. Hunter's Moon 2019 This will occur on the evening of Sunday, October 13th. With the literal time occurring at 2:08 PST and 5:08 PM EST, this makes it a bit of a tweener, therefore Saturday evening will be a virtual full moon.
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Small eco-crimes Back in the spring, the city here drained a natural watering hole formed by runoff from the nearby hills. It takes particular geological factors to be in place as well. For example, there must be a particular sediment that develops over time to form a permanent natural pond or what I call a watering hole for a smaller one. This is something very different than stagnant water, as pond water is alive with organisms that feed and filter out the water. When they drained it, they eliminated one of the few sources of summer water for small animals, and completely destroy an environment for frogs and other amphibian creatures. We go six month without rain here, and these creatures rely on these sources. Frustrating. Where I live we unfortunately have a serial pyromaniac who has likely been the culprit of many destructive fires going back decades. He struck again yesterday; probably exited by all of the fire talk in California. What is also bad is that if someone likes to occasionally hike by themselves, even in the evening, there's an eerie aura of paranoia as fire and police authorities are looking for someone alone in the area. Hiking is the one outdoor activity that anyone can engage in for free. About five years ago, I was hiking in a nearby location and ran into a fire that had just been set. It had nowhere to go as it was set in a particular strip of dry grass, and set by probably that same individual. Very frustrating.
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TV roundup Of course, October is the month for horror films, and I like to catch both old and new ones. TCM has quite a few of the oldies, and many which are not exactly classics.. but different. As far as horror films, I'm more into paranormal thrillers than slasher flicks. However, I've been watching 'AHS: 1984', airing Wednesdays on FX. It's a type of "imaginative reality" based on the year 1984. Also interesting is the music, all from that time period. 1984 was the last year that there was truly dozens and dozens of great and very iconic songs from just a single year. Aired Sundays (staring last Sunday) on Travel channel is a reality-drama-documentary entitled 'Witches of Salem'. Apparently it follows the true events from Salem as they really occurred, which is interesting as filmmakers virtually always alter history for the sake of their films. I watched 'Wrong Turn 2' on Syfy a couple of nights ago, and ended up taping the rest of the series (parts 3, 4, 5, and 6) which I had never seen. A pretty weird and scary film franchise, probably coming up just short of slander on real people who live in the back woods of West Virginia! There's a greater ratio of bizarre people and dangerous cults in big cities. Travel channel has become the channel for paranormal and mystery programs. Lately they have been airing a series from 2014 called 'Amish Haunting'. Apparently the Amish have quite a history of hauntings and eerie folklore. I've noticed that some of it stems from their old Swiss Anabaptist beliefs. In other words, I'm beginning to think that much of it is actually poltergeist activity created from the power of their own deep beliefs! If something is brought into their homes which they truly believe is demonic, they can actually manifest that into reality.
'Ancient Aliens' and 'In Search of' are two interesting programs airing Fridays on the History channel. I feel like both of these programs go back a long time with me, as I recall the original 'Chariots of the Gods' documentary and reading through one of Erich von Däniken's books that my father had when I was a kid. Also, the original 'In Search of' was a groundbreaking series way back when, leading to all of the similar programing today. I left the following comment on YouTube, under a video from 'In Search of... Bigfoot': "My parents owned a cabin up in Lake County northern California, and I remember watching this as a kid during the warm late Saturday afternoon heat amid the shadows of the tree cover.. and it was truly frightening... especially since it was close to "Bigfoot country" up there." "The combination of the script read by Leonard Nimoy and the others in the series plus the strange music accomplished its intended effect." -- Brian Haskins, YouTube user
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Prime Nicole Eggert *************************
An old transitional symbol: When Christianity replaced Asatru Replica of Norwegian stave church at the Hjemkomst Center; Moorhead, Minnesota. Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN are part of the same metro.
************************* Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Official Video)
The Streghe Treguenda known as the Festival of Cornucopia is one of the eight festivals of Stregheria. Apparently it's celebrated on August eve and officially on August 1. This--the first of the three festivals marking the beginning of the harvest season--is the equivalent of Celtic/Druidic Lughnasadh, Teutonic/Heathen Freyfaxi, as well as Wiccan, Slavic, and other Pagan traditions.
************************* Cornucopia -- La Festa Di Cornucopia -- August Eve The celebration of anticipation of plenty. This is the time of the First Harvest. God is preparing to sacrifice himself so that the world can continue. Even as we begin our harvest, we plant the seeds of rebirth. For those seeds which are planted now and nurtured over the cold winter will become the strong plants of spring.
