasadena
Playhouse, shows that will be pushing
the edge of things,” stated Cisneros,”
We are going to present family shows
as well. Interestingly enough, I was in
the stag play for Charlotte’s Web when
I was a kid and here I am decades later,
running this theater and that will be
one of the first children’s presentations
in 2022.”
It wasn’t easy to define Prince’s
politics. He was very concerned
about poor people and black people,
but he also believed in economic
empowerment and uplift. He wasn’t
a red Republican; he wasn’t a blue
Democrat ….. He was purple. As it
happens Phantom Projects colors
are black, white and you guessed it …
purple.
For information on support
or upcoming shows visit www.
LaHabraDepot.com
Yvette Walker, of ABC’s So Cal Business Report, interviews Phantom Projects founder
Steve Cisneros.

TCT NEWS
(714) 450-5582
Managing Editors
Raymond Fernandez
Tammye McDuff
Andrew Perry
Subscribe
Join us at
www.thesecurioustimes.net
Got A Story?
TheseCuriousTimesNewspaper@
gmail.com
Support
TCT News
Ever read or hear a ghost story, or
alien encounter, or a miracle story, and
then find out later it’s not sourced well,
that it’s merely someone just telling a
story, and therefore not credible?
We hate that, too!
We know that people experience
these things. We know that there’s
more to our existence, that people
see things along with witnesses. If
the supernatural exists in such a
way that people can observe it with
any of their five senses, that means
this phenomena has an effect on the
natural world, and therefore can be
observed, even scientifically observed.
But we are not scientists, we are
journalists. That’s why we created TCT
News, to hold these stories up to the
values of journalistic integrity. We are
looking for video and photographic
evidence. We’re looking for
corresponding witnesses, log entries,
documents, anything that can prove
whether or not a story has merit.
If that’s something that you
appreciate, that is why you should
support us. Subscribe to us at www.
thesecurioustimes.net. If you are
a business owner, sponsor us and
advertise on our website and in our
paper. Thank you for your support,
and as always: Stay Curious!
Charles Spratley
Editorial
I Will Create As I Speak
How old is the practice of magic? Truly ancient, if you
look at the writings of the Egyptians, Greeks, and others.
Everything from cups and balls to true miracles such
as levitation, healing, and even raising the dead. And with
every one of those feats, there are words.
I’m not talking about patter or other nonsense. I’m
talking about real words that contain true power. And as
cheesy as it may seem, one of the most powerful words is
indeed ‘Abracadabra’. And there you are, snickering away.
When you think of the word, you think of magicians pulling
rabbits out of hats or some such, but what if the word was
much older, more sacred, than you ever imagined?
The first time the word is recorded is in the second
century works of a Roman tutor and politician by the name
of Serenus Sammonicus. Written in Sammonicus’ text, the
Liber Medicinalis, who describes the word is to be inscribed
in an amulet and worn to ward off malaria. But the term
itself is much older than that. The term is linked to the
ancient Semitic languages.
In Hebrew, the term is roughly translated as, “I will
create as I speak” and in Aramaic, “I create like the word”. This
phrase makes me think of John 1:1 from the New Testament,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.”
This piece of scripture is referring to Jesus being at the
beginning of creation as well as his time of earth, in which
Jesus is referred to as the Word. The word Abracadabra
A Few Thoughts
Lydia Ringwald
Sometimes at a challenging
moment, I release myself from conflict
and enter the ‘sea of possibility’ --- where
I ask ancestors for guidance.
A solution eventually emerges...
Circumstances change, the situation
shifts somehow...and there is a path...
One must be very clever to see this
path...allow this path
Life is a constant flow of shifting
circumstances
Where is it going?
The Will can sometimes give
direction...accompanied by belief in our
potential...what we have to ‘give’ to the
world...
Believe in what we have to give...
that energy that would be a step
forward in evolution...
seems to carry power with it as well. The writing of it in
magical incantations was done for centuries throughout
the Middle East and Europe. Increase Mather, father of
Cotton Mather, condemned the use of the word as a
talisman. Daniel Dafoe, writer of Robinson Crusoe, chided
people for writing the word on their doorways as a
preventive measure to ward off sickness during The Great
Plague of London in 1665-1666.
