Strange feeling when I go into African/Indian souvenir shops?

[ellie]

Does anyone else get strange feelings when they go into African/Indian souvenir shops? The ones with the masks and large wooden carvings?

I always get a horrible feeling when I go into these shops, that I basically haven't entered one in years because of it.

Probably wouldn't be as bad these days as everything is mass manufactured, but years ago, I just would get a horrible vibe in these type of shops.

I'm guessing it has something to do with witch doctors and all that jazz

[Celina]

Same thing for me too! I always had this eerie feeling when I passed by any of these shops selling masks or antiques. Often they have all those develish things on display. I once came across one horrifying statue that can make all your hairs stand on end. It really give you the creeps ee....ee.....ee.....

[Dreamline]

I feel the same way in antique shops. I think I sense the vibes of the previous owners. I only have one antique in my whole house and it's a desk from my grandmother. I know her vibes but I still had it cleansed and cleanse it every spring because she had a pretty good life but some strong poverty mentality issues from living through the Great Depression and WWII..

Jennifer

[Ilikedeadpeople]

Alot of different people have handled those masks/artifacts and who knows under what conditions they were actually made. I steer clear of that stuff too, mostly because it looks like negative clutter.

Also, could you be picking up some weird vibes from the owner of the shop?

Jennifer- your desk story is fascinating. I also only keep antiques that are from my family. When you are next to the desk or use it can you get images of the depression?

[Dreamline]

I never got images. But I know that she kept all her bills in there and her last pack of cigarettes from when she quit smoking. There were always fun things in the desk to play with, office supplies, and other things. She never seemed out of money but my mom was contaminated with a poverty mentality that came from her upbringing. Though my grandmother seemed less affected.

So my cleansings of the desk were "just in case" cleansings. Which I would do with any antique or hand-me-down.

But I have a weird tale. I bought an african handicraft that was described as a fertility figure and I got it when I started dating and then living with, a boyfriend. I ended up marrying him and we had four miscarriages, no kids. I'm not saying it was the fertility figure's fault but it sure didn't help. Although "fertility" per se, wasn't my issue.

They kinda creep me out. Plus, when you buy them, you are taking someone else's word for what they are used for. Maybe my fertility figure was really the birth control goddess.

Jennifer

[crescive]

I love antique shops and used book stores and anything second hand. I like that they have been used and have lived with people before me. It gives me a sense of connectedness and I like imagining the objects' history. To each his own. I think artifacts and old relics are the coolest things ever. They make me feel inspired.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by crescive

I love antique shops and used book stores and anything second hand. I like that they have been used and have lived with people before me. It gives me a sense of connectedness and I like imagining the objects' history. To each his own. I think artifacts and old relics are the coolest things ever. They make me feel inspired.

I like antiques too, in fact I am a collector of them. I have no problems with antiques (so far) just strange masks and statues from Africa

I have two antique desks passed down from my great, great grandfather. Ok he didn't pass it down to me, but my father did from his father etc

[Peter Toth]

I like to go there. Most of things there are useless stuff especially decorations for home but I it is unusual for me, so I like to watch on it.

I am courious what are your beliefs or experience makes you feel that way?

[Ilikedeadpeople]

I love antiques, and if I had the $, everything in my house would be an antique- I love wondering where these things have been and what theyve "seen". But masks of any kind bother me. Might be my paranoia about being watched!

[kwicherbichen]

That is really weird... maybe I don't get the feeling because I am african and have seen and used the masks before.

Christmas-time, especially. That is when the dancers will wear the outfits and look scary and come dance in front of the homes.