How does the African shell oracle work? Which shells are needed for it and is the oracle technique difficult to learn? This quesstion is from Howard from Brighton.

When using the so-called cowrie oracle, African oracle diviners are working according to an ancient tradition, the roots of which can be found in Ancient Egypt.

Cowries are a particular type of small shell. These shells were used in the past as currency and even nowadays represent wealth, material comfort, success, fortune and blessings.

These legendary cowrie shells can be used to ask questions about what the future holds. They also assist in decision-making, give yes-no answers and also help you discover your own personal lucky number. The process is traditionally very precisely laid down, but still very simple. In spite of its simplicity, cowrie divination is never a game, on the contrary – cowries are divine objects, through which God can speak to us.

Created: 09:27 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Card readings  |  Comments [1]

Paula form Glasgow has this question: It is apparently possible to make the voices of the deceased audible using a cassette recorder or recording equipment. How is this done, and is the recorded voice just our imagination or is it a real paranormal phenomenon?

In 1959, the Swedish painter and opera singer Friedrich Jürgenson noticed when listening to a recording that there were strange voices in the background calling him by his name and saying things that only he could have known about. From this moment on, he devoted his time to researching what came to be known as electric voice phenomena (EVP) culminating in the publication of his book “Voices from Space”.

The subject was at the height of its popularity in the seventies and haunted every branch of the media. The only equipment required was a cassette recorder, a microphone and a radio. The radio was set to medium volume and tuned to the white noise between two stations. Then the microphone was picked up, the cassette recorder switched to record, and the question was spoken into the microphone followed by a pause of ten seconds or so. Then the tape was played back; with luck, voices could be detected over the white noise of the radio which was left on during the recording.

Created: 10:24 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Current questions  |  Comments [0]

What is a “cobbler’s globe“, and how is it used?


The cobbler’s globe is a clear, water-filled glass, globular in shape, which was in use before the introduction of electric lights to increase the strength of light by the concentration of a diffuse light source. The diffuse light from a gas or oil lamp was focused on one spot in order to improve illumination of a workspace. Cobblers, in particular, favoured the use of these globes. Hans Bender, who was the first Professor of Parapsychology in Freiburg, was a well-known user of the cobblers’ globe.

Created: 06:01 PM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Clairvoyance  |  Comments [0]

Mark from Kent wants to know: Do any other numbers have a special significance, apart from 13, which is said to bring bad luck?

In the tradition of Judaeo-Christian interpretation, certain numbers were held to be mystical. Here is a brief description:

2 and 3 = divine numbers

4 = Christ’s number (the 4 evangelists)

6 = 2 times 3 = the devil’s number, likewise "666"

7 = intellectual gifts, the number of branches on a candelabra

12 = the number of tribes of Israel, number of minor prophets, number of disciples

13 = number of participants at the last supper; Judas’ number, unlucky number

40 = divine number; "40 years" is often used to mean "a very long time".

1,000 and 10,000 = used in general to mean “a very large number".


These numbers are often used in the Bible to indicate special events; they appear in part to have been later adapted to provide members of the culture group of the time with additional signals underlining the real significance of a particular story.

Created: 10:58 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Current questions  |  Comments [0]

On the issue of problems within a relationship, the term one increasingly comes across is “family constellations”. What happens in a family constellation workshop, how does it work and has its effect been proven?

Family constellation work, a method developed by Bert Hellinger, is now also offered by countless other practitioners, among them psychologists, psychotherapists and naturopaths. A typical session runs like this: from the assembled group of people - not necessarily known to her/him - the client chooses representatives for her/his father, mother, siblings, and other family members, if appropriate. Then s/he places these people intuitively within the room in the “correct” position.

The family members so constellated – from this comes the term “family constellations” – now begin to express their feelings. This way a “family soul” is created. Participants report that the constellated people inexplicably assume the feelings and mannerisms of the real family members, supposedly by empathising with the social situation. Unhealthy “entanglements” with ancestors and relatives, and healing “solutions for the souls” of the children should now come to light and, with the guidance of the therapist, alleviating and clarifying attitudes and positions can be worked out.

How does it work? The assumption is that the client already knows the answer to her/his conflict and problems, but through the constellation work they can emerge from the unconscious and be brought to the surface, to consciousness.

The method is controversial, but there are certainly reports of success; the professional approach of the therapist is of decisive importance.

Created: 10:57 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Astrology  |  Comments [0]

Rick from Ispwitch has this question: Where does the figure of a pentagram actually come from? What is its historical and modern significance? Why is it sometimes shown with the point upwards and sometimes downwards; is that just random or is significant too?

The pentagram is a five-pointed star with equal angles, entwined. The pentagram was much-valued in antiquity as a health-giving symbol. In the course of time, it became used more and more for defence against demons: both by witches and wizards, and also by the church.
If the tip of the pentagram points upwards, it represents a symbol for luminous power. Satanic cults, who have dealings with dark forces, make their intentions clear by standing the pentagram (and the Cross) the other way up, i.e. on its tip, so that the positive magic is turned into negative magic. The pentagram remains one of the most potent protective symbols in magic. 

Created: 04:03 PM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Clairvoyance  |  Comments [0]

Martha from London asks: Is it true that such animals as lucky cats (cats with special fur markings which were taken on ship voyages, for instance, to ward off accidents or shipwreck) do exist?

A cat with three colours in its coat is said to be lucky. Cat breeders use the term tricolor to describe such coats or, in the case of Persians or Persian mixes, (cream, red and black markings), tortoiseshell. Lucky cats are almost always female, because the colour is determined by the gender. If a male tortoiseshell is ever born, it is usually sterile. Due to their colouring, lucky cats are usually attributed with being friendly, well-balanced, outgoing and particularly patient. In the colonial era, lucky cats were taken along on marine voyages as they were supposed to prevent disaster. Miaow.

Created: 06:31 PM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Current questions  |  Comments [0]

Maggie from Liverpool wants to understand, what "Black magic" stands for.

The term black magic includes all types of magic which do harm to people or the environment. Examples of black magic are: causing bad weather (lightning, hail, storms), impotence or illness to humans or cattle, or crop damage, the latter not infrequently resulting in famine.
In witchcraft text books of the early modern period, the practice of black magic with the devil’s help was seen as a skill of witches and wizards. White magic rituals were said to provide protection. In legal parlance acts of black magic are referred to as “attempt with insufficient means”.

Created: 11:06 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Current questions  |  Comments [1]