Monday 31 August 2009
Unmanned Desk
That's it for today ... just about ... 'the desk' here at A Light In The Darkness will not be manned tonight. I'm taking a well deserved rest as mentioned in a post earlier this month. I'm going to see a band live ... someone I first tried to get to see back in 1995 in the UK. But with no success as they were sold out. Since moving over to the Southern Hemisphere in 2002, chances have been few and far between to see them. However ... I seized the opportunity weeks ago and bought myself a ticket -- MJ
Thirteen Month Calendar
Nature has long provided us with the knowledge and cues to make positive choices in Nature has long provided us with the knowledge and cues to make positive choices in our lives, from the seasons that facilitate growing cycles to the rising and setting of the sun.
However, in our fast-paced world we largely ignore her, waking when the alarm sounds, sleeping when we can find the time and living from season to season without any change in our lifestyles. But there are still many cultures that live within the flow of time, without calendars or clocks, opting to keep time by being aware of the changing of the seasons or the movements of the stars in the sky. Advocates of the 13-month, 28-day perpetual calendar want to emulate this more natural way of living by altering our current calendar (which sometimes has 28 days in a month and sometimes 31) to correspond with the cycles of the moon.
In each lunar month, the moon completes a full cycle in 28 days, going from a full moon to a crescent to none at all. This duration is mirrored by women's natural menstrual cycles. The 13-month calendar can help you reconnect with the rhythms of nature and the planet by helping you recognize and understand your own natural rhythms. Becoming in tune with the moon's cycles is a gentle way to adjust to living by your body's prompts which restores your inner harmony. Living exclusively by the 13 month calendar is all but a luxury for most of us, but keeping a lunar calendar where you can refer to it is a good way to be aware of how your own cycles may be in sync with the lunar cycles. Many people believe that by following the 13-moon calendar, you can synchronize with nature and benefit from the support system of our entire planet.
Inspiration For Today
“The world situation that life is presenting us with in the 21st century is a natural outcome of the state of consciousness that has created it.
“People having an internal system for understanding life that is based on limited thought processes and giving a view of themselves as separate and insecure individuals, naturally creates a world full of conflict and fear. “But consider that this may also be part of a perfect unfolding!
“This may be how life works, that each stage of consciousness along the way in our development brings with it its own crisis.
“Each crisis forces individuals to question their current reality system, and to try to find a new stability by stretching into new versions of themselves with fuller capabilities and by outgrowing any old habits that no longer support them.
“Life creates situations that cannot be solved at their own level because the ways of seeing and knowing that have brought us to this point aren’t working anymore. Our old paradigms and models are failing us and we are forced to let go of our old ways of constructing reality and look again to see what we have missed.”
“People having an internal system for understanding life that is based on limited thought processes and giving a view of themselves as separate and insecure individuals, naturally creates a world full of conflict and fear. “But consider that this may also be part of a perfect unfolding!
“This may be how life works, that each stage of consciousness along the way in our development brings with it its own crisis.
“Each crisis forces individuals to question their current reality system, and to try to find a new stability by stretching into new versions of themselves with fuller capabilities and by outgrowing any old habits that no longer support them.
“Life creates situations that cannot be solved at their own level because the ways of seeing and knowing that have brought us to this point aren’t working anymore. Our old paradigms and models are failing us and we are forced to let go of our old ways of constructing reality and look again to see what we have missed.”
Making it illegal to sell 100-watt light bulbs is simply dimwitted
This week, Britain will become a gloomier place to live.
From tomorrow, the 100-watt incandescent bulbs that have been the gold-standard of illumination for more than a century, will become contraband, together with all traditional frosted and pearlescent bulbs.
The long-heralded EU ban, invoked (naturally) in the name of environmental correctness, comes into force this week, meaning that anyone found importing or selling these ‘illegal’ bulbs will face criminal charges.
This is merely the first step in a process that, from September 2011, will see clear-glass versions of 60W incandescent bulbs similarly outlawed, followed by a full ban on all ‘traditional’ bulbs from September 2012.
Nor is this just some awkward bit of red tape that can be safely ignored by the majority, while the authorities turn a blind eye.
Any retailer who fails to uphold the ban can be shopped to the authorities and face a hefty fine and criminal record.
Given the behaviour of some eco-zealots, one can all too easily imagine this happening.
Look forward in the coming months to tales of hapless market traders and back-street electricians being snitched upon by righteous green activists and hauled off to the courts as if they were heroin dealers.
No doubt there will soon be armies of light-bulb enforcement officers recruited to police the ban, to join the legions of Europe’s jobzillas. (Daily Mail)
From tomorrow, the 100-watt incandescent bulbs that have been the gold-standard of illumination for more than a century, will become contraband, together with all traditional frosted and pearlescent bulbs.The long-heralded EU ban, invoked (naturally) in the name of environmental correctness, comes into force this week, meaning that anyone found importing or selling these ‘illegal’ bulbs will face criminal charges.
This is merely the first step in a process that, from September 2011, will see clear-glass versions of 60W incandescent bulbs similarly outlawed, followed by a full ban on all ‘traditional’ bulbs from September 2012.
Nor is this just some awkward bit of red tape that can be safely ignored by the majority, while the authorities turn a blind eye.
Any retailer who fails to uphold the ban can be shopped to the authorities and face a hefty fine and criminal record.
Given the behaviour of some eco-zealots, one can all too easily imagine this happening.
Look forward in the coming months to tales of hapless market traders and back-street electricians being snitched upon by righteous green activists and hauled off to the courts as if they were heroin dealers.
No doubt there will soon be armies of light-bulb enforcement officers recruited to police the ban, to join the legions of Europe’s jobzillas. (Daily Mail)
More The Ridiculous & The Sublime - Fluedo: Health Chiefs Introduce Their Latest Weapon in the War Against Swine Flu... a Dice Game
When swine flu first struck Britain the Government responded with helplines, distribution points for anti-viral drugs and a promise of a vaccine by Christmas. But now health chiefs have unveiled a bizarre new tactic to combat the virus – a role-play game using a set of dice. The Flu Pandemic Game, which can be downloaded from the Department of Health’s website, is for three to 60 players, takes around 90 minutes and has chance cards much like Monopoly.Read more...
Sunday 30 August 2009
Quotes For The Day
“...we can't survive without enchantment... the loss of it is killing us.” -- Thomas Moore
“There is one thing that all true spirituality has in common, whether that spirituality is derived from faith, from science, from nature or from the arts – a sense of wonder.” -- Andrew Schneider
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter." -- Albert Einstein
“We live in a world of theophanies. Holiness comes wrapped in the ordinary. There are burning bushes all around you. Every tree is full of angels. Hidden beauty is waiting in every crumb. Life wants to lead you from crumbs to angels, but this can happen only if you are willing to unwrap the ordinary by staying with it long enough to harvest its treasure.” -- Macrina Wiederkehr
“There is one thing that all true spirituality has in common, whether that spirituality is derived from faith, from science, from nature or from the arts – a sense of wonder.” -- Andrew Schneider
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter." -- Albert Einstein
“We live in a world of theophanies. Holiness comes wrapped in the ordinary. There are burning bushes all around you. Every tree is full of angels. Hidden beauty is waiting in every crumb. Life wants to lead you from crumbs to angels, but this can happen only if you are willing to unwrap the ordinary by staying with it long enough to harvest its treasure.” -- Macrina Wiederkehr
The Body of Light in the Western Esoteric Tradition
The origin of the “body of light” is seen in gnostic literature as early as first century. However, extensive documentation and theory exist in Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Indian literature and practices of an earlier date. Under the general heading of chi kung, or Chinese internal alchemy, these practices are designed to create and mature a body of subtle astral and etheric energy that is capable of existence independent of material consciousness. 
This body is also thought to be capable of infusing the material body with sufficient energy to allow it to become more subtle and ‘etherial’. This ‘etherialization’ is said to make the physical body, under the direction of the adept, capable of de-materialization at the time of death. Enoch, Ezekiel, the ascension of Jesus, his mother Mary, and even Mohammed with his horse, are often given as examples of this form of dematerialization in Western spiritual literature.
Unfortunately, while Eastern systems have maintained a working technical tradition of the theory and its application needed to achieve this goal, little information remains in the West of a similar nature. The idea of the ‘simulacrum’ is the closest we have, and may very well be the starting point of such experimentation. It can be seen from the Eastern literature available, that the idea of the “Body of Light” often called the “Rainbow” or “Diamond Body” is the perfection of a vehicle for the exteriorization (projection), and continuation of consciousness beyond material reality. This paper will attempt to show how the development of this body can be achieved through existing qabalistic practices, and that the stages of its growth corresponds to total realization on the Lunar (Yetzirah), Solar (Briah), and Saturnian (Daath) planes of consciousness.
It is important to realize what is meant by these ‘planes’ however, as they can be confusing when first encountered as an esoteric teaching.
When the Cosmic created the universe, humanity, or the ‘human seed’, that aspect of consciousness which was to grow into realization of godhood, descended from primal unity. This unity is symbolized by the Divine World of Atzilooth, and the Holy Upper Trinity in the Tree of Life.
When consciousness experiences increasing levels of density as matter is created, duality forms and continues to the material world. This first descent from unity to duality is the so-called “Fall” and to prevent a premature return to Unity, that is before all of creation could be encountered, a barrier was placed called in qabalistic literature, the Abyss. This is the “First Day of Creation” or appearance of time/space.
As the descent continued, the human seed experienced progressive levels of sexual polarization as well as being further removed from its memory of Divine consciousness. After the level of Divine Harmony in creation, or Tiphareth, the center of humanities sense of self, an additional barrier was created, the Veil, or Paroketh.
This body is also thought to be capable of infusing the material body with sufficient energy to allow it to become more subtle and ‘etherial’. This ‘etherialization’ is said to make the physical body, under the direction of the adept, capable of de-materialization at the time of death. Enoch, Ezekiel, the ascension of Jesus, his mother Mary, and even Mohammed with his horse, are often given as examples of this form of dematerialization in Western spiritual literature.Unfortunately, while Eastern systems have maintained a working technical tradition of the theory and its application needed to achieve this goal, little information remains in the West of a similar nature. The idea of the ‘simulacrum’ is the closest we have, and may very well be the starting point of such experimentation. It can be seen from the Eastern literature available, that the idea of the “Body of Light” often called the “Rainbow” or “Diamond Body” is the perfection of a vehicle for the exteriorization (projection), and continuation of consciousness beyond material reality. This paper will attempt to show how the development of this body can be achieved through existing qabalistic practices, and that the stages of its growth corresponds to total realization on the Lunar (Yetzirah), Solar (Briah), and Saturnian (Daath) planes of consciousness.
It is important to realize what is meant by these ‘planes’ however, as they can be confusing when first encountered as an esoteric teaching.
When the Cosmic created the universe, humanity, or the ‘human seed’, that aspect of consciousness which was to grow into realization of godhood, descended from primal unity. This unity is symbolized by the Divine World of Atzilooth, and the Holy Upper Trinity in the Tree of Life.
When consciousness experiences increasing levels of density as matter is created, duality forms and continues to the material world. This first descent from unity to duality is the so-called “Fall” and to prevent a premature return to Unity, that is before all of creation could be encountered, a barrier was placed called in qabalistic literature, the Abyss. This is the “First Day of Creation” or appearance of time/space.
As the descent continued, the human seed experienced progressive levels of sexual polarization as well as being further removed from its memory of Divine consciousness. After the level of Divine Harmony in creation, or Tiphareth, the center of humanities sense of self, an additional barrier was created, the Veil, or Paroketh.
This is the appearance of individuality free of the Divine spark.