I still see the word written in its magical form on
amulets today, and read about it in many of my esoteric
texts of the occult arts. What began as an incantation of
ancient knowledge very slowly became dismissed during
the Enlightenment, and then reappeared in the mid-18th
Century by magicians as a climax for tricks.
I recently did a show where I asked a young lady to
be a volunteer. As I handed her my wand, I asked her to
speak the “magic words”. What did she say out of instinct?
Abracadabra. Well done, young Miss. “I will create as I speak”.
In the search into the paranormal,
the supernatural...we are accessing
power, the power that would catapult
us towards our highest good
Defined as that which would
benefit humankind...
By ‘power’ I don’t mean power over
others...dominance...but rather, power
as an energy that would encourage us
to try for potential...and that potential
Would ultimately fuel our evolution,
the evolution of our species.
Ah...a few thoughts...
3

Paranormal Activity - A Reflection of
Your Shadow?
What if the paranormal activity in
your home is a reflection of your shadow.
First, a little explanation of your
shadow-self. The shadow is a natural part
of human existence.
We all have it and we all continue to
grow shadows throughout out life. The
shadow is a part of the psyche that is
built up of all the things we were taught
to hide, to repress, to stuff down, and
shut off from our life. This includes our
natural talents, like psychic abilities, the
things we truly love to do, and the things
we love doing. As we stuff these things
away, the psyche and the soul try to reach
up out of these repressed feelings and
thoughts by projecting them in negative
ways around us. Thus, we are triggered by
certain behaviors of other people, and we
blame them for it. We have certain beliefs
of how the world works and our place
in the world. So we hold ourselves back.
When we are put into certain situations,
we react with fear, loathing, jealousy, or
other emotions.
This is what sets up the negative
energy around you.
Every emotion and thought has
an energy output. So, the more you are
expressing these negative emotions,
thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, you are
filling the space around you with the
energy correlate to those shadows. As
that inner turbulence continues to
bubble up inside of you, you are projecting
the energy into your home and your
life, making the energy around you …
shadow energy.
This is perfectly natural and normal.
The longer you remain unaware of this
process, the more that energy builds and
builds until it becomes the natural state
of you energetic existence.
Negative entities love negative
energy. When they detect energy wells
that emanate from the shadows you are
creating, they are drawn to you. Since
they “live” off of this energy, it is in their
best interest that you continue to build
that energy for them. So, they will poke
you with subtle thoughts, emotions, and
suggestions to act in certain ways that
continue to generate that shadow-based
energy for them.
These beings can get creative in
getting you to generate their energy. From
subtle thoughts, to creep-out feeling,
even to moving objects, bad smells, and
attacks. These are all ways to keep you
feeling locked in, oppressed, and helpless
to their influence. This perpetuates until
you take a stand.
Similarities attract and perpetuate.
If you choose to go on the attack with a
full assault on these beings, you are only
increasing the negative shadow energy.
You are fighting fire with fire and making
a bigger fire in the process.
What you need is a reset of thinking,
feeling, and acting. The first step is
recognizing the shadow, how it makes you
feel, think, and behave. Next, try to notice of
these shadow traits originate internally,
or if something is trying to influence you.
If it is internal, do your shadow work. Do
some disruptive thinking and feeling.
Meaning, if you notice a negative thought,
change it to a positive. If you are feeling a
negative feeling, do something different
that makes you feel better. If it is external,
do an energy shift of the area around you.
Bring in sacred energy, clear the energy of
the room around you, or ask for the help
of higher-level beings.
What I just gave you are only surface
level solutions for the moment. If you
continue to do this work, the energy and
internal state will start to shift little by
little. If you are committed to this process,
continuously, then you will notice longterm
changes.
These techniques are simple but
not easy to do because you are not just
swimming upstream you are trying
to change the flow of that stream. It
is possible to do. It just takes time and
continuous effort to make it happen.
