The Bones of Santa Maria del Popolo Cathedral

The recent release of the movie, "Angels and Demons," based upon the novel of the same name by Dan Brown is sure to up the popularity of all the sites in Rome where the plot of this story revolves. One of these sites is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo.

I'm going to be lazy today and not lay out the history of this church for you which includes such things as Nero's ghost and demons in the form of crows. A Google search will yield much information. But what I would like to share with you are a few photos I took there which add to the evidence that this place is rather bizarre. The draped skeleton pictured above is in this church.

Actually, it might be no. 1 or pretty close to the top of the list of cathedral repositories of Renaissance art in the whole city of Rome, yet I found an unusual emphasis on bones there and especially crossbones. The pictures that follow are illustrations of this point:









Even the statue of Christ at the altar is skin and bones:



I haven't seen the movie as yet but have read the book and visited most all of the places it talks about. Dan Brown certainly knows how to blend history with fiction into an entertaining tale of intrigue.

Are double-decker graves a threat to history?

I recently read a news article which reported that Great Britain will start an 18-month trial of creating double-decker graves. They will dig graves deeper, allowing for room to bury another person on top of the elder. Graves to be chosen for stacking would be 100 years old and older. This will create additional burial plots where at present, space is at a premium or non-existent.

You can read the article, "Double-decker graves set for go-ahead," at Ananova's website.

What is my opinion of this practice? Frankly, I'm appalled.

How are they going to determine which graves will be selected to stack? Perhaps they will exempt historical or famous figures and leave their graves intact. In my opinion, stacking another person on top of a historical figure would be an assault on history. Yet, does this leave those who are not well-known open to mandatory stacking and amount to a form of discrimination as compared to a historical person?

Even the old gravestones are not protected in this plan. The additional person's name would be added or gravestones would be taken away.

I realize that we Americans have a different attitude toward our dead than other cultures around the world, and we have lots of space for graveyards as well. However, it just seems to me that this is a threat to history especially in a country like Great Britain where not only paper and ink historical records need to be preserved, but also the human remains along with those records. I would think this would extend to their grave sites as well. If we or our families so choose, each of us should have a little piece of planet Earth, however small but all to ourselves, as our final resting place, and it should be allowed to remain sacred for that purpose throughout the generations. There has to be another solution to the problem. Any kind of mass grave, for me, conjures up scenes of disrespect at the very least.

The Planet Nibiru in a Nutshell

I decided to gather all the information I could find about the expected arrival of a mysterious planet called Nibiru which many believe will pass earth in the year 2012, causing global catastrophes of mega-proportions. Currently, NASA and other international governmental space agencies are not saying much about this, either because they don't agree that there is a planet out there headed this way or because they don't want to cause a global panic.

Please keep in mind that I am simply gathering information about this and listing it in an organized fashion. I have no idea if this information is accurate, nor does anyone else actually. Nothing may happen in 2012. Conversely, something might.

Names of the planet:
The Ancient Sumerians called this planet, Nibiru.
The Egyptians named it, "The Planet of a Million Years."
Ancient Babylon renamed it Marduk, the name of their god.
Planet #10 or the 12th celestial body in our solar system.
Planet X
Eris
Nemesis
Hercolubus,
The God's Planet,
Planet of the Empire
Planet of the Cross
The Red Planet

I'm unable to sort these out, but Nibiru is said to have several satellites or other celestial bodies in relation to it with names such as Dysnomia (Gabriel), Santa, 2005 Fy9, Sedna, Orcus, Quaoar, Ixioon, Varuna. Sumerian writings say that a satellite of Nibiru hit another planet called Tiamat creating the Asteroid Belt.

Orbit of Nibiru:
Believed to travel clockwise rather than counter-clockwise in an elliptical orbit around the sun.
Passes earth through the Asteroid Belt between Jupiter and Mars.
Passes earth every 3,600 years or as many as 10,500 years.
First observed and photographed on October 21, 2003, at Mt. Palomar Observatory and discovered by Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinovitz on January 5, 2005, based upon those photos.