Finally, a third barrier of Veil is encountered, and that is what separates material creation from the psychic and spiritual worlds. Here, humanity has no memory of its Divine origin, and has complete free will to seek what it desires. (Hermetic.com)
Finally, a third barrier of Veil is encountered, and that is what separates material creation from the psychic and spiritual worlds. Here, humanity has no memory of its Divine origin, and has complete free will to seek what it desires. (Hermetic.com)
Manta UFOs Sighted Over Rio Puerco, New Mexico July 19, 2009
Along with the tape of a UFO overcoming and disappearing with an Air-Force jet over Tucson, Arizona this month August 8, 2009; Manta-Ray type craft were seen in New Mexico three weeks prior to this event.
The Anasazi people that the witness mentions were the ancient residents of New Mexico who built the amazing astronomically- oriented ruins in Chaco Canyon. The entire area is known as the "Paranormal Corridor". Manta-like craft have been seen flying over prehistoric flood-plains as if they were swimming though the ocean that was once there.
These Mantas had rough grey skin like living creatures. A small ET entity was spotted on the ground during one of these Manta UFO sightings, and this little ET had the same type of rough grey skin. This also gave the impression that both the ship and its occupant were part of the same entity.
In the Bible, the Book of Ezekiel Ch. 1, the followers of the craft the Ezekiel saw were called "the Living Creatures". This was the same impression that the Mantas gave to the witnesses in New Mexico ... read more ...
The Anasazi people that the witness mentions were the ancient residents of New Mexico who built the amazing astronomically- oriented ruins in Chaco Canyon. The entire area is known as the "Paranormal Corridor". Manta-like craft have been seen flying over prehistoric flood-plains as if they were swimming though the ocean that was once there.These Mantas had rough grey skin like living creatures. A small ET entity was spotted on the ground during one of these Manta UFO sightings, and this little ET had the same type of rough grey skin. This also gave the impression that both the ship and its occupant were part of the same entity.
In the Bible, the Book of Ezekiel Ch. 1, the followers of the craft the Ezekiel saw were called "the Living Creatures". This was the same impression that the Mantas gave to the witnesses in New Mexico ... read more ...
Samhain: Season of Death and Renewal
Source: Imbas.org
The earliest record we have of the festival of Samhain in the Celtic world comes from the Coligny Calendar, a native Celtic lunar calendar inscribed on bronze tablets and discovered in eastern France a hundred years ago. The calendar -- dated, through epigraphic evidence, to the 1st century CE -- is written in the Latin alphabet and was found in conjunction with a Roman-style statue (identified by some writers as Apollo, by others as Mars), but the language used is Gaulish and the dating system itself bears little resemblance to Roman models, implying that it represents the survival of an indigenous tradition maintained by native clergy.
A detailed discussion of the calendar lies outside the scope of this article, but for our purposes it will be enough to point out that its year consists of twelve regularly recurring months that fall naturally into two groups, one headed by the month that is labeled SAMON (for Samonios) and the other by the month GIAMON (for Giamonios), and that the names of these two months are clearly related to the terms samos "summer" and giamos "winter" (cf. Gaelic samh(radh) "summer", geamh(radh) "winter"; Welsh haf "summer", gaeaf "winter"). The date of SAMON- xvii is identified as TRINVX SAMO SINDIV, which can be readily interpreted as an abbreviation of Trinouxtion Samonii sindiu ("The three-night-period of Samonios [is] today"). This is one of the very few dates in the calendar that is given a specific name, testifying to its importance as a festival; and since Samoni- is obviously the origin of the modern name Samhain, it is reasonable to equate the Trinouxtion Samonii with the feast that is still one of the most important dates in the Celtic ritual year.
We should note, however, that since the Coligny Calendar gives no indication of how its months relate to those of the Roman calendar, we have no conclusive evidence that would allow us to fit it into the framework of our own year, and scholars are still very much divided on the issue. The most confusing element, of course, is that Samon- refers to summer, and so would naturally lead one to think that a month with that name would head the summer half of the year; and many of the earlier interpretations of the Coligny Calendar take this for granted. In living Celtic tradition, however, the festival of Samhain, despite its name, is definitely the beginning of winter. Though such evidence doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility that Continental Druids used a completely different terminology, many scholars now accept the authority of the living tradition and place the Samonios month in October/November.
What does the name of the festival mean, however? Here, again,we run into controversy. The traditional interpretation -- first put forward in the Mediaeval glossaries and still held to by native speakers -- is that it means "summer's end", being a combination of samh "summer" and fuin "ending, concealment". This is obviously a folk etymology, since we know that the earliest form of the word (Samoni-) had a different structure, but its importance to the living tradition should make us wary of dismissing it too lightly. Although philologists have been unable to find a plausible Indo-European explanation for a suffix -oni- meaning "end of" (the suffix, by the way, occurs in at least three of the other Coligny months), this is not conclusive in itself: there are quite a few other derivational suffixes attested in Old Celtic that resist an easy Indo-European etymology, although their meanings are uncontroversial. What should be kept in mind is that in the ritual context of the Celtic Year, Samhain is strongly identified with the "end" or "concealment" of Summer, the Light Half of the year. In the modern Gaelic languages the festival is called Samhain (Irish), Samhuinn (Scots Gaelic), and Sauin (Manx). The night on which it begins (OÃche Shamhna in Irish, Oidhche Shamhna in Scots Gaelic, Oie Houney in Manx) is the primary focus of the celebration. The Brythonic languages call the feast by a name meaning "first of Winter", borrowing the Latin term calenda which designates the first day of a month (Welsh Calan Gaeaf, Breton Kala-Goañv, Cornish Kalann Gwav), but the beliefs and practices associated with it are consistent with what we find in the Gaelic countries, and will help us discover a pan-Celtic theology of Samhain.
The Coligny Calendar's division of the year into two halves associated with summer and winter is still very strongly reflected in Celtic folk practice, where the yearly cycle consists of a dark half beginning on Samhain (November 1st), mirrored by a light half beginning on Bealtaine (May 1st). The rituals surrounding Samhain and Bealtaine are closely related to each other and make it clear that the two festivals are linked, but also that they deal with opposite energies within the unfolding of the year. What is explicit and active in one is implicit and dormant in the other, and vice versa.
This is often expressed as the notion that what disappears in our world at once becomes present in the Otherworld, and it has even been suggested, on this basis, that Samhain's "summery" name was originally intended to designate the beginning of an Otherworld summer! Whether this is plausible or not, it remains certain that while Samhain began one kind of yearly cycle, Bealtaine began another, and both could be construed as a kind of "New Year". In ancient Ireland the High King inaugurated the year on Samhain for his household (and, symbolically, for all the people of Ireland) with the famous ritual of Tara, but in nearby Uisneach, the sacred centre held by the druids in complementary opposition to Tara, it was on Bealtaine that the main ritual cycle was begun. In both cases sacred fires were extinguished and re-lit, though this happened at sunset on Samhain and at dawn on Bealtaine. Bealtaine was a time of opening and expansion, Samhain a time of gathering-in and shutting, and for herd-owners like the Celts this was expressed with particular vividness by the release of cattle into upland pastures on Bealtaine and their return to the safety of the byres on Samhain.
Which of these two dates, then, should we think of primarily as the "Celtic New Year"? Although both deal with the beginning of a cycle, Samhain begins it in darkness, and there is no doubt about the pre-eminence of darkness in Celtic tradition. In De Bello Gallico Julius Caesar notes that the Celts began their daily cycle with sunset (spatia omnis temporis non numero dierum, sed noctium finiunt; dies natales et mensum et annorum initia sic obseruant, ut noctem dies subsequatur -- "they define all amounts of time not by the number of days, but by the number of nights; they celebrate birthdays and the beginnings of months and years in such a way that the day is made to follow the night"), and this is confirmed by later Celtic practice. Darkness comes before light, because life appears in the darkness of the womb, all things have their beginning in the fertile chaos that is hidden from the rational mind. Thus the year begins with its dark half, holding the bright half in gestation as the seeds lie in apparent death underground, although the forces of growth are already at work in Otherworldly invisibility. The moment of death -- the passing into the concealing darkness -- is itself the first step in the renewal of life.
A detailed discussion of the calendar lies outside the scope of this article, but for our purposes it will be enough to point out that its year consists of twelve regularly recurring months that fall naturally into two groups, one headed by the month that is labeled SAMON (for Samonios) and the other by the month GIAMON (for Giamonios), and that the names of these two months are clearly related to the terms samos "summer" and giamos "winter" (cf. Gaelic samh(radh) "summer", geamh(radh) "winter"; Welsh haf "summer", gaeaf "winter"). The date of SAMON- xvii is identified as TRINVX SAMO SINDIV, which can be readily interpreted as an abbreviation of Trinouxtion Samonii sindiu ("The three-night-period of Samonios [is] today"). This is one of the very few dates in the calendar that is given a specific name, testifying to its importance as a festival; and since Samoni- is obviously the origin of the modern name Samhain, it is reasonable to equate the Trinouxtion Samonii with the feast that is still one of the most important dates in the Celtic ritual year.We should note, however, that since the Coligny Calendar gives no indication of how its months relate to those of the Roman calendar, we have no conclusive evidence that would allow us to fit it into the framework of our own year, and scholars are still very much divided on the issue. The most confusing element, of course, is that Samon- refers to summer, and so would naturally lead one to think that a month with that name would head the summer half of the year; and many of the earlier interpretations of the Coligny Calendar take this for granted. In living Celtic tradition, however, the festival of Samhain, despite its name, is definitely the beginning of winter. Though such evidence doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility that Continental Druids used a completely different terminology, many scholars now accept the authority of the living tradition and place the Samonios month in October/November.
What does the name of the festival mean, however? Here, again,we run into controversy. The traditional interpretation -- first put forward in the Mediaeval glossaries and still held to by native speakers -- is that it means "summer's end", being a combination of samh "summer" and fuin "ending, concealment". This is obviously a folk etymology, since we know that the earliest form of the word (Samoni-) had a different structure, but its importance to the living tradition should make us wary of dismissing it too lightly. Although philologists have been unable to find a plausible Indo-European explanation for a suffix -oni- meaning "end of" (the suffix, by the way, occurs in at least three of the other Coligny months), this is not conclusive in itself: there are quite a few other derivational suffixes attested in Old Celtic that resist an easy Indo-European etymology, although their meanings are uncontroversial. What should be kept in mind is that in the ritual context of the Celtic Year, Samhain is strongly identified with the "end" or "concealment" of Summer, the Light Half of the year. In the modern Gaelic languages the festival is called Samhain (Irish), Samhuinn (Scots Gaelic), and Sauin (Manx). The night on which it begins (OÃche Shamhna in Irish, Oidhche Shamhna in Scots Gaelic, Oie Houney in Manx) is the primary focus of the celebration. The Brythonic languages call the feast by a name meaning "first of Winter", borrowing the Latin term calenda which designates the first day of a month (Welsh Calan Gaeaf, Breton Kala-Goañv, Cornish Kalann Gwav), but the beliefs and practices associated with it are consistent with what we find in the Gaelic countries, and will help us discover a pan-Celtic theology of Samhain.
The Coligny Calendar's division of the year into two halves associated with summer and winter is still very strongly reflected in Celtic folk practice, where the yearly cycle consists of a dark half beginning on Samhain (November 1st), mirrored by a light half beginning on Bealtaine (May 1st). The rituals surrounding Samhain and Bealtaine are closely related to each other and make it clear that the two festivals are linked, but also that they deal with opposite energies within the unfolding of the year. What is explicit and active in one is implicit and dormant in the other, and vice versa.
