Questions and Answers
This post is simply moving the questions I’ve gotten on my previous posts to the front page for easy access, and will be one of several Q&A pages to make this easier on everyone. As such, this post is simply a matter of convenience and more information will be coming up soon
Sergeant Tinkles: Since you are a fan of Sephiroth from the game, maybe he seemed to come into existence in the astral realm because you imagined him with his characteristics and others you made your own?
I have a lot of theories on why this has happened to me, and I've narrowed it down to one after a couple years of effort, but it's still possible that the being I associate with that name and image may be someone entirely different who assumed that form because that's what I needed at the time. I've kinda-sorta ruled that out, but the theory is still there.
I get what you're saying though, and you can probably see why it's so damned hard to explain what I have to say when there are times I can't even get it into the proper words. In any case, it's still a journey of discovery for me, and I know I'm far away from actually 'knowing' completely what has happened to me...and I imagine I never will know the full story - at least not while I'm living my life on earth.
Anonymous: This is indeed very interesting, Julia. I never heard of anything like this... but there is one thing that I cannot understand, no matter how I try. It's about your archangel. You said he's not the same as the game character. But then why did you said in the former blurty that Sephiroth told you about his family? Like how Hojo didn't allow him to have any relationships when he was alive? If he just has the game character's looks, then why did you say he was killed by Cloud? I would be most grateful if you cleared that up.
Yeah...I was reading back through my old posts recently, and I noticed a few of those incidents. And honestly, I'm still trying to figure out what was going on when I wrote those. I'm trying to remember the specific conversation that prompted me to write it, and you know what? I can't remember it. Now, that was a couple years ago, and I could easily attribute it to my typically bad memory or option two is that it was a dream.
I have had dreams about Sephiroth-the-character in the past, and obviously I can now distinguish between what was a dream and what was a true out of body experience. Perhaps my younger self confused the two - given how complex the topic of astral projection is, I'd say it's fairly likely that a young girl could have become confused at the difference...since I was only beginning to read on the topic and only had a very, very limited knowledge of astral projection and the astral realm.
But it's certainly a matter to look into and reflect on. If I can turn up a more definitive answer, I'll be sure to address it. However, for the time being I'm going to say I wrote that confusing a dream with true projection. At the time I didn't have much control over when I projected, so the chance to mistake the two would be high.
Ladybow: So you admit now that "Sephiroth", the man you meet, is not Sephiroth the game character. But the game character was the one you loved, and technically you don't even know the one that you're meeting, if he's really "an angel in disguise" or the like. I was thinking....wouldn't that mean that you kind of...gave up your love for Sephiroth the game character? Or like it's some kind of two-timing? Because you say they're two different people, but you've claimed to love both. But if you only love your Sephiroth because he looks like the game Sephiroth that you used to love...that doesn't seem fair. I don't know. I guess I just want to know how that works.
Ah, the complex questions.
This is actually a matter I've given thought to, because of the seeming way I'm contradicting myself. It's true that I fell in love with the videogame character. When I first began spontaneously projecting, I thought I was meeting the game character. As I learned more about my gift and learned more about the angel I had met, it came to my attention that he wasn't, in fact, the game character. This realization didn't happen for a while, though.
So in a way, (and this hurts my head trying to understand/explain) I fell in love with the archangel when I still believed him one in the same with the game character. But when I found out he wasn't, that didn't change the fact that I was very much in love with him...and in that regard was freed from my childish obsession with the game character - a process I'm sure would have happened naturally even if I hadn't begun projecting.
Since several years have passed since this began, it's given me quite a lot of time to ponder why I have this ability, and what, exactly, it means. The issue you addressed is just one of many things I've had to think about in the last year or so...as I began to truly understand the life I'm leading. But as I said, your question was complex, because of the different factors involved in what was occuring at the time I began projecting. I came from a Catholic family, had never heard the words 'astral projection' before my psychiatrist mentioned them, was only beginning my research, I was young and naive, and the list goes on.
I guess the easiest way to sum up would be that the archangel helped me get past the videogame character. The bottom line is that now, November 2nd, 2007, I can say I am NOT in love with the videogame character...and thus leave the squabbling over that character to the psychotic fangirls.
