Outasight - Tonight Is The Night [Official Music Video]

What I am listening to right now!

Symbolism in Poland's Next Top Model Promo: The Checkerboard

Symbolism write up by VigilantCitizen.com for the Youtube clip above:

The opening sequence of the second season Poland’s Next Top Model manages to pack in a single minute a whole lot of Illuminati mind control imagery. Not unlike Versace’s H&M ad (described in this article), the opening features a handler figure – a role played by the show’s host, supermodel Joanna Krupa. Wearing a black and white checkered dress, which becomes a Masonic checkerboard floor, the handler looks over the models, who are running around in a labyrinth and manipulates them at will. She also has control of all aspects of the labyrinth, including time (not unlike Jareth in the movie Labyrinth, analyzed here).

Based on Alice in Wonderland (of course), the sequence features countless mind control symbols and triggers including: tricky mirror reflections, “drugged” by cupcakes, butterflies, etc. In short, this sequence represents Illuminati control of the fashion industry.

Further information on checkerboard floor symbolism in links provided below:

The Masonic Checkerboard

*A great article on the symbolism of the checkerboard floor, and its references in pop culture provided here.

* Checkerboard floor is an indicatior of conflict, according to Leonard Dowe here.

  

*An amazing article on Kylie Minogue here, read to see how the masonic checkerboard factors    into this pop icons life.  Kylie Minogue in a checkerboard leotard

Set Fire to the Rain

What I am listening to right now!

Symbols in Episode #4 of Once Upon A Time

Rumpelstiltskin

For this blog post on the  television show Once Upon A Time (Episode #4), I focus on the mythological origins of one of the main inhabitants of Story Brook, Maine...Rumpelstiltskin. In this episode he is after the infamous first born of the queen.  However, Once Upon A Time offers a plot twist, in that the famous queen that Rumpelstitskin made a deal with is the beloved fairy tale character Cinderella. In this episode Cinderella is struggling to keep her first born child in the modern world (where she is trapped as a nineteen year old, single mother, whose prince is under a spell, and wants nothing to do with her).  The link to the show is provided above, in case you missed the episode.

Rumpelstiltskin takes out Cinderella's Fairy God Mother for her wand

"All magic comes with a price." With her fairy godmother gone, Cinderella still yearns for a new life

"What I want is precious." Cinderella unknowingly signs away her firstborn

In the modern world, Cinderella is 19 and pregnant; under the care of Mr. Gold

Here is a write up on the mythological origins of the fairy tale character Rumpelstiltskin, who has incarnated as Mr. Gold in the modern world depicted on the show...shedding some light on the unusual request of this elf...who seems insistent on getting the first born of royalty.

(Information from Mythical Creatures Guide)
Rumpelstilksin is an elf character in a fairy tale of the same name that originated in Germany (where he is known as Rumpelstilzchen). The tale was collected by the Brothers Grimm, who first published it in the 1812 edition of Children's and HouseholdTales. It was subsequently revised in later editions until the final version was published in 1857.

Plot Synopsis
In order to make himself appear more important, a miller lied to the king that his daughter could spin straw into gold. The king called for the girl, shut her in a tower room with straw and a spinning wheel, and demanded that she spin the straw into gold by morning, for three nights, or be executed. Some versions say that if she failed, she would be skewered and then fricasseed like a pig, while others take a less graphic approach and say that the girl is locked in the dungeon forever. She had given up all hope, when a dwarf appeared in the room and spun straw into gold for her in return for her necklace; then again the following night for her ring. On the third night, when she had nothing with which to reward him, the strange creature spun straw into gold for a promise that the girl's first-born child would become his.

The king was so impressed that he married the miller's daughter, but when their first child was born, the dwarf returned to claim his payment: "Now give me what you promised". The queen was frightened and offered him all the wealth she had if she could keep the child. The dwarf refused but finally agreed to give up his claim to the child if the queen could guess his name in three days. At first she failed, but before the second night, her messenger overheard the dwarf hopping about his fire and singing. While there are many variations in this song, the 1886 translation by Lucy Crane reads

"To-day do I bake, to-morrow I brew,The day after that the queen's child comes in;
And oh! I am glad that nobody knew
That the name I am called is Rumpelstiltskin!"

When the dwarf came to the queen on the third day and she revealed his name, Rumpelstiltskin lost his bargain. In the 1812 edition of the Brothers Grimm tales, Rumpelstiltskin then "ran away angrily, and never came back". The ending was revised in a final 1857 edition to a more gruesome version where Rumpelstiltskin "in his rage drove his right foot so far into the ground that it sank in up to his waist; then in a passion he seized the left foot with both hands and tore himself in two." Other versions have Rumpelstiltskin driving his right foot so far into the ground that he creates a chasm and falls into it, never to be seen again. In the oral version originally collected by the brothers Grimm, Rumpelstiltskin flies out of the window on a cooking ladle (Heidi Anne Heiner).

Name Origins
The name Rumpelstilzchen in German means literally "little rattle stilt". (A stilt is a post or pole which provides support for a structure.) A rumpelstilt or rumpelstilz was the name of a type of goblin, also called a pophart or poppart that makes noises by rattling posts and rapping on planks. The meaning is similar to rumpelgeist ("rattle ghost") or poltergeist ("noisy ghost"), a mischievous spirit that clatters and moves household objects. (Other related concepts are mummarts or boggarts and hobs that are mischievous household spirits that disguise themselves.)

