But I am not sure they can't. I suspect that is exactly what happens with everything from sightings of the Virgin Mary to alien abductions.

Yes. I have no doubt that you suspect as much. Because your silly and your beliefs are silly. You don't admit the difference between objective reality and your thoughts. You're certainly entitled to think that way. But get used to being called silly.

By the way, have you ever tried jumping out of a 12th story window and then just imagining some wings for yourself? No? I suspected as much.

Personally I don't make stuff up. I study philology and theorize about the beliefs of the Vikings and earlier. It is all evidence based and very interesting. I have just written an article (to be published soon) on Eddic childbirth charms and the specific and probably conscious reference to the Rune Poems.

Look, let's not be cowardly here. Do you or do you not want us to believe that you are a believer in Norse Paganism? You know, do you worship Odin or whoever your imaginary friend is? Or is it all an intersting hobby like dressing up as a pirate and having sword fights with your friends in the park on weekends?

How do you detect beauty?

It cannot be detected and, strictly speaking, does not exist. It's something you imagine. Shakespeare knew as much when he said "nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so".