Alchemy: The Forgotten Science of Spirituality

As a practitioner of herbal medicine, I love making teas and tinctures.  A few years ago I purchased several glass jars in which to store my dried herbs.  Reading the label stating Hermetically Sealed Jars, a thought occurred to me – “Alchemy is a strange thing.”  Everyone knows of it, but nobody seems to know about it.  With the exception of those few students of esotericism, the concepts and ideals of Alchemy seems to be greatly misunderstood among the common populous.   At the very best, the average person has been exposed to Alchemy only through cartoons, movies, comic books and popular media.  What is failed to be realized is the tremendous impact Alchemy has had on human evolution and civilization.

The word Alchemist generally conjures images of greedy wizards working tirelessly to turn lead in gold.  While it’s indeed true that the production of gold was central to many schools of Alchemy, the Alchemist was certainty not a mere money-maker focused on financial gain.  Although charlatans do exist in any professional arena, and there have certainty been fraudulent Alchemist throughout history, the true Alchemist was a holy-philosopher seeking to transmute the lead of his worldly existence in to the pure gold of spiritual illumination.  Alchemy is in fact the oldest form of Science.  It is the foundation of modern Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Medicine and Pharmacology.  Every facet of modern science owes its existence to the ancient craft of Alchemy.  Yet, the average person knows very little of what is called The Royal Art.

The Alchemists were spiritual-scientists that explored the supernatural realm questing for the ultimate truth of existence.  Among the fruits of their labor, they would produce for the modern world advanced systems of Chemistry, Anatomy, Psychology, Astronomy and Spirituality.  They were Inventors, Philosophers, Doctors and Blacksmiths as well as being Shamans, Priest, Healers, and Sages.  Most importantly, the Alchemists laid the foundation for those wishing to explore the vast mysteries of existence.

Alchemy is a broad term which can refer to any number of traditions from around the globe.  Many ancient cultures, including those of China, India, Europe and the Middle East, have had long standing Alchemical traditions which can still be observed today.  Alchemy is said to have originated in Ancient Egypt where the God Thoth - called Hermes Trismegistus in Greek - first inscribed the knowledge of Alchemical Operations on an Emerald Tablet.  The Emerald Tablet of Hermes the Three-Times-Great describes the “certain truth” that makes any physical or spiritual science possible.

Alchemy can be described as a process of spiritual evolution involving both the experiment and the experimenter.  It is a way of expediting the natural evolution of the universe in a manner observable by the limited view of the Human Being.  That is to say, Alchemy seeks to speed-up nature’s inherent process of evolution. This is done through both physical Chemistry, involving the production and consumption of various Alchemical medicines, and through a process of internal prayer and visualization meditation.  Alchemy functions under the postulate: “As Above, So Below.”  This can be understood in one way to mean that the Physical Realm affects the Spiritual Realm and vice versa.  This can also mean that the mundane, worldly existence has, in actuality, the same qualities inherent in the invisible, spiritual word.  Alchemists work to release these spiritual qualities in their chemical operations and, more importantly, within themselves.  

While I was in school for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, I was told by one instructor that all of Chinese Medicine came about in ancient times via Alchemists seeking to produce an Elixir of Immortality.  Their quest would lead them to classify many medicinal herbs, create charts of human energetic circulation and produce one of the most advanced medical systems on Earth.  From the tradition of Chinese Alchemy also emerges the practice of Qi Gong, which can be viewed as Chinese Internal Alchemy.  This practice involves physical exercises in combination with deep breathing and meditation to produce Alchemical processes in the body and spirit in order to achieve Immortality.  The Philosophy of Chinese Taoism views the concept of becoming an Immortal as more akin to being Spiritually Enlightened than simply living forever or being unable to die.  The Taoist Immortals, those who successfully created and consumed the Elixir of Immortality, were imbued with great wisdom, fortune and endless inner contentment.   The search for Immortality was not without its casualties, as it is reported that many Chinese Alchemists died consuming concoctions containing Cinnabar – a mineral containing high a level of mercury.