This is often expressed as the notion that what disappears in our world at once becomes present in the Otherworld, and it has even been suggested, on this basis, that Samhain's "summery" name was originally intended to designate the beginning of an Otherworld summer! Whether this is plausible or not, it remains certain that while Samhain began one kind of yearly cycle, Bealtaine began another, and both could be construed as a kind of "New Year". In ancient Ireland the High King inaugurated the year on Samhain for his household (and, symbolically, for all the people of Ireland) with the famous ritual of Tara, but in nearby Uisneach, the sacred centre held by the druids in complementary opposition to Tara, it was on Bealtaine that the main ritual cycle was begun. In both cases sacred fires were extinguished and re-lit, though this happened at sunset on Samhain and at dawn on Bealtaine. Bealtaine was a time of opening and expansion, Samhain a time of gathering-in and shutting, and for herd-owners like the Celts this was expressed with particular vividness by the release of cattle into upland pastures on Bealtaine and their return to the safety of the byres on Samhain.
Which of these two dates, then, should we think of primarily as the "Celtic New Year"? Although both deal with the beginning of a cycle, Samhain begins it in darkness, and there is no doubt about the pre-eminence of darkness in Celtic tradition. In De Bello Gallico Julius Caesar notes that the Celts began their daily cycle with sunset (spatia omnis temporis non numero dierum, sed noctium finiunt; dies natales et mensum et annorum initia sic obseruant, ut noctem dies subsequatur -- "they define all amounts of time not by the number of days, but by the number of nights; they celebrate birthdays and the beginnings of months and years in such a way that the day is made to follow the night"), and this is confirmed by later Celtic practice. Darkness comes before light, because life appears in the darkness of the womb, all things have their beginning in the fertile chaos that is hidden from the rational mind. Thus the year begins with its dark half, holding the bright half in gestation as the seeds lie in apparent death underground, although the forces of growth are already at work in Otherworldly invisibility. The moment of death -- the passing into the concealing darkness -- is itself the first step in the renewal of life.
WHO Warns Of Severe Form Of Swine Flu
(a.k.a 'the next round of scaremongering has begun) ...
Source: NY Times
Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people and requiring expensive hospital treatment, the World Health Organisation said Friday. Some countries are reporting that as many as 15 percent of patients hospitalized with the new H1N1 pandemic virus need intensive care, further straining already overburdened healthcare systems, WHO said in an update on the pandemic.
"During the winter season in the southern hemisphere, several countries have viewed the need for intensive care as the greatest burden on health services," it said. "Preparedness measures need to anticipate this increased demand on intensive care units, which could be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in the number of severe cases." Earlier, WHO reported that H1N1 had reached epidemic levels in Japan, signalling an early start to what may be a long influenza season this year, and that it was also worsening in tropical regions. "Perhaps most significantly, clinicians from around the world are reporting a very severe form of disease, also in young and otherwise healthy people, which is rarely seen during seasonal influenza infections," WHO said.
"In these patients, the virus directly infects the lung, causing severe respiratory failure. Saving these lives depends on highly specialized and demanding care in intensive care units, usually with long and costly stays."
Source: NY Times
Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people and requiring expensive hospital treatment, the World Health Organisation said Friday. Some countries are reporting that as many as 15 percent of patients hospitalized with the new H1N1 pandemic virus need intensive care, further straining already overburdened healthcare systems, WHO said in an update on the pandemic.
"During the winter season in the southern hemisphere, several countries have viewed the need for intensive care as the greatest burden on health services," it said. "Preparedness measures need to anticipate this increased demand on intensive care units, which could be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in the number of severe cases." Earlier, WHO reported that H1N1 had reached epidemic levels in Japan, signalling an early start to what may be a long influenza season this year, and that it was also worsening in tropical regions. "Perhaps most significantly, clinicians from around the world are reporting a very severe form of disease, also in young and otherwise healthy people, which is rarely seen during seasonal influenza infections," WHO said.
"In these patients, the virus directly infects the lung, causing severe respiratory failure. Saving these lives depends on highly specialized and demanding care in intensive care units, usually with long and costly stays."
Saturday 29 August 2009
Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger was sent from the dug-out in fury after Abou Diaby's own goal gifted Manchester United victory at Old Trafford and wrecked Arsenal's flawless start to the new season.
Arsenal were on course for a fifth successive victory in domestic and European combat when Andrey Arshavin's magical finish gave them the advantage over the Premier League champions just before the interval. Sir Alex Ferguson's side had struggled to make any impact against Arsenal's resilient rearguard - but the shape of the game altered dramatically in the space of five minutes around the hour mark. Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia needlessly fouled Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes to allow the England striker to equalise from the penalty spot.
And the transformation in the game and the atmosphere inside Old Trafford was complete when Diaby, in a moment from his nightmares, headed Ryan Giggs' free-kick into his own goal in front of an ecstatic Stretford End. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal were on course for a fifth successive victory in domestic and European combat when Andrey Arshavin's magical finish gave them the advantage over the Premier League champions just before the interval. Sir Alex Ferguson's side had struggled to make any impact against Arsenal's resilient rearguard - but the shape of the game altered dramatically in the space of five minutes around the hour mark. Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia needlessly fouled Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes to allow the England striker to equalise from the penalty spot.And the transformation in the game and the atmosphere inside Old Trafford was complete when Diaby, in a moment from his nightmares, headed Ryan Giggs' free-kick into his own goal in front of an ecstatic Stretford End. (Daily Mail)
A Word on 'Phosphenes'
A phosphene is an entoptic phenomenon characterized by the experience of seeing light without light actually entering the eye. The word phosphene comes from the Greek words phos (light) and phainein (to show). Phosphenes can be directly induced by mechanical, electrical, or magnetic stimulation of the retina or visual cortex as well as by random firing of cells in the visual system.
Phosphenes have also been reported by meditators, people who go for long periods without visual stimulation (also known as the prisoner's cinema) or who are under the influence of drugs, especially a hallucinogen.
The most common phosphenes are pressure phosphenes, caused by rubbing the closed eyes. They have been known since antiquity, and described by the Greeks. The pressure mechanically stimulates the cells of the retina. Experiences include a darkening of the visual field that moves against the rubbing, a diffuse coloured patch that also moves against the rubbing, a scintillating and ever-changing and deforming light grid with occasional dark spots (like a crumpling fly-spotted flyscreen), and a sparse field of intense blue points of light. Pressure phosphenes can persist briefly after the rubbing stops and the eyes are opened, allowing the phosphenes to be seen on the visual scene. Herman Helmholtz and others have published drawings of their pressure phosphenes. One example of a pressure phosphene is demonstrated by gently pressing the side of your eye and observing a coloured ring of light on the opposite side, as detailed by Isaac Newton.
Another common phosphene is “seeing stars,” from a sneeze, a heavy and deep cough, blowing of the nose, a blow on the head or low blood pressure (such as on standing up too quickly or prior to fainting). It is possible these involve some mechanical stimulation of the retina, but they may also involve mechanical and metabolic stimulation of neurons of the visual cortex or of other parts of the visual system.
Phosphenes have also been reported by meditators, people who go for long periods without visual stimulation (also known as the prisoner's cinema) or who are under the influence of drugs, especially a hallucinogen.The most common phosphenes are pressure phosphenes, caused by rubbing the closed eyes. They have been known since antiquity, and described by the Greeks. The pressure mechanically stimulates the cells of the retina. Experiences include a darkening of the visual field that moves against the rubbing, a diffuse coloured patch that also moves against the rubbing, a scintillating and ever-changing and deforming light grid with occasional dark spots (like a crumpling fly-spotted flyscreen), and a sparse field of intense blue points of light. Pressure phosphenes can persist briefly after the rubbing stops and the eyes are opened, allowing the phosphenes to be seen on the visual scene. Herman Helmholtz and others have published drawings of their pressure phosphenes. One example of a pressure phosphene is demonstrated by gently pressing the side of your eye and observing a coloured ring of light on the opposite side, as detailed by Isaac Newton.
Another common phosphene is “seeing stars,” from a sneeze, a heavy and deep cough, blowing of the nose, a blow on the head or low blood pressure (such as on standing up too quickly or prior to fainting). It is possible these involve some mechanical stimulation of the retina, but they may also involve mechanical and metabolic stimulation of neurons of the visual cortex or of other parts of the visual system.
Buddhist Inspiration .. Free Will
Do not accept any of my words on faith,
Believing them just because I said them.
Be like an analyst buying gold, who cuts, burns,
And critically examines his product for authenticity.
Only accept what passes the test
By proving useful and beneficial in your life.
Believing them just because I said them.
Be like an analyst buying gold, who cuts, burns,
And critically examines his product for authenticity.
Only accept what passes the test
By proving useful and beneficial in your life.
Learning From Trees
The trees are our teachers. Their silence speaks of wisdom and patience for these ancient spirits have persevered the centuries, witnessing human evolution. Take the giant Sequoia, for instance. Not only has this 'big tree' - the most massive of all living forms - been around for more than 135 million years, some of the living ones are believed to be close to 4000 years old. 
Trees - they are sturdy, poised, determined, and resilient. They always seem to know where they stand. They exist in the present and radiate presence. They express themselves with ease. These are just a few of the lessons that these wooded creatures have to impart. The tree as an image of illumination and life has made its way to the center of many tales. The Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. According to Norse mythology, Odin became the God of Wisdom by hanging on Yggdrasil, the world ash tree that unites heaven, earth, and hell. And both the Kabalah and Bhagavad Gita describe a tree that grows upside down, with its roots in heaven and its branches in the world. Trees show us how to strive. They connect with all the levels of the cosmos, simultaneously and harmoniously. Their roots burrow deep into the soil, boldly penetrating the unknown world of Under. Their trunks belong to Mother Earth. And their branches reach up, up, swaying fluently in the sky.
Trees - they are sturdy, poised, determined, and resilient. They always seem to know where they stand. They exist in the present and radiate presence. They express themselves with ease. These are just a few of the lessons that these wooded creatures have to impart. The tree as an image of illumination and life has made its way to the center of many tales. The Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. According to Norse mythology, Odin became the God of Wisdom by hanging on Yggdrasil, the world ash tree that unites heaven, earth, and hell. And both the Kabalah and Bhagavad Gita describe a tree that grows upside down, with its roots in heaven and its branches in the world. Trees show us how to strive. They connect with all the levels of the cosmos, simultaneously and harmoniously. Their roots burrow deep into the soil, boldly penetrating the unknown world of Under. Their trunks belong to Mother Earth. And their branches reach up, up, swaying fluently in the sky. May we also stand firmly grounded, bending effortlessly with the winds of change; always growing toward the light. In addition, the leafy guardians represent generosity: they regulate the magnetic field of the earth; they offer us shade, absorb our carbon monoxide and offer us fresh air. May we too try to nourish, shelter and protect one another as well as our fellow forests. Next time you are in the presence of a magnificent trunk, thank it for its beauty and its teachings. Perhaps try placing your hands on its bark and breathing deeply - you may just feel its calm and ageless energy coursing through you.
'The Origin Of Our Alphabet'
Source: Atlantis, The Antediluvian World
The nation that became mistress of the seas, established communication with every shore, and monopolized the commerce of the known world, must have substituted a phonetic alphabet for the hieroglyphics as it gradually grew to this eminence; while isolated Egypt, less affected by the practical wants and tendencies of commercial enterprise, retained the hieroglyphic system, and carried it to a marvellous height of perfection.
It must be remembered that some of the letters of our alphabet are inventions of the later nations. In the oldest alphabets there was no c, the g taking its place. The Romans converted the g into c; and then, finding the necessity for a g Sign, made one by adding a tail-piece to the c (C, G).
