When fiction becomes fact: Wait…Am I haunted now?

Sorry for the long lapse in blogging, again. I have repeatedly tried to crawl my way out of the murky depths of grief and depression for the past two years, only to get dragged back under every now and then. Boy, am I messy each time I reach the shore after flailing about for a while. Sorry about that.

Approximately six months ago I decided to start being social on social media again – but only twitter since Facebook overwhelms me, y’all. Not even kidding about the anxiety it induces in me, but I digress. The writing community on twitter is fantastic. In general, I think of twitter as a cesspool for humanity, except for 98% of the creatives on there, who are all very supportive of one another. Anyway.

I’ve been mostly tweeting about cats (I rescue them), podcasts (I listen to them), and my ghost.

Wait, what?

That’s right. I said ghost. Let me point out that I've always been transparent about my love for all things spooky. I've blogged here before, years and years ago, about my lifelong experiences with the paranormal, including my readings with supposed psychics, ghost-hunting with my niece, and the shared experiences I've had with a friend who grew up in a truly scary haunted house which prompted me to contact Ed and Lorraine Warren of "The Conjuring" fame many years ago to help her (that's a whole 'nother story, y'all).

I think I've half-heartedly blogged about my new possibly haunted house before, but since moving into my home almost 2 years ago, I’ve experienced some strange things that have led me to believe I might be sharing it with a spirit or two. I know not everyone believes in ghosts, and it might seem awfully gimmicky if a lady who includes haunted houses, psychics, and ghosts in her books suddenly starts proclaiming she’s haunted, but I’m being 100% sincere when I share the oddities I experience in my home here and on twitter. To be honest, I'm posting them on twitter so I will have a journal and timestamp for some of them — you know, in case I need to seek professional help in the form of a priest or witch doctor or psychiatrist or whatever.

Am I haunted? To be honest, I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe I’m really that mentally ill. I am made up of part Mulder, part Scully, so I want to believe but can’t get past my own skepticism sometimes. I always try to reason away the things that happen, but folks, things are happening more and more now. I also have been dealing with some strange health problems over the past year. I am always sick, feel drained, and while the doctors have diagnosed me with a couple of autoimmune diseases in recent months, the treatments haven’t worked all that well. I’m still always sick and I hate it. It was in the back of my mind but I didn’t want to voice the idea aloud, so of course, my friend did it for me. “What if your health problems are related to Carol?” she said. Carol is what she named my ghost, by the way.

Here is a highlight of some of the tweets I’ve posted about my, ahem, ghostly roommate since I last mentioned it on this blog. If you click on some of these, they open the thread that explains more, but I didn't want to put ALL of my haunted tweets here!

I have not been home 5 minutes and I am hearing crazy noises in my house. It’s not the cats so it must be the ghost. Plus, I kept getting alerts for my backyard Ring and all I saw was this weird blue fog hanging around the window of the room where most of the activity happens. pic.twitter.com/8FxNAgFwDr

— Angela Campbell 🐶🐱 (@AngelaCampbel) February 29, 2020

My possible ghost is being active today. I was cleaning my bathroom when PJ my cat started making chattering sounds. I looked and she was stretched out and pawing at the air. Then the shower curtain made a sound as if someone pushed it hard. I checked. No other cats/people there. pic.twitter.com/DCZv2PbsYc

— Angela Campbell 🐶🐱 (@AngelaCampbel) February 22, 2020

The thing about having cats & living in a possibly haunted house is that you never know if the strange sounds that wake you up at night are cat or ghost.

Can cats knock and minutes later say “hey” in a little kids voice? No?

Maybe this time it was the ghost.#yesiamscared

— Angela Campbell 🐶🐱 (@AngelaCampbel) February 7, 2020

Just had another weird experience that I think was thanks to my #ghost “Carol.” I pretty much have insomnia now, which really sucks. I haven’t slept in 24 hours. I was sitting on the sofa with my cat Dusti watching TV a few minutes ago. Suddenly, there was a crash.

— Angela Campbell 🐶🐱 (@AngelaCampbel) October 27, 2019

I bought a set of cameras to check in on my cats while I work. I get an alert anytime motion activates one. I just got this one, which I think might be my #ghost, Carol, or an orb anyway. Or maybe it’s just dust. Who knows. I was right here & saw nothing. #haunted? #hauntedhouse? pic.twitter.com/Zz9Oi4Dh8P

— Angela Campbell 🐶🐱 (@AngelaCampbel) October 7, 2019

Maybe I should start a hashtag to keep track of these better. Any suggestions? If I start having #DearDavid-type experiences, you’d better believe I am moving as soon as I can figure out how to so please don't suggest #DearCarol to me. Thank you.

