Elysium or the Elysian Fields is a conception of the afterlife that developed over time and was maintained by some Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults. Initially separate from the realm of Hades, admission was reserved for mortals related to the gods and other heroes. Later, it expanded to include those chosen by the gods, the righteous, and the heroic, where they would remain after death, to live a blessed and happy life, and indulging in whatever employment they had enjoyed in life.
The Elysian Fields were, according to Homer, located on the western edge of the Earth by the stream of Okeanos. In the time of the Greek poet Hesiod, Elysium would also be known as the "Fortunate Isles", or the "Isles (or Islands) of the Blessed", located in the western ocean at the end of the earth. The Isles of the Blessed would be reduced to a single island by the Theban poet Pindar, describing it as having shady parks, with residents indulging in athletic and musical pastimes.
The ruler of Elysium varies from author to author: Pindar and Hesiod name Cronus as the ruler,[9] while the poet Homer in the Odyssey describes fair-haired Rhadamanthus dwelling there. "The Isle of the Blessed" is also featured in the 2nd Century comedic novel "True Story" by Lucian of Samosata.
Classical literature
In Homer's Odyssey, Elysium is described as a paradise:
"...to the Elysian plain...where life is easiest for men. No snow is there, nor heavy storm, nor ever rain, but ever does Ocean send up blasts of the shrill-blowing West Wind that they may give cooling to men."
-- Homer, Odyssey (4.560–565)
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"Fratres! (fraternal brothers) Three weeks from now I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line. Stay with me. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled; for you are in Elysium, and you're already dead!"
-- Maximus Decimus Meridius, 'Gladiator'
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'Gladiator' & 'The Last Samurai'
Recently on the Paramount channel I believe, on a few evenings there was a double-feature of these two films. One of the things that occurred to me about 'Gladiator'--a film with so many profound quotes--was the demoting of Maximus from a general who issued epic quotes such as "Strength and Honor" and "Brothers, what we do in life, echoes in eternity" in support of what he believed in: The Roman Empire.... to a slave forced to fight and risk death or maiming for the mere entertainment of others; Maximus after throwing the sword at the elites in the luxury box: "Are you not entertained!?"
Proximo's somewhat less-than-awe-inspiring quote to rally his gladiators during training put an exclamation point on that demotion: "Ultimately, we're all dead men. Sadly, we cannot choose how but, what we can decide is how we meet that end, in order that we are remembered, as men." Maximus' later quote in Rome's Colosseum was almost like a belated response to Proximo. Maximus: "Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was Rome, Proximo. This is not it! This is not it!" Just like the Samurai, Maximus was not afraid of death nearly as much as dishonor. The heroic ethic is long gone from this world, replaced by capitalism, communism, materialism, attention seeking, pleasure seeking, greed, self-worship, self-interest, rootless universalism, and baseless overt sex and violence.
Katsumoto: "The way of the Samurai is not necessary anymore"
Nathan Algren "Necessary? What could be more necessary?"
-- 'The Last Samurai'
' Jules Brunet, The Military Officer Behind The True Story Of ‘The Last Samurai’ '
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Summer Solstice 2021
Most often the 21st of June is considered the first day of summer. The celebration occurs between June 19th to the 23rd.
'Sing the Song of the Apple Tree'
Come lay beneath my leafy boughs
At this verdant time
When nature is so lush and bright
Flourishing in her prime
The land is warming rapidly
And summer is on its way
There is a magic in the air
The shimmering touch of fay!
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Planets Visible
Morning: Jupiter & Saturn
Evening: Venus from mid-month & Mars
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The time to celebrate the Life Force, fertility and creative energy in all its manifestations. It is the time of the maximum expansionist energy of the waxing years before the Sun reaches fullness at the Summer Solstice. Celebrate natural growth and fertility by the wearing of the green, reverencing well and springs, staying up all night to jump the fires and to welcome the dawn.
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Blood Red Supermoon
A Full Flower Moon will occur on the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 26... or in other words: "Tuesday night" the 25th. It will be just as full the next evening.
Lunar Eclipse
This Supermoon will occur in the AM hours and will max out at 4:18 AM pacific time. So this is will be a Full Blood Red Flower Supermoon!
There was an Eta Aquarids Meteor shower on the 6th and 7th, but if you focus on one area on a clear evening you can always see them.
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DARK SIDE OF FOOTBALL (Series Trailer)
April 16, 2021
VICE TV
1.74M subscribers
DARK SIDE OF FOOTBALL explores the tension between America’s undying love of the game, and its ability to corrupt and damage those who live and die for it.
DARK SIDE OF FOOTBALL premieres May 13 on VICE TV.
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This should be interesting. It premieres tomorrow evening; Thursday, May 13 on Vice (271 on DirecTV).
New episodes of 'Dark Side of the Ring' premiered on Thursday, May 6. 'A Haunting' is now airing new episodes on Tuesday evenings on the Travel Channel.
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Tattoo'd text on Canello Alvarez's shoulder
The famous boxer had a tat put on his left shoulder in the form of a block of text:
“Destiny is not a matter of chance It's a matter of choice Life is hard but never give up Keep on fighting & always believe in yourself to achieve your Dreams.”
'Canelo Alvarez’s Tattoos: What Do They Mean?'
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Whitesnake - Is This Love
21,448,291 views
kopit
Music Video Of Whitesnake - Is this love
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