Don’t be off-put by setbacks that will
come up.
This is just a quick overview of the
connection between the shadow and
paranormal activity. As you probably
guessed, these connections run deeper
with greater effects throughout our lives.
Feel free to send me any questions,
thoughts, suggestions for things you
want me to address, and please share
your experiences with me. If you want to
know more about Shadow Work and the
Paranormal check out some of the online
courses I have on Teachable at
https://kaedrich.teachable.com/
Podcasts
4
Case of the
Courtroom Ghost
3AM PARANORMAL
It was in late in 2001 in Southern
California. I was having an adult
beverage at the Black Crow bar when
I decided to step outside to have a
cigarette. It there that I met a very
beautiful young lady named Angelina
who was also having a cigarette.
Our conversation led to the topic
of the paranormal and my ongoing
interest in the subject. She told me
that there was a situation at her place
of work and wondered if I would be
willing to meet her there, saying that
would explain what the situation
was. I agreed and we exchanged
information.
We set up a date to meet.
I asked her what she did for
living and she stated that she was an
Assistant Prosecutor with the city and
worked at the courthouse downtown.
I thought to myself this should be
interesting. A week or so later I found
myself trying to get my investigating
equipment through the security check
point at the courthouse. Trying to
explain to the guard what exactly I was
bringing into the building was a true
test to by ability to convince others.
Suddenly, as if on cue, Angelina
popped up out of nowhere, gave the
security guards the okay to allow me
in and I was good to go. I had really
thought that I was going to just meet
with her; she would point out a couple
of places in the building where she
might have had an experience.
We got off the elevator and walked
down to one of the courtrooms.
Angelina opened the door and
standing in front of the bench ~ facing
me ~ were five sheriffs deputies. I was
rather taken aback by this and she
guided me over to the defendant table,
sat me down, making all the proper
introductions.
Each bailiff, one-by-one, proceeded
to tell me their story of the court room
ghost .The first Deputy told me that he
had never actually seen the ghost but
he had heard it many times, so-muchso
he no longer doubted it. He went on
to say that there were countless times
during court sessions, when sounds
would come from the restrooms.
At the time I did not know that just
behind the wall in the jury box, was
the men’s restroom. Someone … or
something … would start slamming
the trash cans about. It was so loud
that the judge would have to halt
proceedings and send in the bailiff
to investigate the problem. Upon
entering the restroom, the deputy said
no one was there and the sounds had
ceased.
The next deputy told the story that
during a hearing, the judge – in jest -
told the deputy to look in the direction
of the restroom. He had seen the door
open very slowly. To his surprise he
saw very clearly a previous judge who
had worked in the same court room.
This judge had recently passed away.
Both the bailiff and the new judge saw
a full body apparition of the previous
judge. They were even able to describe
the sweater he was wearing.
One by one, similar stories told
by professional observers and sworn
officers of the law, told their mind
blowing tales.
Why was the judge still there?
Giving the ghostly judge the
nickname of Morty, it seems that
no one outside the court room or
the judge’s chambers had ever seen
him. For some reason he could only
manifest inside the men’s restroom
and he seem to be very upset.
This was one of my first real
investigations. I did the best I could
with the equipment and knowledge
that I had. Unfortunately, I did not
capture any evidence, see or hear any
manifestations.
I often wonder if the judge is still
there after these 20 years…..

The Creative Spark
Herbie J Pilato has a refreshing
approach to life and work.
“It’s all about taking the high
road, “says Pilato. “I believe in kindness
and karma. But I try to be kind in all
I do, not because I expect kindness in
return. But because it’s the healthiest
choice.”
A multi-hyphenate creative with
a caring spirit, Pilato’s philosophical
path has led to his success as a
writer, producer, actor, and singer/
songwriter.
Pilato has produced and/or
served as a consultant or cultural
commentator on various retromedia-geared
documentaries. His
biographies of pop-culture icons Mary
Tyler Moore and
Bewitched star Elizabeth
Montgomery, have won acclaim from
critics and readers, as have his guides
to the groundbreaking TV series, Kung
Fu, and Life Goes On, among others.