The Alchemy of India is well document and Alchemical Philosophy is woven into Schools of Esoteric Hinduism, Buddhism and Yoga.  Some consider the Indian-Buddhist Philosopher and Alchemist Nagarjuna to be the Father of modern Chemistry, having developed or improved upon many of the apparatus necessary for chemical operations.  Buddhist and Hindu Deities are often shown consuming Amrita, the Nectar of Immortality described in the Indian creation myth The Churning of the Ocean.  Some Buddhas even bear names indicative of Alchemical thought such as the Buddha Amitayus – a name which literally means ‘Infinite Life.’

Medieval European Alchemy is possibly the most widely known tradition of Alchemy.  This tradition would influence every major school of European thought from Freemasonry to Christianity and give rise to Alchemical Fraternities such as the Germanic Order of the Gold and Rosy Cross.  The main objective of the Alchemist was to create a Philosopher’s Stone, a miraculous substance which brings any other substance to it pinnacle of physical and spiritual evolution.  That is to say, it would turn lead into gold and human beings into spiritual immortals.

The use of Spagyric, or Herbal Alchemy, in Europe would help lead to the discovery and use of drugs as healing agents.  In Spagyrics, an herb would be broken into its fundamental parts and recombined to form a healing medicine.  This process would lead to first extracting of herbal chemical compounds, such as extracting Salicylic Acid from White Willow Bark, effectively producing healing drugs such as Aspirin.  The Royal Art of Alchemy would come to decline and in 1661 Robert Boyle published a document titled “The Skeptical Chemist.”    This publication would put into question the entire Theology and Philosophy of Alchemy, citing mathematical formulae to explain alchemical operations.  To be a Chemist was to take on the physical and mental components of Alchemy, while leaving its spiritual essence behind.

However obscure these ancient traditions of Alchemy may seem, their influences cannot be ignored. From prescription medication to hermetically sealed jars, Alchemy is part of Human history.  Perhaps it is even one of most important parts of history.

Exploring Three Famous Secret Societies

The Freemasons

The Freemasons may be the quintessential Secret Society, although members of the organization would say they are not a secret society but are, in fact, a society with secrets.  This means that certain aspects of the Freemasonry are kept secret, such as the specifics of the rituals and the modes of recognition, while some aspects, such as the identity of the members, are not concealed.  While they are undoubtedly the largest of all secret organizations, with their reach spreading to every corner of the earth, Freemasonry is not a single, unified organization but a collection of organization which share a common tradition.  While conspiracy theorists are quick to place the Freemasons amongst the most devious of fraternal organizations, the observable aspects of Masonry are seemingly benign.  Whereas no non-member can be sure what goes on behind the closed doors of the Masonic Lodge, the group has always maintained that their objective is to improve the moral, ethical and spiritual aspects of its members.  The motto of the organization is “Making good men better.”  Freemasonry is often simply referred to as “The Craft.”

Masonry can be categorized into two divisions, Operative Masonry and Speculative Masonry.  Operative Masons were those historical stonemasons who practiced the physical crafts of building, stone working, architecture and mathematics.  Speculative Masonry, the latter incarnation, uses the elements of the Operative Masons as symbolic images to teach various philosophies and ideologies.  The main symbols of Freemasonry are the Square and Compasses, tools which are used in drafting and building.  Other symbolic tools of The Craft are the Gavel, the Chisel, The Plumb Line and Rule, the Gauge, the Level, the Trowel and the Mason’s Apron.  All of these are implements which would have been used by physical stonemasons and symbolize those mental facilities necessary to build an inner temple of knowledge and understanding. 