The Greeks added to the ancient alphabet the upsilon, shaped like our V or Y, the two forms being used at first indifferently: they added the X sign; they converted the t of the Phœnicians into th, or theta; z and s into signs for double consonants; they turned the Phœnician y (yod) into i (iota). The Greeks converted the Phœnician alphabet, which was partly consonantal, into one purely phonetic--"a perfect instrument for the expression of spoken language." The w was also added to the Phœnician alphabet. The Romans added the y. At first i and j were both indicated by the same sound; a sign for j was afterward added. We have also, in common with other European languages, added a double U, that is, VV, or W, to represent the w sound.
The letters, then, which we owe to the Phœnicians, are A, B, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, Z. If we are to trace out resemblances with the alphabet of any other country, it must be with these signs.
The nation that became mistress of the seas, established communication with every shore, and monopolized the commerce of the known world, must have substituted a phonetic alphabet for the hieroglyphics as it gradually grew to this eminence; while isolated Egypt, less affected by the practical wants and tendencies of commercial enterprise, retained the hieroglyphic system, and carried it to a marvellous height of perfection.
It must be remembered that some of the letters of our alphabet are inventions of the later nations. In the oldest alphabets there was no c, the g taking its place. The Romans converted the g into c; and then, finding the necessity for a g Sign, made one by adding a tail-piece to the c (C, G).
The Greeks added to the ancient alphabet the upsilon, shaped like our V or Y, the two forms being used at first indifferently: they added the X sign; they converted the t of the Phœnicians into th, or theta; z and s into signs for double consonants; they turned the Phœnician y (yod) into i (iota). The Greeks converted the Phœnician alphabet, which was partly consonantal, into one purely phonetic--"a perfect instrument for the expression of spoken language." The w was also added to the Phœnician alphabet. The Romans added the y. At first i and j were both indicated by the same sound; a sign for j was afterward added. We have also, in common with other European languages, added a double U, that is, VV, or W, to represent the w sound.
The letters, then, which we owe to the Phœnicians, are A, B, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, Z. If we are to trace out resemblances with the alphabet of any other country, it must be with these signs.
Single molecule, one million times smaller than a grain of sand, pictured for first time
It may look like a piece of honeycomb, but this lattice-shaped image is the first ever close-up view of a single molecule.
Scientists from IBM used an atomic force microscope (AFM) to reveal the chemical bonds within a molecule. ‘This is the first time that all the atoms in a molecule have been imaged,' lead researcher Leo Gross said.
The researchers focused on a single molecule of pentacene, which is commonly used in solar cells. The rectangular-shaped organic molecule is made up of 22 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms. In the image the hexagonal shapes of the five carbon rings are clear and even the positions of the hydrogen atoms around the carbon rings can be seen.
To give some perspective, the space between the carbon rings is only 0.14 nanometers across, which is roughly one million times smaller than the diameter of a grain of sand.
'If you think about how a doctor uses an X-ray to image bones and organs inside the human body, we are using the atomic force microscope to image the atomic structures that are the backbones of individual molecules,' said IBM researcher Gerhard Meyer.The team from IBM Research Zurich said the results could have a huge impact of the field of nanotechnology, which seeks to understand and control some of the smallest objects known to mankind. The AFM uses a sharp metal tip that acts like a tuning fork to measure the tiny forces between the tip and the molecule. This requires great precision as the tip moves within a nanometer of the sample.
'Above the skeleton of the molecular backbone (of the pentacene) you get a different detuning than above the surface the molecule is lying on,' Mr Gross said. This detuning is then measured and converted into an image. To stop the tip from absorbing the pentacene molecule, the researchers replaced the metal with a single molecule of carbon monoxide. This was found to be more stable and created weaker electrostatic attractions with the pentacene, creating a higher resolution image. (Daily Mail)
Scientists from IBM used an atomic force microscope (AFM) to reveal the chemical bonds within a molecule. ‘This is the first time that all the atoms in a molecule have been imaged,' lead researcher Leo Gross said.The researchers focused on a single molecule of pentacene, which is commonly used in solar cells. The rectangular-shaped organic molecule is made up of 22 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms. In the image the hexagonal shapes of the five carbon rings are clear and even the positions of the hydrogen atoms around the carbon rings can be seen.
To give some perspective, the space between the carbon rings is only 0.14 nanometers across, which is roughly one million times smaller than the diameter of a grain of sand.
'If you think about how a doctor uses an X-ray to image bones and organs inside the human body, we are using the atomic force microscope to image the atomic structures that are the backbones of individual molecules,' said IBM researcher Gerhard Meyer.The team from IBM Research Zurich said the results could have a huge impact of the field of nanotechnology, which seeks to understand and control some of the smallest objects known to mankind. The AFM uses a sharp metal tip that acts like a tuning fork to measure the tiny forces between the tip and the molecule. This requires great precision as the tip moves within a nanometer of the sample.
'Above the skeleton of the molecular backbone (of the pentacene) you get a different detuning than above the surface the molecule is lying on,' Mr Gross said. This detuning is then measured and converted into an image. To stop the tip from absorbing the pentacene molecule, the researchers replaced the metal with a single molecule of carbon monoxide. This was found to be more stable and created weaker electrostatic attractions with the pentacene, creating a higher resolution image. (Daily Mail)
Images Of The Day
More 'vapour trail' anomalies. Images derived from Google Mars in negative that present are thought provoking ... just what caused the clear 'vapour trails' seen in these images?
A series of vertical 'vapour trails' can been seen emanating from the base of a crater in this image.
The same vapour trails in close up. Note how they can clearly be seen originating from round fissures on the floor of the cave. The white trail on the right appears to have the double contrail appearance of a jet-engined plane here on earth. A close inspection of this trail-head seems to indicate (double click the image) there is indeed something within the twin trails. So what is the cause of these clear trails on Mars?
A series of vertical 'vapour trails' can been seen emanating from the base of a crater in this image.
The same vapour trails in close up. Note how they can clearly be seen originating from round fissures on the floor of the cave. The white trail on the right appears to have the double contrail appearance of a jet-engined plane here on earth. A close inspection of this trail-head seems to indicate (double click the image) there is indeed something within the twin trails. So what is the cause of these clear trails on Mars?
Masonic Lodges Open Those Mysterious Doors
Source: NYTimes
A replica of a mildewed 14th- century scroll has been unfurled and displayed at a library in New York. An eagle clutching arrows and ribbons, on a tattered flag made around 1803, has just been restored and framed for viewing at a Philadelphia museum. Near Boston a museum exhibition decodes cryptic symbols like compasses and columns embossed on metal badges and embroidered onto aprons.
That the public is now being enthusiastically shown these previously hidden-away items indicates that Freemasons in America are trying to shed their reclusive, somewhat fusty image. Tour guides at the groups’ lavishly ornamented lodges, mostly built around 1900, are explaining ceremonial rituals in newly restored rooms with murals of ancient builders polishing stones and vitrines full of gold pendants and domed velvet hats.
“We’re trying to help more people hear our story accurately,” said H. Robert Huke, the communications and development director at the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, an 1899 state headquarters in downtown Boston covered in sunburst mosaics. When curiosity seekers get to visit Masonic rooms, he added, “they’re less inclined to think we’re trying to control the world and run the banks.”
Freemasons have been portrayed as conspirators in books like Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code” and “The Lost Symbol” (due on Sept. 15) and the “National Treasure” movies starring Nicolas Cage. The truth is less entertaining. Founded around 1600 by British stonemasons, the men-only clubs hold closed sessions mainly to teach ecumenical ethics codes and raise money for charity, especially medical care. On their lodge walls and ceremonial clothing, motifs like eyes, beehives and drafting tools refer to virtues like steadfastness, tolerance and industriousness.
A replica of a mildewed 14th- century scroll has been unfurled and displayed at a library in New York. An eagle clutching arrows and ribbons, on a tattered flag made around 1803, has just been restored and framed for viewing at a Philadelphia museum. Near Boston a museum exhibition decodes cryptic symbols like compasses and columns embossed on metal badges and embroidered onto aprons.
That the public is now being enthusiastically shown these previously hidden-away items indicates that Freemasons in America are trying to shed their reclusive, somewhat fusty image. Tour guides at the groups’ lavishly ornamented lodges, mostly built around 1900, are explaining ceremonial rituals in newly restored rooms with murals of ancient builders polishing stones and vitrines full of gold pendants and domed velvet hats.“We’re trying to help more people hear our story accurately,” said H. Robert Huke, the communications and development director at the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, an 1899 state headquarters in downtown Boston covered in sunburst mosaics. When curiosity seekers get to visit Masonic rooms, he added, “they’re less inclined to think we’re trying to control the world and run the banks.”
Freemasons have been portrayed as conspirators in books like Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code” and “The Lost Symbol” (due on Sept. 15) and the “National Treasure” movies starring Nicolas Cage. The truth is less entertaining. Founded around 1600 by British stonemasons, the men-only clubs hold closed sessions mainly to teach ecumenical ethics codes and raise money for charity, especially medical care. On their lodge walls and ceremonial clothing, motifs like eyes, beehives and drafting tools refer to virtues like steadfastness, tolerance and industriousness.
Fox News Poll: Majority Think Swine Flu Vaccine Deadlier Than Virus
'According to a Fox News poll, the majority of respondents think that the swine flu vaccine is deadlier than the actual virus itself, emphasizing the growing momentum in the revolt against government plans to institute mass H1N1 vaccination programs.
Despite attempts on behalf of governments and their lapdog corporate media allies to push the necessity of the H1N1 vaccination, large numbers of the general public along with health workers have made it known that they will refuse to take the shot.'
Read more...
Despite attempts on behalf of governments and their lapdog corporate media allies to push the necessity of the H1N1 vaccination, large numbers of the general public along with health workers have made it known that they will refuse to take the shot.'
Read more...
Quotes For The Day
"It is only when we realize that life is taking us nowhere that it begins to have meaning." -- P.D. Ospensky
"All major mystical traditions have recognized that there is a paradox at the heart of the journey of return to Origin. ...Put simply, this is that we are already what we seek, and that what we are looking for on the Path with such an intensity of striving and passion and discipline is already within and around us at all moments. The journey and all its different ordeals are all emanations of the One Spirit that is manifesting everything in all dimensions; every rung of the ladder we climb toward final awareness is made of the divine stuff of awareness itself; Divine Consciousness is at once creating and manifesting all things and acting in and as all things in various states of self-disguise throughout all the different levels and dimensions of the universe." -- Andrew Harvey
"Look at you, you madman, Screaming you are thirsty And are dying in a desert When all around you there is nothing but water!" -- Kabir
"After changes upon changes, we are more or less the same." --Paul Simon
"All major mystical traditions have recognized that there is a paradox at the heart of the journey of return to Origin. ...Put simply, this is that we are already what we seek, and that what we are looking for on the Path with such an intensity of striving and passion and discipline is already within and around us at all moments. The journey and all its different ordeals are all emanations of the One Spirit that is manifesting everything in all dimensions; every rung of the ladder we climb toward final awareness is made of the divine stuff of awareness itself; Divine Consciousness is at once creating and manifesting all things and acting in and as all things in various states of self-disguise throughout all the different levels and dimensions of the universe." -- Andrew Harvey
"Look at you, you madman, Screaming you are thirsty And are dying in a desert When all around you there is nothing but water!" -- Kabir
"After changes upon changes, we are more or less the same." --Paul Simon
Friday 28 August 2009
Our Extraterrestrial Roots
Since the Viking missions to Mars beginning in 1976 we have witnessed credible evidence of the existence of ancient civilizations on not only Mars but also anomalies resembling manufactured structures, roads, and mysterious objects, which seem to move about on their own on the moon. Saturn's mysterious moon Mimas, which has, features resembling the Star Wars "Death Star" have an appearance of a completely constructed sphere rather than anything natural. These finds have been public knowledge for several years and the Martian Structures have been known for decades.
