Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Chat It's Fate

Being an it's fate reader, you know death is part of life. And brings unbearable grief. Personally, this year hasn't been the happiest. I lost one of my dearest friends, and not a day goes by without thinking of her. She lit up rooms with her beautiful smile. Christmas is coming, and with it, the comfort of being with loved ones. I know my friend's close, forever in our hearts, never to be forgotten. Like all those loved and lost. On Christmas Day, raise a glass and say ‘to absent friends'. Tree man I was walking home late the other night when I was spooked by this hooded figure lurking in the glow of the streetlight! Rob Plowright-Taylor, 46, south London December movie Victor Frankenstein A contemporary adaptation of Mary…

While living in Toronto, I'd volunteer as a theatre usher to get into shows for free. The night before I was due to usher at a matinee, I had an odd dream. I was showing people to their seats at a theatre when my aunt appeared. ‘I didn’t expect to see you’, I said. ‘How is Susan doing?’ Susan was a young friend of ours who was pregnant. My aunt said, ‘Susan has lost the baby.’ Then I woke up. At the matinee the next day, I saw my aunt. I didn’t know she was coming. I told her about my dream. My aunt looked shocked. ‘Susan has lost the baby.’ I never told Susan about my dream and we lost touch. But I hear that after her loss, Susan…

Tucked up under the sheets, I gazed up, wide-eyed, at my bedroom door. Looking back at me was a ghostly face. I was just 7, but I wasn’t scared. I was used to seeing these faces at bedtime, and felt warmth from them. They’d tell me things before they happened. ‘I was used to seeing faces at bedtime’ Spirits Once, a man’s face and voice had an important message. ‘Your great grandfather is very sick,’ he told me. ‘Soon he will go to Heaven to become your spirit guide.’ Just weeks later, he passed away, following a stroke. A sad time, but the faces comforted me. And even though he’s not my spirit guide, I still speak to him every day. As I grew up, my gift grew stronger. By…

Go vegetarian High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, but switching to a veggie diet could lower your readings. Trials in Japan found vegetarians had systolic blood pressure (the upper reading) almost 5mmHg lower than meat eaters. For diastolic blood pressure (bottom reading), veggie readings were 2.2mmHg lower. This could reduce the risk of heart attack by 9% and stroke by 14%. Cystitis relief We’re reaching the end of the antibiotic age as superbugs outsmart the pills. An alternative cure for cystitis is a welcome relief for thousands. Most attacks are caused by E.coli. D-mannose is a natural sugar that attaches itself to the E.coli and stops it sticking to your bladder. It’s then flushed out when you urinate. It’s claimed it works really…

Crystal fact Ametrine This quartz gets its name from the amalgam of the words amethyst and citrine. It has characteristics of both, with colours ranging from purple to gold. Often they combine to make a lovely chequered look. Ametrine is a useful aid in weight loss and trying to wean yourself off addictions. It also assists deep sleep, and relieves depression. If you feel like you want more control, this is the stone for you! It’s mainly mined in Bolivia, though smaller deposits are found in Brazil. The Queen What does 18th-Century Buckingham Palace have to say about our greatest national treasure? She's constantly in the public eye, so the Queen's spacious London residence with its 775 rooms gives her privacy! A building of great dignity and upholder of tradition,…

‘Konstantin made contact with Hitler and Mussolini’ There are many things we miss when we lose a loved one, including hearing the sound of their voice. It’s unique, part of what made them an irreplaceable individual. But what if our dearly departed could find a way to carry on communicating via radio equipment? It’s not as daft as it sounds, and many believe they’re having conversations with their relatives and lovers on the other side. The phenomenon – known as EVP – was investigated in depth by a Latvian writer and intellectual called Konstantin Raudive back in the 1960s. Impact Working with a fellow EVP enthusiast, he started making hundreds of recordings using a specially-adapted device. Although fruitless at first, one night, as he listened to his recordings, he could…

History book When my daughter was born, I wanted her to have books I knew from my childhood. But my mum had given away my copy of one book 20 years ago. I found one online in a secondhand bookshop and, when it came, it had my name in it – my very own copy from my childhood! Sophia Payne, Hampshire Manta magic I was snorkeling in the Maldives 10 years ago when I saw manta rays. I swam quietly away so I wouldn’t scare them, and was rewarded when one came towards me, with another at my side, and two behind and below me. When I looked out of the water to find the boat, they disappeared. This happened the day before the Asian Tsunami – they say animals…

