Unorthodox Times Update

I would like to apologize for my lack of posts in the recent month. Things have been incredibly busy for me what with the holiday season and I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and create an article. New posts should be coming very soon though so keep an eye out for them.

Haunted Inns

I was browsing the news this afternoon when I came across an article in the Evening Leader of the UK. The article in question discusses a pub located in Chester, UK which experiences its fair share of supernatural visitors as well as the more natural kind. The article itself was pretty brief, mentioning a few sightings and interesting occurrences (you can read the article itself here Chester Pub in most haunted guide) but what caught my eye was the reason for the article.

The most haunted guide referenced is a website that has been created in the United Kingdom for the paranormal tourist: http://www.hauntedhotelguide.com/. I have to say I do enjoy seeing websites like this. In fact I found it pleasantly informative. Even though its not fully comprehensive it would most likely be an asset if I were to ever visit the UK in the future. I definitely suggest that any reader of this blog should take a look at it. Once selecting an area of the UK you are then presented with a list of haunted inns and hotels. You can select the location you wish to view and are hereby presented with a small paragraph regarding the haunting itself and some more down to earth information regarding the establishments. Looking to the right under ghost and hauntings you are able see a more expanded view of the hauntings themselves.

What I don't like seeing is one of the reasons for the popular attention its getting, straight from the about us portion of the site:

The public's interest in all things paranormal is constantly growing; this is emphasised by the increasing popularity of television programmes such as Most Haunted, Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns, Dead Famous and Jane Goldman Investigates.

This is unfortunate in my eyes as the shows mentioned above are not exactly a wonderful representation of the more serious paranormal enthusiast. Don't get me wrong Derek can put on quite the performance in the sense of it being entertainment not meant to be viewed in a serious light of any kind. Not having watched all the shows mentioned I can't comment on every one of them but anyone who has ever put the slightest amount of research into these topics (not that I would consider myself an expert) can see what a joke some of these new and popular shows are.

Unfortunately running around screaming in the dark has become the common entertainment venue for mainstream media and this is a very poor time media wise for anyone who has been interested in paranormal studies. I don't know if the fault lies with the producers attempting to create a more exciting view of the "ghost hunter" (a term I personally despise), the individuals doing the "investigating", or even of the public themselves who seem to give these shows great attention. I could go on and on discussing my dislike of this popular media form but I will give it a rest for the moment and continue to hope that this style of show will quickly fade into the void.

In the same breath I am thankful to see more of a public interest in paranormal tourism itself. Visiting such historical and interesting inns would certainly be an experience of its own. I for one would have a wonderful time on vacation sleeping the night away in one these featured haunted hotels wondering what I might wake up too in the night.

I can't say I'm so certain about the Weekend Haunts program that works in tandem with the site, but it may be interesting to check out. Personally I would love to visit Arreton Manor on the Isle of Wight, more so for the history and beauty of the manor itself.

Blue ghost or a bug?

I will start with explaining that I am a pretty avid believer when it comes to ghosts. I have had a few personal experiences myself which I may go into at a future time but I also like to be a healthy skeptic as well. Recently a video appeared on the internet regarding a news cast of what a security camera caught at a gas station in Parma, Ohio. We see a blue image sitting in the middle of a gas station which then floats off.

Claims of what the image is range from ghosts to angels. The blue portion of the image can be easily explained due to the quality of the security camera footage. The reporter at one point steps in front of the security camera itself and appears to have a blue tinged suit but as seen in other portions of the video she is in fact wearing red.

Now I don’t know about you, but what I see is a bug sitting on the lens. I also see what appear to be wings at one point and the blurry image can be easily explained by the proximity of the bug to the recording source. The unexplained image in question also moves like a bug. It sits immobile for about a half hour on a source which probably emanates at least a small amount of heat and then darts quickly when it moves.

I really enjoyed the claim to the Native American reservation and was incredibly puzzled as to why an angel would be hanging around in a gas station… But I for one am under the opinion that it is merely a bug. You of course are welcome to decide on your own as to what the ghostly image may be, and I am certainly open to a critical analysis of the clip itself.

Let me reiterate that I am certainly a strong believer of such phenomena but when I am confronted with a very poor example of the unexplained I can’t help but question it.

Aliester Crowley

The topic of the Occult can be a problematic one as it is incredibly diverse in itself covering a wide range of subjects from ceremonial magic to ghosts. There is such a wealth of knowledge on the subject that it can be very easy to become overwhelmed by the volume of information.

To begin with I would like to take some time to look at the work of a specific individual. One of the more influential people in modern occultism would certainly be Aleister Crowley. Known to some as the wickedest man on earth or the Beast 666 he certainly has made an impression.

He was born on October 12th 1875 and shook the world until his death on December 1st 1947. He authored a great many books on his views of magic and the occult and was involved in many occult organizations. One of his greater known works is The Book of the Law where the famous phrase “Do what though wilt” can be seen.

He was heavily involved with the Golden Dawn in his earlier life, as well as the Ordo Templi Orientis or the O.T.O. and it is suggested his work influenced Gerald Gardner the father of modern Wicca. He also created or at least recreated the practice of Thelma being centered around his work The Book of the Law.

There is much information and myth surrounding this figure, but there any many good sources available to read as well as view. Many novels have been written regarding him and a few documentaries have been created as well.

One interesting documentary, Aleister Crowley: The Other Loch Ness Monster revolves around his temporary residence of the Boleskin House on the shores of Loch Ness. Though perhaps a bit biased it is an interesting watch.



One can’t help but wonder what echoes of the past could remain there. It is still a private home and has since passed into the hands of another family. No reports or interesting news has really developed regarding the location since then and the family residing there mostly wants to be left in peace regarding the subject of the previous tenant.

Unorthodox

un·or·tho·dox (ŭn-ôr'thə-dŏks')
adj. Breaking with convention or tradition

This blog is about the strange and usual, not your average read.

I decided to start this blog in an attempt to keep up on news and information regarding the paranormal and the occult. I have a very keen interest and thirst for knowledge when it comes to these topic and feel a need to share my enthusiasm with others.

I will be starting off with weekly postings and attempt to up the frequency once I get into the groove.