Warding Off Evil Eye
August 2, 2009
Believing in evil spirits, ghosts and dark forces is considered silly and ridiculous. Most people want proof of such existence and feel that everything can be explained logically. But why is it then evil eye bracelets, eye of Horus pendants, eye evil charms and evil eye protection kits are widely available everywhere.
The most popular among evil eye protection jewelry are the Turkish evil eye bracelets. These unisex bracelets are worn not just by Turkish locals but are popular worldwide. They have a strong base in India too. Large evil eye talismans are hung in cars, outside the main door and in shops. Some people who want to remain inconspicuous, purchase evil eye key chains and carry it without making a fashion statement. A salon I visit has a gigantic evil eye hung on their wall. It is placed strategically that when anyone enters their premise, they are forced to notice it.
All evil eye pendants and charm bracelets are not to steer clear of ghosts but it is to keep them safe from evil eye. This evil eye can be referred to any person’s nasty vision that is jealous of another person. Some individuals are so full of negative energy that their energy expels out through their vision, choice of words and action. That negative energy depending on its intensity can affect another innocent person. So to keep the mind and body safe from such energies, people wear such pendants and talismans to safe guard themselves.
Various gemstones are also known to protect individuals from evil like tiger eye stone, lapis lazuli, jasper and so on. The power of such stones, gives the wearer tranquility and stability of mind to fight off such negative sources.
Many cultures have different practises to ward off evil. In India, people hang a lemon, five-long-green chillies, and a piece of charcoal. These are pierced, held together with a thread and hung outside homes, offices, newly purchased vehicles etc to keep the negative, jealous vibes of their neighbors away. They are hung for a week and replaced with fresh ones on every Saturday.
Some people choose special masks, while others prefer using bison horn to hang outside their main entrance to keep away negativity. There are others who firmly believe in Feng Shui techniques and keep small bowls of salt at every corner of their house or rooms for negative vibes to get absorbed.
Americans burn sage and circulate the smoky air of sage around their rooms, house and backyard whenever they feel there is a source of negativity or evil lurking around. Some sprinkle holy water, read passages of the Bible to ward off evil energy.
Negative vibes, bad energies can be from the living and the dead. We can at least understand when a fellow companion or friend is jealous of our success or happy, family life. But there is no way to know if these vibes are from those who have passed away. Talismans and evil eye bracelets do work if you believe in them. The rest depends on your fate and good deeds done in this lifetime.
Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Toilet Paper Showcases Horror Stories
June 11, 2009
Ghosts, apparitions linger everywhere and my experiences have led me to believe that they are with you even when you need to spend a penny. For those who use a different currency, I meant that ghosts are with you in the toilet as well. My previous post – The Haunted Bathroom Stall will clarify exactly what I mean.
Traditionalists in Tokyo believe that ghosts hide in bathrooms. The residents construct their lodgings in such a way that the toilets are located in the back areas of the house. They follow this principle as it is closely associated with their religious beliefs. Some children dread going to the toilets especially at night as some parents and elders take this opportunity to tease and scare little children into believing that the ghosts will pull them down into the dark hole of the loo. Sounds like a good way to discipline them.
These incidents seem to have inspired Koji Suzuki. Does the name sound familiar? I am sure if it doesn’t, his previous work – Ring, will certainly tingle your memory. This movie was made in Japanese and English versions and certainly had created a rave few years ago. It definitely topped my list of best horror movies.
Koji Suzuki has found a unique way to get close to his fans and this time with a sinister twist. His new story “Drop” is set in a public restroom. No big deal right? Hold on, there is more… This story will be printed on three feet roll of toilet paper. Each roll will carry several copies of nine chapter novella with a price tag of 2.20$ a roll. This will definitely revolutionize the toilet paper industry.
After reading Drop, I am sure, one doesn’t need to indulge in a high fibre diet at breakfast; the scare will definitely do the trick. Wink!!
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
The Haunted Bathroom Stall
May 18, 2009
Paranormal anomalies follow me everywhere. One of my globe-trotting adventures enticed me to Tibet. To reach this destination, I had to pass the Chinese border and complete the immigration formalities. After several hours of waiting in line at Nepal, my passport details were finally entered into their system and I crossed to the other side.
The rest of my group didn’t want to proceed ahead until they had tucked in authentic local cuisine. They stumbled upon the first restaurant in sight and with feasting eyes surveyed the menu. Few of them, couldn’t wait to order while others were discussing the specialty of the day.
