How Did Early Navigators Use Celestial Navigation

One of the earliest devices used when men took to the oceans and seas to help them circumnavigate the planet was a mechanism called the Cross Staff. This type of device had many different uses, navigation, astronomy and surveying among them. A Cross Staff consisted of a main beam that was marked with graduations for length and a cross beam, also called a transom, that was used to gauge the altitude of the Sun, Moon or other celestial object from the horizon. With the angle converted to a value a relative location could be concluded. These devices were highly inaccurate tools for navigational purposes since they were susceptible to providing false readings on choppy seas.
Another early method of celestial navigation came directly from the Cross Staff and was called a Back Staff. The difference being that instead of gauging the angle or altitude of celestial object like the Sun or the Moon through the sighting of a Cross Staff, the Back Staff allowed the navigator to determine the angle more proficiently, efficiently and effectively through the projected shadows the sun or moon cast across the vertical or upper arm onto the horizontal or lower arm. These devices successfully replaced the Cross Staff and gave birth to newer navigational devices, such as quadrants, astrolabes and sextants.
The Mariner's Astrolabe was another early navigational tool that saw significant use by earlier seafarers. These devices incorporated the utilization of an inclinometer, which is also referred to as a tilt meter, tilt indicator or pitch & roll indicator. Strong evidence suggests and supports the notion that these devices were derived from the early planispheric astrolabe and were made out of brass since it was a heavier material and considered more suitable for conditions on the rough high seas. These devices were primarily used during the 17th century and were later replaced by easier to use navigational tools like quadrants and sextants.
The Reflecting Quadrant or Octant was another early invention that successfully replaced the Mariner's Astrolabe. These devices had many advantages over previous equipment and significantly reduced the instance for error when used properly, in comparison to early instruments like staffs and quadrants. There were several different versions created by a few inventors as far back as the early 1730's and by 1780 the octant and sextant had virtually replaced all older equipment used for navigational purposes.
The Navigational Sextant was also an early astronomical inception that was utilized to determine the altitude of a celestial object relative to the visible horizon in order to reasonably conclude a specific point on a nautical map locating a ships position. Most ships Captains still carry sextants on board as back up navigational tools in situations where the ship has experienced electrical power failure or has issues with its navigational equipment. All of these devices have one thing in common; they were used by ocean crossing seafarers to calculate positions on the sea by using the relative altitude of a celestial body and the horizon. Several improvements have been made in the field of navigational technology and these older devise are seldom used; however having the knowledge to properly use one of these devices may come in handy during an emergency situation while out at sea.

If you're new to the wonderful world of astronomy, or star gazing, a great outset would be Asynx Planetarium Software.
To download the software and to start your observations today, visit http://www.asynx-planetarium.com an invaluable source of information for beginners.
Christian Nuesch

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Nuesch

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7045042

SETI Astronomy and the Collective Unconscious

Some weeks ago I came across a story in which it was mentioned that a noted scientist had classified SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) as a religion. There was also a rebuttal by a SETI astronomer to the effect that SETI was indeed a serious scientific endeavor. Neither argument was convincing.
I asked ancient astronaut expert Morten St. George about this. Is SETI a religion? He did not respond with a direct yes or no. He merely spoke of a psychological concept known as the collective unconscious. I understood this to be some type of mental archetype that lies deep and hidden in the minds of humankind, causing people to make mistakes on purpose. According to Morten, a specific archetype is at play here and it can be described as follows: God created man in his own image, therefore humankind is the only intelligent life form in the universe.
Morten said that the collective unconscious affects the SETI astronomers just like the rest of humankind. The SETI astronomers consciously want to make contact with extraterrestrials but unconsciously, or subconsciously, they do not want to. The result is that the collective unconscious has led the conscious efforts of the SETI astronomers to perpetual failure:
He gave me a few examples:
1. SETI astronomers have looked closely at nearby stars for extraterrestrial intelligence. Beyond all doubt it has become obvious that intelligent life does not evolve on every planet. Why in the world should we believe we will find it on a nearby planet? The chances of that are so remote it is not worth of drop of effort. Yet enormous time and effort have been lost searching nearby stars, time and effort that could have been much better spent looking in places more likely to be productive. A classic example of the collective unconscious causing failure for SETI.
2. SETI astronomers have undertaken blanket surveys of the entire sky. Why would any rational scientist want to waste limited resources searching aloof sections of the sky with low star density when those resources could be better spent searching areas with high star density and correspondingly higher chances of finding an alien communication? Or why not search areas of the galaxy where dark clouds might have protected an evolving civilization from deadly cosmic rays, making those areas a more likely place for a civilization to have had the time to achieve technology? Another classic example of the collective unconscious contributing to SETI failure.
3. SETI astronomers tend to ignore all ancient astronaut and ufology claims. Perhaps they want to considered as respectful scientists by the world community? The fact of the matter is that, on a galactic timescale, it does not take very long to explore the galaxy. The arguments for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence and equally the justification for SETI efforts imply that the galaxy is already fully explored. Even if there is enormous quackery in this area, every claim needs to be checked out. An alien visit at some point in the past is more likely than not, and it could provide clues on where to search. Wholly ignoring this area is still another example of the collective unconscious desiring failure.
4. SETI astronomers tend to assume that the extraterrestrials think like humans, employ human technology, and communicate at the wavelengths suggested by the collective unconscious. Logic dictates that if there is another technological civilization out there, it has to be far more advanced than us since humans have possessed technology not even for a split second on a galactic time scale. So why would an advanced civilization want to communicate at a frequency that has lots of galactic background noise rather than a frequency that has little or no static? Once again the collective unconscious leads to failure for SETI.
Sky-wide searches at ridiculous wavelengths will never produce results. Morten thinks the collective unconscious has incapacitated the SETI astronomers, leaving them wholly unable to ascertain genuinely good targets and then perform concentrated, multi-faceted, multi-bandwidth searches on those targets. Instead, they blindly turn their telescopes around and around, happily knowing that they will never pick up a signal. Thus, the argument that SETI is a religion is a strong one, and religion, not a lack of extraterrestrial intelligence, accounts for SETI's failure to date.
Morten has the following recommendations for SETI astronomers who find themselves able to break away from the impediments of the collective unconscious. Stop, think, and regroup. The objective is extraterrestrial intelligence and the only road to finding it is to make use of human intelligence. One must take the probabilities into account. The most likely scenario is as follows: at least one alien civilization is widely dispersed throughout the galaxy and that alien civilization a) possesses extremely advanced technology, b) knows that we are here, and c) is not sending us any messages.
What can SETI astronomers do in such circumstances? Recognize what they are up against and try to outsmart the aliens. Probe dark clouds along the galactic plane, search for energy trails deposited by their near speed-of-light spaceships, search for potential artificially-created energy sources and concentrate searches in those areas, read science fiction books for ideas on futuristic space communication technologies, try to detect and intercept communications that use those technologies. It is time to elevate the dignity of our species and demonstrate our ingenuity in a cat and mouse game.

