Naga Fireballs

Naga Fireballs

Each October, fireballs appear to emerge from the Mekong River in Nong Khai, Thailand. Also known as the Mekong Lights, or "bung fai paya nak," legend has it that the Naga Fireballs are spat by a river monster from Buddhist lore. Some "explanations" include swamp gas and tracer rounds fired by soldiers on opposing banks, but swamp gas (methane) can apparently be ruled-out.

While soldiers do fire tracer rounds and fireworks (apparently for tourism, as the Mekong Lights are sparse some years), many films and photos appear to show the Naga Fireballs emerging from the water. One study by a Thai science institution claimed the Mekong Lights are actually isoprene.

© The Weirding, 2016

The Cathars and the Knights Templar - Friday the 13th

Aurora

If you have ever wondered why Friday the 13^th is considered unlucky, it dates back to long before any of us were even thought of and, as is often the case, involves the Romans and Judaeo-Christian religious beliefs (at least, according to my limited research and memory):

According to some, the Cathars held secret religious beliefs Christians and similarly-aligned religious despots believed heretical. The Cathars, so it is said, thought themselves to be the good guys -- as those with deeply-held religious beliefs often do -- opposed to the evil god of the material world, who the Christians worshiped. Some say the Cathars Perfecti were vegetarian celibates whose initiates were allowed to eat fish. Some of their beliefs may have been Islamic in nature, suggesting to some scholars that they were converts to Islam.

If all of this sounds strangely familiar, it's because a lot of this appears to have been taken -- possibly confused with, or possibly presented as counter-intelligence -- from the history of the [then Roman-]Catholic Church. In fact, Rome is said to have been the most stringent opponents of Catharism. There was also a small congregation of vegetarian women in England known as The Shakers who remained celibate (and their cult is said to have died because of this).

Some time in the mid 13^th-Century, the last remaining stronghold of the Cathars was felled. Some of them were said to have absconded with a secret treasure the Knights Templar (and others) believed to have been The Holy Grail -- or a mummified cockatrice known as "Baphomet," which the Knights Templar were later said to have worshiped. Discrepancies as to where the word "Baphomet" comes from remain, but the mummified remains could have been dinosaur bones, and the remains of animals not native to Europe, that scholars of the day pieced together incorrectly, basing their assumptions on their provincial knowledge. The Cathars who survived the night are said to have surrendered the following day and they were immediately burned at the stake.

The Knights Templar may or may not have been the very force which drove the Cathars from their roost, and continued to pursue them to retrieve their secrets and treasure, but the two cults were almost certain to have had some contact during their eras of activity. In fact, following the Cathars' fall, many may have become Knights Templar, as some scholars say the Cathars had been entirely eliminated by the end of the 13^th-Century, while the Knights Templar are said to have persisted until the early 1300s. There seems to be little information regarding the Knights Templar prior to the Cathars, and either may have been converts to Islam.

In the early 14^th-Century, the King declared the Knights Templar heretical and killed them all, as well, after torturing them into "Confessing" to alleged crimes they may or may not have committed. At any rate, the date on which the last of the Knights Templar were either first attacked, or finally murdered, is said to have been Friday the 13^th.

The Antipope Nicholas V ascended on Thursday the 12^th, 1328.

Now, all of this is hard to confirm -- especially online -- and I may well have much of it confused, but it is interesting enough to post (as I've been meaning to do many times before). Remember that although I try to research what I can to ensure you are getting plausible information, I do not have all the answers -- nor even the right questions! In fact, this post from the venerable Mental Floss (UK, apparently) sheds more light on this traditionally "unlucky" day which mentions none of this, and may well be correct. 

However, the connection to the ascendancy of the "Antipope" is likely the smoking gun behind this superstition.

© The Weirding, 2016

Pacu Fish in New Jersey Lake Origin of Urban Legend?

