In Pure Spirit

For open minds

Just what is the boogeyman?

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For Halloween, The Toy Zone created an incredible set of cultural maps. For almost every country in the world, they have researched and illustrated a ‘boogeyman’.

Each nation’s idea of a scary threat that might whisk away naughty children varies.

Children, of course, are the link from the nightmare of a boogeyman to The Toy Zone. The toy blog cites Purdue University (PDF);

Some parents try to scare children into following rules. It is not a very effective way to control children’s behavior. Fear uses the lower levels of the brain, so children do not learn to think when parents use fear.”

You can read the full research on the blog. Below, In Pure Spirit has some world maps of boogeymen.

The Boogeyman Around the World

The Boogeyman Around the World

The Boogeyman is a mythical creature adults use to frighten children into good behaviour. Bogeymen have no specific appearance, and conceptions vary drastically by household and culture, but they are most commonly depicted as masculine or androgynous monsters that punish children for misbehaviour.

The Boogeyman is often described as living in dark places, such as closets, under beds, or behind doors. He is said to come out at night to punish children who have been bad. Some stories say that the Boogeyman will take children away, while others say that he will hurt or even kill them.

The Boogeyman is a powerful figure in the imagination of many children. However, the Boogeyman can also be a source of fear and anxiety for some children. It is important for parents to be aware of how their children are affected by stories about the Boogeyman and to provide them with support if they are feeling scared.

In addition to being a mythical creature, the Boogeyman can also be used as a metaphor for anything feared or dreaded. For example, someone might say that the Boogeyman of the stock market is a sudden crash or that the Boogeyman of climate change is a devastating natural disaster.

The Boogeyman is a complex and fascinating figure used for centuries to teach and frighten children. He is a reminder that there is always something to be afraid of, even in the dark corners of our imaginations.

The Boogeyman Around Africa

The Boogeyman Around Africa

The Boogeyman Around Europe

The Boogeyman Around Europe

The Boogeyman Around the Middle East and Central Asia

The Boogeyman Around the Middle East and Central Asia

The Boogeyman Around North America

The Boogeyman Around North America

The Boogeyman Around Rest of Asia

The Boogeyman Around Rest of Asia

The Boogeyman Around South America

The Boogeyman Around South America

In Pure Spirit

I’m thankful that these are Toy Zone-appropriate illustrations! Which do you find the most creepy?

Which are the creepiest villages to visit in Europe?

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It’s part of Halloween marketing from StressFreeCar Rental.com and it sounds surprisingly stressful, but it also sounds spooky fun.

Which are the creepiest villages to visit in Europe?

Creepy village (rendered)

Europe is a continent with a rich history and culture, but it also has a dark side. There are many creepy places to visit in Europe, where visitors can learn about the continent’s haunted past and experience paranormal-inspired thrill!

One of the most famous creepy places in Europe is Bran Castle in Romania, also known as Dracula’s Castle. This Gothic castle is said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, and it is believed to have been inhabited by the real-life Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless prince who was known for his brutality. Visitors to Bran Castle can take a guided tour and learn about its bloody history.

Another creepy place to visit in Europe is Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. This chapel is said to be home to the Holy Grail and the mummified head of Jesus Christ. There are also many other strange and mysterious symbols and carvings inside the chapel, which have led some people to believe that it is a gateway to the underworld. Visitors to Rosslyn Chapel can take a guided tour and learn about its many secrets.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, told the press;

Those hoping to embrace the supernatural are in luck because there are plenty of creepy villages across Europe to visit.

Countries in Europe have a long and gruesome history, including witch trials, gruesome public executions and plague pits.

From Roslin in Scotland which is said to be home to the mummified head of Jesus Christ, to deadly witch trials in Triora, Italy- many villages have a troubling past.”

StressFreeCarRental’s creepy village list

#1: Bran, Romania

In the heart of Transylvania, nestled atop a rocky hill, stands Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle. Its Gothic towers and imposing walls cast a long shadow over the surrounding countryside, lending an air of mystery and intrigue.