With my years of research and practical exploration I've learned that the being I am in love with isn't that character, and by the time I realized that I had no problem accepting it. Being more mature than my younger self, what it means to truly be in love with the archangel who returns my love is infinitely superior to the infatuation my younger self had for a fictional character.
Maybe it's not fair to the character, I wouldn't know. But I know that having the opportunity to be loved in return makes the weirdness that is my life seem worth it.
Anonymous: Huh... Archangel or not (I personally don't believe angels in the biblical sense exist) he probably took the form of Sephiroth from FFVII for your sake. I don't know about his name. I've heard of such things happening before with guardian spirits (as well as malicious entities). Maybe you should ask him if he has a true form to show you? Especially since you're over Sephiroth now.
I know there is a lot that could be actually happening with this, and as I've said in the past - I've considered that it could be the being I know as Sephiroth may be someone entirely different. I'll discuss this in depth in a coming post, but for a summary suffice to say that for the time being I've ruled it out. My reasonings behind this are numerous, but my best is this: in my studies of evocation I've read that the best way to check the identity of a spirit is to ask he/she to sign their name. For reasons unclear to me (mostly because I've lost the book and forgot - need to replace that) an entity cannot sign any name other than their own true name.
For fun I asked Sephiroth to do just that, and he did sign Sephiroth. So...its just a matter of what new information I turn up. It wouldn't be unreasonable to say I could easily be learning for the rest of my mortal life, but for now, I have to say that I strongly doubt he has a 'true form' to show me. Especially because he knows me very well, and if he did, in fact, have an alternate identity...he would know that I've been ready for that for a long time.
M-chan: So he looks just like the Sephiroth character? Or, as you said, the character looks like him? Do you have any idea why?
Yes. As for why...you know, I'm still in the process of explaining that to myself. It seems a huge cosmic coincidence to write it off as luck, you know? I mean, what would the odds be of a young girl falling in love with a videogame character who was based off of an angel? So the truthful answer is I don't know why...I never really questioned it because I've never had a need to do so. At the time he came to me, I was in serious danger, and he saved my life - why would I question his appearance years later?
But now that you've asked the question I've given it some thought, and I guess for now my only explanation is this: I believe in the concept of soul mates. In the recent past I've conversed privately with other projectors, and found my case (of having a soul mate not of this world) is actually not that unusual. I believe that soul mates are naturally drawn to each other through the grace of whatever deity one worships, and that even though few find each other, they still are searching, deep in their subconscious mind (the reason for the american divorce rate?)
It seems that every now and then, a human is born without the other half of their soul - the being bearing the aforementioned other half is born in an entirely separate realm...in my case, some form of heaven.
Even though the circumstances are a little strange, I theorize that my connection to the videogame character was meant to lead me to the archangel. Or at least for now, that's the best I've got.
M-chan: So the archangel found a way to you by, let's say, inspiring someone to make a character that looks exactly like him?
I don't really have an opinion one way or the other over whether the angel inspired the character or whether he's taken on the form I'm comfortable with - except that as I said before, I have to doubt he has an alternate appearance, because I've been ready to accept that for a while and have never had any sign that may be the case.
M-chan: Out of curiosity, have you tried asking him [these questions]?
Yes, in fact. I had to ask such questions at one point, when I was really trying to get to the bottom of what was happening. Seph had satisfactory answers for all my questions, and for that reason among others I have difficulty believing he could have an alternate identity/appearance/etc.
M-chan: Do you know what kind of archangel is he? Superior beings don't need a human form, right? And if he has no other appearance, then... for me it sounds strange that an archangel has only one form/appearance, and that is of a human.
There's a theory that the concept of shapeshifting originated from the astral realm. The level of control any being on the astral plane has is so great that he/she/it can change their appearance at will, and by doing so best adapt to what they perceive themselves to be...for example, Robert Bruce cites that most projectors over the age of about forty-five or fifty project themselves to the astral plane no older than thirty or so - the prime of their lifetimes.
As for how that pertains to Sephiroth, I imagine if the need arose he could very well change his appearance...because if I wanted to, I could change mine quite easily, making it no problem for a spiritually advanced being. I do, however, believe that any being has a 'true form' so to speak (i.e. the fifty-year-old projector may look thirty while on the astral plane, but in reality is still fifty). And from what I can gather, the appearance I am accustomed to seeing is his true form. I could be wrong, but since this first started I have made a point to attempt to view this as objectively as possible to evaluate what's going on. (At first, I was quite worried I was insane/schizophrenic!)