The origin of Modern Masonry is a subject which is open to debate.  The first known Masonic writing is commonly thought to be the Regius Manuscript.  This writing describes the history of Masonry as well as rules and regulations of The Craft and gives a mythological narrative of the dissemination of the knowledge of geometry.  A common theme in Freemasonry is the building of the Temple of Solomon by his Chief Architect, The Master Mason Hiram Abif.  In this masonic story, Hiram is confronted by three “ruffians” who demand he reveal for them the secrets of The Craft, specifically the “Master’s Word.”  When Hiram refused, the ruffians proceed to attack and kill the Master Mason, sealing their own fates as well.  Many of the symbolic rituals of Freemasonry revolve around this semi-biblical story.

Some believe that Modern Masonry is a fraternity reserved for the social elite.  In fact, the group consists of members from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.  One must be able to pay the dues of the organization, which are relatively minimal, and the paying of dues must not interfere with the family life of the member.   The general requirements for membership include being a free man who joins of his own will, is of good reputation and professes a belief in a Supreme Being.  Although Atheists are not allowed admittance, the nature of the belief in a Supreme Being is open to the personal interpretation of the member.  Masonry is therefore available to people of various religions including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and general Theists.  Although only men can join the Freemasons, there are also Masonic organizations which admit women such as the Order of the Eastern Star.  There are also jurisdictions outside of what is known as "regular" Freemasonry in which a women can be made a Mason, such as Universal Co-Masonry.

The Hell Fire Club

The London based Hell Fire Club was founded by Philip, the Duke of Wharton in 1719 and was comprised of a small number of members of high society.  Several other clubs from England and Ireland functioning under the same name would bring The Hell Fire Club into popular infamy, the most infamous being the organization founded by Sir Francis Dashwood in the 1730’s.  The club’s motto, “Do What Thou Wilt,” was later popularized by Aleister Crowley and was also adopted, with some variation, by members of the Wicca Religion.  The club of Sir Francis Dashwood was originally known as The Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe and a variety of other titles and was later designated the name “The Hell Fire Club.”

Although it is difficult to know for sure the purpose of the club, it is commonly thought that the members would meet to engage in acts which were contrary to those prescribed by Church standards, hence the name “The Hell Fire Club.”   It is reported that this may have included the reading of obscene literature, the viewing of pornographic material and the displaying of pagan images.  Although the organization was often accused of worshipping The Devil and various demons, the club itself is thought to have been mostly satirical, mocking the commonly found Gentleman’s Clubs of London.  It is reported that members would dress as characters from biblical stories and eat meals which consisted of foods such as Devil’s Loin and Hell Fire Punch.  Unlike other clubs found in London at the time, The Hell Fire Club would admit women as well as men.

The Hell Fire Club founded by the Duke of Wharton came to end in 1721, being officially disbanded by Kind George I, after which Wharton would become a Freemason and later the Grandmaster of the Lodges of England.  Francis Dashwood’s club would persist until the 1760’s.  It is rumored that Benjamin Franklin would often attended Hell Fire Club meeting as a non-member.  Historians speculate that his attendance was actually a form of spying on members of English high society.  At the time before the Revolutionary War, recording the various acts of the members would have been a way of giving the colonies political leverage over some of the members of Parliament.

Sir Francis Dashwood’s nephew, Joseph Alderson, would revamp the organization in 1781, after Dashwood’s death, under the name The Phoenix Society.  The Phoenix Society, later known as The Phoenix Common Room, is a group which is still in existence today. 

The Rosicrucians

The Rosicrucians are said to have been founded in the late medieval period by a German doctor named Christian Rosenkreuz, also called Frater C. R. C.  This group’s philosophy revolved around an esoteric form of Christianity and was often associated with Protestantism and Lutheranism.  The ideals of the Rosicrucians generally protested the dogmatic views of the Catholic Church and praised empiricism and rational thinking.  Rosenkreuz, which is considered by most to be a pseudonym, is said to have assembled a group of eight doctors, each swearing an oath to treat any and all ill patients without payment around the year 1407.