Many believe that this bone-chilling castle, with its secret passages and medieval torture instruments, is home to evil spirits. Myths abound that Dracula, the most infamous vampire, used the castle as his lair to feed on the blood of the innocent.

Some say that the castle is haunted by the ghosts of his victims, their wails echoing through the empty corridors at night. Others claim to have seen Dracula himself lurking in the shadows, his eyes glowing red in the moonlight.

Whether or not the stories are true, Bran Castle remains a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world eager to experience its dark and atmospheric allure.

#2: Triora, Italy

The village of Triora in northern Italy has a dark and tragic history. In the 16th century, a series of witch trials swept through the village, resulting in the deaths of dozens of women. Over 300 women were accused of witchcraft, and many were subjected to torture and interrogation. Some were forced to confess to crimes they didn’t commit, such as having relationships with the devil, making poisonous potions, and transforming themselves into animals.

The witch trials in Triora were a product of fear and superstition. The villagers were gripped by a belief that witches were responsible for all the misfortunes that befell them, from crop failures to livestock deaths. This paranoia led to a climate of terror and injustice, as innocent women were accused and executed based on flimsy evidence.

Today, Triora is a peaceful village that attracts tourists from all over the world. However, the legacy of the witch trials still lingers. The village has a museum dedicated to the trials, and several walking tours explore the village’s dark past.

#3: Pluckley, England

Pluckley, a picturesque village in Kent, England, has a sinister reputation: it is said to be the most haunted village in Britain. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records once credited Pluckley with this title.

There are rumoured to be at least twelve ghostly inhabitants of Pluckley, including the ghost of a Gypsy woman who drowned in a stream, the hanging body of a schoolmaster, and a lady who haunts the churchyard of St. Nicholas’s Church.

Some visitors to Pluckley have reported hearing strange noises, seeing apparitions, and feeling unexplained chills. Others have even claimed to have been touched or scratched by invisible entities.

#4: Ochate, Spain

The abandoned village of Ochate has had numerous reports of ghostly sightings, said to be a result of three epidemics taking the lives of the villagers. From mysterious lights to eerie voices of women and children telling explorers to “get out,” the village now has a reputation for being cursed.

The abandoned village of Ochate is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is said that three plagues wiped out the entire population, leaving behind the ruins of their homes and a lingering sense of dread. Visitors to the village have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and witnessing strange lights. Some even claim that the village is cursed, and that those who stay too long will be met with misfortune.

One of the most common reports from visitors is of seeing mysterious lights emanating from the abandoned houses. These lights are said to be the villagers’ spirits, trapped in the afterlife. Others have reported hearing the eerie voices of women and children whispering, “Kanpora!” (Basque for “Get out!”)

The village’s reputation as a cursed place is further cemented by the story of the shepherd who was murdered there in the 1930s. His ghost is said to roam the village, seeking vengeance.

Despite its eerie reputation, Ochate remains a popular destination for paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers. Those who dare to venture into the village can expect to experience a truly chilling and unforgettable encounter.

#5: Roslin, Scotland

Roslin, a picturesque village in Midlothian, Scotland, is home to the 500-year-old Rosslyn Chapel, a magnificent Gothic structure steeped in mystery and intrigue.

The chapel is rumoured to be haunted by several spirits and is said to contain creepy artefacts, including the original crypt, which has been sealed off for years and is said to house the Holy Grail and the mummified head of Jesus Christ.

Stories abound of ghostly apparitions lurking within the chapel walls, including a knight riding on horseback and a mysterious lady in white.

Whether or not the rumours of hauntings and hidden treasures are true, Rosslyn Chapel remains a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world eager to experience its unique and enigmatic atmosphere.

#6: Skrinjari, Croatia

Shrouded in a veil of mystery and darkness, Skrinjari, a remote village in Croatia, bears the weight of a macabre past. Whispers of death, murder, and hauntings echo through its cobblestone streets, casting a long shadow over the village’s present.