Size:
Slightly smaller than Jupiter.

Ancient beliefs about the planet:
A reptilian race (dragon/humans) inhabits Nibiru and came to earth from there. The Sumerians called this race, the Anunnaki.
They believed 12 gods came from Nibiru and those gods gave them advanced knowledge.

Timeline for the appearances of Nibiru:
2012 AD
1588 BC
5188 BC
8788 BC
12,388 BC

Possible effects upon the earth:
Climate change - melting of glaciers - ending of gulf-stream circulation
Severe phenomena such as volcanic activation, horrific hurricanes, massive tidal waves
Reversal of the earth's magnetic field
Stoppage of the earth's rotation
Life as we know it ends upon earth

Global warming and volcanic activation on other planets in our solar system may be caused by Nibiru's passing as well.

Prophesy:
Bible - Revelation describes destruction from a celestial body.
Some interpret the coming of this planet as the New Jerusalem spoken of in the last chapter of Revelation.
Nostradamus predicts something like this as well in his writings.


Nibiru is a subject which warrants much scrutiny, not only as something that mysteriously happened in the distant past, but also for the possibility that it may occur in the future. Do your own research on this. I have also included a video below which gives an up-to-date report on the sighting of Nibiru. Something does appear to be out there.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Nostradamus, Asteroid Impact 2012 AD & The Comet Planet
Planet X, Nibiru, Marduk and 2012

Paranexus Radio really "rocks" with mysteries

Has it really been two months since I posted here last? Time has surely sped up, and especially so when one is busy with interesting things. One interesting thing that I stumbled upon was the Paranexus website. This is a gathering place for paranormal researchers and others working in the field of the paranormal which includes hauntings, UFO's, OBE's and NDE's, parapsychology, Big Foot, and whatever else falls into the paranormal category.

What is most interesting is that they have a weekly radio show where you may log in to blogtalkradio and ask questions via the chat box. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a woman of a million questions so I'm happy as a hog in slop being able to type in my questions while the program is live. You can also phone in and ask questions. Archived programs are available for listening at any time. I have their radio box on the left side of this blog and you can even listen to their last program right from here.

If this rings a bell with you, get on over to Paranexus and sign up for a paid membership which is currently discounted. But even without a paid membership, you can participate in their radio program here. That requires registering for free with blogtalkradio to access the chatroom.

Paranexus also has a TV channel called Paranormal TV. Check that out here.

Sounds Within Our DNA

I recently found a video on YouTube which featured the work of Stuart Mitchell in his quest to crack the code of the cubes in Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh, Scotland. Watch this amazing video:



Be sure and visit Stuart's website where you can purchase a CD of this music as well as find additional information about his work. Stuart also puts various species' DNA to music, such as whales. He can put your own DNA to music as well.

I ran across an interesting article yesterday which speaks about DNA and sound. The title of it is "The New Humans" by Mary Rodwell. Here is a quote from that article:

"Recent Russian DNA discoveries documented by Grazyna Fosar and Franz Bludorf in their book Vernetzte Intelligenz have been summarised by Baerbel. 'The human DNA is a biological Internet' with evidence that DNA can be 'influenced and reprogrammed by words and frequencies.' This suggests that 'our DNA is not only responsible for the construction of our body, but also serves as data storage and communication.' The Russian scientists and linguists have found that the genetic code 'follows the same rules as all our human languages.' In effect, human language did not appear coincidentally but is a reflection of our DNA."

The Magic of Sound: Produced, Engineered & Mixed

Whether you believe that the universe was started by a big bang or created by the voice of God saying, "Let there be light," I think we can all agree that sound was one of the very first things in history. The sound that emanated from setting the speed of light and bringing the elements forth out of nothing had to have been massive. Will scientists catch up to it as they go deeper and deeper to the outer edges of space and hear that sound still ringing in the rafters of the cosmos? Someone with more knowledge than I would have to answer that question.