Article by Gersiane De Brito, from Fortaleza, Brazil, written with technical input from Morten St. George, creator of the ancient astronaut website, CrypticThinking.com,
http://www.crypticthinking.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gersiane_De_Brito

UFOs: The Stellar Rainbow Connection

A senior SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) astronomer recently posted an essay on UFOs in the Huffington Post where he first stated: "Allow me to first note that this is a phenomenon worthy of attention. If aliens are really hanging out in our 'hood, it's hard to imagine any other fact more worthy of study." Then he concludes with: "The fact is, if you're certain that our planet is hosting alien visitors, the way to gain acceptance for your point of view is to prove it, not insist that the problem lies with third parties. The blame game is a cop-out."
WTF is this guy saying? UFOs are important but it's up to others to do all the hard yards and prove that UFOs and aliens are related. You can just about hear the writer scream out WE REQUIRE PROOF as long as the burden is on others to come up with the smoking gun!
WE REQUIRE PROOF! That's all fine, well and good in theory, an in an ideal world, except the average member of the great unwashed doesn't have the name-brand, academic bona-fides or resources required. No matter what 'proof" the great unwashed offer up, the WE REQUIRE PROOF demands of the many (scientists) outweigh the abilities of the few (the great unwashed) to proved the required goods. If I ring up a top scientist at a top university and say I have a piece of an alien spaceship, do you honestly think they will listen to me or slam down the phone uttering "another bloody wacko wasting my time"! So the 'blame game' is perhaps more a plea for those with the scientific bona-fides, and the resources and the credibility and respected home institutions to take the great unwashed a tad more seriously when it comes to UFO experiences and get their hands dirty studying the subject.
I play the blame game. I put blame on those who could, but won't get their hands dirty. It's intellectual cowardice pure and simple. The fairly obvious if unstated message is I'm interested in ET, I'm a SETI scientist by profession, but I'm not interested in UFOs unless someone else provides the proof that there is an actual alien connection. I'm not interested in UFOs because I won't get external funding to study them. That's because I've got too much on my plate already. That's because I'd rather sit on my ass and let the great unwashed do the dirty work. That's because someone might make fun of me, like my professional colleagues. The sociology (office politics) of the science community usually runs something along the lines of don't stray beyond the mainstream; don't think out of the box; don't rock the boat or you'll end up like Jonah and tossed overboard without a whale in sight.
So holier than thou essays like that posted by 'Mr. SETI' aren't really helpful; relevant scientists need to put up some legit science or shut up since if they are clearly not part of the solution, they are part of the problem standing in the way of a solution!
Let's forget the great unwashed for the moment; let's talk nerdy talk and deal with evidence, not proof, just evidence, that something strange is afoot via observations from astronomers, professional colleagues of SETI scientists, and their reported anomalous observations that are in the scientific literature. Now albeit it's 'colleagues' from several generations ago and way before modern SETI times, but that doesn't alter their academic bona-fides nor what they reported in the professional literature.
I refer to the numerous historical sightings of Neith (reported satellite of Venus) and the intra-Mercurial planet Vulcan along with numerous other sightings of alleged planets inside the orbit of Mercury. Not one, or two but multi-dozens of reports are in the scientific literature for both. That's in addition to those multi-dozens of sightings of unpredicted by uncharted and unknown objects that made unexpected transits of the Sun and Moon. So, professional astronomers are on record as having seen, for all practical purposes, unidentified 'aerial' phenomena. Now we know there is no Neith and there is no Vulcan, etc. so exactly what did scientists in the astronomical profession observe? A UFO by any other name is still a UFO. Okay, that's just evidence, not proof. Still, UFO observations are not exclusively the property of the great unwashed.
WE REQUIRE PROOF! Okay, even if scientists don't want to actively participate, their demand WE REQUIRE PROOF (lay it on the slab in my lab) sounds reasonable, until you realise that those same scientists accept the reality of many other things that they equally can't study on a slab in the lab, things that only can be seen or photographed.
An obvious case in point is those stars in the night sky. You see them; you can photograph them, but to date you can't study the physical object in the laboratory! You can't put a star on the slab. So, if stars are acceptable, why not UFOs? Well, stars can be therefore they are; UFOs can't be therefore they aren't*.
Scientists have a readymade excuse for not being able to verify the bona-fides of stars as laboratory specimens; they are out of reach - way too distant to grab hold of. But they still argue that stars aren't illusions or misidentifications or all-in-the-mind or hoaxes because astrophysical theory supports stars being what scientists believe they are. Of course in a manner of speaking starlight can be 'captured' and analysed in the lab, and at least stars have the decency of making their appearance on schedule. Still, you cannot examine up close and personal the physical star itself.
So as a generality, in defence to an anti-UFO stance, scientists will say there are theoretical reasons for accepting the reality of things they can't put their mitts on, implying that there are no theoretical reasons supporting the UFO ETH (ExtraTerrestrial Hypothesis). Alas and alack, as an additional counterattack, as stars (and rainbows - see below) are supported by astrophysics' theory, there is also an actual theoretical scenario that nearly demands that there be UFOs and that UFOs be extraterrestrial spacecraft - it's known as the Fermi Paradox. That just basically says that even if there is only one advanced technological civilization 'out there' with the ability to "boldly go", then the time it would take to explore (even at low sub light velocities - say 1% to 10% the speed of light) and colonize end-to-end our galaxy is but a tiny, tiny fraction of the age of our galaxy. So where is everybody? They should, if they exist at all, by rights be here. Why would they pay special attention to the third rock from the Sun? While stars and planets are dimes-a-dozen, abodes with biospheres are probably as rare as hen's teeth - that's why. Planet Earth is a hen's tooth! Alas, while astrophysical theory passes their muster, the Fermi Paradox doesn't cut their mustard apparently.