Pacu

Regardless of where you live in the United States, you are likely to have heard the urban legend regarding testicle-biting fish that infest local bodies of water.  Usually, these myths are accompanied by moralistic tales of illicit activity -- skinny-dipping or romantic trysts by moonlight.  However, a recent discovery in a New Jersey Lake had even national periodicals discussing the urban legend.

Two Pacu, fish with human-like teeth that are indigenous to South America, were discovered in Swedes Lake in New Jersey.  Pictures of the fish went viral online, and have been seen around the globe, causing the testicle-eating fish myth to begin anew.  However, National Geographic, USA Today, and other major outlets were quick to lay the urban legend to rest, saying the Amazonian fish eats fruits and nuts, not meat.  Pacu are related to piranha -- another fish with razor-sharp teeth which is infamous for its, very definite, carnivorous diet.

However, the legend persists: In 2011, two swimmers' bodies were found in New Guinea sans testicles, fueling speculation amongst the locals.  No one can confirm or deny that the fish may mistake swimmers' testicles for their usual vegetarian fare on occasion, but fish and other wild animals are also known to eat the soft parts of decomposing corpses.  They usually go first for the eyes, ears, and -- yes -- the testicles.

Tropical fish, the Pacu are unlikely to survive in temperate waters that may well freeze in winter.  As to how the Pacu got into Swedes Lake, it's likely they outgrew their fishtank and someone threw them in there.

© The Weirding, 2015

San Diego, Las Vegas Luckiest Cities

Men's Health rated American cities by a number of factors to determine which were the luckiest and San Diego took the top spot. Factors included the least number of injuries by lightning strike, fewest deaths by falling objects, and largest number of gambling winners. Las Vegas ranked #7 and L.A. came in a distant 23^rd.

Memphis, TN was among the least luckiest cities, along with Tampa, FL.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Ghost Lights: Ball Lightning

Marfa Ghost Lights (Texas)

Ghost Lights are sometimes classified as ball lightning, especially when they appear indoors or during a thunderstorm.  Theories as to what comprises Ghost Lights include combustible methane (marsh gas), light from distant stars or planets refracting through atmospheric layers, headlights of traffic from a distance, concentrated magnetic force, nearby mineral deposits, and more -- however, most credible sightings of Ghost Lights defy explanation.  Ball lightning is often described as acting as though it were under intelligent control, or had a mind of its own.

However, most self-proclaimed atmospheric "experts" dismiss the ball lightning theory out-of-hand, noting that only surface similarities with Ghost Lights exist.  Ball lightning is a proven phenomenon that continues to intrigue researchers.  Strikes typically last under one to two minutes near, and after, a lightning strike or thunderstorm.  Many times, ball lightning dissipates violently, exploding with a sulfuric smell.

Ghost Lights, also known as faerie fires, are harmless and appear repeatedly in the same location over a lengthy period, regardless of atmospheric conditions.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Prophetic Ghost Lights of Golden Grove Bridge

Another Welsh term for Ghost Lights is Corpse Candles, which are believed to prophesy death in the area in which they appear.  The number of lights is said to indicate the number of lives soon to be lost.  

One famous case claims witnesses on a coach saw three corpse candles as they crossed the river bridge near Golden Grove.  Several days later, three boating men capsized and drowned at the spot where the ghost lights had been seen!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Superstitious Thinking Works

According to researchers, superstition actually works. They did various tests in which they told one group an object was "lucky," then told the control group nothing of the sort, and those who believed they were working with "lucky" objects outperformed those in the control group! The objects in question (a golf ball in one test) were not actually blessed or considered "lucky" by anyone in any way.

In another test, researchers allowed superstitious people to keep their lucky objects (such a a rabbit's foot) with them while they took various tests, then had them leave them behind while they took others. In all cases, the testers performed better when they had their lucky objects.

Researchers think that those who adhere to these superstitions did better with "lucky" objects because they boost the "participants’ confidence in their own capabilities."

