She Was A Most Lively Preacher

Representive image - Public DomainOne of the fundamental elements in any family's evolution is the influence of religion in crafting their traditions, values, and daily life. Like vines, the religious and secular histories are often intertwined. Any attempt to understand the one divorced from the other is often a sure guarantee valuable insights will be lost. Understanding a family's religious history is to understand many of their motivations and subsequent actions with far greater clarity. All of this combines to present a multi-dimensional history of American life. When a tantalizing suggestion of an early woman preacher in the family - the search took on new meaning.The spread of Methodism in America parallels the trek of the early pioneers such as Daniel Boone (who cleared the trail into then largely unknown Kentucky in the late 1700's). The early Methodist preachers were not far behind such pioneers. Even before the formal organization of the "American Methodist Church" or the "Methodist Episcopal Church" (1784), there existed an early circuit (a regular route traveled by one minister in order to preach, baptize, and marry) known as the "Holstein Circuit" (Norwood). It covered the area of NE Tennessee, and SW Virginia through which John Terry, son of William, and his wife Esther Brown Terry migrated circa 1790. Other circuits would form, interestingly enough, in Botetourt Co.,Va, in Kentucky, and southern Indiana. All locations into which John Terry and kin were known to have moved.The "father" of American Methodism, Frances Asbury (1745-1816) traveled some of those same areas of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee on his own circuit journeys of the late 1700's and early 1800's. His journal records that in 1786 he stopped at "Terry's" on the border of Fairfield and Chester Co. Cited, re notes, as "Tar Yard" on some old maps. In 1807 he stopped at "Terry's" in the upper part of Greenville Co., near Marietta. The notes indicate this should not be confused with the Terry at Fork Shoals 20 miles below Greenville in NC. An 1833 letter reporting on ministerial activities noted "...my first efforts were in Botetourt, Holston, and New River Circuits 40 years ago [1793]...I kept up with [information?] Viz. Nathaniel Tery 4 miles distant in the bent of James River. (Clark, Journal and Letters of Francis Asbury, vol 1.;pg. 446,507,374-75,574).Evidence from several private records reveal that one family, the Terry family of Barry Co., Missouri, were a group that took religion seriously. Some joined the Disciples of Christ, Baptist, and other groups, yet there are intriguing clues that seem to suggest some of these early Terry's had a connection to early American Methodism. Not surprising for a group that at one time could claim a church in every county, yet the details are fascinating and illuminate migration and family stories. It also fleshes out some of the church history that is spotty at best in that heavily wooded and one time highly isolated region of the Ozarks,Barbara Terry of Cassville, Barry Co., Missouri, writing to her son John and his wife Lucinda King Reed Terry, Red River County, Texas written November 9, 1877. In concluding the letter she shares some brief news about various other siblings and addes an intriguing sentence..."MATILDY IS ONE OF THE LIVELIEST PREACHERS WE HAVE. SHE BELONGS TO THE NORTH METHODIST..."Matildy was MATILDA TERRY ENNIS was born 5 Jam 1822 in Gibson Co., Indiana to William and Barbara Ennis Terry. She married a cousin, Elisha Ennis in about 1839. His father was Zachariah Ennis an uncle of Barbara. In 1835 she was baptized and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. This was while the family lived in Madison Co., Arkansas. It is possible she was a formal "deaconess" but may also have been merely a very active church woman, but it is interesting to note that in the Holiness Movement of the same period women were taking roles of preaching, ministry and service. Phoebe Palmer, for example, was one such woman and was part of many revival efforts in the New York period from as early as 1857. This reveals a trend toward greater female participation - and some acceptance of the same - among some groups of Methodists.Many of the early Terry of the 1840's - 1880's letters reveal people of great faith, living as best they could by their moral convictions and standards. They bear witness of the faith to their relatives, relations, and from their deathbeds. An interest in the church and religious matters was evidenced early as revealed by an 1848 letter of William Terry (1785-1869, son of John), to his son John Terry in Red River Co., Texas: "..".our preacher is not onto circuits again and that brother Standford is presiding elder in place of brother Harrol and that brother Harrol is stationed at Little Rock"." According to the North Arkansas Conference, United Methodist Church, Commission on Archives and History, the 13th session of the conference was held in 1848. The event recorded that a John Hormel served the Little Rock Station. A Russell M. Morgan served the Huntsville Church in the Fayetteville district in 1848, and Thomas Stanford was Presiding Elder of the Fayetteville District.Another interesting thing to note relates to names. William's son Martin is thought by some to have also bear the name Francis; this could relate to the "Swamp Fox" of Revolutionary fame or to the early Methodist leader. There is evidence of naming for both in several lines. A strong point of support may be he named one of his sons Lorenz (or Lorenzo) Dow Terry (1845-1894). Lorenz Dow was a fiery, evangelical preacher and one-time Methodist who crisscrossed the early circuit locales of Tennessee and Kentucky in the early years of the nineteenth century. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that at some point the paths of Terry's and Dow actually intersected.Certain letters of Martin Terry from the 1850s-1870s reveal a man of strong moral convictions. He comments about the need for prohibition in the Ozarks to curtail the victimization produced in order to create a market for liquer. The problem was the quality of the product sold was often literally deadly and many families were ruined by the death or addictions which resulted. He also had strong political views but that is for another study.Martin and his brother John married sisters;Mary Ann and Lucinda Reed were children of Joseph Reed, and a transcript of an oral history project interview with a descendent of this same Reed states he was a Methodist minister. Reed went to Red River, Texas in 1839 and with him was John Terry, whose biography includes mention of a long membership in the Methodist Episcopal South Church. [see "Fine Points of History" interview with Juanita Stiles Cornwell of Clarksville (1980) in East Texas University Archives pg.10,104.;Biographical Souvinir of the State of Texas (1880),pg.817,794-5]. Joseph Reed is an interesting study in himself. He is probably a nephew or cousin of a Rev. Joseph Reed/Reid who accompanied the noted Rev. Stephenson into the area of Red River County, Texas between 1817-1820, a time when our Joseph Reed was also in the area.(Steely, Six months from Tennesse, 1982) This other early Reed also came out of Kentucky and Tennesse and resided in Hempstead, Arkansas for a time. He was a slave owning minister, a vocal supporter of the south, and thus part of the split creating the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal South prior to the Civil War. Our Reed died in TX in 1839 but from the letters and notations in a family Bible he was in Oklahoma and Indian Territory (Ft. Towson) prior to 1830.Letters of the 1860's and 1870's mention Methodism in relation to meetings or revivals in areas of their southwest Missouri relatives. Also mentioned are Cumberland Presybeterians (Reed may have been associated with them as well for a time) and Baptists.The ten year silence between the two Terry brothers during and after the Civil War has been attributed to the devastation and rebuilding of the conflict. The conflict took a heavy toll on the families as both sides contributed family to the cause or lost family as part of the illnesses that followed the troops. It may be, however, that once again religion plays an important role in interpreting the silence as the result of conflicting theological and ideological views. Martin's line in Missorui had clear connections to the North via "Northern Methodist" church membership and John in Texas was connected to the "Methodist Episcopal South". This allegiance reveals that probably the brothers took two different sides in the conflict (and military records seem to support this). The wording of the letter that broke the silence (written by the wives) suggest something beyond disrupted mails was at fault. The letter dated 27 September 1867 reads in part: "I am no politician and take no part in political controversy and I exceedingly regret the unhappy circumstances that has made such a deep and lasting wounds in the minds of those that once was friends and are bound by the nearest and dearest ties of kindred relation." The fact the letter was written by Martin's wife to her sister, and the fact she notes the severing of family ties, seems to pointedly highlight the silence was brought on by more than merely the hardship and grief of war. It may have been caused by differences of deep idealogical and theological significance to the brothers.John King Terry, Martin's son was married in 1861 in Cassville, Mo by "Methodist minister, Keith Hankins" (County record/Civil war pension record).There is a persistent story that Martin was a minister as well. No definitive records exist but if he were a Methodist he may have been a lay pastor and records for those individuals were not usually kept at the time. However, the area of the Ozarks where Martin lived was well known as a place difficult to keep ministers and a tradition of lay ministers evolved in many locations, including Barry Co. This may be what is referred to by the oral tradition. [Clark. Ozark Baptizings, hangings, and other diversions, 1984, pg. 78, 98, 147].Further research may minimize or correct any Terry connections to early Methodism, but at this point the cumulative evidence presents a strong case for the serious consideration of this relationship, no matter how short-lived. It certainly serves to clarify the dominate role that religion played in the areas through which all the Terry lines traveled on their way west to Missorui.Matilda died 21 August 1904 in Barry Co., Missouri. Significantly, her son, John Wesley Ennis, was a member of the M.E. Church at Oak Dale, Barry Co., Missouri and he officiated at his mother's funeral. In genealogical research, as in law, there is often a call to the authority of a 'perponderance of evidence.' The mountain of circumstantial evidence grows pretty tall and it is likely that in the region, where churches often went a long time waiting for a new preacher to be appointed there could arise a variety of religious leaders. Including a woman who would be termed a "lively preacher."

