While I love the images of paranormal beings, I do not believe they exist in the physical world; not angels, demons, dragons, ghosts, ghouls, phoenix, mermaids, unicorns, werewolves, vampires, or zombies. If something doesn’t have a chemical identity, i.e. no subatomic particles are involved in a thing’s makeup, then it cannot exist in this universe. Yet, while I do not believe they exist in reality (a whole other kettle of strange concepts), I must also admit in some ways, maybe they do. I think they exist in our imagination, hopping between the brain’s neurons and synapses. Humans seem to need them, and the imagination can be a very powerful and insistent tool. Does that make them real or unreal?
Sometimes these images become so firmly entrenched in a mind that the person believes them real. Certainly, many people believe in them, especially when they are tied to faith. With the changing understanding of the universe by quantum physicists with their theories about how sub-atomic particles operate, with theories of space-time, and with the possibility of multiple universes, an infinitesimal probability exists for their physical reality.
Another interesting link to this idea is that we often identify some people by the characteristics we associate with these beings. Those who suck the life out of their associates are called vampires, or bloodsuckers. Those who are inevitably caring and giving, we know as angels. Those we've loved and have passed will always haunt our memories. Are they any less real to us? These human angels, spirits, ghosts, and demons I definitely believe in. People have done things far beyond angelic and far worse than demonic.
The image of an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other isn’t about these beings' existence, but about a choice an individual must make and then how they bear the consequences of their choice, which dresses these beings with a moral cloth. Other paranormal characters also deliver messages about choices: dragons are protective or destructive, phoenixes tell us to ascend from failure, zombies tell us to change our lifestyle, werewolves about our changeable nature, and ghouls remind us to be wary. Therein lies the story.
Why do these symbolic personas continue to intrigue us?
Probably because their characteristics are so human, and because they relate such fascinating stories and lessons. Another reason might be that the human imagination is such a resilient and compelling feature of human identity. Minds are capable of creating spiritual voices and internal personages, both good and evil. And if we can imagine our own individual phantom presences, we can certainly identify with those paranormal beings entrenched in history since we have not essentially changed from those long-ago folk. Soul, spirit, inner being, self, heart, or psyche, whatever we want to call it, our insistent inner voices understand these powerful allegorical beings. Each identity symbolizes a message about being human; therefore, I enjoy reading and writing about them while trying to understand their purpose and message.
Please visit these other blogs participating in this round-robin topic:
Marci Baun
Margaret Fieland
Diane Bator
Beverley Bateman
A.J. Maguire
Fiona McGier
Heather Haven
Bob Rich
Anne Stenhouse
Helena Fairfax
Hollie Glover
Rachael Kosinski
Connie Vines
Skye Taylor
Hi Rhobin, yes, the human psyche needs them. I've noticed as I get older that my eyes also provide them - turn too quickly, that kind of thing. Feet, however, firmly on the ground. Anne Stenhouse
ReplyDeleteRhobin, I enjoyed reading your post. What do you feel about supernatural beings in books
ReplyDelete?
Margaret, I read paranormal books all the time and enjoy them. I'm not so big on vampires and horror stories, but I've certainly read a some that I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMy late faither would certainly have agreed with you, Rhobin. He was an atheist and a total non-believer in anything he couldn't touch or explain. But as you said, there is so much we don't know about subatomic particles and what-not, that we may someday realize that what we now think of as impossible, or "magic", is in reality, simply something we don't understand...yet.
ReplyDeleteI think that's one of the most fun things about writing - we can suspend the laws that keep us rooted in the real world. My favorite genre is a well written time travel into the past which definitely requires a suspension of disbelief.
ReplyDeleteRhobin, I can see that, like me, your thinking is scientific. This is all too rare nowadays. Most people go with superficialities, and are swayed by illogical arguments.
ReplyDeleteI am equally impressed with the conscientious way you run these round robins. Well done.
By the way, I can't post this because there is a thing you have to tick that claims "I am not a robot" -- and I am, and cannot tell a lie.
:)
Bob
Interesting post, Rhobin and very scientific. I am not scientific, but that's what makes our writing so individual.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for your comments. I found everyone's opinion interesting reading. Bob, as another robot, I appreciate your honesty. Personally, I only admit to it when caught.
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