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

12 Children Die in Ceremony to Ward-Off Bad Luck

Twelve Indonesian children were killed when a suspension bridge on which they were standing collapsed. The children were attending a traditional ceremonial ritual meant to ward-off bad luck in the rural village of Aceh. In all, 37 children fell into the river below, but 25 were rescued; strong currents swept the remaining 12 away. All of the deceased were under 12.

The village had decided to perform the ritual after a measles outbreak.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Sleeps With the Fishes

Connecticut police are looking to question anyone who might be able to tell them who slaughtered chickens on a man's bed, and left dead fish under it. And why.

A New Haven renter's roommate woke to a stench Monday morning and the building's superintendent found the scene. Blood spattered the floor.

In some American mob movies, decapitated horses' heads and fish wrapped in newspaper are messages to the receiver, meaning he was to be killed. Chicken, fish, and other small game are sometimes killed during rituals often associated with black magic.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Times Square Kiss-Off

Organizers held a pre-New Year's Eve kissing seminar in Times Square the other day. Advertised on craiglist and elsewhere, the seminar matched-up 50 couples from the participants who showed up. They passed out lip gloss while an emcee offered kissing tips. Judges then scored the couples on their performance.

The idea came from the long-held superstition about kissing on New Year's Eve, a time surrounded with superstitions based on luck for the new year; kissing someone on New Year's Day, right after the countdown, is said to bring you good luck the year-round. Organizers suggested couples abstain from kissing until the big day, to make it more special.

Many of the participants had never met one another before and some even exchanged information with plans to date!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Albinos Murdered Again

Yet another Tanzanian albino has been murdered in his home. His wife was also injured in the attack, but survived.

Jovin Majaliwa was attacked and murdered by unknown assailants in his home Thursday night, just after dark. His left foot was severed and his genitals were mutilated. Witchdoctors are undoubtedly behind the murders, as they have been behind the string of others - 26, in all, just this year. Police waited to release the details of the grisly murder, in part because many are also customers of the witchdoctors'.

While nearly 200 witchdoctors have been arrested since March of this year, the police have no idea what happened to them. The BBC has secured evidence that the police are accessories to these continuing serial murders.

The body parts retrieved are used in rituals based on greed.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

My Biological Clock is Ticking

(From NY Daily News)

Medical researchers claim to have "verified" that men also have a biological clock which begins "ticking" in their mid-30s.

For years, popular belief has held that women have a "biological clock" that starts "ticking" in their late-20s to early-30s -- a biological impetus to have children, if not necessarily to "settle-down" and start a family in the traditional sense. Medical science has, as usual, been somewhat behind in verifying this biological connection, leaving many to speculate on sociological, familial, and other (non-biological) factors as the source of this very real yearning.

But men have (as usual) been left out of the equation, as it was also commonly-held that men could have children well into old age, and so did not feel this natural urge. However, new research, from over 12,000 couples in France shows that men also have this natural wont to sire children, and it also tends to start in our early 30s.

To be honest, I knew this for a while, as I began having these same desires a few years back. But -- like many of the so-called "experts" -- I chalked it up to just wanting to get laid regularly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

NY Yankess Avoid Curse, May Pursue Lawsuit

Construction workers removed the tattered remains of a Red Sox baseball jersey from 2' of concrete at the site of the new stadium to avoid a curse.

Apparently, a construction worker -- a Boston Red Sox fan -- placed the jersey there when the concrete was being poured in order to jinx the Yankees. When overseers discovered it, they alerted others. The decision was made to dig it up and remove it in order to avoid any "curse" the jersey might inflict.

Baseball is well-known for its superstitions. Players are said to have lucky articles of clothing, rituals they must go through before and during play, and more. When a player is doing well, he is said to be "on a streak" and often adheres to strict behavioral codes based on superstitions that, should he change whatever he was doing when his streak began, he risks losing that "mojo."