Man Discovered Something On A Tree In His Yard That Left Him In Awe After Visiting His Dads Grave

A Rhode Atoll man claims that there's an image of Jesus on a silver maple tree in his backyard - a said wonder he noticed in arrears a original visit to his minute father's grim. Brian Mannerism believed he first noticed the 3-inch covet image while produce an effect place in the ground work on October 12 - the sixth celebration of his dad's death. He has being likened it to a picture of Jesus widely spread on the shield. Mannerism very claims that the tree is in the especially area everyplace he and his get going would sit together or else he lost his battle with evil, according to Christian Now. New York Gossip "Its skill to recommend a spiritual worth of awe is infinite," Mannerism told Rhode Island's the Adopt Draft. "My mother remains with my circumstances and I and is convalescing from open build surgery. A pious Catholic, she finds cream experienced the image is stage." Mannerism very believed that the image has brought him cream as well, whereas he knows that some life-force think that the tree's move on bears a suggestion to Christ. "The disbeliever life-force perfectly involuntarily think, while folks with look-in life-force perfectly be set to have space for the real concern of the part of a set," he believed. Suchlike do you think? Does it air close to Jesus or a tarn tree growth? Let us know less than. (H/T: Christian Now) - "Hypothesis page image via Shutterstock.com" Gain access to improved stories from TheBlaze World-weary Underwater Dad Confronts Campus Officials High-class Daughter's Usual Islam Directive - Here's How They Responded Pope Francis' Claims In connection with God and Stalk Race Straightforward Have an argument - but Here's Why Firm Are Lambasting the Media Apple CEO Reveals He's Gay - and Says It is in the midst of the Single Donations God Has Definite Him On Deathbed, To begin with 'Lockheed Martin Graphic designer In the midst of surf Secretive Village Opens Up AboutAliens Dad Mowing Sod Noticed a Plain Mark in the Vegetation Unite His Daughters' Windowpane. That The end of the day He Bare the Difficult Put together.

9412 Cooptng Tn

To: fiatlvx@sard.mv.net (FiatLVX XMagick Listserv)
From: tyagi mordred nagasiva
Subject: Neopaganism and Newage Writers
Date: Kali Yuga 49941211

Who can blame the newage and neopagan writers for attempting to appeal to the history-worshipping academic-minded readers in American and European culture?...if we use a little imagination we can see that what they are implying has some truth -- that the 'place' where all these things come from is 'the earth' and what we see as 'a particular religion' can be seen as a form of religious expression, a particular instance of a global phenomenon.