Pilato also writes about classic
programming for the Television
Academy and Emmys.com and has
hosted as executive produced his
own memory lane TV talk show ‘Then
Again with Herbie J Pilato’. His future
books profile legendary actors Sean
Connery and Diana Rigg, historic
producer/directors George Lucas and
Steven Spielberg.
Pilato is particularly excited about
‘The 12 Best Secrets of Christmas’, his
first mainstream publication, which
will be published in December 2022.
“It’s about the truest meaning of
Christmas,” he says, “…a book that,
literally – on so many levels – can be
described as a life-long project.”
A resident of Los Angeles, Pilato
was born and raised within a large,
welcoming Italian- American family
in Rochester, New York, which inspired
the Christmas tome.”My parents were
wonderful people who taught me to
be compassionate and understanding
in everything I do, and with everyone
I meet. To this day, I try to do exactly
that with each step I take...and with
every endeavor.”
Endeavors, all, with a nod to
the nostalgic, “Like many of us, I
have an affectionate affinity for the
past,” Pilato says. “With my work,
I incorporate my thoughts and
perceptions of yesterday’s simpler
times for today’s more complicated
world.”
“I wake up every day and try to
bring a little light and fun into the
world,” adds Pilato, who also has a
strong social media presence. “I try
to tell the stories that people want
to hear, and to do so in an uplifting
manner…and with dignity.”
For Pilato, ‘even and especially the
complex stories” should be told with
decency. “We all have our challenges
and struggles,” he says. “None of us are
perfect. But what keeps us afloat more
than we may know is how we respond
to those challenges and how we
confront and rise above them. That’s
what makes our lives interesting and
more importantly, productive. And
those are the kinds of lives and topics
I choose to write about...the people
who have made a difference… for the
highest good of all concerned.”
People like Herbie J Pilato.
For more information, visit www.
HerbieJPilato.com
Feature
Herbie J Pilato
Television host & acclaimed
author focusing on the lives of
classic television stars.
Check out Herbie on Amazon
Punxsutawney Phil Prognostication
Tammye McDuff
One holiday brings thousands of
people together from all over the world
to celebrate the single prediction
by a furry forecaster. Here ye!Here
ye! Today February 2, 2022 welcomed
hundreds of fans to Punxsutawney,
Pennsylvania to celebrate Groundhog
Day and the 136th annual trek of the
Punxsutawney Groundhog club.
Punxsutawney Phil, the seer
of seers, the prognosticator of all
prognosticators, was gently lifted
from his burrow at 7:25 am, and held
high to see his faithful followers had
returned with glee.
Placing Phil on top of the stump,
where in Groundhogese, he directed
the president, Jeff Lundy and the inner
circle to his prediction scroll that read:
“Winter has been bleak and dark
and bereft of hope. Yet winter is just
another step in the cycle of life. As
I look out over the faces of the true
believers from around the world, I bask
in the warmth of your hearts. I couldn’t
imagine a better fate, with my shadow
I have cast, than a long and lustrous six
more weeks of winter!”
The Christian religious holiday
of Candlemas Day has become most
commonly associated with the current
celebration, but its roots are older
than that. The celebration started in
Christianity as February 2nd, when
Christians would take their candles to
the church to have them blessed. This,
GROUNDHOG, Page 7
5

Kathy Owen and son Daniel are off on another adventure of Paranormal
Truckers.
TRUCKER, From Front
not like taking a normal vacation. “I make
stops as I drive, my gas is paid for and the
truck is almost like a small motor home,”
added Owen.
Another thing that works out in
her favor is being able to meet up with
other paranormal teams along the way.
She keeps in touch and lets them know
ahead of time when she will be in the
area. “As long as we make arrangements
for them to come and pick me up from
where I parked or the truck stop, we
go investigate together. Many think it’s
impossible to fit my busy schedule and
combine paranormal investigating
together, but it is actually very simple and
if I come across a hotel / motel that has a
haunted history all the better.”
Being a female truck driver can seem
like a hazardous career choice but Owens’
son Daniel travels with her, taking care of
mechanical problems and adding that
safety in numbers factor.