The earliest known mention of Rumpelstiltskin occurs in Johann Fischart's Geschichtklitterung, or Gargantua of 1577 (a loose adaptation of Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel) which refers to an "amusement" for children named "Rumpele stilt or the Poppart".

Analysis
The story of Rumpelstiltskin is an example of Aarne and Thompson's folklore type 500 (The Name of the Helper; see links below). Other fairy tale themes in the story include the Impossible Task, the Hard Bargain, the Changeling Child, and, above all, the Secret Name.

Rumpelstiltskin is most commonly interpreted as a cautionary tale against bragging (compare with the concept of hubris in Greek mythology), but in this case not the miller himself but rather his daughter is punished for his lies. An alternative explanation is that the tale could have been meant to teach women the importance of performing a supporting role in their later marriage. The gift of spinning straw into gold is seen here as a metaphor for the value of household skills. Indeed, the king in this tale does not seem to be interested in the girl besides her alleged magical capabilities — even though her beauty is mentioned in passing — and she exists only to bring him riches and bear his children.

The dwarf's demand for the girl's first-born child probably has remnants of older legends which held that malignant sprites and goblins would steal unattended babies and replace them with a child (or "changeling") of their own. (Similar tales exist about trolls as well, though their motives were generally seen as selfish rather than unpleasant, in that they supposedly found some of their own children too humanoid to exist among them.) However, tales like these in themselves were intended to stop children from playing outside without care, or mothers from leaving their children in danger, and the miller, famously, puts his own child in the power of a greedy king, while she in turn agrees to hand over her child to a virtual stranger.

Another tale revolves about a girl trapped by false claims about her spinning abilities: The Three Spinners. However, the three women who assist that girl do not demand her first born, but that she invite them to her wedding and say that they are relatives of hers. With this more reasonable request, she complies, and is freed from her hated spinning when they tell the king that their hideous looks spring from their endless spinning. In one Italian variant, she must discover their names, as with Rumpelstiltskin, but not for the same reason: she must use their names to invite them, and she has forgotten them.

Pendulums

The above video offers a brief synopsis on how to use a pendulum, making it a perfect companion to the following post on pendulums.  I have been playing with my own pendulum over the last few days. Therefore, I thought I would share my thoughts and some basic inforamation on this wonderfully intuitive device...

Gail Wood has an amazing quote about the power of pendulums.  She says, “Pendulums use our bodies as a conduit and channel for our intuitive inner selves and to our inner divinity which sparks within us, then connects us to the divine transcendent universe.”

In the book Pendulum Magic for Beginners, Richard Webster states, “The pendulum is not a new invention.  It has been used for thousands of years.  In ancient China it was used to deter and chase away evil spirits, and to determine where they came from.  The ancient Egyptians used a pendulum to determine the best places to grow their crops (Coppen, 1974)…In Roman times people were condemned to death for using a pendulum, probably because it was being used to plot against the emperor.”

Pendulums allow us to connect to the collective unconscious and our higher selves, gathering information using a series of yes or no questions.  It is important to clear your mind when working with this device (listen and receive the answers that you are meant to hear, not what you want to hear).

If you choose to begin working with one, there is a ton of information online about making and using this device.  Almost anything can be  used as a pendulum, and it is easy to make one, or you can also purchase a pendulum online, at a metaphysical shop, or even a flea market.  It is an extremely powerful and intuitive device.  There are many interesting exercises that you can practice with your pendulum, helping strengthen your personal connection with your intuitive self.

Dream, Love, Believe...JYN

Amber Rose on Wendy Williams

As I sit here listening to Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa, I thought of this interview!
It's a good one. Enjoy!

Black and Yellow- Wiz Khalifa

What I am listening to right now!
This song is putting me in a frisky mood this Friday, you know what it is ;)
Dream, Love, Believe...<3 JYN

Lyrics to Black and Yellow
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Black and yellow [x4]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Black and yellow [x4]

[Chorus:]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Everything I do, I do it big
Yeah, uh huh, screaming that's nothing
What I pulled off the lot, that's stunting
Repping my town when you see me you know everything
Black and yellow [x4]
I put it down from the whip to my diamonds, I'm in
Black and yellow [x4]

[Verse 1:]
Black stripe, yellow paint, them niggas scared of it but them hoes ain't
Soon as I hit the club look at them hoes face
Hit the pedal once make the floor shake
Suede inside, my engine roaring
It's the big boy, you know what I payed for it
And I got the pedal to the metal
I got you niggas checking game I'm balling out on every level
Hear them haters talk but there's nothing you can tell 'em
Just made a million, got another million on my schedule
No love for 'em nigga breaking hearts
No keys, push to start

[Chorus:]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Everything I do, I do it big
Yeah, uh huh screaming that's nothing
What I pulled off the lot, that's stunting
Repping my town when you see me you know everything
Black and yellow [x4]
I put it down from the whip to my diamonds I'm in
Black and yellow [x4]

[Verse 2:]
Got a call from my jeweler, this just in
Bitches love me 'cause I'm fucking with their best friends
Not a lesbian but she a freak though
This ain't for one night I'm shining all weak hoe.
I'm sipping cleeko and rocking yellow diamonds
So many rocks up in the watch I cant tell what the time is
Got a pocket full of big faces
Throw it up 'cause every nigga that I'm with Taylor

[Chorus:]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Everything I do, I do it big
Yeah, uh huh screaming that's nothing
What I pulled off the lot, that's stunting
Repping my town when you see me you know everything
Black and yellow [x4]
I put it down from the whip to my diamonds I'm in
Black and yellow [x4]

[Verse 3:]
Stay high like how I'm supposed to do
That crown underneath them clouds, cant get close to you
And my car look unapproachable
Super clean but its super mean
She wanna fuck with them cats, smoke weed, count stacks, get fly, take trips and that's that
Real rap, I let her get high, she wouldn't she feel that, convertible drop fill, 87 the top peel back

[Chorus:]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Repping my town when you see me you know everything
Black and yellow [x4]
I put it down from the whip to my diamonds I'm in
Black and yellow [x4]
Yeah, uh huh, you know what it is
Everything I do, I do it big
Yeah, uh huh screaming that's nothing
What I pulled off the lot, that's stunting
Repping my town when you see me you know everything
Black and yellow [x4]
I put it down from the whip to my diamonds I'm in
Black and yellow [x4]

Under Construction :)

Hi Everyone!