At the heart of Skrinjari’s dark history lies the abandoned Skrinjari house. Locals whisper that the house is cursed, built on a cemetery and awakening the restless spirits of the dead. A sense of unease permeates the air around the house, and traffic accidents are said to be common there.

Some claim to have seen ghostly figures lurking in the house’s windows or wandering its overgrown grounds. Others have reported hearing strange noises and feeling unexplained chills. Whether or not the stories are true, the Skrinjari house remains a haunting reminder of the village’s dark past.

#7: Tintern, Wales

Tintern’s ancient St. Mary’s Church is rumoured to be haunted by monks and shadowy figures that often appear in the graveyard. Satanic rituals have also been performed in the church ruins, and locals avoid the area due to a pervasive sense of darkness.

Other suggestions

There are plenty of other creepy locations in Europe. Here’s just a few more;

  • Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania: This forest is located near the city of Cluj-Napoca. It is also known as the Transylvanian Triangle, and it is known for its strange and unexplained occurrences. Many have reported seeing UFOs, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena in the forest.
  • Catacombs of Paris, France: This underground network of tunnels and chambers is home to the bones of over six million people. The catacombs are dark and damp, and they can be pretty claustrophobic.
  • Poveglia Island, Italy: This island is located in the Venetian Lagoon. It was once used as a quarantine island for plague victims, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the dead.
  • Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic: This ossuary is in the town of Sedlec. It is decorated with the bones of over 40,000 people, and it is one of the most eerie places in Europe.
  • Château de Brissac, France: This castle is located in the Loire Valley. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of the Lady in White, who was murdered by her husband.
  • Château Miranda, Belgium: This castle is located in Celles. It was once a beautiful castle, but it is now abandoned and in ruins. The castle is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants.
  • Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: This castle is located in the heart of Edinburgh. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, but it is also said to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
  • Moosham Castle, Austria: This castle is located in Burghausen. It was once used as a prison and a torture chamber, and it is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former inmates.

In Pure Spirit

Which is the creepiest place you’ve been to?

An Unusual Night of Paranormal Ghost Hunting

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DISCLAIMER: This story was first published back in early 2008 when I was a reporter for a local newspaper – edited a little now for relevancy and just because I’m a better writer. A lot of things happened that night that I just can’t explain, and because it’s almost Halloween… enjoy.

Ghost hunting. It’s not something we (or, at least, most of us) really deal with on a day-to-day basis.

After an evening with a local ghost hunting team, I saw what it was like first-hand to communicate with the dead and experience things that I would find difficult to explain any other way.

That… seems like quite a statement, doesn’t it? I swear right now that everything in this blog is 100% true, as I experienced it at the time.

At the weekend I spent the night in an abandoned hospital in Fife (Thornton Fever Hospital – click through to see images), minus electricity and warmth to see if anything really would happen, and to be honest I didn’t think it would be that eventful. I was skeptical, but went in with an open mind.

What actually happened…

Joined by a small group of six including my (at the time) partner, I was proven wrong when things were thrown at us unexplainably from across the room, doors slammed without the help of the wind and even the feeling of being touched without being near anyone.

The most interesting part of all, for me was the group séance, where everyone sat around the table with hands and feet touching so that we’d know if one of us made a sound and loud thumps began from underneath the table in response to our questions – two for yes, one for no.

At a few times during the séance we could all feel the table vibrating almost as if it wanted to lift up from the ground, which I found a little chilling and even more so when my partner reported a pressing on his leg which slowly started to grow warm.

One particular spirit seemed to shine through and answered most of the questions with a strong force, each thump from the table pronounced and deliberate.

I was shocked to learn things about his past and the way he interacted with us, but a little disappointed that when asked whether he wanted to speak to me, one loud thump gestured a firm ‘no’. (EDITOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t have spoken to me, either. I was in my early 20s, not a fully developed person yet, and only there to say I’d done it).