The only reason we as a civilization have not concluded that we are not alone in the universe or perhaps are descendants from an ancient civilization is because the truth is constantly being denied and covered up by the U.S. Government. Its fear that if such information were to become common knowledge, the very fabric of human society would unravel into one which no longer needs big brother looking out for them. This is the whole crux of disclosure.
Our very core belief system of religion, politics, geopolitical ideals of boundaries and commerce would suddenly be changed into a society of one world civilization without any of the limits we currently have set for ourselves in terms of individuality resulting in separation of all kinds.
The very idea of pride in race, national origin, and ethnic heritage would be out the window and replaced with the realization that we are a civilization whose nucleus is of one society with roots reaching out millions of interstellar light years into the cosmos.
The evidence of intelligent habitation seen on the moon and Mars are examples of our extraterrestrial roots. The monuments of our past will be explored when we reach the point of intelligence where we will be capable of physically studying them.
The asteroid belt, which exists between Mars and Jupiter, may well have been a planet eons ago but met with such a cataclysmic event that the whole planetoid sphere was reduced to mere gravel which extends the entire rotation path around the sun. This missing planet's demise is the reason for the Martian migration to Earth.
The Southern Hemisphere of Mars is heavily cratered while the Northern Hemisphere is virtually free of craters. This suggests a barrage of space rocks peppered the planet within a very short period contrary to belief in the scientific community that a single asteroid impacted the planet's Southern Hemisphere. Whether the planet's demise was a natural event or intelligent design remains to be seen. Either way it was sufficient to destroy most of the Martian atmosphere and disperse most of the water in its oceans into space.
This event prompted many Martian citizens to move to the next inhabitable planet, which is Earth. The Martians more than likely had plenty of time prior to the catastrophe and were able to relocate large numbers of people to their new home. In that time the Earth was a very different planet than it is today with most of Europe under thousands of feet of Arctic ice while the continent of Antarctica was a place thriving with life situated near the tropics.
Antarctica was the focal point for the relocation of the Martian people. So begins the history of the continent of Atlantis.
Most accounts of the civilization of Atlantis put the continent in the Atlantic Ocean. In a world where the Antarctica continent was near the tropics rather than at the South Pole, it would be understandable that people would consider it situated in the Atlantic. The destruction of the continent of Atlantis was the result of an axis shift. This shift placed Atlantis at its present location in the South Pole. The axis shift itself was responsible for the earthquakes, volcano eruptions and flooding which were responsible for the destruction, which took place on the continent ... read more ...
The only reason we as a civilization have not concluded that we are not alone in the universe or perhaps are descendants from an ancient civilization is because the truth is constantly being denied and covered up by the U.S. Government. Its fear that if such information were to become common knowledge, the very fabric of human society would unravel into one which no longer needs big brother looking out for them. This is the whole crux of disclosure.Our very core belief system of religion, politics, geopolitical ideals of boundaries and commerce would suddenly be changed into a society of one world civilization without any of the limits we currently have set for ourselves in terms of individuality resulting in separation of all kinds.
The very idea of pride in race, national origin, and ethnic heritage would be out the window and replaced with the realization that we are a civilization whose nucleus is of one society with roots reaching out millions of interstellar light years into the cosmos.
The evidence of intelligent habitation seen on the moon and Mars are examples of our extraterrestrial roots. The monuments of our past will be explored when we reach the point of intelligence where we will be capable of physically studying them.
The asteroid belt, which exists between Mars and Jupiter, may well have been a planet eons ago but met with such a cataclysmic event that the whole planetoid sphere was reduced to mere gravel which extends the entire rotation path around the sun. This missing planet's demise is the reason for the Martian migration to Earth.
The Southern Hemisphere of Mars is heavily cratered while the Northern Hemisphere is virtually free of craters. This suggests a barrage of space rocks peppered the planet within a very short period contrary to belief in the scientific community that a single asteroid impacted the planet's Southern Hemisphere. Whether the planet's demise was a natural event or intelligent design remains to be seen. Either way it was sufficient to destroy most of the Martian atmosphere and disperse most of the water in its oceans into space.
This event prompted many Martian citizens to move to the next inhabitable planet, which is Earth. The Martians more than likely had plenty of time prior to the catastrophe and were able to relocate large numbers of people to their new home. In that time the Earth was a very different planet than it is today with most of Europe under thousands of feet of Arctic ice while the continent of Antarctica was a place thriving with life situated near the tropics.
Antarctica was the focal point for the relocation of the Martian people. So begins the history of the continent of Atlantis.
Most accounts of the civilization of Atlantis put the continent in the Atlantic Ocean. In a world where the Antarctica continent was near the tropics rather than at the South Pole, it would be understandable that people would consider it situated in the Atlantic. The destruction of the continent of Atlantis was the result of an axis shift. This shift placed Atlantis at its present location in the South Pole. The axis shift itself was responsible for the earthquakes, volcano eruptions and flooding which were responsible for the destruction, which took place on the continent ... read more ...
The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help
Raw honey – which has not been pasteurized or filtered, and ideally taken directly from the hive – is a treasure chest of nutritional value and medicinal remedies. It contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals and is a natural and powerful medicine, both internally and externally.
The list of honey's beneficial functions is a long one. Honey increases calcium absorption; can increase haemoglobin count and treat or prevent anaemia caused by nutritional factors; can help arthritic joints, when combined with apple cider vinegar; fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds; can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing; works as a natural and gentle laxative; aids constipation, allergies and obesity; provides an array of vitamins and minerals; and supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar. Many have found raw honey helpful for its positive effects against allergies and hay fever, and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia. As an antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bites or stings or infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatments for stomach ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgical incisions and the protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels and bones during storage and shipment.
"Raw honey is exceptionally effective internally against bacteria and parasites. Plus, raw honey contains natural antibiotics, which help kill microbes directly. Raw honey, when applied topically, speeds the healing of tissues damaged by infection and/or trauma. It contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which aid in the healing of wounds." (Natural News)
The list of honey's beneficial functions is a long one. Honey increases calcium absorption; can increase haemoglobin count and treat or prevent anaemia caused by nutritional factors; can help arthritic joints, when combined with apple cider vinegar; fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds; can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing; works as a natural and gentle laxative; aids constipation, allergies and obesity; provides an array of vitamins and minerals; and supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar. Many have found raw honey helpful for its positive effects against allergies and hay fever, and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia. As an antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bites or stings or infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatments for stomach ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgical incisions and the protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels and bones during storage and shipment."Raw honey is exceptionally effective internally against bacteria and parasites. Plus, raw honey contains natural antibiotics, which help kill microbes directly. Raw honey, when applied topically, speeds the healing of tissues damaged by infection and/or trauma. It contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which aid in the healing of wounds." (Natural News)
Sick boasts of kidnapper who held Jaycee Dugard for 18 years and fathered her two children
A convicted rapist who allegedly kidnapped an 11-year-old girl and held her captive for 18 years has claimed from inside jail that his life is 'the most powerful heart-warming story'.
In a bizarre, rambling phone interview from prison, Phillip Garrido insists he has completely turned his life around and that the world will be amazed by his rehabilitation.
Garrido, 58, who is behind bars for allegedly snatching Jaycee Lee Dugard at the age of 11 and keeping her as a sex slave, boasts: 'Wait until you hear the story of what took place at this house.'
The convicted rapist and kidnapper - who fathered two children by Miss Dugard and kept them all in a tented complex in his backyard in California - admits his behaviour had been 'disgusting'. But he claims this all changed after he had children with his alleged captive, who miraculously emerged alive and well after disappearing almost two decades ago.
'In the end, this is going to be a powerful, heartwarming story. My life has been straightened out,' the sex offender said.
Miss Dugard, who was snatched on her way to school 18 years ago, had two daughters by Garrido - one when she was just 14 and the second four years later. Police said the three had been living in sheds and tents sheds hidden at the back of the sex offender's home in Antioch, near San Francisco, 170 miles from where she was abducted. Miss Dugard, now 29, was renamed Allissa by her captors. Her children were born on the property and had never been to school or seen a doctor.
Garrido has been charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, rape and committing lewd acts with a minor. His wife Nancy, 55, was charged with kidnapping and conspiracy. Police said Mrs Garrido's alleged involvement was as an accomplice to the kidnapping. 'She matches the description we have,' Sheriff Kollar said. The couple are being held in the country jail in Martinez. Authorities said they do not know if Garrido also abused his daughters, but they are investigating.
Garrido insists in the interview with KCRA-TV, recorded last night, that having his first child 15 years ago had changed his life.'Wait till you hear the story of what took place at this house. You're going to be completely impressed,' he said. 'It's a disgusting thing that took place with me at the beginning, but I turned my life completely around... You are going to find the most powerful story coming from the witness, the victim - you wait. If you take this a step at a time, you're going to fall over backwards and in the end, you're going to find the most powerful heart-warming story.'
He broke down as he added: 'Having those two children - those two girls. They slept in my arms every single night and I never touched them.' He also denied confessing to the kidnap. (Daily Mail)
In a bizarre, rambling phone interview from prison, Phillip Garrido insists he has completely turned his life around and that the world will be amazed by his rehabilitation.Garrido, 58, who is behind bars for allegedly snatching Jaycee Lee Dugard at the age of 11 and keeping her as a sex slave, boasts: 'Wait until you hear the story of what took place at this house.'
The convicted rapist and kidnapper - who fathered two children by Miss Dugard and kept them all in a tented complex in his backyard in California - admits his behaviour had been 'disgusting'. But he claims this all changed after he had children with his alleged captive, who miraculously emerged alive and well after disappearing almost two decades ago.
'In the end, this is going to be a powerful, heartwarming story. My life has been straightened out,' the sex offender said.
Miss Dugard, who was snatched on her way to school 18 years ago, had two daughters by Garrido - one when she was just 14 and the second four years later. Police said the three had been living in sheds and tents sheds hidden at the back of the sex offender's home in Antioch, near San Francisco, 170 miles from where she was abducted. Miss Dugard, now 29, was renamed Allissa by her captors. Her children were born on the property and had never been to school or seen a doctor.
Garrido has been charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, rape and committing lewd acts with a minor. His wife Nancy, 55, was charged with kidnapping and conspiracy. Police said Mrs Garrido's alleged involvement was as an accomplice to the kidnapping. 'She matches the description we have,' Sheriff Kollar said. The couple are being held in the country jail in Martinez. Authorities said they do not know if Garrido also abused his daughters, but they are investigating.
Garrido insists in the interview with KCRA-TV, recorded last night, that having his first child 15 years ago had changed his life.'Wait till you hear the story of what took place at this house. You're going to be completely impressed,' he said. 'It's a disgusting thing that took place with me at the beginning, but I turned my life completely around... You are going to find the most powerful story coming from the witness, the victim - you wait. If you take this a step at a time, you're going to fall over backwards and in the end, you're going to find the most powerful heart-warming story.'
He broke down as he added: 'Having those two children - those two girls. They slept in my arms every single night and I never touched them.' He also denied confessing to the kidnap. (Daily Mail)
Images Of The Day - Mars Anomalies
Some more Martian anomalies ... again, negative imaging of the images derived from Google Mars ...