Okay, for terrestrial scientists, physical star-stuff can't be placed on the lab's slab. But there are parallels much closer to home where that excuse of extreme distance falls far short. Now here's a parallel. The rainbow is the case in point. If scientists can play UFO skeptic, I can play the role of rainbow skeptic.
If you say you've seen a rainbow, you can't prove that to me since you can't bring the rainbow, or any part of it (like say the associated pot-of-gold), into my lab and place it on the slab for me to hammer away at or put under the microscope. You obviously believe in the reality of rainbows, yet you can't put the one you see in the sky on your lab's slab either. Okay, you know and I know that rainbows exist, but the critical point is that you cannot prove to me (or anyone) that you saw a rainbow. We all know eyewitness testimony, ain't worth the price of spit in a bucket. As for photographs, being the grand skeptic I am, no doubt your photographs of rainbows are fakes, pure and simple. I REQUIRE PROOF of rainbows and you can't provide it.
Can you capture and put an actual rainbow in the sky into a laboratory environment and subject it to cruel and unusual punishments? You can artificially create one in the lab, but that's not quite the same thing - it's not the real McCoy. And what about that associated physical trace - the pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow? I've yet to read of any laboratory analysis of that pot and that gold. How do we know it's really gold without slab-in-the-lab analysis? Maybe its fool's gold! And just like Pandora's 'box' is really a jar and not a box, maybe the 'pot' is really a bowl! Of course the scientists can't quite get at the pot-of-gold since it's guarded by a leprechaun, and no scientist is going to admit being thwarted by a little green man (or abducted by a little grey one either for that matter).
Okay, I would be foolish not to believe your observation and to deny the reality of rainbows, yet its okay for scientific skeptics to ignore the rainbow parallel when it comes to UFOs. Eyewitness testimony regarding UFO sightings isn't worth the cost of the paper it's printed on; photographs of UFOs are indeed pure Photoshop fakery.
But in fact, UFOs offer up way more physical evidence than the rainbow. Despite that pot-of-gold at the end of a rainbow legend, rainbows leave behind no physical traces; no physiological effects, and no electromagnetic effects; they make no sounds, etc. UFOs are not so hampered. So, if crunch-comes-crunch, the reality of UFOs have a lot more going for them in terms of physical evidence than the reality of rainbows. Of course no scientist in their right mind would exhibit scepticism of the existence of rainbows even without any physical evidence backing them up, but when it comes to UFOs, that's a different horse of another colour - but is it really a different horse, and is it really of a different hue?
Of course one reason physical scientists accept the reality of the rainbow is that they've seen one themselves (many most likely) and seeing is believing as long as it's they who are doing the seeing. If they themselves had witnessed a UFO event they (and their colleagues) could not identify then I'm sure they would be much more open and inclined to accept another's eyewitness testimony. A bit of a double standard there of course but that's human nature and scientists aren't exempt from that weakness. Unfortunately, UFOs tend to be a rarer commodity than rainbows and therefore witnessed way less often, including viewings by scientists.
While UFOs have a higher physical evidence quota than rainbows, they also have a higher strangeness quota too, which is not to say that rainbows don't have a strange mythological aura about them. I wonder if the scientist who accepts the reality of the rainbow also accepts that the rainbow is a bridge to heaven (Asgard) according to Norse mythology and made famous in the conclusion to Richard Wagner's first "Ring Cycle" opera "Das Rheingold". Christian mythology has the rainbow as a sign that at least the next time God lays waste to the world it won't be via the Big Wet, though I doubt you'll find that in any textbook on optical and atmospheric phenomena. And if you're into cryptozoology, the Australian aborigines have a Rainbow Serpent (which doubles as a creator deity), but then again, scientists aren't noted for their curiosity into the actual existence of unknown mega-fauna or polytheistic creator deities** either for that matter. In fact, you name the culture; you'll find a rainbow mythology contained within. Rainbows are associated with spirits and demons and all manner of omens from the good, to the bad and the ugly that scientists will reject as part and parcel of their belief system.
So, where do scientists draw the line? Rainbows - yes; rainbow serpents and rainbow bridges - no. And this distinction is rightly so, IMHO. But when they reject out of hand a phenomenon that actually has more and better evidence than say rainbows (auroras and sprites would be other cases in point) then eyebrows must be raised and questions asked - like please explain your logic.
While on the subject of things mythological, let's go harking back to the stars and planets and other celestial objects. There's a massive mythology from many ancient cultures that usually goes hand-in-hand with how those celestial objects and night sky patterns came to be. Astronomers don't support those tall tales either since they have other more scientific theories that explain the origins of stars and constellations. Still, its two competing theories of how to account for say, the Pleiades star cluster. Once upon a time it was Zeus. Today it's astrophysics. Who's to say since neither scenario can be subjected to a definitive WE REQUIRE PROOF slab-in-the-lab test.
By the way, as a final counterattack, I haven't yet seen any SETI scientist come up with proof positive on ET, so IMHO it's still a tied ball game. But rather than have two opposing teams, SETI scientists may as well study UFOs as well since SETI to date has a batting average of zero. Perhaps that's what comes from scientists putting all their ET eggs in just the SETI basket.
*And the Sun can't have sunspots since we all know that the Sun is perfect; meteorites can't exist since we all know stones can't fall from the sky;
**Though faith in the reality of God is hardly unknown to exist in some physical scientists, though like stars and rainbows, they can't put God on the slab in their lab either. Somehow the WE REQUIRE PROOF criteria don't matter in this case.