However we learned about the person who was communicating with us, and that they were trying to help us in our investigation. But things took a turn when they eluded to the fact that another spirit, a more menacing one who was already known to the group, was also on the grounds.

Later on we also attempted to use a glass around the table, each of us in turn taking our fingers from the glass to prove that no-one was moving it. The glass moved twice with a force that felt too smooth to be natural, gliding quickly towards one member of the group until it was off the table.

A ‘milder experience’…

I was amazed by the response we got, and said so only to be corrected that the night had been ‘mild’ compared to what the team normally experience.

The hospital itself was run-down and very eerie, with instruments, equipment and children’s toys lying abandoned in dirty, crumbling rooms – along with abandoned shoes.

A lot of windows were broken and some of the noises could easily be put down to the wind, which was acknowledged by the group who focused on the more unexplained phenomena that we experienced throughout the night.

Each time someone made a noise or dropped something, they quickly owned up to it and did not try to create spiritual reasons, instead trying to think of the rational way things could be explained such as the wind or creaks in the buildings.

How I felt throughout the experience

Even though I wrapped up warm, I couldn’t stop shivering for most of the night and although I would have liked to stay for longer, the team eventually decided to head home around 12.30am, because of the cold weather.

Curiously, I did not find myself scared but more interested in what was going on around me and the power the mediums seemed to have and the things they could see.

At points I was frightened like when a door was slammed in another room, or when we were all standing against a wall and a piece of coal landed directly at my feet from across the room, but I have to say I enjoyed the experience very much and it really opened my eyes – just like being in a real episode of Most Haunted, only this time I knew everything was really happening.

My (ex)partner, Tim, who was with me on the night, even caught an orb – believed to be the first stage in spirit manifestation – moving quickly past the medium after she reported that a spirit was circling around her, which we later emailed to the team the next day.

One final thing…

The only thing that bothered me was when one of the mediums told me that the spirits frequently follow her home and I was haunted by the thought of looking in my bedroom mirror and seeing something spooky!

All in all, it was a very educational night and although I was out with the team to write an article for the paper, it was also very good for the novel I was working at the time, Nightswallow.

So, were myself and my (ex) partner somehow tricked and taken advantage of, or was this a genuine ghost hunting experience? I’ve thought in through in my head countless times, and have never been able to come up with a decent explanation for most of what I witnessed that night. I’ve even been a little apprehensive of sharing this on here after all of this time.

Make of it what you will.

New sleep study may explain sightings of ghosts, demons and even belief in alien sightings

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Ever since history started being recorded, people have been reporting ghost sightings, weird happenings such as hauntings or poltergeists, and of course, aliens.

A new study might be able to explain some of that, as it found people who experienced disturbed sleep (think insomnia or sleep paralysis) are more likely to experience these strange phenomenon.

In the study, paranormal beliefs – including sightings of aliens and the paranormal – were linked to a plethora of sleep variables in the research recently published by the Journal of Sleep Research.

Researchers from the University of London working on the study sampled nearly 9,000 people and their experiences. It involved assessing demographics, sleep disturbances and paranormal beliefs reported by each participant.

The results were interesting. It was found that those with poorer subjective sleep quality – including ‘lower sleep efficiency, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep duration and increased insomnia symptoms’ – had a greater chance of expressing paranormal beliefs and to have experienced things themselves.

The paranormal beliefs study participants were more likely to have, included the existence of ghosts and life after death, demons and aliens on earth, communication with the afterlife, and near-death experiences.

Sleep paralysis has a lot to answer for

Conditions such as exploding head syndrome (where you hear loud noises or perceive an explosion in your head during waking up or going to sleep) and isolated sleep paralysis were apparently also linked to a belief that aliens have visited our planet. Although, to be fair, you just have to look at recent news to be persuaded into believing these things.

Isolated sleep paralysis has also been linked to near-death experiences as being evidence for life continuing after death – the soul living on, as it were.