Anomaly #1 ... 'Messages On Mars 1" ... there is an area on the Martian surface where patterns like these in this image can clearly be seen on the Martian surface (no seriously). It is more than likely the result of the satellite imaging process (??). But in truth, it is fascinating as 'the symbols' seem to be pictographic or glyphic in their appearance. Is this accidental - explanation 1? Intentional - explanation 2? If it is the latter ... who has added this to the image and why?
Anomaly #2 ... within a crater on Mars are interesting apparent 'processions' ... there seems to be light sources ... and life forms. The inset in the red box is the area of interest. A double click on the image may herald a better insight into the anomaly. I know what I think I see here but my lips are sealed (Saddled)
Anomaly #1 ... 'Messages On Mars 1" ... there is an area on the Martian surface where patterns like these in this image can clearly be seen on the Martian surface (no seriously). It is more than likely the result of the satellite imaging process (??). But in truth, it is fascinating as 'the symbols' seem to be pictographic or glyphic in their appearance. Is this accidental - explanation 1? Intentional - explanation 2? If it is the latter ... who has added this to the image and why? 
Anomaly #2 ... within a crater on Mars are interesting apparent 'processions' ... there seems to be light sources ... and life forms. The inset in the red box is the area of interest. A double click on the image may herald a better insight into the anomaly. I know what I think I see here but my lips are sealed (Saddled)
Glass Spire to Grace London's Skyscape
Source: Daily Galaxy
If you're planning a trip to London in 2012 you'll be able to among the first to see an enigmatic sci-fi apparition called the Shard (aka London Bridge Tower), a 1017ft skyscraper currently under construction. When finished , the 72-story tower will be the tallest building in the U.K, and one of the tallest in Europe.
The Shard has several twisting glass facets on its exterior inspired by the masts of ships that once anchored on the Thames. The master architect, Renzo Piano, designed the Shard as a ‘vertical city’ that includes a public piazza, 586,509 sq ft (54, 488 sq m) of world class office space, an exclusive collection of residential apartments which will be the highest residential apartments in the UK and will be serviced by Europe’s first 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, retail space, restaurants, and a public viewing gallery.
Quote For The Day
“Every human has four endowments - self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.” -- Stephen R. Covey
Activity of the Pitris
The Ego, driven by desire for physical experience, has made the initial move and a vibration, emanating from the center of the lotus bud, has reached the lotus petals, and has consequently vibrated in deva substance, or in matter vitalized by the Agnishvattas. 
As they are galvanized into activity (according to the group affected) the vibration is increased, and a dual sound is emitted. This dual sound is the basis of the mantram upon which the Ego's cycle of incarnation is founded. The vibration, pulsating through the outer circle of petals (for the two inner circles and the three central petals are not as yet responsive) arrives at the triangle formed by the three permanent atoms, and vivifies the three lower spirulae, causing a slight response in the fourth, and leaving the higher three yet dormant.
In each round one of the spirulae has been 'created,' and in this fourth round (through the creation of the fourth spirilla) the fourth or human kingdom can come into being. The word 'creation' must be occultly understood, and means the appearance in active manifestation of some form of energy. Only in the next round will the fifth spirilla be an active functioning unit in a sense incomprehensible now.
When therefore this vibration from the central Will has arrived at the atomic triangle it is an indication that the entire lotus is turning its force downwards, and for the period of manifestation the flow of egoic energy is towards the lower, and consequently away from the higher. There is at this stage very little turning of egoic energy in the direction of the Monad, for it has not yet generated enough force, and is not as yet radioactive towards the Spirit aspect. Its activities are primarily internal and self-centered for the greater part of the time, or are directed towards arousing the permanent atoms, and not towards the unfolding of the petals. This should be carefully borne in mind ... read more ...
As they are galvanized into activity (according to the group affected) the vibration is increased, and a dual sound is emitted. This dual sound is the basis of the mantram upon which the Ego's cycle of incarnation is founded. The vibration, pulsating through the outer circle of petals (for the two inner circles and the three central petals are not as yet responsive) arrives at the triangle formed by the three permanent atoms, and vivifies the three lower spirulae, causing a slight response in the fourth, and leaving the higher three yet dormant.In each round one of the spirulae has been 'created,' and in this fourth round (through the creation of the fourth spirilla) the fourth or human kingdom can come into being. The word 'creation' must be occultly understood, and means the appearance in active manifestation of some form of energy. Only in the next round will the fifth spirilla be an active functioning unit in a sense incomprehensible now.
When therefore this vibration from the central Will has arrived at the atomic triangle it is an indication that the entire lotus is turning its force downwards, and for the period of manifestation the flow of egoic energy is towards the lower, and consequently away from the higher. There is at this stage very little turning of egoic energy in the direction of the Monad, for it has not yet generated enough force, and is not as yet radioactive towards the Spirit aspect. Its activities are primarily internal and self-centered for the greater part of the time, or are directed towards arousing the permanent atoms, and not towards the unfolding of the petals. This should be carefully borne in mind ... read more ...
Contracting before Expanding
Sometimes our lives contract before they expand. We may be working hard on ourselves spiritually, doing good in the world, following our dreams, and wondering why we are still facing constrictions of all kinds—financial, emotional, physical. 
Perhaps we even feel as if we’ve lost our spirituality and are stuck in a dark room with no windows. We may be confused and discouraged by what appears to be a lack of progress. But sometimes this is the way things work. Like a caterpillar that confines itself to a tiny cocoon before it grows wings and flies, we are experiencing the darkness before the dawn. When things feel tight, it’s easy to panic or want to act in some way to ease the feeling of constriction. We might also spin our wheels mentally, trying to understand why things are the way they are. However, there is nothing we need to do at this time other than to be patient and persevering. We can cling to the awareness that we are processing the shift from one stage to another, and the more we surrender to the experience, the more quickly we will move through the tightness into the opening on the other side. Just like a baby making its way down the birth canal, we may feel squeezed and pushed and very uncomfortable, but if we remember that we are on our way to being born into a new reality, we will find the strength to carry on. Even as we endure the contractions, we can find peace within ourselves if we remember to trust the universe. We can look to the natural world for inspiration as we see that all beings surrender to the process of being born. In that surrender, and in the center of our own hearts, is a willingness to trust in the unknown as we make our way through the opening.
Perhaps we even feel as if we’ve lost our spirituality and are stuck in a dark room with no windows. We may be confused and discouraged by what appears to be a lack of progress. But sometimes this is the way things work. Like a caterpillar that confines itself to a tiny cocoon before it grows wings and flies, we are experiencing the darkness before the dawn. When things feel tight, it’s easy to panic or want to act in some way to ease the feeling of constriction. We might also spin our wheels mentally, trying to understand why things are the way they are. However, there is nothing we need to do at this time other than to be patient and persevering. We can cling to the awareness that we are processing the shift from one stage to another, and the more we surrender to the experience, the more quickly we will move through the tightness into the opening on the other side. Just like a baby making its way down the birth canal, we may feel squeezed and pushed and very uncomfortable, but if we remember that we are on our way to being born into a new reality, we will find the strength to carry on. Even as we endure the contractions, we can find peace within ourselves if we remember to trust the universe. We can look to the natural world for inspiration as we see that all beings surrender to the process of being born. In that surrender, and in the center of our own hearts, is a willingness to trust in the unknown as we make our way through the opening.
'Football Musings'
I'm mindful that I've yet to publish my 'football musings' for this season. In previous seasons I've always 'committed' myself to predictions by now.
It's been a hectic last few weeks ... and it's not been a priority. I have after of all plenty of time before the Premier League or the Champion's League begin to take shape. I will be getting round to this yearly 'tradition' ... but on first impression, I saw just then a 'crucial' match once more between Liverpool & Chelsea. Dunno in what context.
Man Utd seen puffing behind the others ... ?? A usual season for Man Utd maybe. A top 5 finish seems the best I get with them plus a scare in the 1/4 finals? Liverpool spend the best part of the season mending the scars made already ... Spurs? Up there but falling like an arrow just short of the target at the end? Top 3 for them? A BIG gun in the relegation battle ... ??? I will review these musings shortly ... and add more in due course. .
It's been a hectic last few weeks ... and it's not been a priority. I have after of all plenty of time before the Premier League or the Champion's League begin to take shape. I will be getting round to this yearly 'tradition' ... but on first impression, I saw just then a 'crucial' match once more between Liverpool & Chelsea. Dunno in what context.Man Utd seen puffing behind the others ... ?? A usual season for Man Utd maybe. A top 5 finish seems the best I get with them plus a scare in the 1/4 finals? Liverpool spend the best part of the season mending the scars made already ... Spurs? Up there but falling like an arrow just short of the target at the end? Top 3 for them? A BIG gun in the relegation battle ... ??? I will review these musings shortly ... and add more in due course. .
British clubs avoid Euro giants
Source: BBC Sport
The five British clubs in the Champions League were handed favourable draws for the group stage of the competition.
Last season's finalists Manchester United take on CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and Wolfsburg in Group B.
Liverpool face Lyon, Fiorentina and Debrecen while Chelsea play Porto, Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia.
Arsenal have been drawn against AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Standard Liege, while Rangers will play Sevilla, Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni.
The four English clubs were all in pot one - and avoided Real Madrid and Inter Milan in pot two.
The five British clubs in the Champions League were handed favourable draws for the group stage of the competition.
Last season's finalists Manchester United take on CSKA Moscow, Besiktas and Wolfsburg in Group B.Liverpool face Lyon, Fiorentina and Debrecen while Chelsea play Porto, Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia.
Arsenal have been drawn against AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Standard Liege, while Rangers will play Sevilla, Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni.
The four English clubs were all in pot one - and avoided Real Madrid and Inter Milan in pot two.
Thursday 27 August 2009
Martian Anomaly
More martian interest 'uncovered' through negative imaging. There white horizontal lines located within a crater on the surface can easily be missed by the non-enquiring mind. However, here on an initial close inspection ... they are a mystery. They hint firstly at 'water vapour' ... ?? Then on closer inspection they seem to be something even more profound ...
At the bottom of this image ... where the 'vapour trails' originate from ... appears to be 'lifeforms' ... the trails seem to be something 'aimed and fired' intentionally? Surely not ... remember the paradigm - 'there is no life on Mars'. Ok, then. No life on Mars. Then these are vapour trails ... another paradigm blocks the way ... no water on Mars. Ok, its a vapour of some other gas then? Still, it's interesting.
These are the trails and two others from a higher altitude. There does seem a 'victim' at the other end of the trails (if the life on Mars controversial suggestion can be embraced by a truly open mind!)
At the bottom of this image ... where the 'vapour trails' originate from ... appears to be 'lifeforms' ... the trails seem to be something 'aimed and fired' intentionally? Surely not ... remember the paradigm - 'there is no life on Mars'. Ok, then. No life on Mars. Then these are vapour trails ... another paradigm blocks the way ... no water on Mars. Ok, its a vapour of some other gas then? Still, it's interesting. 
These are the trails and two others from a higher altitude. There does seem a 'victim' at the other end of the trails (if the life on Mars controversial suggestion can be embraced by a truly open mind!)
2009: The Status of "Spaceship Earth"
Source: Daily Galaxy
The understanding that life of this planet is composed of an interconnected system must be considered as one of the great discoveries of science, perhaps as profound as Darwin's discovery of natural selection.
One of the leading experts on this concept of an interconnected planet Earth, James Lovelock, believes that there is very little we can do to stave off global warming catastrophes. Lovelock is the man who created the Gaia theory – that the earth is essentially a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism.
Lovelock developed the Gaia hypothesis as an outgrowth of his work for NASA on methods of detecting life on Mars, which he popularized with his 1979 book Gaia: A new look at life on Earth. He named this self-regulating living system after the Greek goddess Gaia, using a suggestion from the novelist William Golding, who was living in the same English village as Lovelock. The theory drew withering criticism from many in the scientific establishment, drawing the comparison with the resistance to the introduction of the idea of plate tectonics within geology, which took about 30 years before it became universally accepted as true.
