In many religions and practices, there is a belief that there are many energy centers in the body that are tuned to an aspect of life. The energy centers, charkas, are represented with colors and are believed that the person has the ability to open and close them individually with practice and discipline. This is a subject which most people have heard of but few know the details. In order from lowest to highest, here are the charkas.

1. Root Chakra

The Root Chakra is located between the anus and genitalia. It is represented with the color red. The Root Chakra is the energy center that helps you feel at home in situations. It is also what controls your feeling of physically being there. You will have a sufficient trust level for other people. When you feel nervous or fearful this Chakra is under-active or blocked. When it is over active, you will tend to obsess with security and very resistant to change. You may also be materialistic and greedy.

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We are all familiar with the special trappings worn by royalty, but we are not so familiar with the regalia of the Papacy. This is a list of the top 10 items of papal regalia, most of which are still in use today.

10. Mantum

The mantum or papal mantle differs little from an ordinary cope except that it is somewhat longer, and is fastened in the front by an elaborate morse. In earlier centuries it was red in colour; red, at the time being the papal color rather than white. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the immantatio, or bestowal of the mantum on the newly elected pope, was regarded as specially symbolical of investiture with papal authority: Investio te de papatu romano ut praesis urbi et orbi, “I invest thee with the Roman papacy, that thou rule over the city and the world” were the words used in conferring it at the Papal Coronation. The use of the mantum by the popes ceased under Paul VI, following the reforms of Vatican II. This is the first of the traditional papal vestments restored by the current Pope, Benedict XVI. In the image above we see Pope Benedict XVI wearing the mantum. [Wikipedia]

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November 5th is traditionally remembered in England as the day that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the British parliament. It is still common today, to see anti-Catholic and anti-Papacy symbols on this day because Guy Fawkes was a Catholic. In some towns in England people even burn an effigy of the Pope on the 5th. Therefore, it seemed fitting to do a list about the common myths relating to the Catholic Church and the Popes.

5. The Pope is the Great Beast

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A saint is a person who has been canonized (declared a saint) by the Church. This is normally considered to be an infallible decree of the Pope. Whilst most saints are canonized, a number are recognized as saints despite having not been canonized. All of the Old Testament prophets fall in to this category. Throughout history, many saints have become traditionally viewed as Patrons of various illnesses, people, and places. This is a list of ten of the most unusual patronages held by a saint.

10. St Gertrude of Nivelles Patron saint of the fear of mice (suriphobia)

Saint Gertrude was the younger daughter of Blessed Pepin I of Landen and Blessed Ida of Nivelles; she was the sister of Saint Begga. She became devoted to religious life from an early age, and turned down a noble marriage to pursue the religious life. On the death of Pepin in 639, and on the advice of Saint Amand of Maastricht, Ida built a double monastery at Nivelles where both she and her daughter retired. Gertrude became abbess about age 20. She was known for her hospitality to pilgrims and aid to Irish missionary monks. She gave land to Saint Foillan, on which he built the monastery of Fosses. Helped Saint Ultan in his evangelization. In 656, Gertrude resigned her office in favor of her niece, Saint Wilfetrudis, and spent the rest of her days studying Scripture and doing penance.

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There have been a number of lists on the site that have discussed various religions, so it seems appropriate to discuss the religious literature of some of those religions. Therefore, here is a list of religious scriptures explained. This list is not exhaustive because some of the religions mentioned have more than one scriptural text. I have selected one main text from each.

1. OT Levels The Church of Scientology

Scientology, the religion founded by L Ron Hubbard, uses a series of documents that he wrote as their primary scriptures. One can dispute the title of “scripture” in that they are more a series of directions and tests to help members attain the higher goal of clearing their bodies of creatures placed there by the evil warlord Xenu. Having reached a state of clear, members of the church pay to move on to the OT levels (Operating Thetan). These texts are very difficult to come by, but from time to time they make their way in to the public eye (either by becoming a part of the public record, or through members releasing them).

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