The Rosicrucian Fervor took hold of Europe in the early 1600's with the printing of the so-called Rosicrucian Manifestos.  These writings consisted of The Fame of the Fraternity of RC in 1614, the The Confession of the Fraternity in 1615 and The Chymical Wedding of  Christian Rosenkreuts in 1617.  The Manifestos painted a picture of a great universal reformation of all of mankind, a Golden Age which would include reforms in science, medicine, economics and religion.  These ideals created a great excitement among many in the upper classes of Europe, perhaps even heralding the Age of Reason or Enlightenment Era in the 17th and 18th centuries.  

Rosicrucianism can refer to both members of specific fraternal orders as well as adherents to its particular philosophy.  The Philosophy incorporates aspects of Alchemy, Ancient Egyptian mythology, Judaic mysticism and early Christian Gnosticism.  It emphasizes the rational study of nature, the physical universe and the spiritual aspects of reality.  The Rosicrucian philosophy is said to have influenced Freemasonry as it emerged in England and Scotland as is evident in the Rose-Cross Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry.

Other groups related to the Rosicrucians were the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, The Martanist Order of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and the enigmatic Knights Templar.  In 1915 the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, or the Rosicrucian Order, was officially incorporated in the United States becoming of the modern incarnations of the Rosicrucian movement.  According to the AMORC, various historical persons were associated with Rosicrucianism including Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, René Descartes, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Francis Bacon and Aleister Crowley.

Spiritual Protection for the Paranormal Investigator

In the realm of paranormal investigation - particularly in the investigation of ghostly phenomena - spirituality and superstition often run side-by-side with scientific skepticism and critical reasoning.  More often than not, the paranormal investigator is forced to walk a thin line between the modern and ancient paradigms of human reality.  Whereas the paranormal investigator may want to remain skeptical, it is also important to have an understanding of the traditional views of spiritual existence.  Conversely, the investigator who is driven by a particular faith should also look to science and reasoning to lend credibility to religious concepts.

Skepticism is supremely important in the study of paranormal phenomena.  It is the extreme critical thinking of the paranormal community that will lend any credibility to claims of the extraordinary.  The well trained paranormal investigator will always seek out the simplest, most logical explanation to any claim of paranormal activity.  Suggesting a paranormal scenario is done only after ruling out all other more conventional possibilities.  In this way, even ardent skeptics will be more likely to consider findings of paranormal evidence.

However skeptical one may wish to remain, apprehension about the spiritual unknown may linger.  Fear of being harmed by an invisible entity is a reasonable concern if one is willing to entertain the idea of the existence of extraordinary, spiritual or ghostly beings.  The question may then be: how does the investigator protect himself or herself from possible paranormal harm without losing the skepticism which is so essential to paranormal research?

Consider this analogy:  You are camping in an area not known to have bears.  One local man says he may have seen a bear, but isn't quite sure.  Park rangers assure you that there are no bears in the region.  You may not necessarily believe the local man - but you may still want to bring your bear mace.  The same is true with paranormal investigation.  One can remain scientifically skeptical while at the same time taking precautions to be protected spiritually.

There are a variety of alleged dangers to be met while seeking out paranormal forces.  These can range from intimidation by an invisible entity to physical harm and even spirit possession.  It is important to remember that none of these dangers are scientifically proven to exist and that it is imperative for the investigator to maintain an open, yet skeptical mind.  It can be all too easy to "psych our selves out" or imagine some spiritual harm if we are not actively practicing our critical skepticism.  Whether or not these dangers are a reality is yet to be determined.  However, in the world of the paranormal, is always better to be safe than sorry.

Many investigators will agree that those who are the most fearful are often the first ones allegedly harmed by a spirit.  This may not be unlike a predatory animal attacking the weakest member of a herd first.  It may therefore be important to reduce fear and anxiety while investigating and maintain a strong, focused mind.  Some investigators may use the protection rituals of a particular faith, such as calling on the Archangel Michael for assistance.  Many may not feel such a thing is necessary.  Some, however, may want to use a spiritual protection, but do not know how.

