Images of Jesus and Mary Appearing on Things at Home

Jesus under the flat iron? Mary on a pancake, or hard-boiled egg (top; from the Slashfood blog)? These are just some of the things at home where the images of Jesus and Mary have appeared. To science, these are simply simulacrums or image patterns that the brain interprets as something familiar. Most reports of simulacra are of universal images of religious icons.

The image of Jesus under the flat iron (below) was discovered by Mary Jo Cody at her home in Massachusetts. She had recently separated from her husband and had been going through turbulent times when she noticed the image of Jesus Christ. She says it has reassured her that "life is going to be good." Cody said she will keep the iron with the image and buy new one.

An Arizona woman on the other hand found peace and comfort after seeing the image of the Virgin Mary on one of the pancakes (top) she was cooking for Thanksgiving (Nov. 26, 2009). Bianca Lopez was cooking Batter Blaster pancakes when she saw what looked like the image of Mary on one of the last batch. She says, she thinks it's God's way of saying that the Holidays aren't just about presents and that it is more about spending time with family and friends and to not forget about Him (Jesus), and that "he's always there watching over us and taking care of us. Lopez said she will keep the pancake in a freezer until she decides what to do with it.

Simulacra of Jesus and Mary are popping up everywhere. It's likely the result of a deep need for people, specifically Christians from different groups, to be connected to the spiritual during trying times. They images become foci for them to express their spirituality and devotion to God.

See more images of "sacred" simulacra here

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Ghost Voice Leads Paranormal Investigators to Skeleton Mortared in a Wall

The story reminds us of a classic short story plot of Edgar Allan Poe, but this isn't fiction. While investigating Aspen Manor (The jewel of the Ohio Valley) in Wellsburg, West Virginia, a group of paranormal investigators, Brooke County Paranormal Society, heard a ghostly voice that led them to a mortared brick wall. It apparently said "Help me, I'm stuck in a wall." According to the owner, they were led downstairs where one of the investigators felt "physically" sick for no apparent reason. There, they opened up a wall and found bones inside.

Brooke County Sheriff Richard Ferguson says the bones recovered appear to be old but appear to be intact. He did say he noticed saw markings which might indicate they were cut into pieces. During the initial investigation, he wasn't sure if the bones are indeed human. They were sent to a lab for forensic analysis. Rick Larntz (left), an investigator of the paranormal society that found the bones considers the find a major accomplishment.

Aspen Manor has a rich history. Built in 1895, it served as a boys' club by a rich Pennsylvania steel industrialist, J.J. Vandergrift, as a fun house for his son. It was where gambling was held and all manner of entertainment for boys, which included cockfights and horse races. Later, it was managed by a Catholic group, The Knights of St. George. Interestingly, the investigators recorded clicking sound which Larntz explained was made by in instrument used by nuns to warn kids to behave.

The present owner of the manor is Gene Valentine (left), who plans to maximize use of the house for income generation as a bed and breakfast hotel. He says he wasn't surprised by the group's discovery and wants to get to the bottom of the mystery behind the skeleton in the wall before he pushes through with his Aspen Manor hotel plans. He adds that if the bones are indeed found to be human, he wants investigators to do what it takes to find the truth and perhaps discover anything else that's hidden in the old house.

UPDATE: After analysis by the Smithsonian Institution, the bones were found to be a mix of farm animal remains. Chicken, swine, and horse bones were reportedly identified in the mix. The Knights of St. George operated a farm and butchered animals. The ghostly voice that led to them is still a mystery as well as to why the bones were placed inside a wall. Glasses and hair were also found in the wall. Could these possibly be part of human remains mixed in with the animal bones? Click here to view clear and close up pictures of the bones by the Brooke Country Paranormal investigators.

Click here for the update on the story. Click here for an alternative news link.


This skeleton won't be telling you tales, but it will remind of of a movie by Tim Burton called The Corpse Bride. Yes, it's one of the crazy characters in the animated classic! Click here or on the image to place your order.