Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Nieu Bethesda
Dear Friends,
Yann Martel, in his 2002 Booker Prize novel: ‘Life of Pi’, writes:
This is true, but at the same time, considering the control of the media by vested interest, we need to work for the open ground of the public arena. For example, one little action by the late Rosa Parks had vast repercussions. So too, the latest:
The Nobel lecture:
Art, truth and politics:
This is the text of the lecture to be given by Harold Pinter when he
receives the 2005 Nobel prize for
literature on Saturday. Forbidden by doctors from going to Stockholm to
receive the £720,000 prize, the ailing playwright and poet has delivered
his speech by video . . this can be read online, as published by
The Guardian, London, Wednesday December 7, 2005,
at: http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,1661516,00.html
I also just read: Margaret Atwood, Crake
and Oryx.
STEPHEN KARCHER writes: I am
finally coming out of the Village Beneath the Water. My website with a new
downloadable Consultation Program is up and running. If you would, please take a
look and put the news out with a link to: www.greatvessel.com.
Would be happy to talk with you about any of this. love and blessings, Stephen
Karcher
The new animated film of Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is now on circuit . . it features the voices of Jean Simmons; Christian Bale; Lauren Bacall; Blythe Danner; Emily Mortimer; Josh Hutcherson and Billy Crystal. The film recently played to great acclaim at the 2004 Venice Film Festival . . . hopefully will be released in South Africa for the Christmas holidays. Do not miss . . . his last film, Spirited Away, was brilliant, and from the previews this looks even better.
Some new research material on THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, Arcanum 10 the THE TAROT
Beautiful collection of Art on the theme of VENUS
And here, a valuable image of: THE MEMORY THEATRE OF CAMILLO
PHILIP COPPENS on the HYPNEROTOMACHIA
By Ken Gewertz. From The HARVARD UNIVERSITY GAZETTE ARCHIVES.
Michael Stevenson Contemporary - F r e d P a g e ( 1908 - 1984). A sadly neglected, visionary Port Elizabeth artist. One image only.
TAUBMAN LIBRARY MAGICAL AMULET COLLECTION
The magical amulet collection at the
University of Michigan's Taubman Medical Library was a gift of Dr. Fredrick A.
Coller. The amulets were collected and formerly owned by Dr. Campbell Bonner.
Dr. Bonner purchased the amulets in Syria and Egypt and from dealers in Greece
and England. According to Dr. Bonner's definition, an amulet is, "any
object which by its contact or close proximity to the person who owns it, or to
any possession of his, exerts power for his good, either by keeping evil from
him and his property or by endowing his with positive advantages. " *
Legends of the Gods, The Egyptian Texts,
edited with Translations, by E. A. Wallis Budge
[1912]
The Chemical Wedding, by Lindsey Clarke. Based on the life of Mary A. Attwood, whose original book on alchemy is online at:
A
Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery
Pointers to
Esotericism in the Early Tarots by
Christine Payne-Towler.
Medieval World
View, Dr. Charles Bergengren, Cleveland Institute of Art
MUSIC:
Try the wonderful Monica Ramos on harp; or BLISS – Music for Dreams - Danish Copenhagen group. Marc-George Andersen & Steffen Aaskoven; or David Daniels . . .a wonderful counter tenor . .
THE CONTACT TRUST PARLIAMENTARY DIRECTORY FOR 2004 –2009
email: contact@contacttrust.org.za
The Directory is a who’s who pf parliament, listing MP’s and other members of staff, their roles, qualifications, professional history and contact details.
The Contact Trust keeps non-governmental organizations, lobby groups and community based organizations informed on what is happening in parliament. It was founded in 1988 because new legislation passed through parliament every day without the input of the communities directly affected. It forms a link between civil society and the legislature.
THE GOTHIC MANDALA:
The Circle, The Wheel of Fortune, and The Rose Window…
Rose Windows: Beyond Art to Mysticism includes the Tao, Christian mysticism and Carl Jung as references in this scholarly view on the rise of the Gothic.
The Architecture Of Notre-Dame Of Chartres: The Victory Over Darkness is a highly polished history that follows the transformation of Romanesque’s gloom-and-doom to Gothic’s ‘invasion of light.’