The following practice is a simple visualization exercise based on my own experience as an Ordained Minister, a practitioner of Eastern and Western Esotericism and a student of various forms of spirituality.  The practice is designed to be employed by people of all and any faiths and "The Divine" is to be interpreted in accordance with one's own spiritual beliefs.  For those less spiritual or more scientifically oriented, practices like this can be thought of as a kind of psychosomatic self-suggestion to reduce anxiety in potentially paranormal situations.  In summary, practices like these can help one be less fearful of the unknown regardless of faith or spiritual orientation.  The following practice should be done prior to an investigation in a quiet and calm area.

Basic Spiritual Protection Visualization

• Close your eyes and take a moment to focus on your breathing.  Clear your mind.
• Say a short prayer silently asking the Divine for protection from any possible physical or spiritual dangers.
• Imagine a sphere of pure, white light surrounding your body.
• Take a moment to clearly visualize yourself at the center of the pure light sphere.
• Imagine a protective symbol - such as a Cross, Vajra, Star of David, OM Symbol or Pentagram -  made of iron outside of the sphere in front of you.
• See the iron symbol multiplying many times - surrounding the sphere of light -  forming a solid spiritual armor of iron and light.
• Take a moment to feel the protective power of this divine, impenetrable shield surrounding you on all sides.
• Give a short prayer of thanks to the Divine and slowly open your eyes.
• Allow the feeling of Divine Protection to stay with you throughout the investigation.

This practice can be personalized to fit the needs of the individual.  One may additionally choose to wear a pendant of the chosen protective symbol.  The incorporation of other traditional protective elements such as holy water, sea salt, talismans, protective herbs and religious images may also be employed.  

Whether or not one feels a practice like this is necessary for the paranormal investigator, few will argue against the notion that preparedness is the key to safety.  Keeping a first aid kit and cell phone handy is just as important as protective visualizations.  Being prepared for all possible dangers, be they mundane or spiritual, will increase the chances of a rewarding, successful and safe investigation. 

The Mystery of the Longyou Caves

In the summer of 1992, in Quzhou, China, a man set out to dispel a myth.  A local legend of the small village of Shiyanbei told that the ponds in the rural area were no ordinary ponds.  They were thought to be bottomless, inexhaustible water sources and were called by the villagers "The Unfathomable Swags."  Many in the village had attempted to measure the depth of the ponds without success.  The man, Wu Anai, had long had been curious about the ponds.  Were they indeed bottomless or were they, as Wu suspected, the surface of naturally eroded cave entrances?

With the help of three other villagers and several water pumps, Wu began to drain the water from the pond.  After three days of pumping, there appeared to be no end in sight.  It took a full 17 days to pump all the water out of one of the ponds.  While successfully proving that the pond did indeed have a bottom, the draining of the pond revealed an even more staggering mystery.  These were not simple, natural caves.  The bottom of the pond had man-made steles and a carved-stone staircase leading downward.  

What was eventually discovered was a massive complex of 24 underground grottoes carved into solid sandstone.  Each cave descends nearly 100 feet into the earth and many contain intricately carved columns, bridges, pool-like depressions and detailed murals.  The 24 separate caves do not seem to connect to each other, although all have identically matching parallel chiseling marks carved at precise angles.

The mysteries of the caves are vast.  It is estimated that over 1 million cubic meters of rocks had to have been removed for their construction.  This would have taken 1,000 people working 24 hours a day an approximated six years to complete - and this doesn't even take into account the engineering and artistic planning that would have been necessary.  The method of excavation is also perplexing. The uniform, parallel markings indicate a unique and laborious method of quarrying.

There is also the question of who may have built these unusual caves.  There are no records of the caves in any ancient Chinese manuscripts.  This is especially curious since the empires of China are known for meticulous record keeping.  Could these caves be the remains of an ancient, unknown Chinese civilization or is it possible the records of the caves have been destroyed by an Emperor who wouldn't have wanted his own accomplishments overshadowed?