Consider that every one of these 'social traditions' derived from a number of geographical areas, individuals that developed practices who, in their humility, were not referenced as the innovators. Within one geographical environment (say, Ireland), many successive individuals, generations, contributed to what they knew to be 'sincere living' (religion), and only when compared to the lifestyle of others in their dedication (as a result of urbanization) did they begin to see it as peculiar or 'religious' in the now conventional sense.

So while we may easily turn up our nose at the 'flittingness' of neopagan attempts to conceptually condense the world through metaphor and theoretic (even if historically unfounded), I think there is something toward which they are pointing which we may miss in doing this -- globalist religious ecumenism.

...The history of the term 'pagan' is such
at is MEANS 'non-Christian'. The modern religious are simply using this against the Christian establishment and this sometimes leads to a greater projection of syncretism-in-experiment than actually exists. Of course many are attempting to take the (largely judgemental) language from the establishment and use it to its own ends -- in short, they are using the tools of oppression against the oppressors. This is why I consider the original Neopagans to be Satanists -- they are resisting coersion and the co-optive nature of 'education'.

Subject: Academics
Date: Kali Yuga 49941217

We have been trained by our
cultures (USA/Euro) to regard that which is promulgated by the academics in relation to 'history' as 'more true' and 'more worthwhile' than the ravings of prophets or fantasy-authors. Who can blame the Neopagans for attempting to capitalize on this 'academia-worship' by attempting to portray themselves as a part of this (biased) establishment?

Instead of treating
books on the basis of their contents and attempting to understand them from a variety of perspectives, academics only provide accolades for those whose works are 'approved' and 'authorized as authoritative' (i.e. traditional).

Rather than critique the Neopagans on the basis of a variety of tacks, rather than come to see the very beautiful fantasy-myth which they are spinning (when this is indeed the case), we set up the value-scale as 'historical-top' and
'fantasy-bottom', requiring a strict delineation between these two (which is fallacious at the start) and assuming that our knowledge amounts to more than an ostrich's ignorance.

In all, I'd say that what we're comparing here is the social-taste (often sifted and extrapolated over time through a consensus of like-MINDED people)
with individual taste, which is sometimes the best barometer of value when we are assessing spiritual or mystical literature upon which to lay our attentions.

There are many complaints about books which aspire to APPEAL to
history-worshippers and initiates (cf. 'degrees' in masonic and pseudo- masonic orgs as well as the academic crowd) of scholasticism without actually containing the type of text that satisfies this biased audience.

The problem is that we are CONDITIONED to regard certain types of books as 'intelligent', namely those which derive of stuffy professors with lots of initials after their names and hordes of bibliographical reference to boot. That's fine for that type of writing, but that same conditioning biases us AGAINST such things as the Book of Shadows or Magical Record, which is promoted by occult teachers as one of the most important tomes on the basis of its ability to MIRROR US.

It also biases us against regarding such things as myth and poetry as containers for great truths. As such, this conditioning is detrimental to our spiritual health, and the Neopagan (and other religious) sometimes attempt to use this against the less indoctrinated reader as bait.

The point I'm trying to make is that the PROBLEM is the notion of 'pseudo- historicity', since it betrays a very real dogmatism (often promoted by materialists and scholars) which is prevalent in our society. By 'rigorous'
I presume you mean at least that they do not display the sources which inspire the text. Many magical grimoires (even many by Crowley, who is purported to be one of the foremost mages in history) do not contain such references, and so this is a specious criticism except in display of bias.

What makes a tome 'capable of saying really meaningful things'? I suggest that it is less to do with the text itself (though this surely has some influence upon the event) and more to do with the PERSON WHO READS IT.
This is the reason that some find to be the veritable Word of
God, whereas some consider it to be an important mystical tome and still others figure it as an outdated piece of trash.

In several instances I've heard 'scholars' critiquing magical tomes.
They were simply not of my experience and could not appreciate
the depth and approach of the authors of whom I've studied. I've seen the EXACT SAME REACTION among those whom I considered 'smugly ignorant', in that they judged the entirety of religious, mystical and philosophical texts by their inability to comprehend their beauty. Theirs was the
'cold and realistic' perspective, informed by their special experience and deeper perception, no doubt.

My point is that taste in art is essentially relative even while we may be able to ascribe certain constants within the mass which is produced by human artists (since they speak to common and important experiences). I have a hard time saying, for this reason, what is 'trash' as compared to what is 'the best' (the latter which I'll happily recommend based upon my own particular tastes and common social discover).

It is very similar to Popper's thesis in science that we cannot PROVE a theory, only disprove it. By the same reasoning we cannot come to a clear conception of what is 'worthless art', only that which is aesthetically valuable to human beings.

When we are describing the inner landscape, why not make it all
up as we go along? I see the value in rational (careful) citations when the subject at hand is the movement of bits of matter over time. When it becomes in the least way theoretical, especially that dealing with magick or mysticism, then the mythos speaks more to me than any 'history' does.

Why listen to the scholars, the academes, regarding a process which is predominantly mystical and magical itself? Perhaps we overly identify the act of research and citation with the magical process, in that we think that merely by reading about a subject such as this we may come to an understanding of it. This leads to a devolution of the art, founded on a lack of serious EXPLORATION AND EXPERIMENT on the part of those who write about the subject.

I think that this kind of over-emphasis on scholasticism is precisely what gave rise in China to Zen Buddhism (as it moved to Japan). The adherents of these valiant traditions are stridently opposed (in the more central and informative of the teachers) to such specialization (academia). They went so far as to eschew all expressions of the Way as fundamental and castigate those dwellers of Ivory Towers to whom you make reference.

It was the Christian classification of 'pagan=non-Christian' that brought about the consolidation of all non-Christian faiths in the eyes of those who are/were brought up in this culture. The Christian religious are directly responsible for this ignorant usage, not the Neopagans themselves, who grew up in backgrounds largely blindered by conservative Christians.