I also wish I could say my possible ghost adventures have inspired me to start writing more, but I’m still struggling there. Basically, I hate everything I write and have written, but I’m not giving up. I’ll get back to finishing my next book or screenplay….someday. In the meantime, I’ll continue to pop in and blog here whenever I can, as long as they don't kick me off for being that weird lady who has 14 cats and thinks she's haunted. In the meantime, feel free to send me cat gifs, chocolate, and money as encouragement.

Happy early St. Patrick’s Day, everyone.

***

Angela Campbell is the author of the psychic detective series, a paranormal romantic suspense series featuring ghosts, sexy psychics, haunted houses, serial killers ... and cats and dogs. Learn more about her books at www.angelacampbellonline.com.

Witches and Spells - Including One for You!

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Witches. The very word brings different images to mind from ugly old hags to real beauties. Witches delight us in stories by challenging our imagination and suspending reality for just a while. Oh, if only I could have a magic wand to get the housework done, suspend time to write more words... now there's a thought.

That brings me to spells. The very first spell I clearly remember is salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. Put them together and what do you get? Cinderella! A magic coach, horses, a footman, glass slippers and a beautiful ball gown and let’s not forget the handsome prince.

What makes the fairy-godmother’s words a spell? A spell is much like a prayer said with a great deal of intent, focus, and will that gives words (or nonsense ones) new meanings. Deborah Blake, an authority on Wiccans, explains that taking a shower can be a magical event. Your intent or goal is to wash away the stress of the day. You focus on the water pouring down on you and visualize your stress being washed away. Your will is to apply energy to the task. Along with the words she uses to increase the impact of the magick “Water, water, wash away all the stress of the day,” your shower becomes magickal.

So, is Cinderella’s fairy-godmother invoking magick? Her fairy-godmother cast her spell speaking an incantation to create a specific outcome. She clearly imagined what she wanted. She intended the magic coach, horse, etc. to all appear. She was keenly focused on the results. And through sheer will she used all the energy at her disposal to make it happen.

What is a spell? Spells are written or spoken words along with set action sometimes using objects, done together with the intent to bring about specific results. The words are the important thing. The actions and objects are used to help the spellcaster concentrate and amplify their request. The spellcaster uses what they feel works best for them candles, herbs, oils, gems and other things. Color, phases of the moon and the day of the week may also play an important part of the spell.

Are there any rules for using magick? Deborah Blake, in her book, The Goddess is in the Details by Llewellyn Publications, July 2009, lays out the seven beliefs at the heart of being a witch.

1. Harm none. The Wiccan Rede says, “An it harm none, do as ye will.” While this sounds simple, whatever you do make certain you harm no one. That includes yourself and anyone else. She pointed out quite clearly that downstream affects are really unknown. This rule is a guideline and a reminder that the intent should always be to do good.  
2. Do not interfere with free will. Everyone is responsible for their own actions and should not interfere with the actions of others. Not every witch (other regular person for that matter) seems to believe in this.
3. What you put out (into the universe) is what you get back. The Law of Return. I believe very strongly in this rule and I’m not a witch. I call it paying it forward. I truly believe that if you give of yourself will come back to you threefold.
4. As above, so below: Words have power. Witches believe that words have power. It is the reason why spells are said out loud—to announce your intention to the universe. They also believe symbols can be used to heighten the effects of words and can stand for objects or ideas. Sometimes they use candles, stones, water, wine, or anything that will help connect them to the object or idea. As above, so below means they not only have the power to effect change through symbolism and their connection with the universe, but they must also be careful with their words and thoughts. Ms. Blake gave a great example. If words have power, and you get back what you put out, think what would happen when you say, “I hate you.”
5. Magick is real and witches can use it to bring about positive change. With combination of their belief that they can bring about positive change and the power of words and symbols, they use intent and focus to alter their world.
6. We are part of nature. All Pagans have one thing in common—they respect nature and believe they are a part of it, not above it. While traditional religions view humans as superior, Pagans see themselves as guardians. Witches worship the mother earth, the nature goddess. They follow the cycle of the seasons and strive to connect to nature and stay close to their primordial gods.
7. The divine is in everything, including us. Pagans believe in the old gods and goddesses and that there is an element of the divine in everything. This is at the heart of what it means to be a witch. This connection to the universe and to the divine gives witches both power and responsibility. It connects them to every other living being.

So, let me leave you with this. Find a comfortable place to sit where you won’t be disturbed. Light a white candle, take a sip of red wine, hold the book your reading, and say:  

The winds are still,

as the words unfold.

Strong is the will,

as the story is told.

Peace fills the room,

and carries me away.

Imagination in bloom,

the rest of the day.

Now sit back, open your book and enjoy the adventure. Happy Reading!

RELEASED OCTOBER 25!

Lost: One locket filled with memories. 

Will finding it lead Rachel to peace and happiness? 

The Witching Hour

by Ruth A. Casie 

featured in 

Haunted Havenport

with stories by

Emma Kaye

Nicole S. Patrick

Lita Harris

Now available at:

Amazon, iBook, BN, KOBO