Vikingsholm Castle SGT Hartsock Take a look at one of South Lake Tahoe's absolutely gorgeous places to visit, Vikingsholm Castle, in Emerald Bay ************************* Vikingsholm ************************* Stephen McNallen: "Sheila and I spent as couple of days recently at Lake Tahoe, on the California-Nevada border. It’s an inspiring setting, with deep blue water reflecting a deep blue sky – and it’s a wonderful place to regain perspective after a rough week at work. Besides the natural beauty – there’s Vikingsholm! Yes, even on our down-time Asatru is always on our minds. Vikingsholm is a modern rendition of an early medieval (1200’s or so) Scandinavian building, complete with carved dragons and authentic period architecture. If you come out for the AFA’s Midsummer gathering, you ought to take a side trip to visit it."
Most Beautiful and Amazing Visiting Places In Alaska, USA Nagaraju A Alaska, northwest of Canada, is the largest and most sparsely populated U.S. state. It's known for its dramatic, diverse terrain of wide-open spaces, mountains and forests, with abundant wildlife and many small towns. It’s a destination for outdoor activities including skiing, mountain biking and kayaking. Massive Denali National Park, home to Mt. McKinley (aka Denali), North America’s highest peak, is a site of animal-viewing tours.
Maize I suspect that most people still don't realize that "corn" (maize) is native to North America, and only became large and practical after a long period of early genetic engineering by Amerindians. Initially maize was a small barely edible crop.
Little brown bat While hiking along the coast--at close to twilight during those warm late Indian Summers--I have on a few occasions observed bats who were out and about while it was still quite light out. They were flying so low that I could actually make out the detail of their fury faces! They were "little brown bats," which are very hardy bats who can live almost anywhere. These natives of North America are common in more northern climates, including Alaska. They seem to be more solitary, as opposed to the great hordes of bats that exist in more southern climates. If you click on the above image--then click on full size and block out the wings--it looks like a stereotype for a movie monster. Actually, they're totally harmless; and as long as they don't find their way into a home or garage where they could become a pest.
Outlander - Dance of the Druids Trolleza Troll Real mammoth footage? If this is a hoax, then it's a very clever and interesting one. There was another recent sighting of a mammoth supposedly caught on film which actually turned out to be a bear carrying a fish. This video looks real, although I suspect that it isn't.
REAL Woolly MAMMOTH sighting footage caught on tape! (Yakutsk city, Sakha Republic, Siberia 1943) Absolutely Incredible REAL Woolly MAMMOTH sighting footage caught on tape! (Yakutsk city, Sakha Republic, Siberia 1943) After the conclusion of the WW2 Battle of Stalingrad, Nazi Party member and official photographer for the NSDAP, Holger Hildebrand, was captured by the Red Army at the Battle of Stalingrad. He and thousands of other Wehrmacht soldiers were later sent on a death march towards Siberia; this mammoth footage is understood to have been taken during that journey. (Hildebrand is believed to have died a prisoner of war at a Soviet forced labor camp in late 1945. His Granddaughter later came into possession of the footage when his belongings were repatriated to Germany from Russia decades after his death.)
Witches -THE DAWNING… Unfolded Mysteries The video deals with the beginning of the witchcraft in europe and in non European countries, a detailed study of the background of the theological believes and the other possibilities that raised the belief and flourised witchcraft during the mediaval period that transformed itself into popular culture of present times has been shown through this video.
NASA Speechless! ENORMOUS Mystery Space Object Outshines Galaxy! 6/16/16 secureteam10
The Titans Unfolded Mysteries The video deals with the names of the Greek Titans.The Titans were the predecessors of the Olympians. ************************* Titan (mythology) In Classical Greek mythology, the Titans and Titanesses were members of the second order of divine beings, descending from the primordial deities and preceding the Olympian deities. Based on Mount Othrys, the Titans most famously included the first twelve children of the primordial Gaia (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky). They were giant deities of incredible strength, who ruled during the legendary Golden Age, and also comprised the first pantheon of Greek deities. Among the first generation of twelve Titans, the females were Mnemosyne, Tethys, Theia, Phoebe, Rhea, and Themis and the males were Oceanus, Hyperion, Coeus, Cronus, Crius, and Iapetus.
King Tut's DNA Results Planet X News King Tut DNA Results Caucasian, Royal blood of Tutankhamun, Pharaoh of ancient Egypt, Mummies of China ************************* King Tut is related to most Western European men today (British, Spanish, French), which seems to suggest a proto-European connection (not specifically Germanic). Many like to jump to conclusions, especially those who only hold racial motivations regarding this issue. King Tut and his family could have been atypical. People should just compile the evidence first. Most Egyptian art seems to suggest a particular type of small light-boned Mediterranean strain, although the old paint can change color over time. Everything has to be factored in. This issue(s) is still inconclusive. Remember a few years ago when a few Etruscan DNA results came in which reflected ancient Anatolian markers.. and suddenly everyone was a Turk! This despite the fact that the Turkic stock only entered what has been European/Byzantine territory (modern Turkey) long after the Roman/Byzantine era hand ended.