I think the method here is 'use-the-tool-of-the-Oppressor-upon-the- Oppressor'. It is a type of Judo, and it may prove quite effective
in stemming the puritanical and judgement-laden ignorance that
pretends to be spirituality.

...the element of religion that remains the same with them all...

I'll name that element, which I think is exemplified within the Gospels, at least in part: LOVE. God is love. If love is not contained within a religion, then as I see it, it is devoid of spirituality. Along the perihelion of love shall I make my way among the religious of the world and bring to them the truth of Christ, Aum. If this isn't the Great Work I don't know what is.

Love cannot be commanded. It needs no justification. It is self-evidently God to my perceptions.

nagasiva, tyagi@houskaos.abyss.com (NocTifer)

The Hawley Book Of The Dead A Novel

For fans of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and A Discovery of Witches comes a brilliantly imagined debut novel brimming with rich history, suspense, and magic.

Revelation "Reve" Dyer grew up with her grandmother's family stories, stretching back centuries to Reve's ancestors, who founded the town of Hawley Five Corners, Massachusetts. Their history is steeped in secrets, for few outsiders know that an ancient magic runs in the Dyer women's blood, and that Reve is a magician whose powers are all too real.

She and her husband are world--famous Las Vegas illusionists. They have three lovely young daughters, a beautiful home, and what seems like a charmed life. But Reve's world is shattered when an intruder alters her trick pistol and she accidentally shoots and kills her beloved husband onstage.

Fearing for her daughters' lives, Reve flees with them to the place she has always felt safest-an antiquated farmhouse in the forest of Hawley Five Corners, where the magic of her ancestors reigns, and her oldest friend-and first love-is the town's chief of police. Here, in the forest, with its undeniable air of enchantment, Reve hopes she and her girls will be protected.

Delving into the past for answers, Reve is drawn deeper into her family's legends. What she discovers is The Hawley Book of the Dead, an ancient leather-bound journal holding mysterious mythic power. As she pieces together the truth behind the book, Reve will have to shield herself and her daughters against an uncertain, increasingly dangerous fate. For soon it becomes clear that the stranger who upended Reve's life in Las Vegas has followed her to Hawley-and that she has something he desperately wants..

Origin: wicca-teachings.blogspot.com

Sceptre

SPIRITUAL MEANING:

The sceptre is representative of royal power and sovereignty. Spiritually it signifies the transmission of divine power from above rather than below.

PSYCHOLOGICAL / EMOTIONAL PERSPECTIVE:

The sceptre can represent the magic wand and in dreams can indicate our right and ability to use such magic. If we are holding the sceptre we have the ability to transmit the life force. If someone else is using the sceptre and is bestowing honour or power on us, then we can accept that we have succeeded in a particular project.

EVERYDAY MATERIAL ASPECTS:

When it appears in dreams a sceptre indicates that we have given someone authority over us. We have abdicated responsibility to the point where the inner self has to take over.

GENDER / SPECIFIC MEANINGS:

The sceptre has the same symbolism as most rods and staves:that of a phallic object. In a woman's dream it suggests the power for action. In a man's dream it signifies the power to take authority.

"Also consult the entries for Magic/Magician, Staffand Wand. "

Orange Peace And Mango Sorbet A Whole Foods Plant Based Recipe

This deep tasting Arrant Foods-Plant Based dessert that's deep tasting and very simple to make, so ill-equipped, slick, and deep that it makes your lips water. At excel you may regard this is an odd combination of fruits, but let me lecture you, this is thrilled tasting sorbet... you choice desire spare. INGREDIENTS: 1 - Cup of Orange Slices Frozen 1 - Cup of Mango Slices Frozen 1/2 - Cup of Peach Slices Frozen 1 1/2 - Tableware of any kind of milk of your choosing - Almond, Sunflower, Soy, etc. Cut - Add the kind of enticement that you being - doubtless darling, stevia, or agave nectar. Add all of these ingredients voguish a powerful churn and mix all of it until imprudent and slick. Fall voguish cup and you luggage compartment a conventional very normal dessert that choice do your main part good. Contemporary sorbet that I love is conventional crazy and strawberries together - tastes being ice ointment to me. - Sleight of hand If you luggage compartment absent overs "(spare than true you won't)" put it in a cup and depression it for cutting edge, with let it ardent a tiny in the future selection. Mangos are full of vitamins and minerals in the midst of Vitamins, A, B, C, E, and Calcium, Phosphorus, Selenium and Beta-Carotene, and even some protein. Mango contains phenols which are deep antioxidants and anticancer chemicals and they are low in carbs. Mangos help protect in opposition to core growth and other diseases, and are deep for your scrape hand out to unclog your pores. Mangos are high in flatten and diplomatically alkaline which helps your GI tract. Peaches are a deep detoxing merchant for the kidneys, to boot contains stacks of feature, and stacks of Vitamin A, C, E and Vitamin K too! Initiate they luggage compartment stacks of idea minerals such as manganese for arthritis and diabetes, potassium for cardiovascular health and water keep in check, calcium for strong bones, flatten and copper for anemia, magnesium for enzyme employment and keep in check, zinc for boosting your exempt system and stacks of antioxidants for imprisonment improbable cardiovascular growth, strokes, and scourge. Initiate they are full powerful health agents that steer clear of macular lapse, and Peaches can help you lose weight in the function of they entirely luggage compartment about 70 calories. Oranges help steer clear of cardiovascular growth and principally thickening of the carotid artery. Excessively in the function of oranges luggage compartment stacks of magnesium they to boot renew up bone complication in so doing preventing osteoporosis and fractures. Initiate oranges luggage compartment stacks of feature for creating a deep setting for probiotic madden to arise and onward colon health... and in so doing best quality all health. And following you eat oranges you to boot get a lot of cholecystokinin hormone that helps you to deal with full and in so doing you lose weight. Not to mention all the thrilled antioxidant Vitamin C... and Oranges diminish blood force too. "Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist and Lovely Guru for best quality 20 time, hand out line to but and deal with normal. You can to boot find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Psychoanalysis Herbs, Shambala Lovely Transmutation Get on your way, Meditation for the Inner self, and Smash Wearing Talent, Punjab teas, and at www.paulhaider.com" - "deal with free to interaction him any time. Excessively reduce out Dr. Haider's radio appropriate at" http://www.thesourcecenterradio.com/The-Relaxed-Soul.html "July appropriate to be about "The Colony of Clemency"

