The Metaphysical Site

Packaging is something that is incredibly common and used for a huge range of products. Packaging can even be used to the extreme, as seen earlier this year when many large supermarkets came under fire for using excessive packaging. Wrapping your product in swathes of plastic just doesn't cut it anymore. Not only could you come under fire from an environmental point of view, consumers are now demanding more from their packaging. Bespoke packaging solutions are becoming more popular, and well thought-out, creative packaging design is key to product success.

To reflect the changes in society's attitude to packaging, scientists are now starting to look at packaging in a new light. They are undertaking experiments to develop new 'intelligent' forms that do more than just protect the product.

Researchers from Strathclyde University are working on designs of an intelligent plastic material that changes colour when the food it covers starts to go off. They are hoping that this product will help to improve food safety and cut waste. As a nation, not only does the UK throw out the largest amount of excess packaging, we also waste an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of food each year.

Another exciting development in packaging design is a new form of paper with the built-in ability to fight bacteria. This has the potential to revolutionise packaging for certain products. For example, food will be able to stay fresh for longer, anti-bacterial products such as bandages and medical equipment with are able to stay germ-free, and shoes can be protected against odour. Scientists first discovered a material, known as grapheme, in 2004. Since then the race has been on to find a use for this product which is made from the thinnest possible sheets of carbon. It has been tested for use in solar cells, computer chips and sensors. However it is its antibacterial effect that scientists think will make it an extremely useful product. It is also a very easy and cheap to product, meaning that it can be used as commonly as any other packaging product such as polyurethane foam. If or when the product comes to the market, it will open up a whole new line of products available from packaging manufacturers and will help to change the way retailers and consumers view packaging solutions.

Hopefully these developments in packaging will continue and packaging will offer products even more functionality and added benefits.

About us: Wessex Packaging are specialist packaging manufacturer who can provide bespoke cardboard and polyurethane foam packaging to suit any requirements. If you are looking for bespoke packaging solutions to ensure your goods get delivery safely and economically, enquire today.

What is Witchcraft and is Witchcraft Real?

Two questions but it is necessary to understand what witchcraft is before forming an opinion on whether witchcraft is real or not. In order to discover what witchcraft is we need to strip away the hype generated by the likes of Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general. Witchcraft does not resemble the commonly portrayed television series such as Bewitched or Charmed, or the blockbuster movies such as Harry Potter. These are just creations of their respective writers and glamorized by the big studios for entertainment value.

Witchcraft itself was originally a way of life practiced over many centuries and not really thought of as witchcraft until the Middle Ages when the Catholic church turned its attention towards Pagan practices. There are quite a few variations of belief systems that were practiced and are now collectively labeled as witchcraft. Some of the more commonly known would be Druidism, Herbalism, and Spiritualism but there are many more. Of themselves the practice of any of them does not make someone a witch as that determination is made by the practitioner. This made little difference to the Catholic church and all such practices were seen as heresy and resulted in the persecution of witches.

Today witchcraft is thought of as a Pagan religion which makes it as legitimate a religion as any other. The more modern variation of Traditional witchcraft, Wicca witchcraft, is far more open and regimented than the older practices and has gained a large following in the western world. Like any religion it is a way of life which is practiced by its members which gather in covens rather than a congregation. The result is the same no matter what terms are used as these groups worship their own particular belief structure.

Understanding what witchcraft is allows for a determination for the second question posed in the article title. Is Witchcraft Real? As a religion it is as real as any other which means that if you believe it to be real then it is.

About the Author

Oliver Trescombe is an article writer and internet marketer with a wide variety of interests.

Question About Wicca From the States?

I live in the USA and am a Wiccan. Wicca seems to be a large spreading religion. How big is Wicca in the UK & Ireland? Are people as closed minded about it where you live? Lots of Americans call us satan worshippers and tell us we're going to hell (even though we don't believe in it). So, tell me about it where you live. And I put this question in Mythology only because that's where alot of our pagan questions are put. Thanx!!

Generally British people have a general acceptance of all and any religions/faiths/beliefs, and that includes Wiccan, neo pagan beliefs etc. Even though they may not understand it, noone really cares as long as things are done privately.

Wicca and Neo paganism isn't a large religion in England, although there are a significant number of practicing Wiccans, and an even larger number of those who are open to/interested in the beliefs and would read about them/dabble in them without actually calling themselves a certain title such as Wiccan.

I think the huge difference between America and England in this is that first of all America has a much larger base of fundamental Christians which would explain the persecution, and also that England has a very very long and deeply ingrained history of Earth based, Pagan religions and beliefs, and this is still deep within us, even if we don't specify it with a specific religion.

McCormack's mess: More secrecy and untruths
Manchester Bishop John McCormack has shown, yet again, that he cannot be trusted to deal honestly and forthrightly with New Hampshire Catholics.

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