I am working on switching over my blog's  layout.  Please excuse it's apperance for the next few days as I update and switch things over. Thanks, JYN

Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie [Official Mu...

What I am listening to right now!

Symbols in ABC's "Once Upon A Time," Episode #2

ABC's Once Upon A Time has captured my attention, and caught me as a viewer! I love how this show weaves in and out of both the modern world and alongside the world of fairy tales.  My love of fairy tales and symbolism has inspired me to write up the symbols and allusions that I catch within each episode of the show; here is my second blog post about the series. This post is filled with spoilers so please first check out Episode #2 before reading any further if you have not seen the show yet.

Episode #2 opens with the clock tower at the center of Story Brook, Maine finally moving, which means that the battle of good vs. evil has now begun, and time is no longer standing still.  Many living in this town are trapped in time, and have no recollection of their past, since they have been removed from their world and trapped in modern reality by the evil queen.  The movement of time is alarming to the evil queen, who has been fearful ever since her adoptive son Henry found and brought his biological mother to town for her there to overtake the queen.

The Evil Queen Offers Emma An Apple

In an ode to the original tale of Snow White, the town's mayor, and queen, maintains a glorious apple tree.  When she discovers that her foe Emma has remained in Story Brook to check up on her biological son, she is absolutely livid.  Hence, she brings Emma some of her infamous apples as a peace offering, but also to ensure that Emma hits the road.  Emma accepts the apple (although she never eats it), but informs the mayor/evil queen that she is going to be sticking around for a bit, just to make sure that things are okay.

The apple is a prominent symbol that has been featured in myths throughout the ages.  Biblical scholars note that in the book of Genesis, the fruit that Eve takes from the Tree of Knowledge is actually unnamed, but Christianity paired it with the apple. In greek myth, the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, features the infamous Apple of Discord (a golden apple engraved with the words 'for the fairest'), which is tossed into the wedding party by Eris (strife) who was left out of the festivities. This event leads to a fight between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite (whose iconography is also linked to the apple), and is the set up for the famous judgement of Paris.  Once Upon A Time has also paired the apple with the evil queen, and the fruit appears next to her in multiple scenes throughout the last two episodes.

The Mirror at the Queen's Palace

The Local Paper in Story Brook is entitled The Daily Mirror

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all?" - is a classic question that is part of Snow White's tale.  The picture above shows one of the mayor's aids bringing the morning paper The Daily Mirror to the queen, with a feature story about Emma's arrest in Episode #1.  The aid greets her by stating, "the mirror strikes again"... A mirror can be any highly reflective surface, including a highly polished black stone, or a reflective surface of water.  The complete dictionary of symbols states that the sun and moon have been seen as mirror-like disks throughout history, reflecting divinity back to earth.  In Alice in Wonderland, the mirror serves as a magical door to a parallel world.  In fact, mirrors have always been linked to magic and divination.  The christ child (Jesus) is considered to be a mirror of god.  Christians have also linked the mirror to the human heart, which reflects god, with the brightness or dullness of the mirror being linked to the quality of the human soul (Dictionary of Symbols, by Tresidder)

Maleficent's Scepter

Finally, this episode brought us to the palace of Maleficent, who is the evil witch featured in the tale of Sleeping Beauty.  In the show, Maleficent's scepter was holding the evil curse that has imprisoned the fairy tale characters in the modern world.  Scepters have been associated with supreme gods and rulers since ancient Egypt (Pharaoh's scepters were topped with the god Set).  According to the Dictionary of Symbols, the scepter implies royal or spiritual power to administer justice, including punishment, with a spherical top symbolizing spiritual authority.  In classical Greek myth, the scepters of Zeus and Hades had a bird perched atop.  The Etruscans also had very ornate scepters used by kings and the upper priesthood, some of which are currently on display at the British Museum, Vatican, and Louvre.  In France, royal scepters were topped with the Fluer De Lis.

British Crown Jewels: Scepter of the Cross featuring The Star of Africa
(The cross symbolizes temporal authority of the monarch under the cross)

In England, royal coronations mention a scepter starting in the 9th century.  The current royal scepters (The Cross and The Dove) can be traced back to the coronation of Charles II in 1661.  The Scepter of the Cross was redesigned in 1905 to include the Star of Africa (the largest piece of diamond, cut from the largest diamond ever found), which can be removed and worn as a brooch. 

That concludes my look at this week's symbols in Once Upon A Time, Episode #2.  Have you been enjoying this new series as well?  Check back around next Thursday as I analyze next Sunday's
episode!

