Free Republic

Namaste away from the bad vibes. Thousands of yogis Om’ed together in Bryant Park Wednesday to shake off the bad juju that Mercury in retrograde wrought this summer — which manifested for some in injuries and bouts of inexplicable hysterics for some participants. The serenity-seeking fitness buffs were eagerly reaching for some “retroshade” in the aftermath of the rough near-month-long planet alignment, notoriously believed to cause misfortune by those into astrology. “Mercury retrograde usually is not a good time, but I guess the yoga helps to balance my emotion and the body as well. I hope this is going to...

There has always been a strong belief amongst Nigerians in the old ways, including voodoo and black magic. There still is: The hunt for Nigerians who can change into cats.Belief in African traditional religions and its juju components are widespread in Nigeria, with many combining them with either Christianity or Islam, according to a 2010 report by the Pew Research Centre. Many Nigerians believe that magic charms can allow humans to morph into cats, protect bare skins from sharp blades and make money appear in a clay pot.Questioning supernatural capabilities is taboo in much of Nigerian culture.While this belief system...

Cannabis poses a greater threat to health than tobacco, lung experts have warned. The warning comes on the day that Home Secretary David Blunkett is due to make a Commons statement about the future of government drug policy. Many young people are simply not aware that smoking cannabis may put them at increased risk of respiratory cancers and infections . Dame Helena Shovelton: The Home Affairs Select Committee has recommended that cannabis is downgraded from a class B drug to class C. This would mean that possession would lead to a caution, rather than arrest. The British Lung Foundation is...