Ever since that first sound, other sounds have been used for one reason or another. Our ancestors learned that a certain grunt or yell produced an effect on the people around them, and language was born. Music came on the scene when people learned to hit rocks or tree limbs and behold, it was pleasant! It soothed their emotions and communicated in ways they could not. Sound drew them together as a people, brought progress, and even empowered shamans. Humans have always sought for power through sound, whether by an "abracadabra" or the sound of a gong.

Sound is vibrations in the form of waves at certain speeds or frequencies that can be heard if in the range of our auditory faculties or perhaps felt if it is not. Elephants produce a low frequency sound that can be felt in the chest but not heard. My son's car stereo produces a thump-thump that can sometimes be felt as a "pain in the rear!" Sound waves can shatter glass or show us what our babies look like in the womb. Sound is a powerful tool, and because all matter is energy comprised of vibrations at the atomic level, sound vibrations can affect matter, whether harmoniously or chaotically. No wonder that we have always looked for ways to use sound.

We are even using sound as weapons. The new generation of weapons are non-lethal acoustic weapons that use high-decibel noise to cause pain or infrasound to cause unbearable nausea. Sickening sound is no stranger to the citizens of Kokomo, Indiana, where what has come to be called the "Kokomo Hum" has caused some residents to flee.

Throughout history, sound has been produced for specific effects, such as the sound of bells, gongs, and chimes. Feng Shui teaches that the way to increase chi is to hang wind chimes in entryways. Chinese fireworks were also exploded at certain times in an attempt to maintain the flow of chi. Shamans used strange sounds or special words in rituals. Drums were a well-used instrument of power with their driving beat. Aborigines in Australia played special sounds within the didgeradoo's drone to call their warriors to battle or to send other secret messages.

Music is a pleasant sound of choice for most people. It has been used in worship, to affect moods, and to enchant from the beginning of time. The Bible documents David playing the harp and singing to lift the depression of King Saul.

Today, every cruise boat going down the Rhine River plays the Lorelei song as they negotiate the bend at the Lorelei rock. Lorelei was a mermaid that legend says sat, combing her blonde hair and singing her siren song, on top of the cliff. She was said to lure unsuspecting river boatmen to their deaths on the rocks below.

Since the end of the 18th century, a lot of research has gone into the effects of music in healing. Music has literally played a part in healing ceremonies since antiquity.

For the past 300 years, musicians have used what is called the "equal tempered tuning scale," but it has not always been so. The ancients used just-intonation where chords and intervals were produced in their purity or exact mathematical ratio. Mozart and others composed in just-intonation. Many have lamented the departure from pure tuning. Read about the history of tuning at Historic Music Tuning Problem, Just Intonation.

As I write this article, I'm listening to a CD entitled, "Delusion of the Fury" by Harry Partch (1901-1974). Harry Partch was a pioneer in the creation of music on instruments of his own design that were capable of playing notes in a 43-tone scale using just-intonation. He built such instruments as the Chromelodeon and the Quadrangalis Reversum. Upon first hearing his music, one might think that the elephants of Thailand were playing it. However, once you listen for awhile, you realize something important about it. It can be felt in your physical body in such a way that modern music is not.

The sound of the church bell is one of the most recognizable sounds in the western world. Since temples and cathedrals are built over known energy vortices, some believe that the buildings transmit sound vibrations from the bells, sacred songs and chants along these energy lines and may have a positive effect on the magnetic field surrounding the earth.

The German philosopher, Goethe, once said, "Sacred architecture is frozen music." One Japanese group has been studying the mystical symbols carved into the cubes of the stone ceiling in Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. It is thought the cubes are part of a musical notation system that recorded a melody of great spiritual significance.