 Dream, Love, Believe...JYN

"Once Upon A Time" (ABC): A Look at the Symbols

Last Sunday ABC premiered the series “Once Upon A Time”.  I was struck by the shows symbolism; with symbols being ever present when you enter the world of fairy tales. The shows Protagonists are Snow White and Prince Charming. Their family is caught in a spell that has them, and other famous fairy tale characters trapped in the modern world. Since the symbols on the show were so striking, I have taken the time to decode what I saw in the post below. This post focuses on the fairy realm depicted in the show. The show takes place in both the fairy realm and the modern world.

Snow White in a Glass Coffin

The opening scene in this episode follows Prince Charming as he races through the woods reaching Snow White. Snow White who has been poisoned by the evil queen (her step mother) by the infamous poisonous apple.  According to an annotation on  SurLaLune’s fairytale website- a glass coffin is symbolic of a caterpillar in a chrysalis before its rebirth into a butterfly.  The glass coffin is also an allusion to reincarnation, because Snow White is brought back to life by a kiss from her prince and hence can be seen resting after her death, awaiting rebirth.  The fact that Snow White is laid to rest in a coffin of glass highlights that she is still an object of affection for the dwarfs and also the prince.

The Royal Wedding

After the prince revives Snow the plot follows the traditional fairy tale and the viewer is swept away to the wedding uniting Prince Charming and Snow White after she has been awakened by his kiss. In the traditional fairy tale the evil queen shows up to the wedding and is forced to dance to her death in red hot iron slippers.  However, in “Once Upon A Time” Snow's happy ending is stolen. The evil queen is able to place a curse on the couple and the kingdom.  This scene subconsciously conveys duality with the good folks in white and evil folks in black. The shows protagonists now have a limited time to come up with a plan of survival; before the curse hits the kingdom. Also, this scene reminded me of the traditional RWS tarot's four of wands, which can also sometimes mean a wedding, when it shows up in a reading.  Do you see the similarities as well? Check out an image of the four of wands below.  I also referenced the Hierophant #5 of the Major Arcana in this scene, given that the priest (marrying Snow and Prince Charming) is wearing a traditional papal outfit, as is the Hierophant is the RWS tarot deck (see previous blog post on the Tarot, if you would like more info on the inner workings of the Tarot deck).

4 of Wands in RWS Tarot

The show also makes a potent allusion to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  In the episode a group of thirteen (including Prince Charming) are sitting around a round table brainstorming the best method to overcome the evil queen and the curse that she has sent out to destroy everyone. This is an allusion to classical myth structure and the solar hero. The twelve figures are representatives of the twelve signs in the zodiac and Prince Charming represents the solar hero who moves through the signs each year. 

The Round Table

At the end of the episode, Snow is now pregnant and worried about the future of her family. A good fairy enters her chamber with a sacred tree; which is a portal to the modern world. Sacred trees are a common theme in myth- referenced in Hindu, Norse, and Buddhist traditions (to name a few). The evil spell does over take the kingdom. However, Snow has now birthed a daughter (Emma) whom she sends through the tree portal. 

I enjoyed the show’s use of non-linear time as the episode flipped in and out of modern time and the fairy tale world using the past and future to tell a tale in the present.  For this post, I only highlighted symbols depicted within the fairy tale realm, however symbols were weaved throughout the modern portion of the show as well. What other symbols were you able to spot in the pilot of this very promising show?

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Trailer for "Once Upon A Time" (New TV series, ABC)

I am interested to see this series premier, Sunday night on ABC!

I am curious about the symbols and tales that will unfold in this series. Check out the above clip! What do you think of ABC's new drama based on the ever present world of fairy tales?

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The Age of Transparency

According to Carl Calleman (see previous posts, and his website link in favorites on the sidebar) the end date for the Mayan Calendar, October 28, 2011 is rapidly approaching. On a recent interview with Red Ice Radio's Henrik Palmgren, Callemen spoke about the shift after the end date, where global society will move into transparency. Do you feel that the above clip offers evidence to support this theory?

It is apparent that people worldwide are waking up (Arab Spring, France, London...) a movement is forming! Sending peace, love, and light to all who are awakening, and calling for the needed change, as we unite, and ride the shifts in consciousness and time. Non-violence and peace is always the way.

The energies on Earth are shifting, we are in a time of change (see Calleman's book: The Mayan Calendar and Transformation of Conciousness). I feel that the human race is reconnecting with Earth, and the light within. As a race, many are caught up in the daily grind of modern society, and have been removed from nature, and a holistic worldview. Awareness of the fact that we are all connected, Earth is sacred, and care should be shown toward our home (Earth) is again becoming a concern in the reality of many.

Financial interests have taken over governments worldwide, where the bottom line is profit, and greed is ruling our 3D reality at the moment. The above clip highlights the United States. People have the time (now that they are unemployed) to research how things are working within the country. Many in the above clip spoke of being fed up with the government, as the police surround them, they chant "show me how democracy works".

An entity that works outside of the government, The Fed, is being called out! People are fed up that 1% of the population in the United Sates holds the wealth, meanwhile the rest of the masses struggle towards a dream that seems more and more like a myth, the 9/23 episode of Bill Maher spoke to this. Chants like "Why is life a bitch, because we don't tax the rich" reflect the national unrest, as the reality of how finance and our government works (the moment money is printed, interest for The Fed is generated, an entity that works outside our government, yet rules finance). How Washington is controlled by corporate interests, and how the banks on Wall Street, continue to collect money by attacking the average American! Example, Bank of America will now charge its customers $5 a month, whenever they have a debit card transaction...yet, American taxpayers were made to bail them out, due to the fact that they were pushing us into a depression far worse then the 1930's.

