Happy YULE ..... Merry Christmas

To all my wonderful friends I bid you all the brightest and happiest YULE and may 2012 bring you all that you desire (within reason - don't be greedy)

Robert Sigl

Films such as Laurin, School's Out, Hepzibah and others along with great mini series such as Ghost Hunter John Sinclair, The Investigator and LEXX - The Series to name a few, have been works that not only grabbed audience's attention but is left embedded in one's mind to talk about years later.

I remember watching LEXX and thought how wonderful and entertaining it was - (Malcolm Mcdowell being one of my favourite actors) though in honest truth never thought to credit the director for his work (sorry about that Robert) It wasn't until I saw the film School's Out did I start recognizing Mr Sigls work. I wasn't a fan just yet but once Hepzibah was released, he reeled me in and now I have been trying to get my hands on most of his achievements.

Sigl has the power to direct you into a a dark realm filled with suspense and fright without the over indulgence of blood and gore (Schools Out being an exception). He leaves you with a sense of dread and that feeling of some strange presence lurking behind you and as the final credits roll, you just sit there, mesmerized as the film you have just watched repeats in your mind. Am I over exaggerating? No, not at all. I am sure you will find others who will tell you the same thing. 

Hepzibah - Aka The Village (2010) with the lovely Eleanor Tomlinson is a film that shows Robert at his best giving the viewers a taste of mystery, thrills and scares.

In 1987 came the film Laurin, a haunting movie about a mysterious little girl whose life is filled with strange and dark secrets. Filmed in Hungary, Laurin was awarded the Bavarian Award for best direction of a newcomer to the film industry - an award to be proud of at the age of 25!!!

Not only are there elements of surprise and dread, Sigl takes the audience a step further in the field of fright but it is not just the scare tactics he uses to make the scenes compellingly frightening but the suggestions that cause controversy is his form of drawing people in. We all know the saying,"Curiosity killed the cat" and as humans, we are drawn to curiosity and want to know more before we step away and begin criticizing what we had just witnessed.  (This I know as my book had that effect with some people.)

The Spider, Malcolm Mcdowell as the main character has already caused some controversy, and the film is still in production! The movie takes you to Istanbul where a student and his family have relocated. A series of horrific events take place  and an ancient tomb is unearthed. Possession, murder, reincarnation, sex, it's all there including elements which may cause that "controversy" to shine out into the media. Well, that's ideal if it does come to that, just proves the impact the film has made on the public, and the publicity - good or bad is always a positive thing. 

The way I see it, whether you are a writer, director, producer actor etc, one can not make the whole world happy. 

There is always going to be some type of negativity come your way, but a person who is not afraid to show what he is all about: gutsy, adventurous, open minded, you are sure to get a few surprises and shocks and that makes entertainment. Unfortunately there are people who read too much in what they see and can't spend an hour and a half to melt into a world of fiction and enjoy creativity, escape from the mundane and be part of a world where people are giving you a chance to share their artistry.

"The 13th Disciple" is another that will bring gasps of shock. Jesus's evil twin brother! How tasteful is that? And I really mean tasteful! Wow, never would I have thought of such an idea for a film. Just love it! It's a fantasy adventure filmed in India compromising of Indian actors where 2 German archaeologists look for evidence that Jesus visited India . They uncover that Jesus had an evil twin brother who has reincarnated as a head of a religious sect.

Robert Sigl, an underground film maker, a Hollywood blockbuster or a general entertainer, who brings to you gothic scares, science fiction humour, shocking and disturbing plots, however you look at him, he has a genre of his own and I for one give his work much credit. There is passion in what he does and for a man who enjoys sharing his talent should be respected and I am sure he is respected by most people.




I have been entertained and always walk away satisfied. I look forward to more of his work. 

All photos that appear on this blog are presented here under the

authorization of Robert Sigl. 

Visit Roberts blog at:

 http://www.robert-sigl.com

Superstitions - The Origins

BLACK  CATS

Black cats are considered bad luck especially when one crosses your path. The old days, a woman possessing a black cat was considered to be a witch. Christians who wanted others to convert told stories about black cats and how they were demons searching for souls. A black cat crossing your path is an omen of bad signs to come, an enemy casting a curse on you. Again, this was a witch's doing. Another tale regarding a black cat crossing your path meant it had created a wall to prevent you from entering heaven.