Scientists wrote: “Should these results be replicated, one possible explanation for these findings is that uncertainty and indecisiveness (in this case uncertain beliefs) may lead to anxiety, which in turn can interfere with sleep.

They continued: “Findings obtained here indicate that there are associations between beliefs in the paranormal and various sleep variables.”

Take this study with a pinch of salt

Researchers were quick to admit the limitations of the study, stating that a cause-and-effect relationship could not be determined.

The participants were self-selected, and therefore were unlikely to be representative of the general population. There may also be other factors contributing to these beliefs that were not assessed.

However, one good thing about the findings is that they may help people be better equipped to deal with disturbed sleep, and help to support healthier sleep, via psychoeducation.

The final word? “Mechanisms underlying these associations are likely complex, and need to be further explored to fully understand why people sometimes report ‘things that go bump in the night.”

Hmmm.

The Patient – a short horror story by Bronwen Winter Phoenix

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Editor note: This short story was originally written and published many years ago. Its original publisher no longer exists, so enjoy this dark treat to get you into spooky season.

Nervous, the patient fidgeted in her chair as she waited to be called in. The room was white, and almost entirely blank of thought. Nevertheless, through her blurry eyes she struggled at the brightness as the sunlight shone strongly through the upper floor window.

Her name was Laura. She tapped her fingers nervously on the fabric arm of the chair and the clock ticked above her, almost twelve o’clock.

In front of her, a large desk where a pale receptionist worked behind fresh flowers – lilies and orchids – her thick black glasses a contrast to the white. Laura was thankful for that.

She told herself it wouldn’t be long now. It wouldn’t be long until she could see clearly – for that is all she ever wanted.

It wasn’t a hard concept; glasses weighed her down, made her avoid the glances from passers-by, making her feel ugly and somehow wrong, like a fish out of water.

Contact lenses were too difficult, after all, she was delicate, and could not bring herself to lift her eyelids so very high before touching the smooth, jelly-like texture of her eye. Could not, would not, touch it.

But there was something else too, something that stopped her from wearing the heavy glasses, or from bearing the awful lenses to close to her eyes.

No, this was the only choice.

“Laura Millburn?” The receptionist called.

Laura turned away from the window at the sound of her name.

“Doctor Carion will see you now,” the receptionist gestured to the door ahead of her. It was a white door.

Soon she found herself sitting in another large chair, in another bright room devoid of colour. The doctor with the piercing blue eyes droned ahead of her, and she nodded again and again to the questions, always the questions.

Her eyes wandered, settling on nothing; his words jumbled together, as all had been explained many times before. And after all that, she wanted to see clearly.

Sooner than expected, she found herself awaiting the procedure. Reclining now, she faced the laser with a tightening grip on the chair.

It wouldn’t be long now.

Doctors, experts busy around her, she watched the ceiling as thoughts filled her mind. Soon now, it would be over.

For all she could see would be fixed, and she would never have to see them again. Not the corner of the eye flashes, nor the glimpse in the mirror, the doubts of what was right before her eyes. They would be gone forever, and she would be like any other, carefree in her existence and new to the beautiful sights and faces around her. It would all be shiny and bright and new – nothing dark, no imaginery cloud could creep into those sights. It would be all hers and hers alone.

Her eyes focused and adjusted to the bright lights, and she felt the needle; first like a bee’s sting, and then numb. She was numb. She was strong too; she could cope with the needle – but what if she’d been wrong all along?

Almost as if to confirm it, a dark shadow crossed the corner between all the white and out of her vision. Suddenly confusion and doubt clouded her thoughts.

But it was too late. And, after all, she’d wanted to see clearly. Then she saw nothing at all, as white blurred into an endless recession of colourless light. Soon it will be over.

The next morning she awoke with the bright sun warm on her face. It was all over. With a sigh of sudden realisation and relief, she cautiously felt the mask over her eyes with her fingers. It was time.

Her eyes felt numb. That was good, hadn’t she been told to expect as much?