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Barbara Hand Clow's Astroflash

I refer to the website linked below during New Moons, as well as specific seasonal times (like yesterday's Fall Equinox) in order to read Barbara Hand Clow's write up of current events, their astrological associations, and finally how these events fit into Calleman's framework for the Mayan Calendar.

Barbara Hand Clow's Astroflash


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The Cycles of the Year...As Above, So Below

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I have been thinking and planning in all areas of my life as of late. I have always felt a sense of renewal in the fall, as it coincides with the start of the school year! It came to me that I should post on the calendar, and the importance of how we keep/view time. The ancients celebrated a cycle that highlighted 8 important markers/times during the year, coinciding with the cycles of the season.

These cycles mark...

The New Year (March 21/The Vernal (Spring) Equinox: When day and night are in complete balance
May 1 (May Day); This marks the ancient festival of the May Pole (a time of fertility/ hence the phallic nature of the pole that was used)
June 21 (Summer Solstice) The Longest Day of the Year (From this day forward the light begins to wane/summer in Northern Hemisphere)
August 1 (Start of Harvest/ A Festival of Bread in ancient times)
September 21 (The Fall Equinox, day and night are in balance) Thanksgiving
Oct 31/Nov 1 (The time of year when the veil between worlds in the thinnest) hence the celebration of Halloween
December 21 (The Winter Solstice) The longest night of the Year when the ancients celebrated the rebirth of the sun
Feb. 2 (A fire festival) A night to sit by the fire and focus on rebirth/renewal as we head into spring

This cycle ties into the age old axiom "as above, so below" which is an explanation of how the cosmos is reflected in both the micro and macro. The above clip briefly explains how the axiom is related to the map, cycles of the year, our bodies, astrology, and fairy tales/folklore...

The Gregorian calendar is somewhat of an enslaving entity, in that it triggers consumption (Christmas, Valentine's Day are prime examples), and removes us from the natural, seasonal cycles that people have celebrated for thousands of years. The New Year really should be considered March 21, when the Earth is awaking from its slumber, and is headed into the renewal/rebirth of spring (hence the Christian placement of Easter during this time of year, after the first full moon, after the Vernal Equinox), with the egg as a symbol of rebirth.

Elder Don Alejandro: Mayan Message to the World

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Given my recent post on the Mayan Calendar, I thought I would share this clip of a Mayan elders message to the world! Enjoy.

A&E(Astrology): Secret in the Stars - Part 1 of 5

I have been doing research for several books (which I am writing). This research has me looking at history, and I find it interesting that historically all major scholars considered Astrology as one of the core subjects. The study of the stars has been with us since ancient times. In fact the A&E clip on Astrology that I have included with this post, states that we can trace the study of the stars back 20,000 to Paleolithic Man.

The modern day church has distanced itself from the study of the stars, when in fact much of the Bible is coded astrology (Astrotheology). In fact, did you know that Easter is determined by the date of the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox (March 21), and is celebrated on the following Sunday. Or the fact that we are currently in the age of Pisces (hence the Jesus fish used by the church). There are many examples of coded astrology within the bible, and Christian practices. Two years ago, when I visited Prague, there was a beautiful church with a clock, surrounded by astrological symbols (this is common practice in old European churches, many of which are built on top of older Pagan sacred sites).

Some interesting highlights form the A&E documentary:

* The invasion of Alexander the Great (in the Middle East) in 331 BC brought Babylonian Astrology back to the Greeks
* Many past leaders have hired and Astrologer to aid with their decisions, including Elizabeth I whose astrologer was Dr. John Dee
* In 1914 famous Astrologer Evangeline Adams is arrested based on an obscure NYC law, but later has the case dismissed after accurately predicting an outcome of an anonymous person (she said that the person whose chart she was doing would die early in a swimming accident, which in fact did happen, the chart was for the deceased son of the judge who died in a swimming accident)

One issue that stood out to me in the piece above, was when they touched on the Mayan Calendar. A quote from the documentary referencing 2012 "Cosmos would come to an end, and a profound new order would be established". To me, this quote seems to perpetuate fear, when in fact many scholars believe that the calendar is tracking the evolution of consciousness. So, that when the calendar ends, it may be symbolic of a completion in past consciousness as are minds expand beyond the constriction of 3D linear space and time. See my post on the Mayan Calendar for further information. What are your thoughts?

Dream, Love, Believe... ~JYN

George Carlin - We Like War

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This clip is twenty years old, and still so relevant! Although, we would all be wise to become symbolically literate...more on that in later posts. Enjoy the above clip, JYN.

Mayan Calendar: Real Useful Mayan Info for 2012 Ian Lungold

Here is a great lecture based on the book The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness by Carl Calleman. Enjoy!

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My blog title spotted in Herodotus

How cool! I found an excerpt with the title of my blog right form the pages of myth...

"For the storm continued during three days; but at last the Magians, making sacrifice of victims and singing incantations to appease the Wind by enchantments, [198] and in addition to this, offering to Thetis and Nereids, caused it to cease on the fourth day, or else for some reason it abated of its own will. Now they offered sacrifice to Thetis, being informed by the Ionians of the story that she was carried off from the place by Peleus, and that the whole headland of Sepias belonged to her and to the other Nereids."

From: The Seventh Book of the Histories, call Polymnia

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Cherish Life (Summer 2011)

I am sitting here, working, daydreaming, and kinda thinking about

the past...the days when I was carefree! Deep down we

always know, we have the power!