THE NUMBER 13

has many beliefs: Good and bad luck. Some hotels don't have a room 13, office blocks never went further than 12 floors and there are some where the 13th floor just doesn't exist; you went directly from 12 to the 14th floor.

Judas was considered to be the 13th guest at the last supper and was not one of the disciples. A witches coven contained 13 members. Originally there were 13 months in a year. These opened up gates to bad omens and people started believing that by having the number 13 would see them a bleak future. Another interesting find is that the clock - as we now know it has 12 numbers. When daylight savings arrives we turn the clock an hour forward. Sundials were used to show the time and due to the day being longer, people couldn't understand why there was this change and then started to believe that the Gods had granted them an extra hour of daylight - therefore a thirteen hour clock.

LADIES FIRST

This doesn't come under superstition but wanted to add it because I find it quite interesting. As men, we are in a habit of being respectful to women - opening doors for them, letting them go first and so on. Well, sad to say that the origin of "Ladies First" is not how we perceive it today. In fact men these days are being rude to let ladies go first!

Throughout history, men always entered houses first or were the ones to shield a woman from any trouble. To let a woman go first signalled that if any sort of danger was ahead, she would be the one to confront it first, therefore when we open the door for a woman, whatever is behind that door, she would be hit with it first. So in respect, as men we are not being rude to walk out of the elevator first, enter a restaurant first etc. We are protecting our women against anything strange that may be lurking around the corner.

FRIDAY 13th

The dreaded day the comes every now and then. Why are people so superstitious about this day? Well, it is said that Jesus was crucified on a Friday and on the day of the last supper (as stated above) there were 13 people. The Knights Templar were "assassinated" took place on Friday 13.
It is said that Eve tempted Adam on a Friday and the great flood happened on a Friday though there is no mention of it being Friday 13 but many people assume this. Gathering together as a group of 13 on a Friday will result in the death of one of the guests.

WALKING UNDER AN LADDER

Why do we avoid walking under a ladder? Because it's bad luck! This superstition came about in the times when witches were being hung. It is said that once a witch is hung, her curse lingers near the body and anyone close to it's proximity would be cursed. Not too sure what the ladder signified but other tales state that as it formed a triangle, the soul was caught between the ladder and the gallows therefore to be in contact or under the ladder (in the triangle) would cause the witch's soul to pass the curse. In later times, the story of the ladder creating a triangle (by it resting on a wall). The triangle represents the Holy Trinity and by stepping underneath it, you are interfering with its power which would bring bad luck.

CEMETERIES


People hold their breath when passing a cemetery because a recently departed soul may be inhaled. As living souls, we have and create energy which spirits need to manifest or grow strong. They can sense us when we pass a cemetery and so many would love to get a chance to taste life again. So, take a deep breath when passing the dead, you wouldn't want to take home a departed soul, would you?


There are so many superstitious beliefs which can be found on the internet. These are only a few and there are so many interpretations as to the meaning, of these "old wives tales"

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN FILLED HALLOWEEN 

Book Of Secrets - paperback

Purchase a copy of the book of secrets through this blog

14.95 (including Postage) 

The book will be signed along with post cards and flyers included

Email: carlojvella@yahoo.com for  your copy

or purchase a copy from Amazon or skobebooks

I started writing the novel 6 years ago, all the while researching the information and writing anything that I found suitable for the book on scraps of paper and note pads.

You hear many stories regarding the apocalypse or religious figures appearing before mankind and other tales (if that is what they are) which people truly believe in. The Book of Secrets is just that! A tale to believe or to enjoy as a fictitious novel. 

The war in Heaven, I remember as a child was told to me at Sunday school and have to admit how scared I was. We were even told that the fallen ones (angels) did not go to hell but were sent here on earth.

I think of these stories and how frightened I became and growing up, my thoughts turned to how the catholic church frightened people to make us believe. I was a confused child not knowing which was the truth and whether the truth was being told by someone who honestly believed in what they were telling us.

The Book of Secrets takes you through a journey back in time when the book was found and how the Knights Templars found the tome and tried to keep it away from prying eyes.

As you read, you are taken to an historical period when suddenly, you are back into the 21st century and slowly find that history is repeating itself.

Told inmain character and also hear the other side of how the tale took place. first and third person narrative, I want the reader to understand and feel the pain and joy of the 

The book does have a gay feel to it but the story is not intended to be about homosexuality. I wrote it in this way to show that gay people are as human as any other. Yes, there are some scenes in the book which people may find distasteful and I am not talking about explicit sex but discussions of homosexuality within religious orders.

