The Blessing

I debated whether or not to post this. While it’s true that I do work in a haunted house–The Historic Lowry House in Huntsville, Alabama, out of which I base my theatrical company, Evil Cheez Productions–and I have had several personal experiences that I cannot rationally explain except to attribute them to the actions of some unseen, unknown force or forces, I do tend to be a little glib about the matter. I use the fact that our theatre is haunted to try to garner interest from the public, to get more people in the door. I don’t think the ghosts would mind, since it helps with the upkeep of the building. (That’s what I tell myself, anyway.) I joke about it. I make jokes about possibly having created a tulpa of my character, Judas Ackery, The Rook. I joke about the spirits acting up when we have a show going on.

I’m not joking this time, though. I don’t want to convey that I’m not being serious. I also wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m using this for personal gain. I’m not, not this time. Like I said, I debated whether to even write about it, but it falls under the purview of this site and ultimately I figured, why not? As long as I add a disclaimer that I’m simply reporting on something that happened without hyperbole. I also wouldn’t want anyone to take from this I am in any way aggrandizing myself. I’m not. Yes, I did conduct a blessing on the Lowry House with Holy water and sage. I did go from room to room, anointing the walls, doorways, and mirrors with the water, waving the smoke from the sage and offering a prayer. But I’m nothing. I’m not a priest or a clergyman. I’m not in any way more qualified than anyone else to do such a thing. I did it because I felt it needed to be done and since I’m the “leader” of our little company. Not because I am anything special.

Here’s what happened.

This past weekend was the opening weekend of my latest theatrical production, THE ROOK IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE. We had three shows and they went over really well. Our audiences were awesome. But Saturday night, while she was waiting in the kitchen of the house to make her entrance onto the “stage,” which is actually the large double-room on the first floor, one of my actresses saw a ghost. Let me say that I trust this person with my life. When she says she saw it, I believe her. Not for an instant do I suspect she’s making it up. She was terrified by the experience.

She described a tall man dressed in dark clothes, with a mustache and, as she described them, “dead, soulless eyes.” The spirit emanated a feeling of hostility, or evil. We have been told before that there are two spirits in the house, a man and a woman, and that the man is “very sad.” I don’t know if that’s the entity my friend saw. But if so she didn’t sense sadness. She sensed malevolence.

I knew something needed to be done. I took part in a “cleansing” ceremony done with sage last year, when a team of paranormal investigators were at the house, so I knew what to do. Wanting to make sure I did it the right way, though, I consulted with a friend who is a priest. He equipped me with some Holy water and advised me on the sort of prayer I should use. I prayed for God’s blessing on the house. I invoked the Holy Spirit, and prayed that nothing evil be allowed in the house, and that God bring comfort to any spirits who might be present who were in turmoil.

I don’t know how the whole thing with ghosts works. I don’t pretend to understand it. But as my friend said, asking for a blessing sure can’t do any harm. So that’s what I did. I’m not a “sensitive.” But I did have a feeling of peace after I’d performed the ceremony. I believe it worked. Just don’t ask me to explain the whys and hows.

This was the first “paranormal” experience any of my group has ever had at the house that was negative. Hopefully now it will be the last. And to that I will conclude with an “amen.”

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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