Science librarian; retired.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Prytz

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7044246

Linking the Divine to Earthliness - Lucky Charms, Amulets, and King Solomon Seals

For generations, the main aspiration of mankind was to obtain luck and success. This ambition has lead people to seek the help of sorcerers and fortune-tellers, in order to amend their lives and destiny. The tradition of using lucky charms and amulets is common to most religions, cultures and nationalities, from historic times to modern civilization. People have always been looking for earthly link to spiritual properties by using lucky charms and cameos. The use of charms and cameos has a variety of manifestations and forms. Charms are used to enhance prosperity, success, marriage, health, finding companionship, restoring lost love and happiness. They served as a remedy for security, luck and protection since ancient periods.
The Amulet (Cameo)
The name "Cameo" was first mentioned in the Jerusalemite Talmud, in tractate of Sabbath chapter 36, paragraph 71. ; The name "Cameo" indicates a means of connecting the body with an object, such as "Tefillin".
Cameo names are variable in different cultures. However - in most cases, the cameo functions as an object that attributes luck, success, cure, as well as a remedy against evil eye, bad spells, black magic, etc. The cameo is most effective while being held close to the person, either in the pocket, around the neck or inside the house.
History researches have concluded that the cameos were used in different cultures as early as the iron and Neolithic periods. The cameo is one of the most important artifacts in human history. It was used in religious rituals of the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Buddhists, Arabs, Indians and Hebrews. Ancient Egyptian leaders used to wear the cameo regularly on their necks. These traditions are still in use at modern times as amulets and charms are still in vast use today. According to the researchers, most of the cameos found in caves from the prehistoric periods were ordained against the evil eye.
The cameo has a special power to give its owner a sense of protection.
For example: The cameo was a necessity among the Turkish warriors who never departed from their cameo in the battlefield, even for a split of a moment. Another example is taken from the Sumo wrestling tradition, where the wrestler carries the cameo inside the diaper on his groin.
In Middle Eastern countries, the cameo serves women as well. Pregnant women do not depart from their cameo throughout their pregnancy.
Along history, cameos were elaborated and used as jewelry. The most famous cameo in history, for example, was the Pharaoh Beetle, which was an emblem dedicated to RA, God of the Sun.
According to the ancient Egyptian faith, the litter beetle was a symbol for universal creation and divinity. According to the Jewish Kabbalah, this beetle was a symbol of infinity .The Egyptian cross "Anah" with the ring around its head, was a sacred cameo like the beetle, and similarly represented the power of eternity.
In Christianity, the crucifix played a major role as a cameo. Since middle ages, Kabbalah was the inspiration to creating cameos which contained angel's names or names related to God. Kabbalah and the use of the Hebrew letters have also influenced Christian mysticism.
The Many Faces of the Cameo:
Cameos are divided into two main categories:
One type serves as jewelry, and the other is based on virtue writing, and contain ancient scripts, angel writing and King Solomon seals. The cameos that appeared later in history were considered as giving powers or solving problems to those who carried them. In Egypt, the belief was that carrying a snake's skin was a virtue for medicine, probably because snake's slough symbolized rebirth and was associated with cure. Marteseger, the Egyptian snake goddess was considered as the guardian of the Kings Valley. A women who could not conceive knelt in front of her image or sculpture for blessing.
The symbol of Aesculapius, the Roman Medicine God was a snake wrapped around a bed.
Among Indian tribes, the American snake is associated with lighting and thunder. The snake rod served the Indians in rituals to bring rain and ensure plentiful harvest.
Apart from the snake, another fertility symbol is the fig leaf that serves as virtue for men or women who suffer of sterility. A blue cloth serves as virtue for the birth of a boy and a red cloth, as a virtue for the birth of a girl. As we can see, a certain color was also a virtue for protection. In Arab traditions, the blue color is used to drive ghosts and demons away.
The use of the blue color is also present in the Arab symbol known as "Hamsa" (also called "Hand of God"), and as components of plant and spices packages.
Different plants have also inspired the infusion of protection symbols. Some religions used garlic to scare away demons and evil eye.
Unlike other religions, Judaism has made a unique usage of a cameo: the Mezuzah (doorpost). According to the Jewish belief, troubles and sicknesses at home are directly linked to a disqualified, invalid or the absence of a Mezuzah. In certain periods, the Jews used tattoo symbols on their bodies. Religious leaders did not allow these customs, as they related them to pagan witchcraft rituals.
Hand Written Amulets:
Most hand written Kabbalistic cameos contain verses from the Torah (the Jewish Bible) angel's names and God's names.
In order to prepare them properly, the Kabbalists put a great emphasis on writing the precise combination of saints and God's names (the letters are retrieve from the asking person and his mother's names).
There are Cameos that contain combinations of consecrations retrieved from the Kabbalah and ancient sacred scriptures.
During middle ages, mystics have created amulets according to Séance and channeled instructions. These cameos were written combinations of letters and symbols. They were written according to the person's request and his particular problem.
This tradition continues until today and evolved with time.
We can see the connection between the mystical mediums who serve as a channel between the supernatural and the human being.
Through channeling, the medium concieves the letters and symbols that are to be implemented in the amulet. Written combinations of these letters and symbols are placed inside the cameo mantle along with other components from the vegetation or animal's world.
King Solomon Seals are the most powerful symbols in Judaism and Christianity. Each symbol carries its own typical characteristics and conceals powerful attributes.
According to practical Kabbalah, the King Solomon Seals are famous for their tremendous powers, and are used widely for amulet writing.
The sercret of writing amulets properly, is laid in the hands of a few masters who know how to write a faultless and full-required Seal. A specific script is used for each person's individual request,. The text is written in ancient Hebrew scripts and angel writing on a special kosher (legal) parchment, made of deer's skin (same material that is used for Mezuzah scrolls),
using feather and ink. It is well elaborated and written according to the name, the birth date, and the mother's name of the person ordering it, and fitted to solve the problem or the request.
The most effective hand written amulets are the ones dedicated to the requester personally and prepared according his/her name, mother's name and date of birth.
Is it necessary to carry a cameo in everyday life?
Yes, it is.
When everything is running smoothly and there are no restrictions or negative energies on our way, it is still important to carry a Cameo.
In fact, exactly when we feel that luck is with us, these are the moments that we are exposed to the evil eye. Some are people may envy us when they see us succeed in everything we do. Jealousy and bad energies that are aimed at us may cause blockages and restrictions. In order to prevent such cases and protect ourselves, it is important to hold a Cameo.
You can see it as protection of our home from strangers by locking our doors with a latch. Same way - it is important to carry a means of protection close to our body, a personal cameo for our security, success, to enhance our family member's security, our business place, or our closest relationships.

Itzhak Mizrahi A renowned metaphysical and kabalistic counselor. He accumulated his wide knowledge and experience along thirty four years of work in the realm of Kabalah and metaphysics. Itzhak Mizrahi is one of the few experts who are proficient in the scripting of King Solomon Seals according to mother’s name,date of birth and timing. Itzhak is a sought after lecturer in the areas of fate analysis, charms and amulets, soul incarnation, dream interpretation and superstitions. He is the founder of Istaghost.com, the largest and most comprehensive Israeli website in the area of metaphysics and the occult.
His second published book titled "Keep Misfortune Away"(2003) was the first to expose the existence of King Solomon Seals to the general public. Itzhak is the co-creator of the innovative King Solomon Cards, which infuse ancient Kabalistic symbols and Solomon seals together with the visionary art of Orna Ben-Shoshan. Website: http://www.israghost.co.il