I ordered soup and decided to freshen up. I left my backpack with my friends to regain the flexibility of my spine. The restaurant didn’t seem to display any signs or symbols indicating a restroom so I went to inquire at the reception. The lobby was buzzing with backpackers, all waiting endlessly to check in. Though the place was a little shabby, (Well, one can’t expect Hilton at the border of two countries) but the people around didn’t seem to mind and many waited to get a table at the restaurant.
“Excuse me, Can you tell me where the restroom is?” I asked.
A woman behind the counter pointed upstairs. I dashed up the carpeted stairway only to find a blind turn. I followed it and found a landing. To my left and right, there was continuous array of rooms. The corridor was pitch black and silent. It didn’t seem like the rooms were occupied. Only the landing where I stood was lit up. I couldn’t even hear the buzz of chatter from the reception. It just didn’t feel right.
I ran down the stairs, contemplating whether I really needed to use the facilities. Then I calculated the distance and hours we needed to travel to reach the base camp by sunset, and of course, I had ordered soup.
I walked up to the lady again, “I can’t find it. Can you show me?”
She kept pointing up. I shook my head. “I can’t find it.” I said, repeatedly. But the woman didn’t seem interested to climb the twenty odd stairs and help me out
A young waitress passing from the kitchen, decided to intervene.
“Follow me,” said the doll-faced waitress.
She took me to the same landing and then took a left turn. We walked in complete darkness and found light at the end of the corridor. She smiled, bowed and left.
I stepped into the lighted restroom. Two sinks with dripping taps broke the intimidating silence. I pushed open the slightly ajar bathroom stall only to retreat instantly. It wasn’t fit for use. So I waited hoping the other shut stall would soon be vacant. I coughed, hoping that the user of the second stall would understand that someone was waiting for their turn. I paced the floor, glancing time to time at the gloomy mirrors.
To my surprise, I noticed that the entrance of the restroom didn’t have a door. Neither did it have a sign nor a picture depicting ladies or gents. Now, the muscles of my kidneys were getting strained and they definitely needed to relax. I tapped lightly on the bolted stall door. But there was still no answer. The dripping taps made things even worse. I had to go and there was no turning back. I took deep breaths- inhaled, exhaled, then held my breath and walked in. I really had to get over with it. In situations like these, I wished that I was a man.
The floor was slippery but I managed to maintain my balance. Next, the door wouldn’t shut. I pushed it, but it returned to its original position, slightly ajar. I thought maybe it would be okay, since there wasn’t a soul around. Then I realized that this could be a unisex bathroom. I pushed hard and pounded with all my strength and finally managed to close the door. I couldn’t help but turned around to see the stall. The area was really large and it was one of those facilities where the commode was embedded in the floor.
An unusual feeling swept over me. My attention was drawn to a corner of the stall and in a split second, I saw a girl sitting there with dark, flowing hair. She looked almost like Samara in the movie, The Ring. Goosebumps prickled my skin. I squatted on the floor to empty my bladder. Suddenly, I got a feeling that whoever was in the adjoining stall would spread their arms and grab my legs. Things got even worse; my kidneys were planning to set a new world record of storing over ten gallons of fluid and the water was trickling out at a very slow pace. My inner voice was ordering me- Get Out Now.
I hurriedly zipped up and tried to dash out, but the door was stuck. There was no handle from the inside. I was trapped. Like a fool, I had left my waist pouch in my backpack. It had my cell phone and prayer beads. Fear was slowly creeping in. A part of me dismissed that I had seen that girl who resembled Samara. But why would I think of the movie now. I stood calmly for a second and rationalized my thinking- “I am in China and the girls at the reception looked like movie characters.”
I was terrified to bang the door. I didn’t want to disturb the tranquility of the space and I was afraid that the banging could jam the door further. The eerie feeling lingered and something was forcing me to turn back at the wall. I didn’t want to witness what had flashed in front of my eyes few seconds ago. I felt helpless but I refused to give in. I stood on my toes and tried pulling the door from the edge. I struggled and struggled until my sweaty palms finally felt the wooden door loosen.
I ran. I stumbled in the pitch black corridor but never looked back. My heart was pounding while the veins in my temples were throbbing. Mentally I visualized my escape route. My freedom was destined if I took the first right turn. And I succeeded. I retraced my way down the stairs. Breathless and sweating profusely, I reached to my seat.
“Where were you?” asked Sage. “Sorry, we started without you.”
I collapsed on the chair and sat in silence. I skipped lunch, making an excuse that it was cold.
As I write this incident, that feeling of dread creeps in and prickles my skin again. I know whatever was lingering in that bathroom stall was certainly real.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