Plato instructed his students to activate these ancient buildings by maintaining what was known as perpetual choirs which sang and chanted sacred songs continuously twenty-four hours a day according to times and seasons. Ancient Great Britain had perpetual choirs as well located in Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Llantwit Major in Wales. China had a perpetual orchestra whose purpose was to energize the energy grid. These perpetual sounds were thought to ward off evil and disasters and transmit spiritual power throughout the land.

In an article written by Dr. Karen Ralls entitled "The Spiritual Dimension of Music," she discusses examples of music from the Celtic Underworld and writes that fairy harpers, the songs of mermaids, the power of the saint's bell, the singing of angels in Heaven, and musical trees were said to produce powerful effects in Celtic tradition. Read this fascinating article at Ancient Quest.

What might the ancients have known about sound? In Paul Devereaux's "Places of Power, Measuring the Secret Energy of Ancient Sites," he documents his research into the phenomenon surrounding ancient stone circles. Part of his study is an investigation of the testimony about audible sound heard coming from standing stones at certain times such as dawn. He notes that writers in antiquity documented these sounds including sounds emanating from statues used as oracles.

Perhaps another reason that sound affects us is because our cosmos may be one grand melody. While Pythagoras discovered the mathematical basis of musical harmony, Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) took this a step further and found that planetary movements correspond mathematically to musical tones which he believed sounded a continuous celestial song.

How receptive are physical things to sound? In his book, "Messages From Water," Dr. Masaru Emoto shows us photographs of water crystals after they are frozen. He first subjects the water to various types of human emotions or music. Then he freezes it and photographs the frozen crystals. He has found that water that has experienced beautiful music or positive words and sounds undergoes a molecular change into harmonious geometrical forms when frozen. The molecular change from negative words or chaotic music results in ugly crystals. Thus, he has proven what he calls "Hado," meaning "wave" or "move," and that our daily language literally moves physical matter whether positively or negatively.

Perhaps a lost chord or words of power are "out there" somewhere, the missing sound in the great symphony of life, once played or once said, but now forgotten. However, I suspect we'll need to start searching for that great powerful sound much closer to home. In the Bible, James says, "If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man."

Happy Hado to you!

Who put the "Hob" in Hobgoblin?

Sometime ago, I took an unofficial poll of the members of a discussion group that I belonged to as to how many believed in the bogeyman as a child. The majority not only believed in the bogeyman but also had fear of him instilled into them as a form of control. Some bogeyman memories were quite cruel as well.

As a child, I not only had the fear of the bogeyman to contend with, but also I had monsters of my own invention. The most feared were the "Grabhanders," cold, ugly disembodied hands, which I was certain lurked around the sides of my bed at night. I believed the hands could grab my exposed feet, hands or other body parts not under the protection of the bed covers. I did not even want to think about what the hands might do after they grabbed me, so no matter how hot and sweaty I became, I always kept myself under those covers.

My beliefs were quite typical of all who have believed in invisible beings. Every race and group of people in history have believed in different kinds of them and kept those beliefs alive through their children. Passing them from generation to generation is what gave them power over us, and only in more recent times have we begun to come out from under those fears. The beliefs evolved into particular, almost real, characters with names, special attributes, and purposes. Allow me to present this brief list of some of those invisible beings from history:

Bogeyman - vague in appearance, shapechanger, usually a malevolent creature, although some are harmless. Bogeymen have no distinct habitat and can appear out of nowhere. They usually haunt families but have been known to become a friend and playmate for children. Bogeymen might have come from the word "bugis" which were pirates from Indonesia and Malaysia. Sailors told their children that if they were bad, the bugismen would come and get them. Over time, "bugis" became "bogey."

Fairy - probably a combination of the words "fae," friend and "eire," green, meaning "green friend." A fairy's appearance can be beautiful. They are said to bestow gifts upon newborn children. They can only be seen clearly by animals unless they use what is known as "glamour," which is the name of their power, to enable humans to see them. The Fairy Folk of Ireland are the Daoine Sidhe whom legend says were members of the Tuatha de Denann that decided to stay in Ireland after they were defeated by the Milesians. Their name means "people of the mounds" where they are said to live.