The jersey bore player, David Ortiz', name. The Yankees are going to give it to charity and may file a suit against the worker.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

The Devil Done Left Town

Citizens of Reeves, LA are being allowed to change their area code prefix from 666 to 749, if they so choose. The number, 666, is traditionally associated with the Devil, a being from Judaeo-Christian mythology thought to be the arch-nemesis of God. In actuality, the number and passage from which this superstition is derived refers to none other than one Julius Caesar, whose full name consisted of six letters in each (6, 6, and 6 = "for it is a human number"). But even this is arguable.

The mayor, Scott Walker, called the phone company's decision to grant citizens a three-month window allowing them to voluntarily change their number "divine intervention" and called the unfortunate mathematics "a stigma."

Some scholars claim to have found documents listing the "number of the beast" as both 616 and 665. Using the Jewish system of Gematria, the number can be be translated to mean either Nero or Diocletian, both of whom put great numbers of Christians to death during their respective reigns.

The irrational fear of the number, 666, is termed hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

The Occult: America's #1 Export

Supernatural (CW)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've noticed the recent upswing in Occultism in popular culture and entertainment.

Comics, TV, movies, music, you name it -- shades of the Occult and Supernatural have entered it. And not just in the old, "This one's a vampire, that one's a werewolf -- but they're trying to be a good one!" way; nowadays, Occult investigators are everywhere and almost every form of the Occult is omnipresent. Even "straight" dramas and entertainment have "dabbled," if you will.

This is no "warning," nor am I crying "witch." I just wonder what the recent interest in this dark subject is? Whether or not you believe in the powers of the Occult, why has it suddenly become so mainstream?

To be sure, this has been true to some extent for a while now, and to various degrees throughout history. Satanism became fairly acceptable back in the 1960s-70s and, even though it met with severe consternation in the 1980s, it returned in the 1990s with a vengeance; comic books in particular were preoccupied with Satanic themes and characters in the 1970s, many of which returned in the 1990s. Further, the Occult and magic in general have been popular themes and subjects throughout Western society at various times over the years, such as the late 1800s. People held seances, consulted psychics/mediums, and believed in spirit photography.

Satanism is clearly divisible from the Occult, but only by those who know better; even in this day and age, mainstream society holds to the popular notion that the two are largely the same.

So how is it that Occult themes and ideas have taken hold to the extent they have and how long do you think it will last?

UPDATE:  In retrospect, TV shows like Supernatural, True Blood, and Ghost Hunters were big hits for an industry which was losing audience to the Internet.  Copycat programming proliferated. - 2018

I Now Pronounce You Man and Dog

An Indish man has married a dog in hopes of lifting what he thinks is a curse.

33-year old P Selvakumar of the Sivaganga district stoned two dogs to death several years back. Since then, he has gone blind and fallen prey to paralyzation. Selvakumar believes his run of extremely "bad luck" is connected to this incident.

Selvakumar was perfectly healthy 15 years back, but after stoning two dogs to death, his health began to fail. He says he tried every cure imaginable, but nothing helped, so on the advice of astrologers and several others, he decided to marry a dog.

The practice is actually not uncommon in Selvakumar's culture. Superstitious Indians often marry animals in attempts to ward off curses. But it really isn't so far removed from Western society; many of us marry bitches, too.

OH COME ON! You knew it was coming.

Bat Demon Blamed for Sex Attacks

A bat demon known as Popo Bawa, which means "winged bat" is thought to be preying on women in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. The belief is so strong in the region that some men are sleeping outside in groups or staying awake at night.

The demon is thought to be able to take the form of a man and has been blamed for rapes within the city. Smearing one's self with pig oil is thought to repel the demon. Authorities in the area say that most residents don't actually believe in the legend, even though it is persistent. Belief in superstitions and particularly witchcraft is widespread in Tanzania.

The demon is thought to be controlled by witches, summoned and used by them to torment their enemies.