A recent trip for the two involved
an eight day stop in Medford, Oregon
for repairs. The company placed them
us up at the Ramada Inn for six days. A
motel/hotel is a hotspot for paranormal
enthusiasts. Because of her abilities, Owen
had already picked up on many entities
roaming the building, especially around
the indoor pool. “Daniel and I started
asking employees if they had witnessed
anything paranormal, I was surprised of
the answers we got. Some were willing
to discuss it freely and tell us of their
own personal experiences, other were
reluctant to even speak of it. Mostly the
housekeepers were the ones to talk
openly about it.”
She stated she picked up and
confirmed three drowning’s and a brutal
murder that had taken place in one room.
“The negative energy was so strong I
couldn’t even touch the door without
becoming sick. A lot of paranormal
investigators think that older motels or
hotels are the hotspots for paranormal
activity, but that is not always the case.
Even the newer ones can be haunted.”
“Spirits are everywhere out there,
even while driving on the road. All of
us have driven that highway and have
seen the memorial white cross where
somebody was killed in a car accident. To
everyone else, they see the memorial. To
me, I sense the accident and the death. I
become dizzy or a sick feeling overcomes
me. You don’t really have to visit a haunted
location to feel this energy,” said Owen.
Owen says she would like to see
her paranormal trucking turn into
something more, incorporate a team of
drivers that share the same interests, and
then venture out. She states it always a
grand adventure and is ready to take on a
camera crew to ride along with them.
You can follow Owen on Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter @liv2cthedawn.
Left: Rolling into the very haunted Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada.
Photo by Las Vegas Review Journal
Feature
6
Mantra Power is a Real Thing
Dr. Peter Borten
Once I went to see a spiritual teacher
who planned to write a mantra on my
tongue using a leaf dipped in honey. But
she ran out of leaves. Or honey. I can’t
remember which.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. She told me
the mantra and we repeated it together.
She also told the same mantra to the other
hundred or so people who came to see her.
I’ve used that mantra off and on for the
past 20 years.
Another spiritual teacher gave me a
mantra, but it was just for me. He told it
to me privately in a closed room, and he
instructed me to never repeat it to anyone.
He said that keeping it a secret was part
of the power of the mantra. I wasn’t sure
whether I believed that, but I have kept it a
secret for several years.
You probably know what a mantra
is, but I’d like to tell you about a woman
who found a magic lamp in her backyard.
Well, she rubbed it of course, because that’s
what you do, and a genie came out.
“Tell me what to do,” he said.
“Is this one of those three wish deals?”
the woman responded.
“Not at all,” said the genie. “I’m at your
service forever.”
The woman had the genie clean the
house, do the laundry, and cook dinner.
“What next?” asked the genie.
“Oh, neuter the cat, I guess.”
“Done!” the genie reported. “What
next?”
“Umm, shear the hamster?” the
woman offered.
“Done! What next?” asked the genie.
“That’s it!” exclaimed the woman. “Why
don’t you take a break?”
“It doesn’t work that way,” the genie said,
now beginning to appear more oppressive
than helpful. “Give me something to do or
I’ll eat you!”
The startled woman was answered
quickly, “Ok, I’ve got it. Climb up that flagpole.
When you get to the top, slide down. Then
climb up again, slide down again, and keep
doing that until I think of something else
for you to do.” It worked, and the woman
didn’t get eaten.
The genie is like the mind. The flagpole
routine is the mantra. Not only does the
genie/mind demand constant attention,
it obstructs our access to the spiritual
dimension and experiencing spaciousness
within consciousness. It tends to take up
the whole frame.
A mantra gives the mind something
to focus on, and over time the course of
each meditative session and over the
course of using it daily, greatly diminishes
the degree to which the mind dominates
our awareness. Often, what starts out
as a mechanical recitation becomes
something more like a self-replicating
wave that occupies the mind while our
consciousness expands and transcends it.
Though I have some disdain for
secrecy around mantras, I do believe there’s
value in being selective about sharing
the details of your spiritual experiences.