Mermaids have been coming through for me recently, as I

settle into the end of summer, transitioning into fall. What are

your thoughts on the summer 2011 and its energy?

This summer has shown me to cherish life, always, we are here for a reason! Go within to find out why, and then make your dreams happen!

Dream, Love, Believe...

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Tarot and Beyond...

Hello everyone! I have been thinking and planning over the last several days, and am excited about the path that I have mapped out for upcoming posts! I have gotten several hits on the Tarot postings, and am happy that people are reading :)

I will continue my musings on the Tarot, with the hope that more people look at the deck for study and self reflection. If you are already a reader, I hope that I am able to add to your studies, with my own thoughts about the cards, and the magic that they create, when they connect us to our guide within.

However, I am not solely focused on Tarot, and have much more to come, including a look at Egypt (both modern and ancient) in a way, I am certain most have not seen!

In Tarot, I will begin to write about the Major Arcana (previous blog posts, give an introduction to the the cards, their history, and make-up), which is a metaphor for the hero's quest, researched and explained by Joseph Campbell (If you would like more information, a great book to read: A Hero With a Thousand Faces). The Major Arcana can also be termed the journey of the fool or soul. These cards highlight moments on the path of the seeker (which we all represent, the seeker is seen as the fool within the card deck). The Major Arcana highlights steps/rites of passage as we learn, grow, and head towards enlightenment.

The psychologist Carl Maslow, referred to this journey as a hierarchy, that we navigate, as we head towards self actualization (enlightenment). However, he recognized that not everyone would actually reach the top of the pyramid (his model, is set into the framework of a pyramid) within this lifetime. Examples of enlightened humans, include the Ascended Masters: Jesus, Buddha, Mary, Confucius. Historical teachers, that went through the journey of the fool (awakening) and came out enlightened, and in turn spread their message of truth to the rest of the world.

The Tarot highlights, we are all on a journey, as we seek out meaning to our existence, the path is not easy, hence some of the "darker" cards like death, the tower, devil, and judgement. But, always remember the cards have layered meanings, and can hold several insights, depending on the other cards drawn, and the seekers question. Take death for instance, with every door that closes, another opens, so all that dies, makes way for something new!

Readers are finding my blog, and it excites me! I would love to begin and establish a community here on Nereids' Enchantments, so if you have the time, and are inspired, please leave your thoughts, comments and opinions!!! Thank you for reading.

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TED Talks: Rebecca MacKinnon on Maintaining Freedom on Internet

The above clip is an interesting look at the internet, and the role of corporations/governments in suppressing freedom of speech through the internet and modern technologies. Enjoy!

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The Tarot Skeptic Part One

I wanted to look at Tarot form all angels, it is interesting to look at the Tarot through the eyes of a skeptic (since I have been intuitively drawn to the cards since my teens). Which, leads me to my first point, if you have a closed mind to the cards, then they are most likely not for you (at this time). Because the main reason the Tarot works, is that the questioner believes (this point is explained in greater detail, in my introductory post on Tarot). This fact, very much can be paralleled with religion. Those who believe in various disciplines often cite that there beliefs are grounded in a faith first principal.

Yet with Tarot, if you approach the cards with an open mind, and are willing to work with them, they will prove their abilities to you through the fact that you will begin to see patterns arise, as you read daily, that your unconscious is pointing out to guide you on your path. Therefore, Tarot is for everyone, regardless of your religious background, because the cards are a tool for conversing with your higher self. Just as prayer is a tool for conversing with God, Goddess, or whatever choice terminology you have for source.

The Tarot readers main companion (besides the cards) is there journal, where they can record readings, and reflections, to review later. Reviewing your journal at a later date, will often reveal deep insights, once removed from the present, and many times the anxiety, that we have when we approach the cards for answers to the highs and lows of life. You can ask for the cards to show you a sign, pull a card, and go about your day with your eyes open, and you are most likely to find a connection (meant for you to see) based on the card that you pulled. Many, would state that this is a random chance, but if you believe, and have an open mind, the Tarot is there as a tool to teach and guide you. The fact that the cards are based on a game is what adds to their mystic, and perhaps has the greater message that life is a game, and we need to remember to relax, play, and have fun everyday!

The above clip gives an amazing synopsis of the Tarot and how the cards are set up. It then goes onto to state problems that the skeptic has with Tarot in general. As someone who feels that the cards hold value (not everyone will resonate with Tarot) I think that the skeptic is a bit dismissive of the cards use as a tool for meditation (because this is one of their most important components). Deep insights can be gained by drawing the cards, and leaving the spread out in a visible place for reflection. In fact, I would say that the cards are best used for yourself, to highlight themes or guide you based on the questions you ask of the cards, and then the cards that you pull.

I pull no more then three cards, for a reading. But, this is an intuitive tool, so pull the cards however you are guided to. Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning is an excellent starting point if you are interested in beginning to learn about the cards, spreads, and what not, it is a course that is designed to teach you to read the cards (I believe she often uses the classic celtic cross spread to illustrate readings). The course is also online, but the site was down when I just checked, so I am not sure if that is still the case. Tarot for Self by Mary K. Greer is also another great book for the beginner.

Another response I have to the above clip, Tarot is in no way meant to take the place of medical advice. However, the cards can show you about medical concerns, but that does not mean you are seeking them to trump common sense, sometimes in life you need a doctor. But, what I will say, is that I think as a whole we have been pushed (by society) to rely on outside sources to help, heal, and support us, when in fact we all have the power to direct or lives, health, and healing, when we follow intuition, and listen to self.