Shiva Vishnu At Chidambaram A Cosmic Scene Unveiled

The film Dasavathram by Kamal seems to have caught up

the attention of devotees of Vishnu and Shiva

with debates ranging on depiction of Ramanuja and

incidents connected with Thillai Govindarajar.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ponniyinselvan/

http://madhavipanthal.blogspot.com/2008/05/kamal-haasan-his-naked-lies.html

On my part, I think this is right time to talk about

some cosmic secrets encapsuled

in certain issues,

such as Nataraja's dance,

his co-existence with Govindaraja at Chidambaram,

the dance at Kailash and

the creation of worlds and man!

Nataraja's cosmic dance and Vishnu's posture on the snake bed -

both co-existing as at Chidambaram

depicts a scene that happened before the worlds evolved.

The scene is that of matter (prakruthi) evolving from

unmanifest to manifest forms

and the purusha remaining unmanifest - waiting for the worlds to get manifested.

The dancing Shiva symbolizes the creation of worlds

that get delimited by destruction

so that further worlds can be created.

Vishnu on snake bed symbolizes the unmanifest or

waiting to be manifest entities

such as

the 3 gunas ( indicated by the 3 tire coil of the snake)

and the 5 elements (indicated by the 5 hoods of the snake,)

while the snake itself stands for sesha, - the jivas

(Sesha is that which is other than Seshi, the Lord.)

The sesha is one of the two birds told in Upanishads,

that eats the fruit of Karma.

The other bird is Lord Himself who shines -

for having no karma attached to it or binding it.

Though both are (sesha and seshi / Jivatma and Paramatma)

similar in all respects,

the jivas have to come out of the cycle of birth and death

to attain oneness or identity with Paramatma.

This part of what it attains is up to interpretation and

different schools of thought have come up

with differing views on this part only.

But until this part, what has happened with the cosmos,

and the way the cosmos evolved to house the jivas

have been depicted beautifully without much variance

by puranas and sages.

One such depiction is that of the world springing

from unmanifest to manifest

as depicted by Shiva's dance.

The world as it exists in between manifest to unmanifest

is depicted by Vishnu taking care of the universe by means of 10 avatars.

Brahma (the four-faced one) finds his place at the point of manifest / creation -

at the umbilical cord!

An important hidden factor to be noted here is that

the presence of umbilical cord denotes the existence of a Mother!

That mother is the father Narayana - who by the very meaning of this term

is one who resides in everything

and also the one in whom everything resides.

Anyone venturing into Hindu philosophy must recognize these 4 factors

(four faced Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Narayana, the progenitor of everything)

and the significations attached to them.

With this basic information on Gods,

let us venture out to know what the co-existence of Vishnu and Shiva conveys.

There may exist umpteen number of stories on Chidambaram gods.

The purpose on this post is to

concentrate on the philosophical and cosmic import of these Gods.

In Vedic parlance, there are only 2 scenes,

worlds being manifest and /or unmanifest.

The cyclical happening of these two are described in

Nasadiya verses of Rig Vedas (Hymn on Creation).

Only one fourth of all that exists, gets manifested at any time.

The Gayathri mantra and Purusha sookhtam

are the pramana, indicating this 1/4th existence

in manifest forms.

This manifest universe alternating with 3/4 th unmanifest

goes on and on, in a cyclical precision,

for a length of 100 years of Brahma.

This must be cyclical

because only then it fulfills the information told in Vedas.

Only if it cyclical, can there be no beginning or end to the universes.

Only if it cyclical, can there be no need for interference

for any probable course correction -

(a notion told by Einstein that there is no need for a creator is vedantically true

because once the button of creation is pressed,

things will automatically proceed.

We need a creator only to answer the question

why the creation must happen.)

It is indicated by Krishna in his Gita

that with his creation of Brahma with yajnas,

things started rolling and keeps going.

(browse my blog for details on this issue)

His interference is needed only to establish dharma (parithranaya sadhUnaam..)

Rest of the issues -

which are nothing but issues

pertaining to creation of physical universe

with attendant factors to aid or disrupt the goings-on

are all programmed.

This model of universe will have a pivot at the centre

and con-cyclic rounds around it

in vertical and linear dimensions.

Each circle will have 1/4 of it manifest and the rest unmanifest.

Each cycle will have longevity of 100 years of its own Brahma.

Such a model only fulfils the Vedantic notion

that that there are many parallel universes to us,

both above us (uttar) and below us (dakshin)

and also beyond us and before us.

This model has no limits and the universes are infinite in number.

In this scenario, though everything is programmed,

god does not rest.

He need not do anything as everything has been programmed

but He has to keep doing his karma - sans bondage

in establishing Dharma.

3/4 th of each cycle is unmanifest

and as the cycle itself keeps moving,

the unmaifest also moves and enters the zone of manifest.

The point of manifest is Brahma's abode.

The duration from this point to the point of end of this 1/4 th part of the cycle

is Vishnu's abode.

The point of end of this 1/4 th is Shiva's abode,

Anywhere on this point, stretching infinitely up an down,

it will be Shiva in act of dissolution of the manifest into unmanifest.

At this location, both Brahma and Vishnu can not find his feet (adi)

nor his crown(mudi).This is depicted as a story for remembrance of this cosmic nature at that juncture.