HOLY GRAIL
Stories abound as to the Grail’s current whereabouts: In England? Wales? Italy? Spain? The World Wide Web is a depository for clues new and old in the quest for the one, true Holy Grail…
For a quick, illustrated overview, Earthlore Explorations highlights the restorative and healing powers of The Holy Grail as told in literature. With quotes from the writings of Alfred Lord Tennyson and Thomas Mallory…Holy Grail site covering the cultural legends and locations where the Grail may yet be found…
ISLAM
Read about medieval Islamic contributions to the West in the fields of mathematics, zoology, medicine and physics - with thumbnail biographies and images at Muslim Scientists and Islamic Civilization.
Follow the dynamic menu to museums around the world exhibiting Islamic Art & Architecture.
Although Islam forbad figurative images in art, that only extended to the religious sphere. Islamic Art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art…
A U.S. tourist company introduces travelers to Cairo’s Blue Mosque and dozens of other Monuments and Sights as part of a generous architectural history tour…
BUDDHISM
Launch of the TIBET-AFRICA RAINBOW ALLIANCE (TARA)
Cape Town Medi-Spa, in conjunction with the Office of Tibet in South Africa, is proud to inaugurate a Tibet support group on Monday 6th Feb at 6pm. This is ahead of the launching of the South African Inter-Parliamentary Group for Tibet (SAIPGT) in Parliament in Cape Town.
The mission of TARA is to facilitate and share resources for cultural
exchange and support. Based at the Medi-Spa, the Cape Town chapter is open to
all who are interested in learning about and supporting increased awareness
s of the immense wellspring of Tibetan spiritual wisdom.
Ongoing activities will include:
The
launch on Feb 6th will be addressed by the Chairperson of the
Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies from Dharamsala. Vegetarian
snacks and refreshments will be served.
Cape Town Medi-Spa, 99
Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape,
Gregorian Chant Group Workshops: Gregorian chant is also known as plainchant
or plainsong, and is a form of monophonic, unaccompanied singing, which was
developed in the Catholic Church, mainly during the period 800-1000. It
takes its name from Pope St. Gregory the Great, who is believed to have
brought it to the West based on Eastern models of Byzantine chant. Gustavo
is the only teacher of this rare art in South Africa and after being trained
internationally, he has customized its therapeutic applications both
individually and for groups.
By one of those miracles, 25 copies of THE GARLAND OF MORNING PRAYERS, resurfaced from an archival box. Printed in Cape Town 22 years ago, these copies are in good condition with a few stains enhancing the paper here and there.
A Donation to cover Postage, where applicable, and to top up the non-existent funds for the work ahead, would be appreciated.
From the Back Covers:
'OF ALL GIFTS, SUPREME IS THE GIFT OF THE TEACHING OF THE BUDDHA.'Reprinted
by Mandala, P.O.Box 15438, Vlaeberg, Cape Town South Africa,
October 1974.
FEEDBACK
Hi Samten, thanks for the brilliant set of annotated links, Chris Wildman, Cape Town.
Dear
Samten
What an astonishing resource you have created. Well done and thank you. So much here it could take a life time to cover, and as my time is limited I tend to follow one thread at a time. I also have unfortunately very limited web skills so would be grateful for a little help. Bon Gertz
Hello Samten - Thank you, as always, for this amazingly comprehensive and fascinating newsletter. When do you get the time -? This newsletter of yours is such a valuable service. Thank you! Jennifer Woodhull.
A
brief line to inform you how much I enjoy your communications.
Hi Sam, thanks a million times for all your interesting mails, especially for the x-mas and New Year paintings. They are beautiful ! Chris, Amsterdam
The
day is coming, soon, where our interrelatedness will be part of the basis of our
understanding of ourselves...
---Govinda Dickman. January 19, 2006
What
a interesting article! While I knew most of it all along and just needed an
article like this to confirm my thoughts.
After
yesterdays wonderful article on hope, again, an article that encapsulates
everything that I believe in and would hope for. An excellent manifesto for
sanity, reason and the aspirations of all who would see the end of suffering for
all sentient beings.