Tangerine Dream - Betrayal (Sorcerer Theme) Przemysław Bryk Music: Betrayal (Sorcerer Theme) from album "Sorcerer" by Tangerine Dream Movie: Sorcerer (a.k.a. Wages of Fear) by William Friedkin
************************* This instrumental song is entitled 'Sorcerer' and it was produced by a German electronic music collective called Tangerine Dream for the 1977 American film 'Sorcerer' starring Roy Scheider. This song is an equivalent to the instrumental song 'Chase' by Giorgio Moroder from the film 'Midnight Express' the following year. The footage from the film here can be a little distracting to the music. Although largely regarded as a good film, oddly this movie doesn't seem to have gotten any play on television over the years. .
Snake-witch stone The Snake-witch (Ormhäxan), Snake-charmer (Ormtjuserskan) or Smiss stone (Smisstenen) is a picture stone found at Smiss, När parish, Gotland, Sweden. Discovered in a cemetery, it measures 82 cm (32 in) in height and depicts a figure holding a snake in each hand. Above the figure there are three interlaced creatures (forming a triskelion pattern) that have been identified as a boar, an eagle, and a wolf. The stone has been dated to 400–600 AD.
Although many scholars call it the Snake-witch, what the stone depicts—an accurate interpretation of the figures—and whether it derives from Celtic art or Norse art remain debated.
It seems to me that various neopagan concerns have never been certain as what to do with the symbolism on this standing stone/grave marker. First of all, is it Odinic, Druidic, Gaulish polytheistic, proto-European witchcraft, or some combination? This style of standing stone, the serpentine symbolism, and its location would seem to suggest an Odinic origin. However, there was snake symbolism in Gaulish culture, and the Gaulish god Cernunnos was found depicted on the Gundestrup cauldron from some centuries earlier in Denmark. Also, the "snake-witch"--like Cernunnos--is depicted holding a snake; although this artifact may have been obtained in trade between Teutons and Gauls. The snake-witch herself seems to suggest an element of proto-European spiritual influence, such as the pre-Olympian "Snake goddess" of Crete.
Also, just as interesting as the "snake-witch," is the powerful design symbol. To fully appreciate it, you must look at it and fill in the two sections which were somehow chipped off on the animal figure on the upper right. After you do that, then it's clear that this is what I would call a "double-triskellion." The boar, eagle, and wolf are formed as serpentine, with both heads and tails interwoven for this effect. The triskellion or "triple spiral" is found in many ancient European cultures. My guess is that the snake-witch stone is Odinic, with proto-European symbolism. The old Gotlanders, somewhat isolated on an island, probably held onto some aspects of pre-Odinic spirituality. As to whether or not this ties into what is known as "Norse witchcraft," I really don't know at this time. I suppose that there is the possibility or concurrent idea that this was tied to something unique to old Gothic culture and spirituality.
Parallels, interpretations, and speculation
The figure on the stone was first described by Sune Lindquist in 1955. He tried unsuccessfully to find connections with accounts in Old Icelandic sources, and he also compared the stone with the Snake Goddess from Crete. Lindquist found connections with the late Celtic Gundestrup cauldron, although he appears to have overlooked that the cauldron also shows a figure holding a snake. Arrhenius and Holmquist (1960) also found a connection with late Celtic art suggesting that the stone depicted Daniel in the lions' den and compared it with a depiction on a purse lid from Sutton Hoo, although the stone in question does not show creatures with legs. Arwidsson (1963) also attributed the stone to late Celtic art and compared it with the figure holding a snake on the Gundestrup cauldron. In a later publication Arrhenius (1994) considered the figure not to be a witch but a male magician and she dated it to the Vendel era. Hauk (1983), who is a specialist on bracteates, suggested that the stone depicts Odin in the fetch of a woman, while Görman (1983) has proposed that the stone depicts the Celtic god Cernunnos.
It also has been connected to a nearby stone relief on a doorjamb at Väte Church on Gotland which shows a woman who suckles two dragons, but this was made five centuries later than the picture stone.
Snake symbolism
Snakes were popular as a motif on later picture stones which show snake pits, used as a painful means of execution; this form of punishment also is known through Norse sagas. Snakes are considered to have had an important symbolism during the passage from paganism to Germanic Christianity. They were frequently combined with images of deer, crustaceans, or supernatural beasts. The purpose may have been to protect the stones and to deter people who might destroy them.
See also
Hyrrokkin, a female jötunn in Norse mythology who uses snakes as reins
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3-2-16 ADDITION: I just wanted to add an interesting logo, featuring the Snake-Witch, from a concern called "Heathens and Pagans Against Censorship." Also noteworthy is that this logo---just as with the snake witch/triskellion standing stone---has both proto-European and Teutonic symbolism. However, as covered here before, the proto-Europeans used a different 5-pointed Vehmic rune.