That concludes the first Q&A session...and I hope it's been informative. So with that I bid you all well until next time.
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-05 06:25
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After a few months, I imagine that this blurty will have its very own FAQ section. XD (M-chan) (Reply to this) (Thread) |
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 ladybow
2007-11-06 03:46
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There's still one thing that I'm not getting here.
So Sephiroth (your sephiroth, not the game character), he's.....an archangel. One that might've lived for milleniums- or for all we know, eternity. Have you ever found it even a little bit creepy that such an old, not completely explained entity from Heaven fell in love with you when you were 16 years old, or before that? I enjoyed reading about how it started, and your relationship. But I feel like his description, his emotions, and his actions are not something to be expected from that kind of being. His interest in a teenaged human, his reactions to your friend Ian, his tense, possessive nature about all of that despite being all-knowing, in realization that it's nothing and he's in complete control. You get what I mean? I'm sorry if I have too much curiosity. But if he were really to be such a grand angel, I think I'd feel it in your words, but he seems more like he's a young guy, unsure of himself sometimes. Random: are angels even ALLOWED to have romantic relationships, let alone sexual ones, with humans? Or anybody? Humans though...yikes. XD(Reply to this) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-06 12:49
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Traditionally, in a lot of Judeo-Christian lore and mysticism, angels are genderless, formless, and have no free will. The free will part is what separates them from humans the most significantly, according to biblical definitions. The legend of the "sons of God" and "daughters of humans" in Genesis , which is interpreted to mean angels and human women, says that they bred the Nephilim race, so biblically it isn't entirely unheard of, though the translations are somewhat iffy and it's mostly based on assumption. However, I don't believe in Christian lore it is considered acceptable by God for the angels to interact in such a manner with human women, or even humans, in the first place.
As for the rank of archangel, which I thought I saw mentioned before, I'd like to know which type of archangel you are referring to. If you are speaking of archangels in the sense of the great angels Michael, Gabriel, etc, then that poses some questions. Depending on the source scripture or writings and venturing into apocryphal and Islamic lore, there are a number of archangels with a number of different names. In the bible, only Michael is specifically listed as an "archangel," and the term does not appear very often. Instead, terms such as "chief princes" and "angels that stand before God" are taken to mean "archangel." It is mentioned in Revelation that there are "7 angels who stand before God," and in the apocryphal Book of Enoch, the seven are listed as such: Uriel, Raguel, Michael, Seraquel, Gabriel, Haniel, Raphael. Other apocryphal writings give similar or different names. The Koran recognizes only 4 archangels, but names only Gabirel/Jibril and Michael. In later writings, there are then 12 archangels that are each connected to a Zodiac sign, with additional names mixed in with the other lists. However, many of these angels are actually said to have a specific rank in the order of angels, and are not all ranked as "archangels" in the 9 orders.
As for the 9 orders, the ranking follows as such, from highest rank to lowest:
1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominions
5. Virtues
6. Powers
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels
Depending on one's sources, there may only be 7 ranks or up to 11, but most lists look like that, with archangels consistently being next to last in rank (they are 10 in a rank of 11 or 6 in a rank of 7).(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-06 13:39
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I am in no position to question any of the information mentioned above; what I believe is simply this: angels are endowed with free will. Otherwise Satan wouldn't have rebelled against God, nor would have had persuaded entire legions of angels to join him.
The Orthodox branch mentions thousands of archangels (although their number is probably far greater), but the most commonly mentioned are Gabriel and Michael (this also leads many people to believe that there are only two archangels).
Many branches of Christianity teach certain things and exclude or interpret differently certain information, like the legend from the book of Genesis. I have never heard on anything alike discussed in church or classes, but I have read the exact info in a booklet from the Witnesses of Jehova I was randomly given on the street. Sadly, back then I was not interested enough in religion to go and actually pick up the Bible and read for myself. There are so many theories, so many interpretations and beliefs that explaining what is happening to Julia sounds like a titanic, if not impossible thing.