Lovelock's task at NASA was to develop instruments for the analysis of extraterrestrial atmospheres and planetary surfaces for the Viking program that visited in the late-1970s was motivated in part to determining whether supported life.
Lovelock's work on the composition of the Martian atmosphere, led him to believe hat many life forms on would be obliged to make use of it and, in return, alter it. However, the atmosphere was found to be in a stable condition close to its chemical equilibrium, with very little oxygen, methane, or hydrogen, but with an overwhelming abundance of carbon dioxide. This stark contrast between the Martian atmosphere and chemically-dynamic mixture of that of our Earth's was strongly indicative of the absence of life on the planet.
One of the leading experts on this concept of an interconnected planet Earth, James Lovelock, believes that there is very little we can do to stave off global warming catastrophes. Lovelock is the man who created the Gaia theory – that the earth is essentially a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism.Lovelock developed the Gaia hypothesis as an outgrowth of his work for NASA on methods of detecting life on Mars, which he popularized with his 1979 book Gaia: A new look at life on Earth. He named this self-regulating living system after the Greek goddess Gaia, using a suggestion from the novelist William Golding, who was living in the same English village as Lovelock. The theory drew withering criticism from many in the scientific establishment, drawing the comparison with the resistance to the introduction of the idea of plate tectonics within geology, which took about 30 years before it became universally accepted as true.
Lovelock's task at NASA was to develop instruments for the analysis of extraterrestrial atmospheres and planetary surfaces for the Viking program that visited in the late-1970s was motivated in part to determining whether supported life.
Lovelock's work on the composition of the Martian atmosphere, led him to believe hat many life forms on would be obliged to make use of it and, in return, alter it. However, the atmosphere was found to be in a stable condition close to its chemical equilibrium, with very little oxygen, methane, or hydrogen, but with an overwhelming abundance of carbon dioxide. This stark contrast between the Martian atmosphere and chemically-dynamic mixture of that of our Earth's was strongly indicative of the absence of life on the planet.
What is Gnosis?
Source: Chaosmatrix
In Chaos Magick, gnosis is a lapse in conscious/rational/discursive/ discriminatory mind that allows the subconscious "magickal mind" to fully function. The easiest example of this state that comes to mind is the exact moment of orgasm. The term "gnosis" is used (I think) because the state allows for the instantaneous, intuitive (as opposed to consciously deduced) grasping of a much larger set of the variables involved in causing an outcome to manifest from any given state of events.
This is done because the time it takes to reason out such a large set prohibits effect; by the time the relationships are consciously worked out, the variables have changed. It must be done instantaneously in order to be effective. Were there to be a qabalistic tree containing correspondences for Chaos Magick, gnosis would likely be placed at Kether, and the psychic censor (the most basic, binary discriminatory function) at Chokmah. After the state of gnosis has ended, one can get an idea of how "profound" the state was by trying to recall exactly what happened while you were in in it. The less that can be remembered, the more profound the state. Perfect gnosis would leave no signature in the rational mind, not even the awareness of a gap in time.
In Chaos Magick, gnosis is a lapse in conscious/rational/discursive/ discriminatory mind that allows the subconscious "magickal mind" to fully function. The easiest example of this state that comes to mind is the exact moment of orgasm. The term "gnosis" is used (I think) because the state allows for the instantaneous, intuitive (as opposed to consciously deduced) grasping of a much larger set of the variables involved in causing an outcome to manifest from any given state of events.
This is done because the time it takes to reason out such a large set prohibits effect; by the time the relationships are consciously worked out, the variables have changed. It must be done instantaneously in order to be effective. Were there to be a qabalistic tree containing correspondences for Chaos Magick, gnosis would likely be placed at Kether, and the psychic censor (the most basic, binary discriminatory function) at Chokmah. After the state of gnosis has ended, one can get an idea of how "profound" the state was by trying to recall exactly what happened while you were in in it. The less that can be remembered, the more profound the state. Perfect gnosis would leave no signature in the rational mind, not even the awareness of a gap in time.
Hobbits Walked Out Of Africa
The identity of the tiny human-like creature discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2004 has become clearer -- and more astonishing -- thanks to a new analysis by Australian and Indonesian scientists.
According to a team led by Australian National University doctoral student Debbie Argue, not only is Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the hobbit, not a deformed modern human, as a handful of critics claim, but the small-brained, long-armed biped was the first human-like creature to walk out of Africa.
And it did so nearly two million years ago, roughly 100,000 years before a species most scientists believed was the first migrant. That was a somewhat more modern hominin -- a member of a group including humans and their ancestors -- that was discovered in Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia, variously identified as H.georgicus, H. ergaster or H. erectus.
"We're looking at a very archaic being indeed, one that appears to have gone its own evolutionary way long before our species emerged," Ms Argue said.
She noted that a population of hobbits lived on Flores from roughly 76,000 to about 13,000 years ago, seemingly unbothered by the emergence and expansion of modern humans.
"I think it's incredible that it lived until so recently," Ms Argue said. "Humans came down through Asia but missed Flores. It's lucky that Flores was hard to get to."
The findings, recently reported in the Journal of Human Evolution, back a similar argument made in the journal Science in 2007 that the hobbit's unique wrist anatomy suggested the 1m-tall creature came from a lineage that lived long before the common ancestor of people and Neanderthals
Previously researchers suspected hobbits descended from H. erectus but had shrunk because of their confinement on an island.
In her study Ms Argue collaborated with discovery team co-leaders Mike Moorwood at the University of Wollongong in NSW and Thomas Sutikna at the Jakarta-based Indonesian Centre for Archeology. With ICA colleagues they compared 60 skull and skeletal features obtained from two individual hobbits to those of hominins, chimps and gorillas.
The technique, cladistic analysis, revealed hobbits probably took one of two evolutionary paths from Africa to Flores. One began 1.66 million years ago, the other 1.9 million years ago.... read more ...
According to a team led by Australian National University doctoral student Debbie Argue, not only is Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the hobbit, not a deformed modern human, as a handful of critics claim, but the small-brained, long-armed biped was the first human-like creature to walk out of Africa.And it did so nearly two million years ago, roughly 100,000 years before a species most scientists believed was the first migrant. That was a somewhat more modern hominin -- a member of a group including humans and their ancestors -- that was discovered in Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia, variously identified as H.georgicus, H. ergaster or H. erectus.
"We're looking at a very archaic being indeed, one that appears to have gone its own evolutionary way long before our species emerged," Ms Argue said.
She noted that a population of hobbits lived on Flores from roughly 76,000 to about 13,000 years ago, seemingly unbothered by the emergence and expansion of modern humans.
"I think it's incredible that it lived until so recently," Ms Argue said. "Humans came down through Asia but missed Flores. It's lucky that Flores was hard to get to."
The findings, recently reported in the Journal of Human Evolution, back a similar argument made in the journal Science in 2007 that the hobbit's unique wrist anatomy suggested the 1m-tall creature came from a lineage that lived long before the common ancestor of people and Neanderthals
Previously researchers suspected hobbits descended from H. erectus but had shrunk because of their confinement on an island.
In her study Ms Argue collaborated with discovery team co-leaders Mike Moorwood at the University of Wollongong in NSW and Thomas Sutikna at the Jakarta-based Indonesian Centre for Archeology. With ICA colleagues they compared 60 skull and skeletal features obtained from two individual hobbits to those of hominins, chimps and gorillas.
The technique, cladistic analysis, revealed hobbits probably took one of two evolutionary paths from Africa to Flores. One began 1.66 million years ago, the other 1.9 million years ago.... read more ...
A Million Times More Squalene in H1N1 Vaccination Than in Vaccinations That Caused Gulf War Syndrome
'Novartis, the second contender, also has an agreement with WHO for a pandemic vaccine. Novartis appears to have won the contract, since their vaccine is near completion. What is terrifying is that these pandemic vaccines contain ingredients, called immune adjuvants that a number of studies have shown cause devastating autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus.
Animal studies using this adjuvant have found them to be deadly. A study using 14 guinea pigs found that when they were injected with the special adjuvant, only one animal survived. A repeat of the study found the same deadly outcome. So, what is this deadly ingredient? It is called squalene, a type of oil.'
Read more...
Animal studies using this adjuvant have found them to be deadly. A study using 14 guinea pigs found that when they were injected with the special adjuvant, only one animal survived. A repeat of the study found the same deadly outcome. So, what is this deadly ingredient? It is called squalene, a type of oil.'
Read more...
Quotes For The Day
"When flowing water ... meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it...."
"Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger ... emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer represents a blockage." ............."I Ching"
"Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger ... emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer represents a blockage." ............."I Ching"
Supporting and Inspiring
When we call someone a leader, what we sometimes mean is that they are the best in their particular field; they are inspiring because of how much they accomplish. To be highly accomplished is impressive, but that isn’t what leadership is about. True leaders are not just high achievers; they also support the people around them to achieve, and, in certain cases, to become leaders themselves.
In other words, true leaders do not create a static group of followers. Rather, they create an environment in which everyone can develop their potential. True leaders don’t get so caught up in the forward thrust of their own energy that they forget about others or the larger environment. They set an example with their actions, and they also support others to act. This is why true leadership is so rare. Not everybody is cut out to be a leader, but most of us have the potential to serve in a leadership role at some point in our lives. When doing so, we might want to be inspired by the highest manifestation of leadership, remembering that we are meant to forward not only ourselves but a whole environment—an ideal, a plan, the people around us. While this won’t be easy, it is the true meaning of the job, and we can trust that we are capable of it. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t find ourselves in the position to lead. It’s also possible that we have determined that our gifts are best applied in a secondary position, supporting the efforts of a leader whose vision we admire. In this case, we can ensure that our energy is best applied by holding the person for whom we work to a high standard of leadership. In this way, we take responsibility for our own gifts by guaranteeing that they will be appreciated and developed in a way that best serves the whole.
In other words, true leaders do not create a static group of followers. Rather, they create an environment in which everyone can develop their potential. True leaders don’t get so caught up in the forward thrust of their own energy that they forget about others or the larger environment. They set an example with their actions, and they also support others to act. This is why true leadership is so rare. Not everybody is cut out to be a leader, but most of us have the potential to serve in a leadership role at some point in our lives. When doing so, we might want to be inspired by the highest manifestation of leadership, remembering that we are meant to forward not only ourselves but a whole environment—an ideal, a plan, the people around us. While this won’t be easy, it is the true meaning of the job, and we can trust that we are capable of it. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t find ourselves in the position to lead. It’s also possible that we have determined that our gifts are best applied in a secondary position, supporting the efforts of a leader whose vision we admire. In this case, we can ensure that our energy is best applied by holding the person for whom we work to a high standard of leadership. In this way, we take responsibility for our own gifts by guaranteeing that they will be appreciated and developed in a way that best serves the whole.
'Two Ravens' Symbolism
I spied two Ravens foraging by the side of the road today. Aware that mystical symbolism is all around us if we care to look … I remembered the tales of Nordic Odin and his two ‘pet’ Ravens - Huginn and Muninn – who were said to travel the world observing events to then report back to Odin to inform him of what they had seen that day of their travels. Huginn is thought. Muninn is memory. Sent out at dawn they return back to their master in the evening.
Symbolically, this sighting means? The archetypal god form within has perhaps given me this insight at that moment … given me the symbol which precedes an answer or insight in response to a specific ‘task’ my subconscious was set in the early hours of the morning? Perhaps my sub-conscious is recovering snippets of insights from the astral plane where many servitors undertake their tasks … ever seeking wisdom.
