PAREIDOLIA

(payr.eye.DOH.lee.uh) n. The erroneous or fanciful perception of a pattern or meaning in something that is actually ambiguous or random.

This word is a blend of the prefix para-, meaning, in this context, something faulty or wrong (for example, paraphasia, disordered speech) and eidolon (1828), a ghostly image or phantom.

I stumbled upon this word while perusing the Rob Brezny horoscopes for the week. His cosmic message to the Virgos is to "strike a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness. Just because some apparent miracles are frauds doesn't mean they all are."

Indeed.

Ponder that.

Or, if you're me and feeling particularly inspired by Mr. Brezny's advice, name your brand new blog after it.

Just for fun, here are some photographic examples of pareidolia...pretty neat and also a little creepy in some cases.