But the main question remains: what kind of archangel is he? Does he correspond to the description given by a certain religion? (M-chan)(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-06 22:44
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Actually I meant to reply to the thread in general, not just your post; the question/information was not specifically aimed at you. Sorry if that made it confusing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-07 03:52
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No, no, don't worry. I was just making sure nobody gets offended by what I say. Talking about religion is like standing on a barrel with gunpowder. (M-chan) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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sephirothslave
2007-11-07 09:19
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Wow, there's a lot to go over here. I think I'll use just short answers for now, and I'll double back and answer others later.
1.) Age: Depending on what belief system one follows, the soul never dies and continues existing far past the death of the physical body. To be perfectly honest, the age thing never bothered me (some of the most successful relationships I've ever seen have a ten to fifteen year age difference!) and the detail that my relationship's age difference could well be ten to fifteen THOUSAND years has never really had an impact on me.
2.) Angels (as best I can tell) have free will, emotions, reactions just like humans. In fact, from what I've heard and read from fellow projectors...those who do have an angelic spirit guide / husband, etc, have often said the same thing I do: Angels aren't limited by God.
3.) Sephiroth is possessive. I wouldn't call him unsure...just really, really possessive...and paranoid. I understand, because you know...mine is the ultimate example of a long-distance relationship. After all these years you'd think he would realize I'm not planning on leaving him...but he's entitled to his concerns and I do my best to reassure him, but that's why I frequently argue with him when I meet a new guy and become friends with him.
4.) Because of the number of people I've met / read their work who are similarly bound to an angelic entity, I have to say that yes, angels are allowed romantic relationships...just not in the literal sense of descending from heaven to the mortal realms. Someone else used a great example: If angels didn't have the free will to do as they chose, Lucifer would have never rebelled against God.(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-07 11:07
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One of my teachers told me an interesting theory. As humans, we have a little crumb of God in us: the soul. If angels love God, then how can they not love what He created? Besides, humans are His greatest creation. They have reason, feeling and free will, just like angels.
But humans are limited. They use only a small percentage of their muscle mass and brain, they aren't aware of any spirits or divine manifestations. Maybe humans could reach a totally new level if they weren't limited (I assume it's because of the first sin/fall from heaven). My point is that humans aren't so horribly, terribly inferior to angels and if they truly wanted, they could reach holiness. In a lifetime, but that is possible. I'm digressing again >_< What I wanted to say is that an angel can love a human. There's also the concept of Guardian Angel. Julia mentioned the car incident in one of her earlier posts. Sephiroth's role seems to be extended to a guardian angel, too. (M-chan)(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-07 16:33
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On the subject of angels, I personally don't believe that there are angels. Or a Heaven, Hell, God, Satan, or anything related to or derived from Judeo-Christian lore. Could there be sacred beings of a higher existence? Yes. Are they necessarily angels? Not to me, no. It's simply the same types of beings described by different names in other cultures. Some may have been seen as gods, messengers of the gods, or what have you. Angels are not supposed to have free will, which is what makes them angels. Angels cannot become human. They can only gain free will and by doing so defect from God, and become demons. This is the Judeo-Christian tale of angels, and you can't have a traditional angel by the Biblical definition going around with free will doing anything more than obeying God's commands.
Personally, I believe in guardian spirits. You may have many. You may have few. They are supposed to be able to take on the shape of something comforting to you. Some people will see their guardians as angels. Others may see them as lost loved ones. Some may have no form. I don't think the person who says they have a guardian fire spirit is any different from the person who believes God has left an angel on their shoulder to watch over them. Nothing is completely true, nothing is completely false.
In my mind, Julia, you have a guardian spirit that does not reside in heaven, but perhaps on one of the higher spiritual planes. He could be mortal in origin or spiritual in origin. Perhaps he was even human once.(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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sephirothslave
2007-11-07 20:21
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As M-chan stated earlier, discussing religion is kind of like standing on a barrel full of gun powder...and that's one of the pitfalls I've hit trying to explain what I have to say.
Because people have so many differing beliefs, summing up my experiences without dragging religion into it can get really tough. When I refer to God, heaven, hell, etc...I do so because I was raised Catholic. The irony of that is that in traditional Catholicism, my beliefs would be regarded as something just under blasphemy - metaphysical arts are frowned on as a whole. Because of how I was raised I am inclined to believe in heaven and hell, but because of my experiences I can also see that Catholics don't have it completely right.