Attempts to explain these experiences
in words often fall short, and if you share
with someone who isn’t receptive, doesn’t
understand, or criticizes the experience,
this may diminish its significance for you
or cause you to doubt yourself. It’s also
worth asking yourself why you’re sharing
these experiences.
This week I recommend that you try
meditating with a mantra. Sit comfortably
and repeat your chosen mantra silently, at
a comfortable speed. If your mind wanders,
bring it back to the mantra.
For more information, please visit
thedragontree.com and sign up for their
free newsletter.
UFO Insurance: A Little Green
Protects Against Little Green Men
Raymond Fernandez
Have you ever watched ‘ET the Extra
Terrestrial’ or ‘Close Encounters of the
Third Kind’ or perhaps a documented true
encounter film in the form of ‘Fire in Sky’? If
one has watched said films and wondered
if UFO /Alien or Alien Abduction insurance
policy exists, the answer is YES!
Believe it or not, a London based firm
has sold more than 30,000 alien abduction
insurance policies throughout Europe. Of
course, you’ll need to provide proof of the
occurrence to file a claim.
Life on Earth has been good to us so far,
but what happens if all the 2022 predictions
are true and we are paid a visit by friends
from other planets, or even abducted and
taken with them? No citizen can be too
careful when it comes to their safety, and
that includes protecting themselves from
abuse from extraterrestrials.
According to Trusted Source, this is
the strangest type of indemnity coverage
out there, alien abduction insurance
(a.k.a. “UFO insurance” or “UFO abduction
insurance”) is a policy designed to protect
humans from trauma suffered following
alien abductions. Aside from the posttraumatic
stress that may arise just from
an alien sighting in itself, abductions could
potentially cause victims all kinds of grief,
especially if they become impregnated
during the ordeal.
There are a handful of rules that
alien abduction/UFO insurance plays by.
Depending on the insurance provider, the
requirements may vary. But in general, in
order to file a successful claim, you must be
prepared to do the following:
• Provide specific information about the
aliens, including where they’re from and
what type of spacecraft they use.
• Provide a detailed description of the
abduction incident.
• Provide the signature of an “authorized,
on-board alien.”
• Pass a lie detector test.
• Provide video footage of the encounter.
• Provide a third party’s statement
Here’s the tricky part, in order to be covered,
you will have to be returned to Earth
by the aliens. If you are abducted, taken
to another planet, and then never return,
there’s no way to go about filing your
insurance claim.
The Alien/UFO Insurance Company
based in Florida has been going strong
since 1987, claims to have sold thousands of
policies (and even paid out two successful
claims to date!)Policyholders include NASA
workers, FBI agents, and even fictional
characters like agents Fox Mulder and
Dana Scully from The X-Files. Lloyd’s of
London, an insurance company famous
for offering all kinds of out-of-the-ordinary
coverage, claims to have sold more than
40,000 of these policies.

Book Review
A Review of Ghostly
Encounters: The Hauntings of
Everyday Life
Ghostly Encounters: The Hauntings of
Everyday Life states that it is possible to
scientifically evaluate ghosts.
This is because a surprisingly
wide variety of physical phenomena
are attributed to ghosts, from a door
closing on its own, to missing keys, to
a cold area in a hallway, to a vision of a
dead relative.
When sociologists Dennis and
Michele Waskul interviewed people
who have had ghost experiences, they
found that many were uncertain if
they had encountered a ghost.
Instead, many of the respondents
were simply convinced that they had
experienced something uncanny ~
something inexplicable, extraordinary,
mysterious, or eerie.
Thus, many people who go on
record as claiming to have had a
ghostly encounter didn’t necessarily
see anything that most people
would recognize as a classic ‘ghost’. In
fact, they may have had completely
different experiences whose only
common factor is that it could not be
readily explained.
So, even if an experience may have
had a paranormal origin, the best
explanation would be something that
was more natural than supernatural,
given that the experiences were
different. The reason being that we
ultimately don’t know, and thus the
best explanation would remain a
natural explanation.
