LV writes: “My friends are showing up with these weird little round patches on their necks or wrists that they claim are delivering non-stop acupuncture to their bodies. They call it the Taopatch. Is this scientifically legit?”
Category Archives: New Age
Can You Think Yourself Rich?
KH writes: “Just wondering what you can tell me about T. Harv Eker, his program Peak Potentials and his book ‘The Secret of the Millionaire Mind. I know he quotes Marianne Williamson in the book which immediately raises questions.”
Are There Secret Symbols in Oriental Rugs?
GS writes: “I have heard that there are secret symbols in oriental area rugs that are associated with non-Christian religions. Is this true, and is it okay to have them in our homes?”
It is true that a variety of symbols with non-Christian religious meaning can be found in oriental area rugs, but these symbols (which are not entirely secret) are used to tell a story more than to persuade purchasers into adopting religious beliefs. This is why it is safe to have these rugs in our home.
Area rugs that are referred to as “oriental” typically come from the Asiatic region such as Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, India, and China. These rugs are hand-knotted with some rugs containing more than three million knots depending on the size.
According to this site, rugs that feature floral designs tend to come from areas in Persia and India while Turkish rugs tend toward geometric designs. Chinese rugs favor images of dragons and birds. The choice of design has very much to do with the religious beliefs of the region:
“Most creatures possess symbolic meaning, and in China the dragon represents imperial power and also has strong associations with Confucianism. In Persia, however, the dragon symbolizes evil; in India, death. Scenes of fighting animals on Oriental rugs typically represent the struggle between good and evil,” the site explains.
Symbols such as the cypress tree represent mourning or immortality while the palm or coconut signify blessing. A pony symbolizes wealth and the universal knot represents wisdom and immortality.
“Because the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) spoke against the artistic representation of humans and animals, geometric patterns often dominate the designs of Muslim artists,” the site continues. “Although Persia embraced the Islamic Shiite religion, the area’s rug-makers often continued to decorate their creations with lively animal and human figures in dream-like surroundings. On the other hand, it is quite rare to find any animal or human figures on early Turkish rugs. Turkish prayer rugs are characterized by rich and minutely detailed decoration. Found on all prayer rugs is the arched mehrab, or prayer niche, which is pointed to Mecca when the rugs are used in prayer.”
Although the use of rugs is not nearly as important in the Christian religion, there is evidence of hand-woven textiles featuring Christian themes throughout history.
This site, which evaluates and traces the history of oriental rugs, explains: “In an early Christian sect known as the Coptics, these individuals produced textiles from wool or linen and used them in religious burial ceremonies.”
In the Jewish faith, rugs are used by Orthodox Jews on Yom Kippur to kneel and bow upon.
“While it’s not always shared among every Jewish sect, the practice of using these rugs is part of what’s considered prostration, where individuals put their backsides near the ground and lower themselves for a period of prayer,” the site explains. “In some synagogues, rugs are also used to sit upon instead of chairs or benches such as in the Karaite community.”
In the Buddhist culture, hand-woven rugs were used by prominent religious figures.
“One of the more unique elements of Buddhist rugs is their use of shocking designs, as they sometimes depict what many Westerners would term as shocking in nature, including flayed animal and human skins. The reason behind these designs is the Buddhist’s pursuit of bodily detachment and the search for a higher level of consciousness. Other motifs that can be present on these rugs are Lotus blossoms, indigenous flowers, local wildlife or mandala-like designs.”
In the New Age and the occult, there are some who believe in what Carl Jung taught about symbols – that they are a communication of the unconscious. “A concrete image is a manifestation requiring space in which the spirit clothes itself in the material in order to draw to man. Images and numbers are doors through which the spiritual can reach man (Carl Jung, Conversations with C.G. Jung).”
However, this is far from a mainstream belief and although there is a chance that some of the manufacturers of these rugs might subscribe to these beliefs, it is very unlikely.
Enjoy your oriental rug!
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo
MKM writes: “I had a discussion with my sister on body tattoos and she said the Church has no official teaching on it even though it says in scripture not to. She claims that the scripture that prohibits tattoos is in the Old Testament and doesn’t apply anymore. Is she right?”
Joyce Meyer’s Feel Good Religion
MH writes: “I have a very good friend that absolutely adores Joyce Myers. Am I right to say she’s another prosperity gospel teacher? I’ve heard some of her talks before, and the only thing I can discern, is that as a Protestant, she interprets Scripture differently from us Catholics, which I know is to be expected. She speaks on topics that one could easily relate to; such as, how it’s wrong to talk about others behind their back. Is it okay to listen to her, if I remember that her interpretation of scripture is wrong? Or is there more I should know so as to not listen to her?”
Asyra Machines Can’t Diagnose Anything
KC writes: “I was just seen by a naturopath at a holistic store and she used the Asyra machine. She told me that this machine was approved by the FDA in detecting illnesses. She said that this machine has been used since the 1970’s and is recognized by licensed doctors in Europe. Is this information correct? Finding many conflicting reports online.”
New Catholic Exorcism App for Priests & Laity
Msgr. Stephen Rosetti, a leading exorcist/psychologist, has unveiled a free Catholic exorcism app that provides powerful deliverance prayers for both priests and the laity.
“Day of the Dead” Barbie Sparks Backlash
U.S. toymaker, Mattel, is being accused of cultural appropriation after it launched a new “Day of the Dead” Barbie doll that represents one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions – the annual celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Must-Have Book Offers Battle Plan for Families
By Claire Dwyer
It was almost immediately when I started intentionally covering my family members in prayer years ago that I realized the magnitude of participating in the power of Christ who drives out demons and destroys strongholds. “You want to play that game?” the darkness seemed to sneer, surfacing from areas I hadn’t suspected.
Family Constellation Therapy
KMK asks: “Are you familar with this type of therapy? My brother’s girlfriend has her doctorate in Psychology and she admits she is New Age in her thinking. She is very involved in being trained in this method and now my brother is going to attend a weekend conference on Constellation Therapy with her. What can you tell me about it?”
