Mysteries once thought to be supernatural or paranormal

Hear, O Seekers of Knowledge, the words of Michael Shermer, who speaks to us of the great journey from mystery to understanding. "Mysteries once thought to be supernatural or paranormal happenings - such as astronomical or meteorological events - are incorporated into science once their causes are understood." In this profound insight, Shermer reveals the path of science—a path that transforms the unknown into the known, casting aside the veil of mysticism and replacing it with the clarity of reason. The mysteries that once shook the human soul with fear, awe, and wonder—those unexplained phenomena—are not to be feared or dismissed, but to be explored and understood through the lens of science. What was once seen as supernatural becomes a new realm of knowledge when its causes are revealed and understood by the scientific method.

In the ancient world, O Seekers, mysteries were not simply phenomena to be understood but were often woven into the fabric of divine or supernatural explanations. Eclipses, the movements of the stars, and storms were seen as omens, signs of the gods’ favor or wrath. The ancient Greeks believed that the stars and planets were part of a divine plan, and their movements were guided by gods who held sway over the natural world. Yet, even in their time, some began to question these divine explanations. Aristotle, in his pursuit of knowledge, sought to understand the natural world not through myth and legend, but through careful observation and reasoning. His studies laid the groundwork for a new way of thinking—one that sought to explain the world through natural causes rather than divine intervention. Just as Aristotle began to dismantle the mysteries of his time, Shermer’s words remind us that the mysteries of today, once thought to be supernatural, are often only waiting for the light of science to illuminate their true nature.

Consider the ancient fear that surrounded thunderstorms—the sound of Zeus’ thunderbolts shaking the heavens, or the belief that such storms were divine punishment for the actions of men. It was not until the enlightenment and the rise of the scientific method that Benjamin Franklin, through his experiments with electricity, revealed the true nature of lightning—not as the wrath of gods, but as an electrical discharge that could be studied, understood, and even harnessed. The fear that once surrounded thunderstorms gave way to the wonder of scientific discovery. Franklin’s work was a turning point, showing that mysteries once believed to be supernatural could be explained through observation, reason, and science. His famous kite experiment revealed the true nature of lightning, an event that would forever change humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

In the same vein, consider the mystery that once surrounded the eclipses of the sun and moon. In ancient times, an eclipse was seen as a powerful omen, a sign from the heavens that foretold doom or the shifting of divine power. The Babylonians, with their knowledge of the stars, could predict eclipses, but their superstitions still clouded their understanding. It wasn’t until the likes of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo—through careful observation and mathematical calculation—that the true causes of celestial events were understood. What was once seen as a supernatural occurrence, a divine interruption in the cycle of time, became a predictable, natural event that fit into the grand laws of the universe. In the same way, Shermer’s words remind us that as science advances, things that were once seen as paranormal or mystical are revealed to be part of the natural order, waiting for our understanding to catch up.

The lesson here, O Seekers, is not merely that mysteries are to be explained, but that the pursuit of knowledge is an ongoing journey—one that demands we question our assumptions and seek understanding. When faced with the unknown, the impulse to fear or explain away is natural, but it is the seeker of truth who looks beyond the surface and asks the difficult questions. Science is the great tool that allows us to peel back the layers of mystery and to uncover the laws of nature that govern the universe. It is through science that we understand not only the physical world but our place within it. Each discovery is a step forward, a moment where the boundaries of human knowledge are expanded, and the realm of the supernatural becomes, instead, part of the grand story of nature and reason.

Look to the discovery of disease and the methods of germ theory, once the source of endless mystification. In ancient times, plagues were seen as divine retribution, as punishments from the gods or malevolent spirits. Yet, through the scientific method, men like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch revealed that diseases had natural causes—germs that could be studied and understood. What was once a source of terror became a challenge to be solved. Shermer’s words resonate in this transformation; what was once thought to be supernatural is explained through science, and the tools of science give us the power to confront and overcome those mysteries.

So go forth, O Seekers, with the knowledge that mysteries are not to be feared but to be explored. Let the tools of science be your guide, for in them lies the power to transform the unknown into the known. Science is the force that brings light to the darkness of mysticism and superstition, showing us that the world is governed not by invisible forces but by the laws of nature—laws that can be uncovered through the pursuit of knowledge. Embrace the science of the mind and the world, for in doing so, you will find the answers to the mysteries that lie before you, unlocking the true nature of the universe in ways once thought impossible. Let your curiosity lead you forward, for every mystery unraveled is a victory for understanding, and a step toward a world where the unknown becomes part of the known.