Now I will address the cards use in divination, the cards can highlight themes and upcoming events. But, it is with the understanding that nothing is ever set in stone, and that people are in charge of their lives, and their futures. If you seek a reader for insight into the future, then this is when your intuition is most important, and meant to guide you. I think that psychics, and Tarot card readers, should always be approached as a means of entertainment. An ethical reader, will have a code of conduct, that they would be more than happy to share if asked. See if that code resonates with you, if you feel that you are questioning the validity of whoever is reading for you. There are some amazing readers out there, you just have to find them ;)

The value of Tarot is in its power as a tool for personal use. The Tarot is a tool meant to aid and guide you, opening your eyes to the signs that life presents, when you wake up and listen, the tarot connects you with your higher self. Other points/tips, I have decks that are meant solely for me so that only my energy is being picked up in personal readings. This is good to know if you plan to read for other people. If you believe that gemstones hold energetic power, then a cleansed moonstone is a great companion for your deck, which you should store wrapped in a silk or cotton cloth. Even better, put you wrapped deck in a wooden box.>

Dream, Love, Believe...JYN

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Tarot History: Tarocchi Part 1 - Introducing the Card Games for Tarot!

So, today I have been inspired to post on the Tarot. I have been working with/studying the cards for over a decade, and still consider myself a novice reader, because there is so much history, myth, and layers to the cards; which gives them added power. The above video is an accurate account of Tarot's history, which stems from a European card game that developed in the Renaissance called Tarrochi. As stated in the previous post, learning the cards is a commitment to scholarship. It is interesting to note, that the above video is made by a skeptic of the cards use in divination. However, I am a proponent of the theory that the cards enable the querent (seeker) to get in touch with higher self, which is a concept that I will look at further, as I continue to post clips and thoughts on Tarot throughout the day!

Enjoy,
JYN

* For an excellent and scholarly look into the history of Tarot, and the cards use in divination, I recommend the book the Tarot (History, Symbolism, and Divination) by Robert M. Place

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Nereids' Enchantments Blog (Shifting Focus)

This post is the result of personal reflection about the direction I want my blog to take. For about two years, I have been blogging with no real understanding of why I was being compelled to post. I did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to create. I just started sharing clips, ideas, and tidbits that interested me, thinking they may be of interest to others as well, and they have been! So, a big THANK YOU to all that have found me over the last two years! Now, I would like to establish a community! One for the spiritual seeker, who has an open mind, and is open to exploring the realm of possibilities that lie in our multi-dimensional existence.

Looking back over journals that I have kept throughout the years, the one thing that I have always discussed, besides teaching, was writing (with an emphasis on myth, magic, fairytales, and folklore). In 2006 I committed to returning to school, and completed my Masters in Education, because I was compelled to teach, just like in undergrad when I was compelled to heal (and pursued a degree/career in social work). Now the time has come for me to pursue my path as a writer, which I have been focused on for the last two years!

I have studied the esoteric and occult since high school, lifelong hobbies that coincided with my educational and career pursuits (but I have really grown so much, by being able to focus on my personal studies for the past two years, with no other distractions). And now, I am coming out of the spiritual closet (metaphorically speaking) and I am going to really begin and share the knowledge that I have compiled, read, and written about over the last fifteen years, as I tried to seek out the meaning to life, the truth behind religion, astrology, tarot, astronomy, numerology, symbolism (these are to name a few). I definitely do not have the answers, but will begin to share my thoughts, and I hope that in turn inspires you to share with me your thoughts, comments, questions, opinions, as well...

The meaning to life, why we are here/our path are lifelong questions, meant to be worked out daily, as we live and learn the lessons that this life has to offer (I have come to believe in reincarnation and past lives). I have also come to believe that there are no wrong choices, so each experience that we are having is a lesson meant to be learned, as we grow and move forward on our path, we are meant to be where we are at any given moment.

This does not negate the fact that there will be struggles and lows, but understand that the struggles and lows are lessons ordered by our higher self, which is plugged into the universal flow, and understands the greater good. Even if your present moment seems hopeless and unsupported, it is serving a higher purpose (the experience serves as keys to connecting with source). I use the metaphor of key quite often in my work, for we are unlocking a mystery!

I have hinted at my beliefs and ideas in posts since this blogs inception. But, I have not been outwardly sharing my spiritual ideas, because much of my thinking is on the fringe, and is repressed in a seemingly religious world, that is afraid of ghosts, fairies, elves, unicorns, witches, and wizards (to name a few), yet at the core of all religions is a belief in the otherworldly, godly, and divine...the supernatural, which is part of the wonder and mystery of life. I play with concepts of the fictional world in fact being reality, for I have come to believe that reality exists in layers, metaphors, and symbols. Which means that many times, we have to look beyond the surface, to what lies underneath, in order to discern, what in fact is truth.

This post is meant to shift the direction of this blog, into a more erudite and spiritual realm, although I will continue to post on the mundane, I thought a disclaimer was needed for what is to come ;)

Dream, Love, Believe...JYN

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Chelsea Lately: Rihanna

I find this clip hysterical! It reminds me of my travels to Poland.

In Poland, people actually stared at me as I walked the streets with my husband, quite entertaining. Not many "folk" in that country either ;)

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Bill Maher on The Wealth Gap in America and the World 12-03-2011

No words can summarize this gem of a clip!

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Bill Maher on disappearance of Middle Class, America in Wars, and Arab Spring

Many great and interesting points made throughout the

above clip...enjoy! Comments?