Joanna’s monthly blog Festive Moon  The Full Moon on the 25th falls in Cancer, sign of the home. Flanked by positive aspects from Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, this is a good picture for enjoying a special Christmas. Even the best of Full Moons can still spell lunacy though, so anticipate what might trigger domestics. Venus enters Scorpio  The love planet travels in the sign of Scorpio from the 5th until the 30th. Make sure your other half knows how much you care. New love is likely to be powerful, and may start in secret. If you need guidance, Christmas Eve is revealing. New Moon in Sagittarius This new cycle in the visionary sign of The Archer falls on the 11th, and there's a lot to do the fortnight before Christmas.…

Ever since our early ancestors gazed into their reflections in rivers, the mystery of our own images captured in water and man-made surfaces has inspired supernatural myths. Are mirrors simply a distortion of natural light, or could they also be a means to see into the future, capture the soul, or open a door to another dimension? Past reflections Prehistoric man used pools of collected water as reflectors, but the first mirrors w ere made in Turkey 6,000 years ago. They were created with polished obsidian, a black lava rock. Ancient Egyptians made mirrors from polished copper, with the frame carved in the shape of Hathor, Goddess of beauty and cosmetics. The Romans invented the first mirrors with metal-backed glass in the 1st Century AD. Evil trapped! In some parts…

Glancing out my bedroom window as I sorted laundry, I smiled. Basking in the sun was my beautiful cat, Minnie. When I’d adopted her and her sister Honey in May 2013, she was such a timid thing. Now, snoozing in her favourite spot, she couldn’t have been more relaxed. Bleeding I turned my attention back to my washing. Then, I heard a terrible wailing noise… Minnie! I flew downstairs. Reaching the garden, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. There was Minnie, dangling like a rag doll from the mouth of a big black dog. It must have burst through the hedge which backs on to playing fields. ‘Let her go!’ I shouted. He dropped Minnie and ran off, leaving her bleeding. I bundled her in my arms…

He married someone else Dear Yasmin I'm devastated after my boyfriend of years wed another woman. I've been low for a long time, but it's now turning into clinical depression. Indira, 36, Glasgow Dear Indira  See your GP, please. Life goes in cycles, and we all need extra help from time to time. You’ve had the planet of chaos, Uranus, opposite your Sun. Think about where you want to go. Forgive your ex and good things will follow. Also, count your blessings – do this on Facebook to attract the support of friends. I drew you the Queen of Fire card which declares: Stretch your wings and fly! Don’t underestimate yourself. Assert your independence and creativity.…

Wicked witches and evil stepmothers aside, there’s no denying the mystical charm of fairy tales. From finding your Prince Charming against all the odds to fairy godmothers who can make miracles happen with just the quick swoosh of a wand. But the spells they weave aren’t just the stuff of fantasy. The enchanting symbols – from fancy footwear to powerful fruit – can work wonders in real life, too, sprinkling a little magic over any area of your life. These simple rituals could work a charm if you want to improve your life… Mirror, mirror on the wall... Our ancestors knew the power of mirrors and believed the reflection contained your soul, which is why breaking one bought bad luck! But Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, adored…

Fancy a threesome? Each bauble in the Grace Cole Bauble Trio, £12, House of Fraser, has a unique fragrance for a lush bath time. Shine booster Teens and adults will love this Dazzling Lip Gloss Collection, £7.50, Marks & Spencer. Wear alone or to add extra shine to lippy! Who’s for fizz? We’re yet to find anyone who doesn’t love the smell of this Fruits Chocolate Orange Bath Fizzer, £1, Wilko. It’ll make a fabulous stocking filler or Secret Santa gift! In your prime! Apply Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Paltinia Strengthening Primer, £14.99, Boots, to locks daily to protect against breakage and make them resilient. Perfect if you’re using curlers this party season! Top choice! Party remedy One too many late nights around Christmas can leave skin in need of…

My eyes had only just snapped open and already I was filled with a rush of excitement. It was nearly Christmas, and, just like in the film Frozen , me and my four-year-old sister Sandra had built a snowman the day before. I couldn’t wait to go outside to see if it was still standing. But there was something else I wanted to see, too… ‘I’m going to see the angels,’ I told my mum, Joan, now 77, rushing around our Cheshire home collecting my hat, gloves and coat. ‘Oh, really?’ Mum said, squeezing my feet into a pair of Wellington boots. ‘Mmmmm,’ I nodded. ‘They came to visit me in my room last night. They said they loved the snowman we built.’ ‘OK, Lynnette,’ she laughed. Angel prints Stepping…