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Itzhak_Mizrahi

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2031770

A History of Grimoires Through the Ages

The history of grimoires is as long and tumultuous as human interest in magic has been. From early Mesopotamia through the witch hunts of Europe during the Early Modern period to the present day, the occult has both fascinated and repelled. Grimoires are fascinating because they reflect that interest as well as document the ebb and flow of trends and belief in the occult.
The word grimoire comes from the Old French word "grimmaire," meaning a book that was written in Latin. Over time the meaning has evolved into what we think of today: a book about magic, much like a textbook, that contains information about charms, spells, how to summon magical entities such as angels or demons, as well as how to make magical objects. Many of these books were thought to have magical properties themselves.
Interestingly enough, even though the word is European, the first known grimoire was written in the city of Uruk in Mesopotamia, sometime during the 5th century B.C.E. The ancient Egyptians of the same period also had a rich system of incantations, called heka, that focused on charms that provided protection and good health. This slowly changed as time passed, and by the time the Library of Alexandria opened, grimoires contained charms focusing on finances and sexual fulfillment.
Many other ancient peoples had occult traditions as well. The Jewish people were viewed as knowledgeable in the magical arts; many Biblical figures also had ties to the occult. Moses was purportedly able to subdue demons, while the Book of Enoch had a section devoted to astrology. King Solomon was also seen as a magical figure. However, these beliefs began to be suppressed after the Roman Empire became wholly Christian.
This trend of suppression continued into the Medieval period. By this time, the Church had separated magic into "good" or "natural" magic, and "demonic" magic, which was deemed unacceptable. However, interest continued and grimoires reflecting current influences continued to be written. During this time, Moorish influences increased in the form of astral magic. Famous works include Arabic books such as the Picatrix and Sefer Raziel Ha-Malakh, as well as grimoires based on Biblical figures such as the Sworn Book of Honorius, based on King Solomon.
Early Modern Europe was not a friendly place for magicians. Though the advent of the printing press meant books of magic were more widespread, and there was renewed interest in Hermeticism and the Jewish mystical teachings of the Kabbalah, there were many events that would make Europe a dangerous place to be. The Reformation, Counter-Reformation, and the Inquisition, and the witch hunts that followed, were devastating. Many grimoires were placed on the "Indexes of Prohibited Books" and some were destroyed outright. Despite this, magicians continued to write. Paracelsus, a Swiss magician, focused on the differences between good and evil magic in his work "Of the Supreme Mysteries of Nature," while others produced demonological grimoires such as "The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy."
European anti-magic zeal died down as the world entered the age of Enlightenment. Rationalists and scientists still strongly opposed magic and witchcraft, yet grimoires were widely available. Many of the works of this period, such as the "Libra de San Cipriano" focused on discovering treasure; others focused on astrology.
During the last century, there have been only a few books of magic produced. The Book of Shadows, the Wiccan Grimoire, was written by Gerald Gardner in the 1940s; another well known work is the "Simon Necronomicon," which is based on a fictional grimoire found in H.P. Lovecraft's books. Enough people are interested in the Lovecraft's Necronomicon that it is a popular request at libraries - unfortunately, the actual book doesn't exist. These days, most grimoires exist only as references in video games, fantasy books, or television shows.
Although these books of magic may not be written much anymore, interest in the occult will never die. If nothing else, the long history of grimoires should tell us that much.

Are you interested in magic and its history? Come to our site and learn about magic spells and love spells.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanna_Hardaway