Experts are still unsure what the purpose of the caves may have been.  Some have suggested that the caves were giant tombs for an Emperor, yet no funerary artifacts have been found.  Others have suggested that they were ancient palaces, but the open arrangement of the interior of the caves seems to contradict this idea.  Still others have postulated that the caves were military stations, but the length of time and detailed construction makes it unlikely that they were carved in preparation for war.   

Adding to the mystery, the caves seems to show no signs of corrosion despite being submerged in water for such a long time.  There are no signs of water damage, no dislodged rock piles and no evidence of damage from seismic movement or natural disasters.  How is it that these caves have the seemingly miraculous ability to defy the ravages of time?

The Longyou Caves remain a timeless mystery.  Were they built by ancient aliens?  Were they the product of an unknown, advanced civilization now long forgotten?  Whatever the origins, their legacy lives on in the minds of those who revel in the mysteries of our strange universe. 

The Curious Case of Elisa Lam

The following is not an urban legend. It is not a modern myth of nameless and faceless characters with vague details. What happened was quite real and tragic.  It is a mystery that has fascinated both paranormal and conventional researchers alike: The Curious Case of Elise Lam.

The Facts
Elise Lam, whose Cantonese name was Lam Ho Yi, was born on April 30th, 1991.  She was the daughter of Chinese immigrants David and Yinna Lam and a student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.  In January of 2013 she traveled to Los Angeles alone, visited regular tourist attractions and checked in the Cecil Hotel on January 28th.  She was reported missing on January 31st after failing to contact her family in Canada.  Three days before, she was moved from a shared,  hostel-style room into a single, private room due to exhibiting what her roommate had described as "odd behavior."

On February 19th, nearly five weeks after her disappearance, the body of Elise Lam was found floating in one of the Cecil Hotel's 1000 gallon water tanks.  The tanks were used to distribute water to the hotel and, after guests started complaining about discolored and foul smelling and tasting water, hotel personnel made the grim discovery. Her clothing and belongings were floating beside her.

A Haunting History

The Cecil Hotel had already had its share of macabre occurrences.  It has been nicknamed "The Suicide" in reference to the dozens of individuals who have taken their own lives there.  The reputation of the hotel is so widespread that it has since been renamed and rebranded as the "Stay on Main."

The Cecil has been the setting of an array of violent and tragic happenings.  The first recorded suicide on the premises was in 1931 when a man named W.K. Norton was found dead in his room, having ingested poison.  Since it's opening in 1927, over a dozen deaths have occurred at the Cecil Hotel including a woman who - not knowing she was pregnant - gave birth to a baby boy and proceeded to toss the newborn out of the hotel room window.

Murders and suicides were not the only dark things that have happened at the hotel.  Richard Ramirez, the serial killer known as "the Knight Stalker" is thought to have stayed at the Cecil Hotel while engaging in his killing spree in Los Angeles.  Another lesser known serial killer, Jack Unterweger - the Austrian man who was caught, imprisoned and then released in 1990 after having thought to be rehabilitated - stayed at the Cecil Hotel in 1991 where he strangled three prostitutes to death.  It is even said that Elizabeth Short, the subject of the still unsolved Black Dahlia murder, was drinking at the Cecil just days before she was killed. 

The Elevator Video

The last record of Lam alive is as disturbing as it is perplexing. A surveillance video shows Lam in an elevator at the Cecil Hotel.  In the video footage, Elise can be seen stepping in and out of an elevator, apparently speaking to someone and, in some instances, appears to be hiding.  She waves her arms, moves to and fro and side to side. She seems frantic, confused and afraid.  Even more strange, the elevator itself seems to be mysteriously malfunctioning as she pushes the buttons several times to no avail.