To close - the book is based on some facts though I have classed it as fiction, a supernatural tale of the occult, a story of ones self being and what one must do to make themselves believe that other forms of life - apart from humans do exist.

Ruins 750 BC

Ruins 800 years older than Pompeii.

Vilars, Arbeca, Spain - Ruins dating back to 750 BC.

The astonishing fact about the Iberian tribe is the way they led their life and the daily rituals they conducted each day. As most of us know, the word Pagan is used for a person who follows a belief from the village, and it is not necessarily a religion. 

This pagan tribe used to have a fire lit on a daily basis no matter what type of weather controlled the environment. They looked upon this fire, and water, not only as powerful elements, but also respected and treated them like deities.

A small table would sit near the fire, and on top of the handmade wooden structure were ritual items used to conduct their rites. The items consisted of a cup, knife, and a plate of earth. Unwanted items were tossed into the fire - in a form of thanks - and with the knife they would close the ritual and sprinkle water into the fire to unite the 2 elements.

Off course, Christianity was not known back then, and the belief of a form of religion was never something that entered one’s mind. To people, the mysteries of life remained in the power of the universe. The moon also played a part in their daily following, and the changes in its pattern from new to full moon was a magical sight. They made Holy water by leaving a jar of water outside on a full moon throughout the night. It would then be collected in the morning and used for special purposes.

The tribe lived in ranks, the higher the rank the larger the house and the bigger the altar. Each believed in their "faith", though there is uncertainty if a high priest or a person in a religious position existed within the tribe.

Belchite, Zaragoza, SPAIN

Belchite, a village which dates back to 1,800 BC where a cave was uncovered, many wars were fought there including Napoleon and finally the bombing on September 1937 which destroyed the village. (dates may not be accurate)

The moment we saw the village, there was a feeling of sadness as you see the whole village in complete destruction where around 5,000 people perished. Some claim to be able to hear the sounds of crying and war planes heard flying over the village.

"No more kids walking down the streets, no more jotas (spanish for a type of dance and song) to be heard by those which our parents used to sing"

Saint Martin, at the entrance of the church you see the above saying in Spanish. My heart sank as I read this and as I sat at an entrance of a house where which only two walls were left standing, I pictured the children laughing and running down these now deserted and ghostly streets, the sadness of the many lives that were taken was overwhelming.

The village also attracts quite a number of ghost hunters. It is claimed that the sounds of fighter planes can be heard in the dead of night. Recorded sounds were passed on to professionals for analysis and came up with more extraordinary sounds on the tape.

A haunting voice is heard saying "There is only one life" Sounds of children can be heard and voices being carried through the air along the deserted streets. The cross (above right)  was where all the dead bodies were gathered and in that hot ghastly afternoon day, the smell of slowly decaying bodies was becoming to much to bare and the burning began.

Beltiche - A haunted ghost town with a remarkable history. The last habitant living there was in 1960 after Franco went back on his word after  telling the survivors that they would be given a free home to live in.

Investigations are still being conducted. Who knows what ghostly proof someone will come up with. Come and spend the night in Belchite, you may end up going home with a ghost story!

Portugal, 2nd Visit

Well, I just had to return to Lisbon and I can't help but to repeatedly say how wonderful the city is. No disrespect to Spain but Portugal once was part of Spain until they became their own entity and culturally they are now more advanced than Spain; attitude, professionalism, it is something I respect when I visit countries and apart from waiting for a salesperson in a store for 20 minutes, the people there make you feel welcome.

On my second visit I spent time visiting some wonderful villages with breathtaking architectural monuments that left you breathless. The monastery of Santa Maria Da Vitoria (left) is an amazing structure in Batalha. The building of the monastery started in 1386 and finished in 1517 and the end result, well the photo does not do it justice. The building has to be seen to take in its beauty and glory. The unfinished chapels at the rear of the monastery was commissioned by King Duart in 1437 where he and Leonor, his queen are buried there. Again the design and architecture is amazing.

There is so much history in this world and unfortunately one life time is not enough to piece everything that existed before our time. These glorious buildings, hand carved, sweat and blood pouring into every stone, years of carting rock by rock to build wonders where in the 20th century, no such building could ever be compared. Think of it this way, here you have a marvel over 500 years old and is still in great shape. There are other twice, three times older and still standing. Remarkable.