Flying high Below me were the majestic skyscrapers, the shimmering azure sea… Flying above a city in a helicopter, I felt on top of the world. Then, I woke up. It’d been a dream. ‘It was so vivid!’ I told my friend Kat as we walked by Dubai Marina. It was December 2012, a few days before my birthday. I was living there. Then, my friend Omar called. ‘I’m picking you up,’ he said. ‘I’ve organised a birthday surprise.’ As I hopped in the car, Omar whispered to Kat what he’d sorted. She looked so shocked. And, soon enough, we pulled up in a hotel car park, and there was a helicopter – just like the one in my dream. ‘How did you know?’ I said to Omar, gobsmacked. He’d…

Q&A I’m scared the house will burn down Dear Jenny Since I was little, I’ve always been afraid that my house will catch on fire. As a teenager, I was even terrified of lighting a match! And I’ve had a constant urge to settle down and live my life as quickly as possible. Why? Emma, 30, Congleton, Cheshire Dear Emma You were in your teens in the 1970s and smoking in secret. Surprised by your family returning home, you dropped a match in the lean-to shed and didn’t notice it was alight. It caught fire, and spread to the house, burning it to the ground. Your family didn’t die, but you did. It’s something you need to banish from your mind as you don’t smoke in this life, so…

Q & A Frostbite happens here! Dear Jayda My son goes out drinking in winter with no coat. He won’t believe you can get frostbite in this country. Sandra, 55, Ripon Dear Sandra Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue when it falls below 31F and can lead to amputation in severe cases. Around 60 people a year are hospitalised for frostbite in the UK. It’s not just mountaineers who are at risk but diabetics, the homeless and elderly, too. Alcohol makes you lose heat at a faster rate. Falling asleep outside when drunk is sadly a common cause of frostbite. Jayda’s hot tip Be more healthy by saying thank you. We do plenty of that at Xmas as we open our presents, but keep that spirit of thanks going…

I can’t find my moggy Dear Lorelei Can you tell me where my cat is, and is he still alive? Nicola, 32, Cefn Hengoed, South Wales Dear Nicola Your puss is telling me that he’s missing Percy, and wonders who’ll teach the little tyke manners now that he’s not here! Sadly, he’s gone to the spirit world now, but he’s fine – his aura is glowing. He says his name is ‘My Boy’ – your nickname for him? Canny Crystal Dear Lorelei Am I going to get back with my ex? I believe he’s The One. We split months ago and have had no contact, but I seem to pick up on his energy a lot. Claire, 39, Barnstable Dear Claire Your aura makes you a prisoner, and your heart…

Get some heavenly sparkle! At Christmas, I can't help myself! I like our home to be filled with sparkly decorations, home cooking and a joyful atmosphere. When the kids were little, I went for it, turning the ground floor into a Santa’s Grotto. These days, I restrict myself to a tree in the living room, fairy lights and a display in the kitchen. I stopped as I was getting stressed and being horrible to everyone if they didn’t meet my standards when draping tinsel. If it’s not fun, it’s time to change. Now, everyone looks forward to putting up the decorations. I ask an angel or two to help as well – angel sparkle’s always welcome! Michelle Cherub corner ’s Last Christmas, I broke my foot getting off a bus,…

Barri Ghai, founder of The Ghostfinder Paranormal Society www.ghostfinder.co. uk  says: ‘The study of EVP has been around for over a century, and pioneers in this field made a significant breakthrough in paranormal research, paving the way for new theories and techniques to be developed. These days, EVP is recorded via digital voice recorders, making analysis easier using computers. In my opinion, EVP is the most important and tangible form of paranormal evidence available to the modern day investigator. As a professional paranormal investigator, I have conducted hundreds of EVP sessions in some of the world’s most haunted places, and I have been fortunate enough to capture some of the clearest and most amazing examples of ghost voices.’…

Signs across the divide Drawing of Dad Early one morning in June 2001, I was jolted awake by a vivid dream about my dad. At the time, he was in a hospice dying from a brain tumour. Rushing downstairs, I saw Mum, who’d felt Dad take her hand as she was walking the dogs. Just then, the hospice phoned – Dad had taken a turn for the worse. As we sat by him, his breathing eased and he let out one last, long sigh. Grief tortured me. I loved Dad but I’d not been able to say it. I then began to ‘see’ him – dressed in oily overalls and trademark hat. His presence felt so strong, I’d chat to him. In March 2002, Mum and I went to a…