Great claims need greater
evidence for them to pass through the
veil of pragmatism from superstition
into knowledge.
GROUNDHOG, From Page 5
they felt, would bring blessings to their
household for the remaining winter.
As time rolled on the day evolved
into another form. The following
English folk song highlights the
transition to weather prognostication.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and
rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This interpretation of Candlemas
Day became the norm for most of
Europe. There was never a mention
of an animal of any kind in the
preceding song. It wasn’t until this
tradition was introduced to Germany
that an animal was introduced into
the lore, hence another evolution of
February 2nd. If, according to German
lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow
on Candlemas Day there would be a
‘Second Winter’ or six more weeks of
bad weather. As German settlers came
to what is now the United States, so
www.LegendMakers.net
too came their traditions and folklore.
With the absence of hedgehogs in the
United States, a similar hibernating
animal was chosen. This leads us to yet
another evolution in the legend and to
present day Punxsutawney.
The first celebration was held in
Punxsutawney, 1886 marking the first
time that Groundhog Day appeared
in the local newspaper. The following
year brought the first official trek
to Gobbler’s Knob. Each year since
then has seen a steady increase in
participation of the celebration from
people all over the world.
Today, Groundhog Day remains
what it was when the tradition first
came to our shores and found its
way to Punxsutawney. A day to take
everything a little less seriously, and
break up the winter monotony... at
least for a little while!
The annual event was hosted by
the Pennsylvania Tourism Office with
live coverage of the celebration at 6:15
am Wednesday morning at Gobble’s
Knob.
7
Bloodstone: the Stone of Invisibility
The restorative properties and
colors of stones and crystals have many
connections to energy,
Feng Shui and magick.
One crystal that you
may have come across
is bloodstone, also
called heliotrope or
bloodstone.
The mineral
aggregate heliotrope,
from Greek meaning
sun-to-turn, is also
known as bloodstone.
The classic bloodstone
is opaque green jasper
with red inclusions of hematite. The red
inclusions may resemble spots of blood,
hence the name bloodstone. The name
heliotrope derives from various ancient
notions about the manner in which
the mineral reflects light. Such notions
are described, for example, by Pliny the
Elder and called the stone of Babylon
by Albertus Magnus and he referred to
several magical properties. Pliny the Elder
mentioned first that the magicians used
it as a stone of invisibility; in the fourth
century – Damigeron wrote about its
property to make rain, solar eclipse
and its special virtue in divination and
preserving health and youth.
Sometimes called the Sunstone, the
meaning of Bloodstone comes entangled
in fascinating history. It was believed to
have heavenly healing powers gifted by
the gods and most certainly when it came
to healing all things related to the blood.
Even as we move forward into the Middle
Ages, the Bloodstone takes another
mystical story under its wing. It was
believed to be formed from Christ’s blood.
It was said that during the Crucifixion, a
few red spots of his blood dripped onto
the earth and turned as
hard as stone. A noble
stone, sent to remind us
of the sacrifice and ever
ready to lend its healing
vibes of strength to all
those who are having to
face their darkest days.
Rich in iron oxide,
fused with potent
protective powers,
and ever ready to
bring a bright burst of
vitality, Bloodstone is
a strengthening tonic for your lower
chakras Properties of Bloodstone are
said to correlate to the Root, Sacral, Solar
Plexus, Heart chakras.
It is a very calming, grounding stone,
making it an ally in difficult situations.
It encourages presence, as well as
persistence in continuing towards a goal
even when the path becomes challenging.
Carry the stone to increase courage,
motivation, and creative energy. It’s also
beneficial for endurance and physical
strength. In addition, bloodstone can
remove blocks that are keeping us stuck,
which can help to revitalize our energy
and create a clear path forward.
Despite the evocative flow of the
Bloodstone’s history, each branch shares
a similar feeling. This stone is one of the
most sublime healing crystals – both of
the physical body and in the metaphysical
sense. It can be used on battlefields to
staunch wounds; it can invite health
circulation and a heart that ticks as
strong as an ox. It can also be used as an
amulet for courage and protection.

News
8