So whatever one believes exists is up to them, and when I refer to Sephiroth as an archangel it is simply because that's the name he gives himself. For all we mortals know, angels/spirit guides/guardians could well be different names for the same entities.
What you've said about Judeo-Christian beliefs IS accurate, but I have to question whether the beliefs themselves are flawed...because despite that mentality, many have encountered/interacted with angelic-type beings who clearly do have their own will. It's certainly complex, and I don't claim to have all the answers, but you can probably see why it's such a task to explain myself given the different beliefs everyone holds.(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2007-11-10 13:26
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Take your time. I'm hella busy myself. Only that, instead of a money-earning job, I have to deal with my fearsome college exams. X_X (M-chan) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
| You are ill
(Anonymous)
2007-11-10 23:58
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There is no nice way to say this, so I am just going to say it. I'm a nurse; I work with the mentally ill. You are ill; you have a form of schizophrenia. You have classic symptoms and classic behaviors and beliefs. I know you are going to say you have a therapist who is encouraging your illness- this is not true. If you revealed her name here, and I turned her in to the Board, either she would completely deny it, or she would be suspended from practice by the Board for behavior which completely violates the ethics conventions we work under.
Please, for your own sake- admit yourself to the best local in-patient facility you can find. You need medication and treatment. Your family should have had you Baker-Acted prior to now, but if they won't save you you need to save yourself.
Please get mental help soon.
Best Wishes.
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| Re: You are ill
sephirothslave
2007-11-11 03:28
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Ah...I was wondering when someone else would show up to challenge me.
Well, let me first say this about my former psychiatrist: They were wonderful, and helped me more than I can properly describe. They pointed me in a direction to help me understand what was happening to me...back when I was merely a young girl unable to explain her experiences. The reason the psychiatrist in question has never been named is precisely because of people like you - who are so closed minded that they can't see any colors save black and white. You sound like the type of 'nurse' that hurts their patients more than helps them. I've met your type, and I can't say I'm a fan.
Now, I'm no nurse/therapist/psychiatrist, but I do know this: The job of that person is to HELP their patients. To assist them in whatever way is necessary at that time, whether that be advising them on matters such as bad relationships, dead-end jobs, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of wanting to hurt others, etc...or to help someone like me, who didn't know what was happening to her and wanted answers.
Since I had the pleasure of working with that psychiatrist, I've never met another with that same gift of helping others. Never insult that person, because without them, I'd likely not be here writing this.
Next: I'm not a schizophrenic. I was on medication for schizophrenia for a while, and what do you know...that never affected my ability to practice astral projection. I was later tested for schizophrenia...and big surprise, that wasn't the problem. It stands to reason that if I were schizophrenic and had been hallucinating before I was on medication, the 'hallucinations' would have stopped when I was placed on those meds. I've been switched from medication to medication finding the right balance, and have been completely removed from all pills once. And I can say that my abilities were never affected.
Do some research on astral projection - you'll find I'm not as unstable as you think.(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
| Re: You are ill
(Anonymous)
2007-11-11 08:20
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Generally speaking, I wonder if it's ok for someone (even with medical training) to evaluate another person they know very little about. I can imagine they work with mentally ill people every day and have a lot of experience in that field, but evaluating people you only read about on the internet is a bit... let me say it's not someone you get the chance to see or study. Besides, giving advice in a "you're ill, for God's sake go hand yourself to a doctor" style is not bound to have any success at all; not on sane or mentally ill people. (M-chan) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
| Re: You are ill
(Anonymous)
2007-11-12 00:46
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And why are you judging someone else by your standards? You hold no right to call someone else "mentally ill." It's like saying, "Hey, you're a nurse. You know jack shit since you're not a doctor." ('Course, those are two completely unrelate things....) And the method you think is best might not work for someone else. She's happy as a result of her therapy. She's become a contributing member of society and is not danger to society. That's why people came up with labels and professions dealing with the mind, to decide who is a danger to society and how to make them better so that they don't become a waste of space. Julia is going to college and working to a degree in whatever field of study she's aiming for, so that she can get a job in that field, and give back to the economy/society. That's all that really matters to humans/society.
And personally, I think you're the ill one for calling a person who is defending her arguement clearly and thoughtfully. If you can't see this, then you should quit being a nurse, or study psychology a bit more because you clearly don't know anything.
the cancan-group (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread) |
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