Slowly, carefully she sat up and began to feel away the mask. Steadily, the covering came free from her eyes and she could feel the air on her eyelids, light and fresh. It was time to see.

It took her a second to open her eyes, and slowly she blinked through heavy lids. At first a blur, a lot of blinking, her vision would come. It was dark. But it didn’t feel dark. It shouldn’t be dark.

Gradually her eyes came into focus, and they were all around her now. The old dread returned, but now tenfold. They loomed above her, ahead of her, the dark shapes and grinning monsters, the dragon, the stitch man, the cloud, and many more that she didn’t recognise.

Grinning, cruel wicked smiles she could see them all – and they could see her. She wasn’t in her room anymore. She wasn’t anywhere she recognised, but instead surrounded by harsh darkness and swirls of smoke.

They were coming for her, their dark glistening eyes shining red as she knew deep down they would. And she prepared herself for the agony; for she was exposed to them now and she knew now what fate had in store – hadn’t she always known?

Soon she would feel the bloodlust, the pain; the thirst for her soul that she had always told herself was pure imagination. But she’d felt it then, and she could see it now.

Stitch man, the thing in the mirror that she’d never really forgotten since she was a child in the bathroom mirror. He would be the first, the stitches over his eyes, down his face, his inhuman misshaped grey body suddenly there in front of her, calling to her with his rasping breath.

She couldn’t run, was paralysed to the spot as his bony, broken fingers stretched out for her throat, and she knew then that nothing could save her.

She could not see the people who heard her scream.

Chinese zoo says its sun bears are real – and definitely not humans in bear suits

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A zoo in China has been forced to refute any allegations its sun bears are actually humans dressed in bear suits, after a video of one of its bears standing on hind legs went viral.

Despite denying the allegations, zookeepers at the zoo published a statement yesterday (Sunday) in the voice of Angela, a Malaysian sun bear – because making them give a statement will somehow convince people they’re not human?

The statement read: “When it comes to bears, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge figure and amazing power … But not all bears are behemoths and danger personified. We Malayan bears are petite, the smallest bear in the world.”

I’m laughing as I type this. You can watch the video below – and I can kind of see where people are coming from, as the wrinkly folds of fur do make it look like the bottom half of a man in trampy trousers. But it’s clearly still a bear!

https://twitter.com/TODAYonline/status/1685971005175668736

The situation has escalated to the point that the zoo are now arranging for reporters to visit TODAY to see the bears.

An audio recording has been doing the rounds on WeChat, where a spokesperson for the zoo has stated a deception of this scale would never occur at a state-run facility, and that in this 40C (104F) summer heat, a human dressed in a fur suit “would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing”.

Sun bears are known for being around the size of a large dog, getting to a height of around 50 inches tops on their hind legs – whereas grizzly bears and other species can reach up to 2.8 metres, the zoo says.

It’s not the first time Chinese zoos have been accused of deception. Apparently some have been accused of dying dogs to look like wolves or African cats, as well as painting donkeys to look like zebras (I’m sure that one actually happened).

You might rub the world’s most expensive bird droppings into your face

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Born in 1962, Tom Cruise is 61, but would you believe it if you’ve seen the latest Mission Impossible film? How does he look so young?

Ten years ago, The Huffington Post wrote up anonymous insider accounts, saying;

Tom doesn’t go in for Botox or surgery, but he does pay close attention to all the new and popular natural treatments. He recently started experimenting with the nightingale poo facial.”

Asami Geisha

Is there Nightingale poo anti-wrinkle cream on Amazon? Not that I could find. I did find Asami Geisha.

That’s a registered trademarked cream which claims to be the only one in the world with extracted enzymes from the excrement of the Japanese nightingale.

  • The good news? Shipping is free.
  • The bad? A small tub costs over £425.

Wikipedia alludes to why the Japanese nightingale might be so expensive. There aren’t many in Japan. Instead, Wikipedia says;

The leiothrix is usually found in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and parts of Tibet. This species is a bird of the hill forests, found in every type of jungle though it prefers pine forests with bushes.

