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In my latest novel Zenner cards are mentioned. Which are a set of cards used to test ESP. The character failed miserably in the predictive test, because I don't believe the test is very reliable. But that has always interested me.

Do your novels include any references to real life paranormal or parapschological stuff? Do you believe in them yourself? I'd like to know :3

Btw I did a Zenner predicitive test online once. Guessed the cards 25 times in a row :] But it would have been more impressive if they were shapes I'd never seen before or something :p

I use old world magicks. I truly believe there are countries in which magicks--dark/light--exist. I will NEVER go to Romania. That country is dark. Something ancient there, and not a good something. Scotland is interesting to traipse through. The very air is different. There's an ancient sort of hum that touches your soul. It's easy to believe in the Fae, when there. As for objects, I have a set of glass runes. I've oft wondered how much they can be relied upon.
One thing I'll never allow myself to even be in the same house with are those Ouija boards. *screams* Profound evil in those. Bad experience as a teen. How they're allowed to be sold in the GAMES section....
I'm also a big believer in reincarnation and use it in my current series.

Eastern Europe has a great spiritual history. Banning yourself from anywhere would be only detrimental to learning more about your interests :3 And I have friends there :p it's not that safe, but not for the reasons that we're talking about here XD

I was told Ouija and divination work on the same sort of principles. I personally woundn't touch anything that asked for help from anything else.

You don't know who else might be watching.

And you can't stop the signal, Mal.

*Waits for the scary Ouijaboard story* Spill it! :p

I'll have to write it in word processor, then do a cut & paste here. Too long. Terrifying. Things...appeared. Even the darn dog flipped out--a SHEPARD!!! *shudders*

Romania.
Nope.
Not gonna happen.

I think that there are some strange things that we are all capable of doing with our minds. We have to tap into parts of our brain that we don't use much to be able to control those abilities. I think we all have a bit of precognitive power that we are capable of tapping into, but it's very difficult to control. Also there are ways for us to project our minds to another place to witness event that are taking place elsewhere. Pure magic I'm not convinced of. There may be ways of communicating with spirits that will do things for you, but I don't know if I would believe in the whole "using mana to create fireballs".

Bisky wrote: "In my latest novel Zenner cards are mentioned. Which are a set of cards used to test ESP. The character failed miserably in the predictive test, because I don't believe the test is very reliable. B..."

I am Wiccan. I never intended to put magick into my books because usually magick in fiction is something that is so far from the truth and that is what people have come to expect. However, when writing my last vampire novel, I was "introduced" to a new character that is a witch as well as a vampire. She is a real witch, raised in the tradition in the Highlands by her mother in the early 14th century. She can do extraordinary things with her magick because she is a vampire but the basic concepts are still rooted in truth.

Studies have repeatedly shown no basis for psychic abilities, the paranormal, or magic, so no I don't believe in them. Now, this usually results in someone saying "But I've SEEN this work!" And that's fine. Statistical models allow that sometimes you get good outcomes from things. Studies check to see if you get more, and regular, good outcomes than the norm. Which no one does.

Also, let's address this myth that there are "parts of our brain we don't use". This is untrue. You use your whole brain every day, although not all at the same time. Here's a good link on this myth, but meanwhile if you can't let go of the idea, perhaps you could donate that part of your brain you don't use to science so we can check it out. If you're not using it, you won't miss it! ...Right?


Now as for whether I use these things in fiction: absolutely! That's what fictional things are for, to be used in stories. So psychic characters, magic, ghosts, I believe I have used them all at one point or another.

Interesting article J. David!

J. David wrote: "Studies have repeatedly shown no basis for psychic abilities, the paranormal, or magic, so no I don't believe in them. Now, this usually results in someone saying "But I've SEEN this work!" And tha..."

I have to disagree with you. I am in my Master's of Psychology and part of that study for the past five years has included biopsychology. Biopsychology focuses primarily on the brain and again and again we are told that there are ways in which our brain works that many people cannot or do not access on a regular basis (or in a lifetime). There are also ways that the brain works that we have yet to understand. Dreaming and meditation are examples. I have even heard that the way many writers visualize, in-depth and wide awake, is part of that. I believe the term "parts of our brain we don't use" is an expression. Of course we use our entire brain but there is a great deal about the brain that scientists know nothing about. When you refer to magic I only assume you are referring to the completely fictional type. In order to believe there is no scientific basis for magick as Pagans and other occultists practice it, one would have to say that there is no scientific basis for energy particles and their ability to be directed. However, we know that is possible because science tells us so. The reason Pagans and others around the world that focus on meditation, visualization, spells, etc. knew about quantum physics before science had really touched on it or that the mind can do powerful things like heal the body before science agreed (as it does now) is because what we do is very scientific in nature. You will not see us produce Bewitched or Charmed style results in that way. I have yet to meet a person that could twitch her nose and have a table with dinner for five spread out though that would come in handy. Of course you will not find magick appearing in a journal on science but if you would like to know how the two relate, you are more than welcomed to read a blog post I posted on the subject as someone who studies science and someone who has been a witch for nearly 16 years...

However, regardless of its scientific basis, for fiction, the impossible is far more entertaining than what is possible. The same goes for those who practice it, at least in my case. I am far more boring than Samantha or the Sanderson Sisters, or any other very famous T.V./Movie Witch. :)

I'm not sure I believe there is no scientific basis for anything paranormal. Just there isn't... Yet. Purely because I don't think anyone with 'powers' would be stupid enough to let anyone test them. Maybe I'm just the MTV generation and imagine everyone being cut up by the MIB :p

I think there is a possibilty of the brain rewiring itself to produce extordinary results, like Kim Peek who was born without a corpus callosum or Daniel Tammat, an autistic man who had a fit when he was a child where he lost many of the crippling aspects of his autsim but retained his savantism. These aren't really paranormal examples, but I do think it's interesting when you think about what we could really do.

I really like this thread ^^ I'm gonna go write now :P

Great thread.

We often hear about the seven wonders of the world, yet, I believe the biggest of those wonders is barely mentioned: The Brain!

Keair wrote: "J. David wrote: "Studies have repeatedly shown no basis for psychic abilities, the paranormal, or magic, so no I don't believe in them. Now, this usually results in someone saying "But I've SEEN th..."

We'll have to agree to disagree, Keair. Which is fine, the world would be a boring place if we all agreed. :)

J. David wrote: "Keair wrote: "J. David wrote: "Studies have repeatedly shown no basis for psychic abilities, the paranormal, or magic, so no I don't believe in them. Now, this usually results in someone saying "Bu..."

Yes, it would. :)

I don't know if it is magic or what, but things happen that can't really be explained away easily. In my books, I do use magic, but it is magic drawn from the characteristics of gemstones. For instance, aquamarine is a water stone, so I took some of the basic "magical" properties, embellished them a bit, and it became an integral part of the story.

As Karey mentioned above about Scotland, my wife and I got the same sort of feeling when we visited Ireland. I will try to pay close attention when we visit Scotland (hopefully next year)!