This is just to say that I am alive and
I'd like to thank you for all the interesting things that you keep sending me. Francesca Faraggiana, Turin, November 23, 2005
Dear
Samten,
Dear Samten, What an astonishing resource you have created. Well done and thank you. So much here it could take a life time to cover, and as my time is limited I tend to follow one thread at a time. I also have unfortunately very limited web skills so would be grateful for a little help. My current quest is "indigenous soul"; I was captivated by Ann Baring's Quest of the Goddess and then found enchantment in the Mayan material in Martin Prechtel's books and most recently Malidoma Some "Healing wisdom of Africa". Amazing how the cosmologies resound so with Tibetan Buddhist sources. So what sites will help me trace good material on other indigenous soul, especially from European people? Hope you can help without too much trouble, kind regards, Bon Gertz, Cape Town, November 05, 2005. PS thank you for Exploring consciousness info, I was very involved in the early festivals so glad to se a lively revival and looking forward to many of the offerings
i am in awe of your wonderful web site!
It would be good to meet over a cup of tea one day. With love, Lucille Ivydene Accommodation
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion: Thomas Paine
'If
you're really listening, if you're awake to the poignant beauty of the world,
your heart breaks regularly. In fact,
your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again
so that it can hold ever-more
wonders."
-Andrew
Harvey, *The Return of the Mother*
SUGGESTIONS FROM TONY VAN DER VEEN:
subscribe to Sub Rosa: The Daily Grail
Yes, you are seeing things. Art..you gotta love it.
Totally
weird and wunnerful stuff. Just click around.
Herewith is a partial list of some
new material recently scanned and available, if you need. Please note, that I
will NOT automatically send these documents, unless you request them
specifically. Yours sincerely, Samten.
Kaygusuz Abdal, To the
Ones Who Would Listen, Translated by Sheikh Tosun Bayrak al Jerrahi. The following text is
extracted from Budalanâme, “a letter from one who gave himself up to receive
his Lord," written by the fifteenth-century ashik (wandering lover-poet)
Kaygusuz Abdal. The original manuscript is located in the Nuruosmaniye Library
in Istanbul.
Helen Adolf,
CHRISTENDOM AND ISLAM IN THE MIDDLE AGES: NEW LIGHT ON "GRAIL
STONE" AND "HIDDEN HOST" Speculum, 1957, Jan. pp. 103
– 115.
Clarke, Lindsay, Parzival and The Stone from Heaven,
HarperCollins, London, 2001.
p.207
Otto Brendel,
"Origin and Meaning of the Mandorla," Gazette des Beaux-Arts, N.Y., 6 Ser., XXV, 1944, pp. 5-24.
The 2004 Sydney Peace Prize Lecture
delivered by Arundhati Roy, at the Seymour Theatre Centre, University of Sydney:
Peace & The New Corporate Liberation
Theology
.
Welsford. Peter, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
- THE LIFE F0RCE, RILKO, 64, 2004, pp. 16 – 17.
More blood than ink. Pablo Neruda, whose centenary is marked this month,
achieved fame with his love poems. But to the Chilean Nobel laureate, politics
was the real force behind his verse, writes Adam Feinstein. The Guardian, 3rd
July 2004
And where are the lilacs?
Pablo Neruda: A Passion
for Life by Adam Feinstein Bloomsbury 497pp
Guardian Weekly, September 10 – 16th 2004
Barb, A.A. Birds and Medical Magic, JWCI, 1950 - Vol.
XIII, 13, pp.151ff.
Barb, A.A. Mensa Sacra
- The Round Table and the Holy Grail, JWCI, Vol. XIX, (19), 1956, pp. 40
- 67. Fantastic Mandalas of the Round Table.
Otto Brendel, "Origin and Meaning of the Mandorla," Gazette
des Beaux-Arts, N.Y., 6 Ser., XXV, 1944, pp. 5-24.
FLINT (V.I.J.), " The Transmission of Astrology in the
Early Middle Ages ", in Viator,
21, 1990, pp. 1– 27
FRANZMANN, Majella LIVING WATER MEDIATING ELEMENT IN
MANDAEAN MYTH AND RITUAL, Numen, 36, pp.