Red-billed leiothrix is the full name of the nightingale. However, it’s worth noting that the bird does come to Japan and likes the forests of Abies and Tsuga while there.

Nightingale droppings are not a new trend. The practice dates back hundreds of years, as Asami Geisha explain.

“Geisha Facial” refers to a beauty treatment that uses nightingale droppings. In Japan, the poop is called Uguisu No Fun. Japanese geishas have used this treatment for centuries.

Geishas used to wear a white makeup called oshiroi, which contained zinc and lead. This makeup could cause skin problems, such as skin diseases.

However, it’s suggested that the Uguisu No Fun could clean and regenerate the damaged skin. This resulted in softer, more radiant, and smoother skin.

The Geisha Facial is still used today, and it is said to have many benefits for the skin, but it is important to find a reputable spa that offers this treatment.

The cream treatment may be uncomfortable, as it can cause some redness and irritation. Finally, you should only have the treatment done a few times a year, as it can dry the skin. Perhaps it is a good thing it’s not Amazon.

In Pure Spirit

If Japanese nightingale poop facials exist, does that mean birds are kept in cages purely for poo farming? If so, then there are likely ethical considerations.

Would you spend £400 a year on Japanese anti-wrinkle cream made from bird boop if it made you look younger?

Why do we write – and could reading ever be an art form?

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An updated blog post, based on past witterings and a revisit from a much older, jaded author… enjoy.

Have you ever thought of reading as an art form? After all, each crafted piece of writing depends on the person that reads it; their imagination, their vision, their emotions, their perspective.

Each reader views the words on the page in their own unique way; treasuring the characters, the scenery, the emotions of the book, making them come to life in a way the author could only hope for.

But each of these worlds that are created are secret, sacred, and can never be replicated or shared with outside eyes. That’s what makes it all the more precious – but surely it can’t be art, because it’s only in one mind (at least until a Black Mirror scenario is upon us).

Unless… we’re all art. Every single one of us is our own individual life’s work.

We love to read. We love anything that provokes a reaction in us.

I read purely because I love to read – it takes me away somewhere else and I have had great memories while reading some books.

When I can really get into a book, really lose myself in it, it’s something I find worthwhile. I like to be stimulated in that way, and I especially love things that provoke some sort of reaction in me be it good, bad, emotional or just a good laugh. I love being able to laugh, cry, feel for the characters.

And that’s why it’s so important to me to be able to create that for other people and to know that others are taking something away from my work, that makes it all worthwhile for me.

That is why I write. Along with the dreams that fuel the words that flow from my mind through my fingers and onto the keys, and along with the imagination that drives me forward, that visualises and builds on those dreams.

I write to create my own worlds and to bring together beauty and essence in my characters.

But most of all, I write so that others can lose themselves in my work and if they can take something away from it; be it large or small, that is more than enough for me. I write in the hope that my work will shine through and live in its own way; inside others.

That is why I write. Or, at least, it’s why I used to.

You see, I wrote this many years ago, because I suffered some trauma and lost my will to write whilst I was around 60,000 words through my fourth novel. My entire life changed.

Does it make me sad to go back and read this? Yes, a bit. Do I still have stories in me? Yes, so many.

But whether I go back to writing again, or simply stay a reader; a satisfied partaker of fictional worlds others have created for me – I’ll always enjoy the stories (and in the meantime, I’ll write for fun on here).

Hong Kongers urged to stare disapprovingly at people who smoke

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Unfortunately, smoking is still popular in parts of the world such as Hong Kong – and the territory’s health minister, Professor Lo Chung-mau said now advised people to ‘stare disapprovingly’.

It’s part of the latest effort to help rid Hong Kong of tobacco for good, with Professor Lo saying those smoking in prohibited areas aren’t likely to “hit back” at glares from their fellow citizens. Hmmm.

“Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us,” Professor Lo said during a meeting of the Legislative Council’s health service panel on Friday 14th July.