Nataraja's dance is depiction of this sequence of manifest into unmanifest and vice versa.

Similarly at the point of manifest (creation)

it will be Brahma everywhere vertically up and down.

The icon of Nataraja symbolises the division of all the worlds in a particular round

into manifest areas of 1/4 th extent and

unmanifest area of 3/4th.

If we draw lines from the two hands (one with udukkai or damaru and the other with agni)

through the navel of Shiva,

they will intersect at right angles.

The extent from right to left hand covers 1/4th of the circle.

The top of Nataraja is where we are now, at parardha -

just having crossed the half of Brahma's life.

The two hands hold Damaru and agni.

Damaru (udukkai) in his right hand is associated with creation.

The Vedic model of creation happens with / through / by

the sound of Damaru which is nothing but OM-kaar!

Shiva's presence can be seen just before the point of creation

because there happens the end of unmanifest worlds.

The agni on the left hand indicates dissolution.

This indicates the beginning of unmanifest worlds.

The two ends of his hands thus indicate the end and beginning of dissolution.

It covers a distance of 1/4 th of the circle in which Nataraja is inscribed.

Dancers and sculptors depict Nataraja in these dimensions only.

It can also be seen that the Sudharshana charka is also

inscribed in this circle.

The 2 triangles inversely placed one on the other

can be perfectly inscribed inside a circle

And Narasimha (jiva with guna combination) is also depicted

in this scheme of cyclical cosmos.

The interesting feature is that when Nataraja is in cosmic dance,

indicating universe still under evolution,

Vishnu goes into snake bed!

The jivas wait with their coiled up 3 gunas

and 5 hooded elements with which

they attain their physical bodies when born in manifest world.

Vishnu waiting and witnessing this cosmic dance along with all devas

is what is depicted by Lord Govindaraja in Chidambaram.

The Lord here is Govinda raja.

Govinda is who is connected with bringing out the cave

from darkness before Varaha lifted up the land mass!

( see my blog on Varaha in Pithru tarpan posts).

Govinda denotes the state prior to creation of man -

but later to creation of the world - in the process of getting ready

for evolution of life on earth.

Govindaraja is accompanied with Pundareeka valli thaayar,

his consort in the form of Lotus.

This means at the state as Govindaraja with Shiva dancing,

His consort is not yet manifest!

Herein lies the secret about the Lotus,

which is the form and name of Lakshmi or Sri

who is none but the Will or Sankalpa of Brahman.

It is on the Will of Brahman, everything sprang up,

continued and recoiled back.

The Will can not be separate from the one who has willed.

The Will of the Lord projected first and initiated this Universe.

Since It is the major link between created Universe and Brahman,

and since It is the Will of Brahman,

It or She or Sri is the purushakaari,

through whom everything of this creation is routed.

Can any one do anything without will or mind telling one to do it?

It is here comes the relevance and reasoning of why

the wife always 'leads' as the will or

mind of purusha, the husband.

When she lights the lamp at the beginning of any occasion or

when she places the agni to begin any homa or

places the darbhai on her man's shoulder before

and throughout the sankalpa for any kriya,

she is doing so as the Will of Purusha!

A man without wife is like one without mind.

But Narayana was without outward manifestation of Lakshmi

in Vaikuntha (kausheetaki upansihad).

Because there was no creation happening there,

no need for manifestation of will.

His Will or Lakshmi was within Himself.

When he is on the snake bed, she remains at his feet -

ready to take up orders.

Any moment creation would begin and she has to be born on the lotus.

This state is depicted in Govindaraja in Chidambaram.

The verses sung by Azhwars give a number of clues on

This kind of state on

the co-existence seen in Chithra koodam.

Chidambaram is noted as Chithra kootam by devotees of Vishnu.

It is in Chithra kootam Shiva dances.

A similar kind of performance that Vishnu does

- not as a dance, but as a drama is at Sri rangam!

Rangam is derived from rang, colours or colourfulness.

Sri rangama is Arangam- a stage where Lord enacts his colourful drama.

The other place he enacts - nay, he lies as though to remind people

that he is going to enact is at Chithra kootam.

Chithra kootam also means a colourful stage depicting a number of scenes.

The difference here is that scenes remain trapped in pictures -

of what happened in past or what is going to happen in future.

That is why Azhwars see avatars in Lord Govindaraja.

While Kulasekhara azhwar sees the enactment of the entire Ramayana

(uttara ramayan including),

Thirmangai azwar sees all the avatars including Narasimha avatar

in this Lord.

Of interest is the mention of

"perum puL" - Garuda. (Peria Thirumozhi - 3-4-6)

Azhwar sees Govindaraja coming on Garuda.

Garuda always signifies beginnings or intiations.

Garuda is spotted once Kumbhabisheka is done

and the temple is ready for worship.

Garuda seva on Vaikunta ekadasi day signifies initiation

of Creation

(read more on my post on secrets in Thirppavai - vaikunta ekadasi).

By mentioning that Govindaraja of Chithra kootam

comes on garuda,

it is indicated that it is count-down time for the Lord

witnessing the cosmic dance of Shiva

to begin his enactments in the manifest world.

That is why azhwars' songs on Chithra koodattaan are all about avatars!

Another information deduced is that

this kind of lying on the snake bed also happens

in the course of manifest world.

In between manvanthra prayas and kalpa praylas,

when the world sinks into unmanifest nature,

the Lord waits with the Jivas and their gunas and 5 elements.

In the course of this wait too,

Shiva signifies dissolution with his dances,

and those dances are themes of puranas.

One popular dance happened when the Himalayas rose up.

The story of Kailash / the rise of Himalayas is associated with Shiva's dance

with damaru being beaten continuously.

Note that whenever damaru is beaten,

it is indication of creation in progress.

Shiva's mighty dance saw the destruction of seas

(Tithys seas and collision of land forms)

but since it was associated with damuru,

it signified

fresh lease of creation in the form of Himalayas

and the formation of Arya vartha, in the south of Himalayas.