The Coming Of The Prophet Elijah

Prior to the arrival of Jesus Christ, the nation of Israel endured several hundred years of silence from the Lord. The Old Testament prophets who had in days past delivered regular messages from God Almighty suddenly went silent. But in the final verses of the Old Testament, God gave a promise to Israel. He promised to send the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. In the first century, many Jews lived in a state of constant alert, ready for the arrival of Elijah at a moment's notice. It was this very atmosphere of expectation into which John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth first appeared.
Below is the prophecy which prompted great expectation of Elijah's coming. It appears in the Book of Malachi:
"Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6 (NLT)
For the past 2,000 years, many Christians have believed Elijah's identity is an open-and-shut case. The conventional wisdom is that he's already appeared, thus fulfilling completely the prophecies of Malachi 4. It's easy to see why this is a commonly held belief, because Jesus Himself said John the Baptist was Elijah:
"And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come." Matthew 11:14 (NLT)
But did Jesus really identify John the Baptist as the Elijah of Malachi 4:5? Was He saying, "this is THE Elijah, and there is no other"? Careful examination of the scriptures reveals that Jesus was not saying this. Yes, John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, but he was not Elijah. Just as the first century Jews expected a conquering Messiah rather than a suffering one, they also expected a much more powerful Elijah than the one they received. In his place, they received a man who, like his Messiah, would suffer greatly at the hands of his contemporaries.
Malachi 4
In order to better understand the prophecy of Elijah's coming, let's examine the context in which the verse appears:
"The Lord of Heaven's Armies says, 'The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed - roots, branches, and all. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,' says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 'Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant - all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel. Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.'" Malachi 4:1-6 (NLT)
First and foremost, this passage describes the great Day of Judgment of the Lord Almighty. This day and the day of Christ's Glorious Appearing are one and the same. The "Lord of Heaven's Armies" is the conquering Messiah the Jews expected when Jesus first came. He is Lord of the same armies identified in Revelation 19:14, and the Antichrist and all his armies will bear the wrath of this heavenly force. This event, "the great and dreadful day of Lord," is the one which will be preceded by the coming of the prophet Elijah.
However, the last two verses of this passage provide us with a valuable clue. They offer two possible outcomes. When Elijah comes, his preaching will either "turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers," or it will not. If it does, then Israel will be prepared for the King to Come. If it does not, then God will come and strike the land with a curse.
In the first century, the nation of Israel chose the latter option.
John the Baptist came, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to fulfill this prophecy. Yet, although many hearts were transformed by his ministry, like Christ, he was ultimately rejected. Therefore, the land of Israel was cursed. A few years later, it fell to the Romans, and the Jewish people were scattered all over the earth. The Day of Judgment was delayed, and along with it, complete fulfillment of the prophecies of Malachi 4. What this means is that before the Day of Judgment arrives, the nation of Israel will witness the appearance of the prophet Elijah, and his coming will fulfill to the letter every prophecy of Malachi 4.
A Precedent for One Prophecy Pointing to Two Individuals
If this is true, then John the Baptist only partially fulfilled the prophecies of Malachi 4, and the ultimate fulfillment of these verses is still future. Is this possible? How can the same prophecy point to two distinctly different individuals separated by almost 2,000 years of human history?
Dual fulfillment of prophecy is not a new concept. In fact, Jesus spoke about the Antichrist's ultimate fulfillment of a dual prophecy while teaching His disciples about the end of the age. The prophecy of which He spoke concerned an event known as the abomination of desolation, a satanic act in which a human being desecrates the Holy of Holies in God's Temple:
"The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about - the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place." Matthew 24:15 (NLT)
Jesus spoke of this as a future event, yet it had happened once before in history. In 167 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes erected a statue of Zeus in the Holy of Holies and desecrated the sanctuary and its holy vessels. Several centuries prior to this, Daniel (in Daniel 11:21-35) prophesied the life and times of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Yet those same verses, in many ways, also apply to the Antichrist, whose life is further detailed in Daniel 11:36-45. The same set of prophecies applies to two distinct individuals: Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who would come in the spirit and power of the Antichrist, and the Antichrist himself, who would ultimately fulfill the prophecies of Daniel 11. This is why Jesus referred to the desecration of the Temple as a future event. Because, ultimately, the Antichrist will perform this act as well:
"He will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. Then as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the end that has been decreed is poured out on this defiler." Daniel 9:27 (NLT)
Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:21-45 are clear references to the Antichrist. Yet both were partially fulfilled in the life of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Likewise, the ultimate fulfillment of Malachi 4 requires a second individual.
The Elijah of the End Times
Some have put forward the argument that John the Baptist completely fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 to send "the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives." They say that the appearance of John the Baptist over 2,000 years before the great and dreadful day of the Lord qualifies as his coming "before" that day.