But then again. It may just have been two ravens feeding off whatever it was by the roadside. Nothing more. Nothing less. However, instinct provided me with the symbolism in the instance. The seeker is awakened. The seeker is on the look out for an answer. The seeker knows the question and knows the response to the answer. I wish that I did! I am in the hot seat as the mortal walker after all! It is me who will get the flak after whatever ‘task’ the higher self as unleashed on my subconscious!
Symbolically, this sighting means? The archetypal god form within has perhaps given me this insight at that moment … given me the symbol which precedes an answer or insight in response to a specific ‘task’ my subconscious was set in the early hours of the morning? Perhaps my sub-conscious is recovering snippets of insights from the astral plane where many servitors undertake their tasks … ever seeking wisdom.But then again. It may just have been two ravens feeding off whatever it was by the roadside. Nothing more. Nothing less. However, instinct provided me with the symbolism in the instance. The seeker is awakened. The seeker is on the look out for an answer. The seeker knows the question and knows the response to the answer. I wish that I did! I am in the hot seat as the mortal walker after all! It is me who will get the flak after whatever ‘task’ the higher self as unleashed on my subconscious!
Blackpool 4 Wigan 1: Roberto Martinez puts the boot into second-rate Wigan
Poor Wigan found it almost as bad against the reserves of Blackpool last night as they did at the weekend against the champions of Manchester United.
They were hit for five at their own DW Stadium on Saturday by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Another four from a below-strength Blackpool followed at Bloomfield Road in this second-round tie.
The dream is turning into a nightmare for Roberto Martinez, the popular former Wigan player who returned to take charge in the summer. First game, a Premier League win at Aston Villa. Since then, home defeats by Wolves and United.
Now this. To be fair, there were even more reserves in the Wigan side than in Blackpool’s. Martinez sent out only two of his weekend starters — Paul Scharner and Mohamed Diame. But the Spaniard pulled no punches afterwards. ‘I’ve learned a lot about our squad tonight,’ he said. ‘It was an opportunity for the players who have
Blackpool did not have to work hard for their first three goals. We were not in contention from the first minute. We never played as a team. The standard was not acceptable.’
Blackpool have drawn all four of their Championship matches, so manager Ian Holloway was delighted with this victory. ‘Just about everything went right. I ordered the rain just as their players came out for the warm-up. I don’t know how many of them fancied it, but my lads did. 'All I wanted them to do was go out and enjoy themselves.’
Ishmel Demontagnac was off to a flier for Blackpool, hitting the opener just three minutes into his first start following a free transfer from Walsall. The 21-year-old burst on to a square pass from Ben Burgess and scored with a left-foot shot from 20 yards. (Daily Mail)
They were hit for five at their own DW Stadium on Saturday by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Another four from a below-strength Blackpool followed at Bloomfield Road in this second-round tie.The dream is turning into a nightmare for Roberto Martinez, the popular former Wigan player who returned to take charge in the summer. First game, a Premier League win at Aston Villa. Since then, home defeats by Wolves and United.
Now this. To be fair, there were even more reserves in the Wigan side than in Blackpool’s. Martinez sent out only two of his weekend starters — Paul Scharner and Mohamed Diame. But the Spaniard pulled no punches afterwards. ‘I’ve learned a lot about our squad tonight,’ he said. ‘It was an opportunity for the players who have
Blackpool did not have to work hard for their first three goals. We were not in contention from the first minute. We never played as a team. The standard was not acceptable.’
Blackpool have drawn all four of their Championship matches, so manager Ian Holloway was delighted with this victory. ‘Just about everything went right. I ordered the rain just as their players came out for the warm-up. I don’t know how many of them fancied it, but my lads did. 'All I wanted them to do was go out and enjoy themselves.’
Ishmel Demontagnac was off to a flier for Blackpool, hitting the opener just three minutes into his first start following a free transfer from Walsall. The 21-year-old burst on to a square pass from Ben Burgess and scored with a left-foot shot from 20 yards. (Daily Mail)
Wednesday 26 August 2009
Freeing the Dragon
Source: Hermetic.com
It is stated that even the most advanced yogis require a minimum of three years of special practice for this to occur. Since that kind of training takes place under specialized and supervised conditions, it can be assumed that modern Western life requires more time, as well as self-reflection and referral, since the average Western occultist, be they kabbalist, alchemist, or both, will spend the majority of their time working alone or at best in occasional small groups.
Certain schools of yoga as well as kabbalah and Sufi practices view the heart as the center of the individual universe, and the most important of all psychic centers. By opening the heart, we gain access to our Interior Master, or Holy Guardian Angel (messenger),characterized by a strong manifestation of intuition. This is the final resting place for the Serpents Tongue after its ascent over the skull, and as Boehme and Hermetic imagery have shown, the “Heart girt with a serpent” is the ideal to which mystics aspire.
As one yogi put it, we approach the “Big King” first, and allow him to direct the activities of the serpent - language not unfamiliar to Hermeticists.
How long it takes to un-block our psychic anatomy for a more complete and harmonious functioning of the Secret Fire is unclear.
It is stated that even the most advanced yogis require a minimum of three years of special practice for this to occur. Since that kind of training takes place under specialized and supervised conditions, it can be assumed that modern Western life requires more time, as well as self-reflection and referral, since the average Western occultist, be they kabbalist, alchemist, or both, will spend the majority of their time working alone or at best in occasional small groups.Certain schools of yoga as well as kabbalah and Sufi practices view the heart as the center of the individual universe, and the most important of all psychic centers. By opening the heart, we gain access to our Interior Master, or Holy Guardian Angel (messenger),characterized by a strong manifestation of intuition. This is the final resting place for the Serpents Tongue after its ascent over the skull, and as Boehme and Hermetic imagery have shown, the “Heart girt with a serpent” is the ideal to which mystics aspire.
As one yogi put it, we approach the “Big King” first, and allow him to direct the activities of the serpent - language not unfamiliar to Hermeticists.
A Word on 'Badger Medicine'
Badger is the sacred medicine of a powerful medicine woman, and is also the keeper of the medicine roots. Badger sees all the roots of Mother Earth's healing herbs hanging in its burrow home. These roots are a key to aggressive healing. 
Roots can ground negative energy into the Earth by permitting the illness to pass through the physical body into the ground as neutral energy.
Badger medicine people are quick to act in a crisis, and they do not panic. If Badger is a part of your medicine, you are quick to express your feelings, and you do not care what the consequences are. Badger is vicious, and attacks with powerful aggression. Badger is quick to anger and quicker to pounce. The power of Badger's medicine is aggressiveness and the willingness to fight for what it wants. Badger medicine may also point to the aggressive healer who will have the courage to use unconventional means to exact a cure. Like the mother who sits for days nursing a child with high fever, Badger is willing to persist. The very thought of facing Badger makes other animals run for cover. Like Skunk, Badger's reputation precedes it. Its hissing fangs will tear less aggressive opponents to shreds. So, if Badger pushed its way into your life today, it may be telling you that you have been too meek in trying to reach some goal. Badger asks you how long you are willing to sit and wait for the world to deliver you a silver spoon.
Roots can ground negative energy into the Earth by permitting the illness to pass through the physical body into the ground as neutral energy.Badger medicine people are quick to act in a crisis, and they do not panic. If Badger is a part of your medicine, you are quick to express your feelings, and you do not care what the consequences are. Badger is vicious, and attacks with powerful aggression. Badger is quick to anger and quicker to pounce. The power of Badger's medicine is aggressiveness and the willingness to fight for what it wants. Badger medicine may also point to the aggressive healer who will have the courage to use unconventional means to exact a cure. Like the mother who sits for days nursing a child with high fever, Badger is willing to persist. The very thought of facing Badger makes other animals run for cover. Like Skunk, Badger's reputation precedes it. Its hissing fangs will tear less aggressive opponents to shreds. So, if Badger pushed its way into your life today, it may be telling you that you have been too meek in trying to reach some goal. Badger asks you how long you are willing to sit and wait for the world to deliver you a silver spoon.
Free Thinking
"We are encouraged not to think too deeply into things. Our inbreeding has been changed and we are not told why. There has been some glazing on our minds which has been lifted gradually over the last generation. Again we are not told why. It is rumoured our gods closed off our minds to help future generations overcome the hostilities. Then at a later date (now perhaps) this glazing would be lifted. It means that more and more of our connection to the higher side is now active. Too much thinking could lead to insanity. I’m wary of finding out too much. But I am curious about the distant world EA. It seems sensible that I have distant relations on that world. Others like me and our enclave. Similar minds perhaps with mind glazing too. I wonder if they are remembering or if they are permitted yet to remember? It will be broken down for sure … I know this plateau is but a tiny level in the infinite levels of everywhere. It appears real but it is no more than a dream. I imagine and some times I feel I can be somewhere else. I imagine another one similar to me who gazes towards my world with the glazing dissolving. Would that being be aware of me? What would it remember? Would it have the means to visit me here? The ancients could mind merge … link together over great distances … it is said. Am I able to recapture that ability and merge with another on that other world. I wish I could.
Our gods could be listening as I think. They could be aware that I think this way. Is it their intention we now question our existence? Are they pleased or are they angry I wonder? When will they return. What would they wish of us? How can this world ever recover. The ruins! The ruins are extensive. The craters deep. The devastation is deadly reminder of how real the past was. What must it be like on other worlds with the same monsters in control. Scary entities that came out of the shadows the old manuscripts say. They speak of beings which were not there that were suddenly there in a moment in monstrous forms. Beings that claimed to be our gods who took over our lives. Monsters summoned by the shadow that had entered some of our minds. I know the recollections are a true recollection because we have hardwire orbs, which are the real thing. They survived the holocausts and are the perfect records of it all. These were found in the northern sector of our world. The shadow remains as we know … only too well. Though it rarely shows itself. Yet. It sleeps because it knows we are still a struggling world. I wonder for our brethren on Ea. How do they fare? I have reached out to that world and find there are thoughts there. I’m sure there is advanced life there. Our priests are quiet about EA. It is said to have a created world in its orbit where other races live. But this is unconfirmed. I need to experience the deglazing more and accept its inevitability. I do sense some kind of unity with EA and I don’t know why. It seems destiny is approaching but I can’t remember why" --- extract taken from 'An Untitled Transmission' by Matthew James
Our gods could be listening as I think. They could be aware that I think this way. Is it their intention we now question our existence? Are they pleased or are they angry I wonder? When will they return. What would they wish of us? How can this world ever recover. The ruins! The ruins are extensive. The craters deep. The devastation is deadly reminder of how real the past was. What must it be like on other worlds with the same monsters in control. Scary entities that came out of the shadows the old manuscripts say. They speak of beings which were not there that were suddenly there in a moment in monstrous forms. Beings that claimed to be our gods who took over our lives. Monsters summoned by the shadow that had entered some of our minds. I know the recollections are a true recollection because we have hardwire orbs, which are the real thing. They survived the holocausts and are the perfect records of it all. These were found in the northern sector of our world. The shadow remains as we know … only too well. Though it rarely shows itself. Yet. It sleeps because it knows we are still a struggling world. I wonder for our brethren on Ea. How do they fare? I have reached out to that world and find there are thoughts there. I’m sure there is advanced life there. Our priests are quiet about EA. It is said to have a created world in its orbit where other races live. But this is unconfirmed. I need to experience the deglazing more and accept its inevitability. I do sense some kind of unity with EA and I don’t know why. It seems destiny is approaching but I can’t remember why" --- extract taken from 'An Untitled Transmission' by Matthew James
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)