Other names for fairies include: Hag, a fairy from the British Isles. She's the personification of winter during which she is old and ugly, but she becomes younger and beautiful when the seasons change. Sprite, a creature around water and found only in serene and cool places. Their job is to change the colors of a tree's leaves in Autumn. Bean Sidhe or Banshee, woman of the hills. She foretells death by wailing. The phrase, screamed "like a banshee," comes from this legend. She is said to have long hair and be dressed in a gray cloak.

Elf, a supernatural being shaped as a human, either beautiful or ugly, and worshipped in trees, mountains and waterfalls. Names of some elves include: Fir Darrig, malevolent elf who plays tricks; Ghillie Dhu, Scottish elf who lives in birches; Urisk, Scottish elf who lives in remote pools and rivers; Apicilnic, knee-high "little people" whose presence is an omen of danger and who also steal children; Hedley Kow, shapechanging elf who played naughty tricks; and Mazikeen, winged elf-like beings.

Brownie, brown elves who live in farmhouses and other country dwellings in Scotland. Protective creatures that become attached to families. Children can see them. While their human family is asleep, they perform various labors for them.

Gnome, small creature that dwells under the earth, guarding treasures. Related to goblins and dwarves. They cannot stand the light of the sun, which turns them to stone.

Goblin/Hobgoblin, a grotesque variety of gnomes. Mostly playful yet can be evil and seriously harm people. Originated in France. Usually live in mossy clefts of rocks and roots of ancient trees. "Hobgoblin" is believed to be an abbreviation of "Robin Goblin," the name Druids gave to the first goblins when they entered Britain.

Leprechaun, small sprites believed to bring good luck and fortune. These are known as fairy cobblers because they make shoes for elves but not a pair of shoes, only one. Their name comes from "leith brogan," or maker of one shoe. Legend says they possess a pot of gold. A human may obtain it if they capture a Leprechaun. But capture is extremely difficult, and the captor may not take his eyes off of him for an instant lest he vanish.

Dwarf, small humanoids, half the size of a man. Skillful with their hands, they made beautiful and magical objects including Thor's hammer and Odin's magical ring. They live in caves, holes in the ground, and hollow trees. Can be hostile.

Heinzelmannchen, a friendly German dwarf or elf.

Ogre, large creatures who eat human flesh.

Troll, ugly creatures who live in caves and hunt after dark. Particularly fond of human flesh. Enemies of mankind.

Phynnodderee, a combination of the Scandinavian troll, the Scottish brownie and the Irish leprechaun. Drives sheep home and helps in the harvest if a storm is brewing.

Pixie, little people who are said to live in the downs and moors of Cornwall, England. Playful and like to steal horses and ponies and ride them at night.

Nymph/Satyr/Faun Nymphs are female spirits of nature represented as young maidens who rule over different parts of nature: forests; springs and rivers; ocean and sea; mountains; meadows; lakes; marshes and swamps; and valleys. The male counterpart of the nymph is the satyr (half human in the upper body and half beast in the lower, usually goat). The Italian version of the satyr is the faun.

Centaur, a creature with a human torso and head and the body of a horse. A follower of the wine god, Dionysus. Known for drunkenness and carrying off young maidens.

Green Man, pagan deity of the woodlands of Britain and Europe. Represents spirits of trees, plants and foliage.

I hope this list helps to explain the differences in these mythical beings. When my children were born, I decided that I would start a tradition of making sure they understood that all of the above (including Santa Claus and my own Grabhanders) were in the pretend world of make believe, although Hollywood can make them seem very real. It is a terrible thing to control a child with fear.

Sources:

Encyclopedia Mythica

Heinzelmannchen by Definition by Ginger Gehres