The Video footage was released by the police prior to the discovery of Lam's body after having no leads in her disappearance.  It has since been the subject of much paranormal speculation and a host of conspiracy theories.  Some even suggest the footage was doctored or created to cause misdirection in the case.

The Unexplained 
Much is still left unresolved regarding the death of Elise Lam.  It is still not known how she got to the roof of the hotel or entered the water tank.  The hotel staff would use large ladders to examine the inside of the tanks and it would have been near impossible for an individual to climb into the tank alone.  The lid of the tank would have been difficult for her to open , not to mention the fact that she would have had to pass through a locked and alarmed door to the roof.  She was naked when she was found, yet no other evidence of foul play was discovered.  The autopsy report suggested that her death was accidental, but it was later changed to say her cause of death was undetermined.

There is also the issue of what exactly is occurring in the elevator footage.  It seems probable that she could be hiding from an individual whom she suspects will do her harm.  However, her odd behavior seems to counter this idea along with the fact that she never telephoned the police for help.  Was she interacting with someone outside of the view of the camera?  Was she having a psychotic episode?

Another odd feature of this case is the eerie similarities to the 2005 horror movie Dark Water, a remake of a 2002 Japanese film.  The movie tells the story of a young girl, Natasha, who drowns in the water tank of an apartment building.  Her body is not immediately found and her death remains a mystery.  Her spirit then haunts new tenants of the apartment who eventually discover the young girls body.  The coincidences only become more disturbing.  The mother and daughter who move into the apartment after Natasha's death are named Dahlia and Cecilia.  Is this perhaps a prophetic reference to the Cecil Hotel and the murders which made it famous?  There is a scene in the movie of the child gaining access to a roof top door which was supposed to be locked and scenes of the ghosts of the dead specifically manifesting in the elevator of the apartment.  Both Natasha and Cecilia are in red, hooded coats, similar to the one Elise Lam can be seen wearing in the elevator footage.

Theories

Many alternative theories have been formed regarding the death of Elise Lam.  Some are plausible, such as the idea that Lam was pursued by an individual intent on harming her to whom she inevitably fell victim.  Some are much more extraordinary, such as the idea that Lam was haunted by a vengeful spirit of one the hotel's many victims, much like in the movie Dark Water.  Perhaps it was this wraith that Lam hid from in the elevator.

One theory involves a tuberculosis outbreak which was occurring near the Cecil Hotel at the time of Elise Lam's disappearance.  It is the name of the specific test for tuberculosis that raises questions: the LAM-ELISA Tuberculosis test kit.  According to this theory, Elise Lam was the victim of a controlled TB outbreak.  Supposedly, she was infected with the disease, killed and her body was deposited into the Cecil Hotel water tank as a means of distributing the disease to others.  But why would anyone want to spread TB?  The LAM-ELISA test was found to only be capable of detecting a little over 50% of tuberculosis cases and was only useful in detecting a specific form of TB.  It is thought that Elise was used to infect others with a form of TB that could be detected by the LAM-ELISA test in order to increase sales of the test, vaccines and medicines that could then be administered to prevent or cure it.  The LAM-ELISA test seems to have been developed prior to 2009.  Was this a long-con plot by the Illuminati?

Another, more otherworldly theory is that Elise Lam was playing the The Elevator Game. This "game," which seems to have originated in Korea, involves the systematic pressing of elevator buttons in a building of at least ten stories.  If the buttons are pressed in correct sequence, and all of the directions are followed, one finds themselves getting off at the tenth floor of the building and stepping foot into another dimension.  One aspect of the elevator game is a woman, presumably from the otherworld, who will board the elevator as well and has the potential to harm or even kill.  Was it this otherworldly woman that Elise was hiding from, frantically pressing elevator buttons in an attempt to reenter her own universe?

Conclusion
Elise Lam's odd behavior may have been caused by drugs prescribed to her for anxiety and depression.  Lam was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and had been prescribed Wellbutrin, Lamotrigine, Quetiapine and Effexor.  The contents of her social media accounts, while once cheerful, began to reflect her ever growing emotional struggle.

