*Marianna* blogged about ouija boards today, and spookily enough, it falls in line with today’s and yesterday’s posts about fears. (and I loved how open-minded M is about it all; I'm with her).

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We usually assume the worst about “the unknown.” I think it’s a built-in survival mechanism. Some people express these fears quite openly, and some devalue their fears by scoffing and dismissing. I kinda admire the person who says out loud “Ouija boards freak me out” more so than someone who says “Ouija boards are bogus or ghosts don’t exist.”

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Personally, I don’t believe in evil outside this physical plane of this human life. The smartest and most loving thing I’ve read is that the devil and hell are just marketing tools that were designed to herd people in the right direction. To scare or motivate them with consequences for their actions. It’s 2006. Do we really need that kind of motivation? Perhaps some people do. After all, the religious right and republicans certainly do plenty of evil things despite claiming they believe in hell. Don’t you ever wonder why “the devil” is this vague and rarely mentioned concept in the old testament, yet he’s so prevalent in the new testament? Even as a young person, I noticed this glaring detail.

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I once heard someone say that the greatest accomplishment of “the devil” was convincing mankind that he doesn’t exist. I vomited inside when I heard that. It's one of the most transparently desperate marketing tools of org. religion (and sickeningly pathetic), and I think anyone who believes that is not likely living in the enlightened age. They are choosing fear over love as a motivator, and all their actions will reflect this. And they have the right to do this. But I find it sad that, in 2006, people are teaching their children that there’s an evil force that’s out to get them. Very sad.

What are ghosts? Do they exist? Are they the spirits of people who cannot or do not move on as they’re supposed to? Are they beings on other planes of existence? Loved ones trying to reach us? Are they just our subconscious playing tricks on us, or brain chemicals? Occam’s Razor? (I bet you didn’t even know Occam shaved). I do tend to think the easiest explanation is often the most likely, and I'm much more interested in something's value/practical application in my life than how much proof there is or isn't. And ouija boards and ghosts just don't have any practical application in my life.

But I won’t say ghosts do or don’t exist, because lack of proof is not proof. I do have plenty of proof in my life that there is no evil force working against humans. Humans are the only ones working against humans. All our misery can be tracked right to our back door, not the afterlife. Have I seen things like ghosts that I cannot explain? Yeah, I have. Were they kinda scary? A little (more so at the time). Do I assume they are harmful or evil or dangerous? No. Instead of assuming the worst, why not make outrageously positive assumptions instead? It’s just as likely. Because we’re not any safer for having assumed the worst in an effort to guard or protect ourselves from the unknown.

I am much more afraid of my sweetie getting on an airplane this morning for San Francisco than I am “the unknown.” (he called, he’s safely in SF). Do I let my fears make my decisions and prey on me like circling vultures? I try hard not to. After talking to myself and telling myself that millions of peopel fly daily and commute on trains and planes with overwhelming proof of safety, the fear wouldn't keep still. So I drew a Medicine Card last night (see my post *here* about them, if you don’t know what they are) to allay my fears about B flying to SF.

Out of 52 cards, I drew the armadillo card upside down, indicating that my perspective is askew. The card said to me:
“Vulnerability is the key to enjoying the gifts of physical life…deflect negative energies. In this way you are able to accept or reject any feeling, action or energy flow without having to hide from it….Hiding from your true feelings and fearing failure (or the worst, adds Shephard) …will amplify your need for cast-iron protection. You have the power to rid yourself of these doubts…the creation belongs to you.”

In a nutshell, the card talks about why we hold onto fears, and underscores what I’m thiking about today. And as the card concludes: “The only real rejection is in not trying to break out of the armor you have used to protect yourself. Is the armor now becoming a jail, and your fears the jailer?”

Not today, they aren't.