He continued:

When the members of the public see people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers. When someone takes out a cigarette at a restaurant, everyone on the premises can stare at that person. I do not believe that person would dare to hit back at everyone at the restaurant as they are simply staring.

It’s Professor Lo’s hope that adopting such behaviour will help shape the city into a “non-smoking culture”.

He continued: “Take queuing at a bus stop as an example. No one will say it requires the law to compel people to queue. Our society is able to create a culture where people will comply with this rule of queuing when waiting for buses. I hope the whole of society can build a non-smoking culture.”

Well, it’s probably a better idea than what I used to do when placed in a room with a group of smokers as a child – which was to just try and hold my breath, shout that I’m going to die, and cry a lot because my parents clearly didn’t love me or care about the cancer risk.

Prof Lo has also warned that surveillance footage and video clips provided by civilians will be used as evidence as part of the crackdown on smoking in prohibited areas such as restaurants, offices, and indoor and outdoor public spaces. Penalties of HK$1,500 (£147) are enforced for breaking the rules.

On the 12th, a public consultation paper was launched by health authorities in Hong Kong as they look for more effective strategies to tackle the smoking crisis.

Included within that paper was the idea of banning people born after a certain date from buying tobacco products, and a 75% tobacco tax.

We’ll see if it makes a difference.

In Pure Spirit

Have you been able to stop smoking? What worked for you? Plant-based nicotine alternative ripple suggests seven things to try to quit smoking.

Alternatively, and as you’d expect, Cancer Research UK has some advice too!

Big Heckin’ Two-Day Prime Day: Wonderfully weird finds discounted on Amazon

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It’s Amazon’s Prime Day, and that’s already a weird start because Prime Day isn’t a day. It’s two days long!

You need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop the site with significant discounts. The two-day event is designed to reward people for being members.

Here at In Pure Spirit, we’re very interested in ethical retail, so you might wonder why Amazon is appearing here. Amazon’s track record isn’t great, but you can do some important things to make the world a better place.

For example, Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program not only saves you money but lets the retailer plan shorter shipping routes for your stuff, and that’s less carbon from transport. The Amazon Delivery Day gets all your shopping saved up for the weekly delivery, and that’s less cardboard from boxes.

In this list, we’ll look at some of the wonderfully weird curios we spotted in the sale!

Happy potato

Positive Potatoe
How can you say no to a potato that urges you on with the heartfelt “I may be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing!” Can you? Nope, I can’t!

Carp clutch

Can a fish be handy? This zipper can be a pencil case holder, a key holder or even a makeup case. Whatever you use it for, you can surely win some attention when you slide the scaly wonder from your bag or pocket. I’m hooked.

Banana Man
The 14″ banana… man… in a coat! This banana plush is also cleverly designed with magnets inside so you can arrange your new best friend in all sorts of positions. Show me how!.

Shark blanket
Is there a fishy theme in this Prime Day-inspired collection? Are we now feeding kids to sharks? The answer to both is; maybe. But, hey, it looks fun.

Cat mug
I can tell you immediately why I like this mug – yes, the kitten on the top is cute, as is the wee paw print on the handle, but it’s the “Look at me” poser on the mug itself. Oh, and an anti-spill top is handy, too and so let’s look closer.

Shapely wine glasses
There’s no such thing as wine for kids, so why not have adult wine glasses? This pair of shapely glasses from Hoypefiy certainly suggest a mood for the night… but would you dare? I dare!

That’s a collection of just some weird and wonderful discoveries from this year’s Big Heckin’ Two-Day Prime Day. Good luck with your discount and discovery day if you use the sales this week!

In Pure Spirit

Do you find Amazon helpful? Is the retail giant valuable enough to be worth the Amazon Prime membership even if you make an effort to shop local?

Disclosure

This blog discusses ideas and causes. Urban myth, science and faith combine here. So do editorials and technology; In Pure Spirit uses affiliate marketing and some links might earn us money. You can read more about that here.

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