Yet the Lord Jesus did not think in such terms. In fact, when He first came, He specifically told the people of His generation that the Day of the Lord had not arrived. He did this in His own hometown of Nazareth, where He read a prophecy from Isaiah and, by exclusion, proclaimed it only partially fulfilled:
"When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.' He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. 'The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!'" Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)
This prophecy was indeed fulfilled on that very day by the Lord Jesus Christ. But let's examine the same verses in their entirety:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies." Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)
Jesus specifically chose not to read the final part of verse two, "and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies." This verse is a direct reference to the Day of the Lord Almighty, the same day referenced in Malachi 4. Jesus was telling us that this day is still a future event.
In the Book of Revelation, the Lord promises to send two witnesses prior to the Day of Lord Almighty:
"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days. These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish." Revelation 11:3-6 (NLT)
The powers of these two witnesses in Revelation 11 directly correlate with the powers God provided Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. Elijah is the only Old Testament prophet who called down fire to consume God's enemies (2 Kings 1:8-14). He also prophesied that it would not rain for three and a half years, the biblical equivalent of 1,260 days. In similar fashion, Moses was given the power to unleash plagues on Egypt and to turn the Nile red with blood. As a result, it seems likely that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses of Revelation 11, for they will hold the same God-given powers.
In the Book of Matthew, we read of the event commonly known as "the transfiguration." This is when Jesus was suddenly transfigured "so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothing became dazzling white" Matthew 17:2 (NLT):
"Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, 'Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.' The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. 'Get up,' he said. 'Don't be afraid.' And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus." Matthew 17:3-8 (NLT)
The transfiguration seems to highlight both the present and future importance of Moses and Elijah in God's Kingdom, and it can be interpreted as strong evidence that they are "the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth."
What's also noticeable in this passage is that this event is witnessed by Peter, James, and John. All three of these disciples were contemporaries of John the Baptist. They knew what he looked like, and yet, they immediately identified Elijah as the Old Testament prophet Elijah and not John the Baptist. If John the Baptist were the second coming of Elijah (which would have been possible since Elijah was taken up to heaven before he died), then the disciples would've asked to build shelters in honor of Moses and John the Baptist, not Moses and Elijah.
John the Baptist Was NOT the Elijah of the End Times
If all of this is true, and John the Baptist is not Elijah, then why did Jesus say He was? After all, he clearly stated so:
"And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come." Matthew 11:14 (NLT)
Notice that Jesus doesn't say, "He is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come." Jesus knew the Jewish people were expecting the Elijah who would come before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord. Just as it was difficult for the Jewish people to accept a suffering Messiah when they expected a conquering one, He knew it would be just as difficult to accept John the Baptist as the first coming of Elijah, "in the spirit and power of Elijah," without the Day of the Lord accompanying him.
John the Baptist was not Elijah. He was only one who would appear in "the spirit and power of Elijah." This was clearly stated by the angel Gabriel prior to John's birth:
"He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly." Luke 1:15-17 (NLT)
Gabriel is clear in his statement that John the Baptist would be a man with "the spirit and power of Elijah." But he would not be Elijah himself. This is further evidence that Malachi 4 is a dual reference prophecy.
Jesus addressed this dual fulfillment of Malachi 4 when His disciples directly asked Him about the coming of the prophet Elijah:
"Then his disciples asked him, 'Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?' Jesus replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn't recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.' Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist." Matthew 17:10-13 (NLT)
Notice that Jesus says: "Indeed, Elijah is coming first." He doesn't say "has" come first. He says "is coming" first. This indicates a future coming of the prophet Elijah. Yet, just as the Messiah (Jesus) was not recognized, one who came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" (John the Baptist) was also not recognized. The rejection and suffering of Jesus and John the Baptist are distinctly separate from the coming of the prophet Elijah and the Glorious Appearing of Jesus, both of which will occur at the end of the age.
As further evidence of this fact, John the Baptist himself states that he is not the expected coming of the prophet Elijah:
"This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, 'Who are you?' He came right out and said, 'I am not the Messiah.' 'Well then, who are you?' they asked. 'Are you Elijah?' 'No,' he replied." John 1:19-21 (NLT)
John the Baptist clearly states that he is not Elijah. Does his statement contradict the one Jesus made in Matthew 11:14? No, it does not. Both Jesus and John the Baptist knew the distinction between the Messiah's first and second comings. Both knew that each coming would be preceded by the prophet Elijah. The first instance would be John the Baptist coming in the "spirit and power of Elijah" and the second instance would be the appearance of the Old Testament prophet Elijah himself.
Conclusion
Given the numerous signs of the end of the age - the rebirth of Israel as nation, her subsequent possession of Jerusalem, the rise of Gog/Magog alliance, the rise of the revived Roman Empire (the European Union), the certainty of global government, and various other signs - we can rest assured that His Return is very near, right at the door. Ours is the last generation of this age.
The prophet Elijah is coming, and the Glorious Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ will soon follow!
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.