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AC 360: Dave Chappelle, Pt. 1 of 2

I can relate to so much in this clip! I think that many

can, even though the average person is not handling that

type of money, many have felt unnecessary stress and pressure

in the work environment, especially with the turn the economy

has taken, and the everyday American feeling the burden of big

business and the risks they take at any price, as they fight to keep

wealth contained within 1% of the population.

And by no means is this just a problem in the states, I bet people

worldwide can relate to unnecessary stress and pressure at work...

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Dave Chappelle-What's Wrong With Hollywood

This is a great clip, with lots of truth to all those living their

dreams! Always remember...dream, love, believe. <3 JYN

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Lyrics to Kanye West: Power

I’m livin’ in the 21st century
Doin’ something mean to it
Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music

No one man should have all that power
The clock’s tickin’, I just count the hours
Stop trippin’, I’m trippin’ off the power
(21st century schizoid man)

The system broken, the schools closed, the prisons open
We ain’t got nothin’ to lose, ma’f-cka, we rollin’
Huh? Ma’f-cka, we rollin’
With some light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowlands
In this white man’s world, we the ones chosen
So goodnight, cruel world, I see you in the mornin’
Huh? I see you in the mornin’
This is way too much, I need a moment

No one man should have all that power
The clock’s tickin’, I just count the hours
Stop trippin’, I’m trippin’ off the power
‘Til then, f-ck that, the World’s ours

And then they (Go)
And then they
And then they (Go)
And then they (21st century schizoid man)

F-ck SNL and the whole cast
Tell ‘em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass
More specifically, they can kiss my asshole
I’m an asshole? You n-ggas got jokes
You short-minded n-ggas’ thoughts is Napoleon
My furs is Mongolian, my ice brought the goalies in
Now I embody every characteristic of the egotistic
He know, he so, f-ckin’ gifted
I just needed time alone, with my own thoughts
Got treasures in my mind but couldn’t open up my own vault
My childlike creativity, purity and honesty
Is honestly being prodded by these grown thoughts
Reality is catchin’ up with me
Takin’ my inner child, I’m fighting for it, custody
With these responsibilities that they entrusted me
As I look down at my dia-mond-encrusted piece

N-gga, no one man should have all that power
The clock’s tickin’, I just count the hours
Stop trippin’, I’m trippin’ off the power
‘Til then, f-ck that, the World’s ours

And then they (Go)
And then they
And then they (Go)
And then they
And then they (Go)
And then they (21st century schizoid man)

Colin Powells, Austin Powers
Lost in translation with a whole f-ckin’ nation
They say I was the obamanation (abomination) of Obama’s nation
Well, that’s a pretty bad way to start the conversation
At the end of day, goddammit, I’m killin’ this sh-t
I know damn well y’all feelin’ this sh-t
I don’t need yo’ p-ssy, bitch, I’m on my own d-ck
I ain’t gotta power trip, who you goin’ home with?
How ‘Ye doin’? I’m survivin’
I was drinkin’ earlier, now I’m drivin’
Where the bad bitches, huh? Where ya hidin’?
I got the power, make yo’ life so excitin’ (So excitin’)

Now this would be a beautiful death
Jumpin’ out the window
Lettin’ everything go
Lettin’ everything go

N-now-now this would be a beautiful death
Jumpin’ out the window
Lettin’ everything go
Lettin’ everything go

Now this would be a beautiful death
Jumpin’ out the window
Lettin’ everything go
Lettin’ everything go

You got the power to let power go

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Bill Maher on American Innovation

I don't necessarily agree with all points on this clip, BUT the fact is that America

needs to move away from making everything profitable!!

Private prisons = More people (especially minorities) incarcerated

Private public schools (The Charters) = CEO's as principals with no

background in education

Private companies involved in war = endangering troops who work for the government

Private healthcare = A sick nation that is dependent on a corrupt medical system

These are just a few examples. Can you think of any more?

Green technology and not moving jobs/companies overseas for "globalization" are steps in the right direction!

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Hildegard Von Bingen: O Vis Aeternitatis

This is a great clip to watch, relax, and center yourself. The music is ethereal!

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Bill Moyers Interviews Margaret Atwood on Myth

This is a great interview about the power of myth!

July ruled by 7

We are in the seventh month of the year! According to Santos Bonacci (Mr. Astrotheology), 7 is one of the most sacred numbers that exists...

There are:
~Seven Liberal Arts

~Seven Chakras

~Seven Pillars of Wisdom

~In Hindu/Greek myth there are 7 Sages

~According to the Aborigines there are 7 sisters of wandering Dreamtime
~In early Astronomy/Astrology there were seven wandering stars- the celestial body

~Seven Wonders of the World

~The Seven Sisters- The Pleiades

In Jewish tradition, seven is a most sacred number

The Egyptians referred to the seven veils of Isis: beneath these veils lie the mysteries and ageless wisdom of the past

There are seven stages in alchemy

The Bible is full of Sevens:
~Seven days of creation
~Seven seals in the Book of Revelations
~The number 7 is mentioned 77 times in the old testament
~There are seven virtues

Seven is a spiritual number, with a strong connection to our bodies (the chakras) and spirit.  Fairy tales, myth, and folklore are full of sevens. What other seven can you come up with?  Feel free to post any additional seven in the comments :)

Dream, Love, Believe...  ~JYN

P.S. Update on 7/4/2012...As we move into another year, and are back in the month ruled by SEVEN I thought I would add an an update on current energies by Lena Stevens, her website is  The Power Path (I am not familiar with this site, but I did want to include it, since I am posting her work)...