156 ff.
Gaster, M. "The Legend of
the Grail" in Folk-Lore, Vol.2, 1891.
Gingerich, Owen, Islamic
Astronomy, Scientific American, April 1986, volume 354, no.4, pp. 68 ff.
Holmes,
Urban T. MEDIAEVAL GEM STONES
Hooke, S.H. Fish Symbolism, Folklore,
71, 1960, pp. 535 – 537.
Philip Morrison, How the Chinese created paper and printing, Scientific
American, May 1986, Vol. 254, No.5, pp. 18 – 20.
A superb article on the History of Paper in
Ancient China.
Lon R. Shelby,
“The Geometrical Knowledge of Mediaeval Master Masons,”
Speculum,
47, 1972:
O’MAHONY, JOHN, LONDON
CALLING, The Guardian Books,
3rd July 2004
Samuel M.
Waxman, Chapters on Magic in Spanish Literature, Revue Hispanique vol.
38, New York-Paris, 1916, pp. 325 ff.
Michael Scott: The great 13th
century alchemist: articles by George Sarton and L. Thorndike -
Material on Castel del Monte in Italy and the TEMPLARS.
THE TRANSLATORS FROM GREEK
AND ARABIC
Chaper 9 of the great
classic: Charles H. Haskins, The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century, Cambridge, Mass., 1927, pp. 278 ff.
THREE INTERESTING ARTICLES
ON TIBETAN MEDICINE:
The Art of Healing in
Ancient Tibet, B. C. Olschak
What is Tibetan Medicine?
Yeshe Dhonden & Gyatsho Tshering
Tibetan Medicine on
Cancer, Theodore Burang
And for those of you who can speak or read German, here is a definitive
scholar on the Mantegna Tarocchi:
Brockhaus,
Heinrich, Ein
edles Geduldspiel: "Die Leitung der Welt oder die Himmelsleiter" die
sogenannten Taroks Mantegnas Vom Jahre 1459-60.
Levenson, Jay A. Masters of the Tarocchi. Early Italian
Engravings from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, pp. 81 ff. [
MCMLXXIII]
GODDESS
Excellent articles on the symbolism
and Medusa, Gorgon & Artemis
Orthia for Goddess Studies.
Elworthy, F. T.
A Solution of the Gorgon Myth, Folk-Lore, Vol. 14, pp. 212-242.
Frothingham, A.J.
"Medusa, Apollo and The Great Mother" AJA (15) XV, p.349 -377.
Frothingham, A.J.
"Medusa" AJA (19) XIX, p.13 -23.
Thompson, M.S. The
Asiatic or Winged Artemis, JHS, 1909, p. 286 - 307.
Sheppard, H.J.
Chinese and Western Alchemy: The Link through Definition, Ambix, Vol. 32,
Part 1, March 1985
Eliade, Mircea.
Metallurgy, magic and alchemy. Paris 1939
A most amazing early work by Mircea
Eliade on the symbolism of metallury, the embryology of metals, and mining
myths.
Conybeare, F.C.
The Baetul in Damascius, Transactions of the 3rd International Congress for
the History of Religions, Oxford, 1908, Volume II, pp. 179 183.
The baetul is a mysterious Stone
that Sings.
Nancy C. Zak, The
Earth Mother Figure of Native North America, R e V I S I O N Vol. 10 No.
3.
H. J. SHEPPARD, REVIEW OF De Jong, Michael Maier's ' Atalanta Fugiens'. Sources
of an Alchemical Book of Emblems
Sleeper, Helen Joy, The
alchemical figures in Count Michael Maier's Atalanta Fugiens, Journal
of Chemical Education, 15 (9) September 1938, pp.410 - 415.
Davis, T.L. Count
Michael Maier's use of the Symbolism of Alchemy. Journal of Chemical
Education 15 (9) Sept.1938.pp.403-410.Item 1290 in Pritchard.
Rendel Harris, J. Some Points in the Cult of the Heavenly Twins,
Transactions of the 3rd International Congress for the History of Religions,
Oxford, 1908, Volume II, pp. 175-76.