Most 8-year-old boys are happiest playing football in the park. But my favourite game was more unusual. My friend Phil and I loved scaring ourselves silly by telling each other ghost stories. We’d turn off the lights in our attic. Then sit on the floor and make up spooky tales. Red eyes One day when we were in the attic, Phil gave a horrified shriek. Eyes wide with terror, he pointed, trembling, into the darkness behind me. Scrambling to my feet, I whirled round. There, glowing in the pitch black, were two red eyes. The thing growled. Then vanished. Phil and I shot down the ladder and locked ourselves in my room. ‘Did you see that?’ I gasped, heart hammering. Phil nodded shakily. ‘I’m not going up there again,’ he…

Witch report You’d be forgiven if you thought strega was just an Italian liqueur! But it’s also their word for witch..! One of the most famous was Maddalena, a fortune teller in the 1890s. She told Charles Leland, author of Aradia, Gospel of the Witches, many secrets. According to his book, stregas are associated with the Moon Goddess Diana. They’d meet on the night of the Full Moon and dance naked for a fruitful harvest. Your December ritual The Full Moon on Christmas Day is most auspicious for magic. At night, carve a circle in a white candle with a pin. Light it and put it by a window. Gaze at the Moon and say: ‘Upon this hour, upon this night. With your full circle shining bright. The dreams I…

Work’s making me jittery about moving! Dear Yasmin At the moment, I really want my own place, but should I wait till I’ve sorted out work problems? Laura, 35, Bristol Dear Laura  Saturn is making his once-every-30-years pass over your Sagittarius Sun. This can be a trying time, but your work dramas will settle down soon. Between now and October 2017, expect to have the chance to set yourself up for the next 30 years. If moving’s an easy thing to do, now would be good. The more stable you are, the better. But if it’s not realistic, wait. Serious Saturn might come along and make you face facts! Your card, the Ace of Earth, says: The inflow of abundance. A promising business venture. Important documents or contracts. Sounds like…

Doubled-up in pain on the sofa, I clutched my tummy. ‘Please let the baby be OK,’ I prayed. It was September 1997, and I was eight weeks pregnant with my second child. I already had a beautiful 5-year-old son, Harrison. But this time around, something was dreadfully wrong. My husband Vernon, now 53, took me to hospital for some tests. ‘The pregnancy is ectopic,’ the consultant told me gravely. My baby was growing in my left fallopian tube. There was no chance my baby could be saved. And my own life was on the line, too. There was only one option – an op to end the pregnancy and remove the fallopian tube. Peaceful Reeling from shock and grief, I was wheeled to theatre. I was kept in hospital for…

Regency Bath, with its stately buildings and cultured atmosphere, is a great favourite with tourists, shoppers and theatre-goers in the South West. Famed for its connection with the author Jane Austen, this town was popular even before Roman times because of its healing waters. And some of those long-dead visitors have decided to hang around… Healing waters Bath is known for the hot springs that gave it its name, and still attract people today . It was a favourite with R omans looking for rest. But the history of the magical waters goes back further. Legend tells how Bladud, King of the Britons, got home from A thens in 863BC, with leprosy . He couldn’t take the throne, so became a swineherd in the Avon Valley. His pigs were infected…

• A storm surge could prove too much for the Thames Barrier. Is a BBC board position on the cards for Anne Robinson? Leigh Francis might be saying goodbye to fake tan and Keith Lemon. • For Lotto luck, try 9, 12, 15, 29, 35 and 44. For Euro Millions, go for 8, 9, 28, 34 and 48, and Lucky Stars 2 and 6. • A well-known royal is caught cheating on his wife. • Hugh Hefner may be joining bunny girls in the sky. The cards are turned on Midwife star Helen George when she has a baby! • A huge fire in central London causes mayhem. We won't be seeing much more of Vernon Kay on our TV screens. A blonde woman is making Dizzee Rascal’s head spin.…

Spiritual energy streams upon our Earth as Seven Rays of Divine Manifestation. They can bring wisdom, peace and strength. The knowledge of the Seven Rays was first passed to the Esoteric Astrologer Alice Bailey through her Tibetan Ascended Master, Djwhal Khul. They’re available to everyone, but each sign has a special link with at least one ray. Your own ray will be easiest to channel, but you can tune in to any of the others if you feel you have a special need. Ray 1 Divine will and power This ray will give you fighting strength, determination and the ability to learn from mistakes. It's what you need if you're depressed, lacking conviction and anxious. How to bring this ray into your life: Find a stone flat enough so you…