Britt Gillette is the author of BrittGillette.Com, a Christian website examining bible prophecy and emerging technology. Visit his site to learn more about the prophet Elijah.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Britt_Gillette

John the Baptist - Forerunner of Jesus

Born in the hills of Palestine, John the Baptist is known as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the one who showed the way for the coming of Jesus. John was born to a temple priest, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, who was not only elderly but also said to be barren. The birth of John was announced to Zachariah by the Angel Gabriel and the priest lost his ability to speak until the birth and naming of the child. By many accounts, Elizabeth was a cousin of the Virgin Mary. The Gospel of Luke relates the story that Jesus was conceived when Elizabeth was about six months pregnant. When Mary came to tell her cousin the news, Elizabeth's unborn child jumped for joy in the womb.
There is little history of John's childhood. As a young monk and prophet, he may have been a hermit or may have been a member of the monastic Essene community. He lived austerely, ate wild locusts and honey, challenged sinful rulers and preached repentance. John also announced the coming of the Messiah to his followers. The baptisms he performed in the river Jordan were considered a rite of purification for those repenting their sins. John preached at a time of great conflict and turmoil in the areas of politics, religion and the social morays of the time.
When Jesus came to John for baptism, it is reported that John first refused to do so because he recognized Jesus as the Messiah. However, Jesus insisted and upon his baptism there was a descent of the Holy Spirit and Jesus' mission was begun. Old Testament passages foresee the coming of John to prepare the way for Jesus and represent John as a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah. In the New Testament book of Matthew, Jesus confirms this prophecy. Some of the followers of John the Baptist went on to become disciples of Jesus.
John the Baptist was imprisoned by the ruler Herod for criticizing Herod's illegal and incestuous marriage to his own niece, Herodias. When her daughter Salome pleased the king dancing at his birthday feast, Herod granted her any request she liked. At the instigation of her mother, the head of John the Baptist was demanded, and he was quickly executed. His head was presented to Salome, who passed it on to her mother. There are many legends and claims to the head of John the Baptist, but none have been verified.
John the Baptist is not only celebrated in the Christian world, but also in Islam, the Bahá'í Faith, Gnosticism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and The Unification Church. Saint John is the patron saint of Puerto Rico and its capital city, San Juan is named for him. He is also the patron saint of Jordan, French Canada and Newfoundland. In many Mediterranean countries, summer solstice is dedicated to Saint John and many churches, monasteries and cathedrals bear his name.

Please visit http://www.theheartscenter.org for more spiritual teachings on the science of sound and the spoken word. The Hearts Center offers an opportunity for seekers to receive up-to-date inspiration from the ascended masters and other spiritual beings. To purchase books, audiotapes and art, please visit http://store.heartscenter.org. Learn about the ascension, karma and reincarnation, the benefits of meditation, the use of the violet laser light and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Greenwood