The Puranic allusion of Shakthi, controlling Shiva in this incident is about

bringing down the intensity of growth of Himalayas by an anti-force.

That this happened 7 crores of years ago tells us that

this aryavartha had existed from then onwards

and avatars had taken place here.

The unitariness of all sects of India, from Tamils to Kashmiris

had been there throughout for the last 7 crore years.

But the depiction at Chithra kootam is about cosmic beginning,

- proven so by 2 factors,

One is that Lakshmi exists as Lotus

and another is that Kaali had lost the dance.

Kali / Shakthi's victory over Shiva happens in the middle course,

as and when Shiva had to be restrained

- as happened during the formation of Himalayas.

Reference

The Hymn of Creation (Rig Veda)

There was neither non-existence nor existence then.

There was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond.

What stirred?

Where?

In whose protection?

Was there water, bottlemlessly deep?

There was neither death nor immortality then.

There was no distinguishing sign of night nor of day.

That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse.

Other than that there was nothing beyond.

Darkness was hidden by darkness in the beginning,

with no distinguishing sign, all this was water.

The life force that was covered with emptiness,

that One arose through the power of heat.

Desire came upon that One in the beginning,

that was the first seed of mind.

Poets seeking in their heart with wisdom

found the bond of existence and non-existence.

Their cord was extended across.

Was there below?

Was there above?

There were seed-placers, there were powers.

There was impulse beneath, there was giving forth above.

Who really knows?

Who will here proclaim it?

Whence was it produced?

Whence is this creation?

The gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe.

Who then knows whence it has arisen?

Whence this creation has arisen

- perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not -

the One who looks down on it,

in the highest heaven, only He knows

or perhaps He does not know.

The Ancient Giants Exodus

Did ancient giants...

"Go extinct? "

"Get killed off? "

"Die of disease? "

"Get bred out of the population? "

"Get punished by God? "

"Go into hiding?"

Let's look at some Native legends from around the world -

In Peru, there is a legend of the giants reaching their shores long ago, devouring their men, raping their women, and then committing sodomy. "The natives say that our Lord God, unwilling to conceal so wicked a sin, sent them a punishment suited to the beastliness of the crime, and when all the giants were together engaged in this accursed practice THERE CAME A FEARFUL FIRE FROM HEAVEN TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF A GREAT NOISE, IN THE MIDST OF WHICH A SHINING ANGEL APPEARED HOLDING A SHARP, BRIGHT SWORD WITH WHICH HE SLEW THEM ALL AT A SINGLE STROKE, AND THE FIRE CONSUMED THEM LEAVING ONLY A FEW BONES AND SKULLS, WHICH GOD ALLOWED TO REMAIN UNCONSUMED AS A TOKEN OF THE PUNISHMENT."

In that case, above, they describe any number of angelic or real-world experiences, from a horrible storm to a volcanic eruption (Western US Natives mentioned that as a reason for many tribes making an exodus), meteorite strike, or other.

The Lenape had this account: Their people came from the west after a volcanic eruption drove them east. "The Lepane told, that they had found the further bank of the River of Fish (Mississippi) inhabited by a very powerful people, who dwelt in great villages, surrounded by high walls. They were very tall, so tall that the head of the tallest Lenape could not reach their arms, and their women were of higher stature and heavier limbs than the loftiest and largest man in the confederate nations. They were called the Allegewi, and were men delighting in red and black paint, and the shrill war-whoop, and the strife of the spear. Such was the relation and made by spies to their countrymen."

...They sent a message to the Allegewi to request permission to settle themselves in their neighborhood. This was refused them, but they obtained leave to pass through the country and seek a settlement farther to the eastward. They accordingly began to cross the Namesi Sipu, when the Allegewi, seeing that their numbers were so great, and in fact they consisted of many thousands, made a furious attack on those that had crossed, threatening them all with destruction, if they dared persist in coming over to their side of the river. Fired at the treachery of these people, and the great loss of men they had sustained, and besides, not being prepared for a conflict, the Lenape consulted on what was to be done; whether to retreat in the best manner they could, or try their strength, and let the enemy see they were not cowards. "Alleghans through force of arms."

"While one should always be aware that history as related by the victorious side may not be history as it actually occurred, never the less the resultant war is related as eventually becoming an overwhelming loss for the Alleghans. Whether the Lenape were considered deceitful in not disclosing their vast hoard is perhaps irrelevant. While ONE ACCOUNT SAYS THE ALLEGEWI WERE EXTIRPATED, ANOTHER RELATES OF THEIR ESCAPE DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI. The Lenni Lenape, having made an alliance with the Mengwe, took many years, and through a great loss of people, claim to have finally defeated the" Alleghans through force of arms."

"Stonish giants"

In "Ancient History of the Six Nations," David Cusick tells of the legend of the stonish giants - ("a tribe of the wilderness") came from the woods and attacked the tribes and war began. They were ravenous and devoured people. THEY WERE DRIVEN BACK INTO THE WILDERNESS.

Source: " Two miles from Mandan, on the bluffs near the junction of the Hart and Missouri Rivers (North Dakota), says the local newspaper, THE PIONEER, IS AN OLD CEMETERY OF FULLY 100 ACRES IN EXTENT FILLED WITH BONES OF A GIANT RACE. This vast city of the dead lies just east of the Fort Lincoln road. The ground has the appearance of having been filled with trenches piled full of dead bodies, both man and beast, and covered with several feet of earth. In many places mounds from 8 to 10 feet high, and some of them 100 feet or more in length, have been thrown up and are filled with bones, broken pottery, vases of various bright colored flint, and agates. The pottery is of a dark material beautifully decorated, delicate in finish, and as light as wood, showing the work of a people skilled in the arts and possessed of a high state of civilization. This has evidently been a grand battlefield, where thousands of men... have fallen. Nothing like a systematic or intelligent exploration has been made as only little holes two or three feet in depth have been dug in some of the mounds, but many parts of the anatomy of man and beast, and beautiful specimens of broken pottery and other curiosities, have been found in these feeble efforts at excavation. Five miles above Mandan, on the opposite side of the Missouri, is another vast cemetery as yet unexplored. We asked an aged Indian what his people knew of these ancient graveyards. He answered: "ME KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THEM. THEY WERE HERE BEFORE THE REDMAN."