She could have been under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs or a sleeping aid, which could account for her bizarre behavior in the elevator.  Yet, no trace of drugs were found during her post mortem.

While researchers may never know what happened to Elise Lam that day, the case continues to inspire tellers of macabre stories and obsess paranormal investigators and internet would-be detectives.  One can only hope that those individuals remember that this was not a story of fantasy, but one that happened to a real young woman whose tragedy still looms in the heavy hearts of her friends and family.

Supernatural vs Paranormal: Which is correct?

Nomenclature is important in any area of research. Terms should be accurate descriptions of the phenomena they represent and, if the wording is inaccurate, it is essential to change it.

If the field of the study of unknown phenomena is to be taken seriously - if it is to be on par with other forms of scientific research - it needs to have accurate and appropriate terminology by which it is described.  Here, I wish to end a debate: is "supernatural" or "paranormal" a better term for the appearance of unexplained phenomena?

The answer is deceptively simple. One of these exists in reality, the other does not. One is a fantasy, one is a reality. One is an appropriate term, the other is not. The supernatural simple does not exist.

It is first important to break down these terms and understand exactly what they portray.  The term supernatural consists of two parts - super and natural.  The word super is from Latin meaning "over, above, in addition to or on top of."  Natural is defined as "existing as part of or determined by nature" with nature being "all existing phenomena in its entirety."  The term supernatural therefore refers to something that is above or outside of nature or something unnatural. This term is incorrect.

There is nothing that is truly unnatural.  Assuming for a moment - for the sake of this argument - that ghosts exist, their existence would not be "outside of nature" but would instead be a phenomena of nature which is not yet understood by human beings.  This would not be something unnatural, but instead would be something which redefines human understanding of what nature is.

The term "paranormal" is much more appropriate.  Para is from the Greek meaning "besides or next to." Normal is from norma, the Latin word for a craftsman's square and denotes "something that is usual, typical, or standard."  Something paranormal is therefore something that is outside of typical experience.  This is an accurate term for currently unexplained phenomena.

There is nothing that is supernatural as this term ignores exactly what is meant by the word nature, being the whole of existence. There are, however, those things which are paranormal, which are rarely observed and which are currently not understood by human intellect.  It is for this reason that it is suggested that those in the community of study of unknown phenomena should abandon entirely the word "supernatural" and adopt the term "paranormal" to accurately describe that which is studied by the community.

Our Solar System's Alien Visitor

In October of 2017 our solar system had an alien visitor.  What was first called a comet, and then an asteroid was finally determined to be the first interstellar body of it's kind that human beings have witnessed.  This was an object, floating through space, from another solar system.

The object was named "Oumuamua," a Hawaiian word which means "a messenger from the past."  The object was discovered by the PAN-STARRS1 survey which is the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System.  PAN-STARRS1 is a system for wide-field astronomical imaging which was developed by the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.

Oumuamua is estimated to be 755ft - 3,281ft x 115ft - 548ft x 115ft - 548ft.  It is dark-red in color and is literally alien, having not originated in our solar system.  The oddest thing about the interstellar object is it's unusual acceleration and a Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics research paper has recently suggested that it may not only be alien, but could be an artificially designed, extraterrestrial probe.

The researchers speculate that, due to the unusual acceleration of Oumuamua, it may be a lightsail - a type of spacecraft propulsion system that uses radiation pressure from sunlight on large mirrors to create a "wind sail" type effect.  Although many in the scientific community are skeptical that the object known as the "messenger from the past" could be an alien spacecraft, the open-mindedness and acceptance of the alien intelligence hypothesis of the researchers is refreshing.  As I, myself, am a researcher who always tries to balance my extranormal thinking with logic and reason - and my reason and logic with extranormal thinking - I see this as a great milestone for science and paranormal researchers alike.