The Christmas countdown is on and we’re busy stocking up with food, drink and snacks. An average Brit puts on 6lb by 1 January. Most of us think we clock up 2,500 cals on Christmas Day. Wrong! It’s closer to 6,000-7,000. Enough to get a professional athlete through a day’s training. How much? Research shows most of us have already exceeded our recommended daily calorie intake (2,000 for women, 2,500 for men) before we eat Xmas lunch. Turkey dinner is 1,450 calories. Add pudding, custard and brandy butter, and it makes 2,624! Burn it off How much exercise do we need to get rid of the excess? Your choices: Jog for six hours (398 cals an hour). Get up to 6mph and you can burn upwards from 557 cals an…

To us, Christmas is all about peace and family, as well as pressies under the tree and having too much to eat and drink! But in other countries, the season of goodwill is celebrated with some sinister stories and traditions... Graveyard aglow In Finland, families visit the graves of their ancestors on Christmas Eve. A candle is placed on each site, its glow reflecting in the snow. Even people who don’t have a loved one buried close by still light candles in honour of those they’ve lost. So the graveyards are filled with twinkling lights. Meanwhile, at home the table is laid with food for the dead, and family members sleep on the floor to make sure departed relatives can have a meal and a place to bed down when…

In July 1987, when my son Donald was three, I got a phone call that changed my life. It was my 15-year old sister Helen. ‘Gillian’s been run over by a car,’ Helen sobbed. Just 13 years old, my little sister Gillian was the baby of the family. I dashed straight out and jumped on a bus heading for the road where Gillian was hit. ‘I realised I was in the presence of an angel’ Goodbye She was unconscious on the tarmac. One look told me she was terribly injured. I kneeled beside her, said a prayer. She was rushed to hospital. My entire family sat by Gillian’s bedside day and night. But she had dreadful brain injuries. Two days after the accident, we made the agonising decision to turn…

Q & A It was an ancient mating ritual! Dear Roi de Lune I had a weird dream about a bloke I fancy. We were in a restaurant, and after the waiter took our order, my crush began to undo his shirt. When he saw I was watching, he buttoned it up again, then stamped in a circle around the table. He said it was an ancient human mating ritual, and wondered if it still worked! Irene, 36, Gravesend Dear Irene You crave emotional nourishment, and this man would appear to be an ideal candidate to provide you with that. You want him to notice you rather than the other way round, and to make romantic advances towards you, too. Culture corner When David Lynch’s Twin Peaks burst…

They’ve stolen my memories Dear Miss Crimebuster A couple of years ago, I gave birth to a stillborn baby girl. I put a plaque in my garden in remembrance, but someone’s stolen it. I’m heartbroken, and also need to know if she’s OK? Janey, 22, Yorkshire Dear Janey Two teenage boys took it without knowing how important it is. Your little girl’s being looked after by a gran on your mum’s side, and loves the gold cherub you bought in memory. My son fell off a cliff Dear Miss Crimebuster When my son was out with a group of lads, he fell off a cliff and injured himself. He's being very sheepish about the whole thing, but did he fall or was he pushed? Karen, 38, Barnstaple Dear Karen A…

A badger may be a quiet creature but, if threatened, can see off much larger animals. They have courage in spades. Which is just as well because they like to dig! Some of their tunnels can be four metres deep. In folklore, they’re revered for their persistence, strength and courage. If you need to find extra strength and stamina for a challenge, why not call on the plucky Badger? How to use your dreamcatcher Cut out your dreamcatcher and stick it onto the side of a terracotta pot filled with earth. Plant between five and 10 sunflower seeds. Make the connection Water your pot every day and think about the strength you want to cultivate. Your flower won’t grow overnight – like you, it needs nurturing. Allow Badger energy to…

Dear Yasmin Do you think it’s possible to turn my hobbies into a full-time career? Jenny, 28, Carnarvon Dear Jenny If you believe in yourself, anything is possible. But if you doubt yourself, you’ll look for reasons for failure. You have Saturn in your Career Zone, which means it’s easy to be worried about what you can and can’t achieve. You got Ace of Air with the strong message: Brilliant new ideas and inspirations. Seeing the truth of a situation. A challenging beginning. It means believe in yourself, go for it, and don’t be put off by glitches!…

I was watching Lara Croft: Tomb Raider the other night, and was fascinated by some of the scenery where parts of the film were shot. These were ancient temples in Cambodia, dating back to the 8th Century. One of the most picturesque is known as Ta Prohm…and it happens to have a mystery all of its own. Survival? Much of the temple contains carvings of elaborate workings, depicting all manner of animals, ranging from monkeys to antelope-type beasts and birds. However, one particular carving has garnered more interest than the others. It appears to show a stegosaurus, complete with the bony plates that protrude from this creature’s back. As we know, dinosaurs became extinct many millions of years ago – before humankind. There are many theories about what did it…