Tell me more ×
Skeptics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scientific skepticism. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 8 down vote favorite
1

I have friends who are Wiccans. I've always been a skeptic.

Besides crystals, orbs, spells, potions and other things, they have what they call "energy balls".

Here's how they build that "energy"1: they rub their hands together "to open the chakras"2, they spread their hands to about 1 meter appart then slowly move them closer to each other, at one point they feel like there's a ball between their hands which they say is an energy ball. Once they have it they can make it expand, shrink, and disperse it. Experienced practitioners can even dribble with it. Some claim they can see it too.

Before I learned any of those details to prove them wrong (I was REALLY skeptical, I used to make fun of them all the time) I stuck my hand in one and to my surprise it felt tingly.

I experimented some more, I learned to do it myself (it's not hard, follow the description above), and I even asked others to stick their hands in it without explaining what it is and they felt something too. I asked them to try it again doing the same movements making sure I didn't feel anything between my hands (no energy) and they said they didn't feel anything.

What are Wiccan energy balls? Is there a scientific explanation for why you feel like there's something between your hands?

Notes:

  1. Energy: I really don't know what it is. I know how to make it, I know what people do with it, but I don't know what it is.
  2. Chakras: They're certain points on the body that interact with energy the best.
share|improve this question
10  
Define the following terms (or ask the practioners to): Enrgy, spell, chakra, etc. The practice describes sounds like a muscular resistance feedback technique. No magic. – Brightblades Apr 26 '12 at 15:59
1  
This question is much too large. You should trim it down to a single thing; as it is, you're asking everything from "do Wiccan spells work?" to "did putting my hand in someone else's orb cause a tingly feeling?". It would be better to pick the most pertinent one and focus on it. – Tacroy Apr 26 '12 at 18:25
1  
I think Brightblades was being sarcastic in his comment. Your added notes do not improve the question in the slightest. Energy actually does have a meaning, and the way most folks interpret it is flat out wrong. And brightblades was right about it being a phenomenon not requiring magic. It's a simple illusion caused by your brain due to the positioning and holding of your limbs. (Only a comment though since I have a time constraint so I can't pull up the citation, sorry writing a paper on IRCM techniques for a conference.) – Larian LeQuella♦ Apr 27 '12 at 2:15
7  
This question has been flagged and downvoted, but I don't really understand why. Leo has heard a claim, has described it, has (informally) tested it, and has come here looking for an alternative, rational explanation before accepting the evidence. He has even defined the terms when challenged. I applaud the question. +1. Perhaps the downvoters could explain further. – Oddthinking♦ Apr 27 '12 at 11:23
4  
@LeoJweda: I wouldn't accept that! Don't get fobbed off by a phrase like "muscular resistance feedback". Demand (very politely) for references to support that claim. – Oddthinking♦ Apr 27 '12 at 11:26
show 13 more comments

Know someone who can answer? Share a link to this question via email, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.