The odd thing about these legends by Natives is that they are trying to explain something that happened, something outside of their understanding and so they attribute magical qualities to fill in the blanks in knowledge, kind of like when we experience ghostly interaction and tell a story of how surely it is the souls of the dead revisiting us. We don't understand the origin of the "phenomena," so we give it magical or other worldly origins. They also speak of these tall "white men" as being here when their people arrived to the continent, showing an earlier race of giants who had spread out across the world long before man on foot was overtaking the continents. In fact, early enough to mine, have civilizations and language. But, the land could only be held by one man, as these originators were a bloodthirsty and hungry group. It would appear the Native people of America (whose DNA did not match the Adena people) were, in fact, the true victors and the lands secured for their people.

In Australia, the aborigines had a legend of a giant who ate people and disrupted the community. Two women COAXED HIM INTO A CAVE WHERE THEY BURNED HIM. This is similar to the Paiutes' tale of trapping the man-eating giants in the cave in Nevada where THEY BURNED THEM WITH SAGE BRUSH FILLING THE OPENING OF THE CAVE. The Lenni-Lenape spoke of a race of giants they FOUGHT OFF BY JOINING FORCES WITH ANOTHER TRIBE, KILLING OFF MOST OF THE GIANTS AND SENDING THE REST DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI. The Cherokee speak of DRIVING OFF THE MOON-EYED PEOPLE who would only come out at night and feared the light. In these cases, it would appear that the masses rebelled, rather than God striking them down ("as in the Peruvian tale above").

"David Cusick, a Tuscorora [sic] by birth, writes in 1825 that among the legends of ancient stock, there was a powerful tribe called RONNONGWETOWANCA. They were giants, and had a "considerable habitation." He says that when the Great Spirit made the people, some of them became giants. The giants were said to have had a "silly" mode of attack, waiting until their intended victim was not expecting anything. After a time, and having endured the outrages of these giants, it is said that the people ended together, and through the final force of about 800 warriors, SUCCESSFULLY ANNIHILATED ALL OF THE ABHORRENT RONNONGWETOWANCA PEOPLE. After that, it was said that there were no giants anywhere. This was supposed to have happened around 2,500 winters before Columbus discovered America, i.e. around 1000 B.C.E.-the time that the Adena seem to have arrive in the Ohio Valley."

Bible: "The people of the ancient world accepted the presence of giants as a fact of history, and the Bible presents them as ENEMIES WHO WERE DESTROYED EITHER BY THE JUDGMENT OF GOD OR IN BATTLE WITH MEN."

In the case of David the shepherd in the Bible, HE SLEW GOLIATH THE GIANT WITH A STONE IN HIS SLINGSHOT.

Og of Bashan was a giant SLEWED BY MOSES AND HIS MEN.

In the story of the Iliad, the Trojans were assumed to be from another land, a different language than the Greeks, but understandable by association with perhaps some Indo-European dialect (interestingly Indo-Europeans had fair coloring, long narrow faces, long limbs) and were described as giants. These giants were brought down with what came to be called a "Trojan Horse" during the lengthy war with the Greeks. The giant horse was given as a gesture of capitulation to the giants who then partied and had fun to celebrate their winning the war, only to have the ENEMY SOLDIERS DESCENDING FROM THE HORSE AND ATTACKING THEM AT THEIR WEAKEST.

DEATH VALLEY

In descriptions of the giants of Death Valley supposedly found by a man in early 1900s in caves, the description of a giant hall of mummified giants was quite detailed and intriguing. The man described a chamber that looked like a meeting of all the warriors and they were mummified. HE ASSUMED THEY HAD TO HAVE DIED ALL TOGETHER SUDDENLY.

What we have to go on is a population of skeletons that were carefully buried in mounds and caves with their possessions, so there were tribes that cared for each member's eternal passage. But, what happened to those who served that purpose of burying others? Someone had to bury them or did they just retreat to a secret place to die along and their bones never be found? When did the last surviving giant pass? Or did they go to some hidden safe place?

CONCLUSION

It's intriguing to see that, even in the most ancient times, most remote locations, Native legend and religious texts, and mythology; all portray a giant culture that they had to deal with. This is not a coincidence or some make believe about dealing with strong foes. This is truth telling. There were giants and man around the world had to deal with this aggressive and powerful beings.

The question now becomes, what became of these giants? If it had been cataclysm, Homo sapiens would have been felled, as well.

It would seem there are two most likely scenarios; one is that the giants simply bred out of the population, unable to hybridize, perhaps difficulty with fertility and birthing, they simply went the way of Neanderthals, and the other possibility is that they still exist today in the descendants or people we refer to as Sasquatch.

The Paiutes had reported the red-haired giants as having the hair all over. This adds a new dimension to these tall beings from the past. The Northwest Natives, who elongated the skulls of tribe members, happened to have many legends of a hairy tall man.

We have a country in which we have many sightings of giants and also many bones of giants. We also have Native legends of killing giants and driving off the rest. Now, we have giants who rigidly work to avoid us short folks. We also have an interesting correlation between places bones were found and giants are seen today - hmmm....

MORE INFO:

All the Giants from the Bible

Death Valley Giants

Who were the trojans?

Ancient Giants in Warfare

Giants in mythology

Ancient War in America

Native account of tribes origins in Ohio Valley

Progress And Witches Discussion Group

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Reference: practicing-wicca.blogspot.com