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Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Amr Diab - Father of Mediterranean Music?
Amr Abdol-Basset Abdol-Azeez Diab (Arabic: عمرو عبد الباسط عبد العزيز دياب; born October 11, 1961) is an Egyptian singer and composer of geel music; the contemporary face of Egyptian el-geel pop music, according to World Music. Diab is the best-selling Arab recording artist of all time, according to Let's Go Egypt. He was awarded the World Music Award for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist four times: 1998, 2002, 2007 and 2009.He is currently one of the top singers in the Arab world, and considered a living legend by many of his fans in the Arab world.
Amr Diab is known as the Father of Mediterranean Music. He has created his own style which is often termed "Mediterranean Music" or "Mediterranean Sound", a blend of Western and Egyptian rhythms.
In The Mediterranean in Music, David Cooper and Kevin Dawe referred to his music as "the new breed of Mediterranean music".
According to author Michael Frishkopf, Amr Diab has produced a new concept of Mediterranean music, especially in his international hit, "Nour El Ain".
In his analysis of The Very Best of Amr Diab album, Victor W. Valdivia of Allmusic said: "His music melded traditional Arabic sounds and textures with Western rhythms and instruments. The mesh was dubbed Mediterranean music, and The Very Best of Amr Diab displays Diab's superb skill in creating it."
According to the BBC, Diab "has ruled the Arab music world, especially Egypt and the Middle East, since the mid '80s, continually breaking sales records". Wikipedia
amr diab - habibi ya nour al ain by kareem93
http://abdbda.deviantart.com/art/Amr-Diab-172209595
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Direct line to God
An Australian decided to write a book about famous churches around the world. So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to England thinking that he would start by working his way across Europe.
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read "$10,000.00 per call".
The Australian, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for.
The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000.00 you could talk to God.
The Australian thanked the priest and went on his way.
Next stop was in France. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in England and he asked a nearby nun what its purpose was.
She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000.00 he could talk to God.
"O.K., thank you," said the Australian.
He then travelled to Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Czech Republic.
In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$10,000.00 per call" sign under it. The Australian, upon leaving the Netherlands, decided to travel to Greece to see if Greeks had the same phone.
He arrived in Greece, and again, in the first church he entered, there was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read, "40 cents per call."
The Australian was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign.
"Father, I've travelled all over Europe and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to Heaven, but in all of Europe the price was $10,000 per call.
Why is it so cheap here?"
The priest smiled and answered,
"You're in Greece now, my son - it's a local call."
http://globalgreekworld.blogspot.com/2010/04/global-greek-humour-youre-in-greece-now.html#ixzz1hhZJzKeo
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Snow brings Greece to a standstill
Hundreds of drivers remained trapped on Friday as a cold front of heavy snowfall and gale-force winds swept across several parts of central and northern Greece.
Emergency crews rescued more than 1,000 drivers trapped along the Egnatia Highway near the towns of Kozani and Grevana, but hundreds more remained confined to their cars.
Authorities opened up schools to host the vast amount of people who would otherwise have been forced to spend the night in their vehicles near the town of Kozani, in northern Greece.
Kilometre-long queues were reported on the motorway along Lamia as drivers had to reduce their speed or stop to fit snow chains.
Meanwhile, power cuts were reported in 15 villages near the town of Konitsa, 9 near Tsoumenka and 20 near the town of Karditsa, while schools in Kastoria, Grevena, Florina and Kozani were closed to students.
The sudden wintry weather, with strong winds and low temperatures, struck late on Wednesday as many people prepared to leave the Greek capital and head towards their hometowns, villages and islands for the Christmas break.
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/239239-Hundreds-trapped-as-snowfall-brings-part-of-Greece-to-standstill
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1344202/Pictures-snowman-built-Big-Freeze-An-inspiration-time.html
Emergency crews rescued more than 1,000 drivers trapped along the Egnatia Highway near the towns of Kozani and Grevana, but hundreds more remained confined to their cars.
Authorities opened up schools to host the vast amount of people who would otherwise have been forced to spend the night in their vehicles near the town of Kozani, in northern Greece.
Kilometre-long queues were reported on the motorway along Lamia as drivers had to reduce their speed or stop to fit snow chains.
Meanwhile, power cuts were reported in 15 villages near the town of Konitsa, 9 near Tsoumenka and 20 near the town of Karditsa, while schools in Kastoria, Grevena, Florina and Kozani were closed to students.
The sudden wintry weather, with strong winds and low temperatures, struck late on Wednesday as many people prepared to leave the Greek capital and head towards their hometowns, villages and islands for the Christmas break.
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/239239-Hundreds-trapped-as-snowfall-brings-part-of-Greece-to-standstill
White Xmas in Australia?
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/melbournes-west-hit-by-hailstones-but-new-years-eve-is-looking-hot/story-e6frf7jx-1226230231119
HAILSTONES the size of cricket balls, flash-flooding, planes diverted and flights postponed, power lost from homes, major transport delays and a tornado to top things off - that was Christmas Day in Melbourne.
Much of Victoria copped the extremes - from steamy, sultry weather for Christmas lunch to severe storms that left many residents struggling to compare them with anything in memory.
The volunteers who staff the State Emergency Service had little time to digest their lunch when the calls for help started arriving.
Melton, on Melbourne's western fringes, was the first to report hailstones at 3.30pm (AEDT).
Then the skies exploded over greater Melbourne, as lightning strikes, loud cracks of thunder, torrential rain and hailstones hammered the city.
By 9pm the SES had handled more than 2000 calls for assistance, mainly damage caused by hailstones to skylights and windows.
It may be a few days before the damage to motor vehicles can be assessed.
Much of Victoria remained at risk this evening, with severe weather warnings for Melbourne city fringe areas including Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Yarra Glen, Healesville, east of Mt Dandenong and south of Kinglake. Warnings were also issued for regional Victorian areas including Mildura, Horsham, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Geelong, Melbourne, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
And storm warnings were also issued for southern New South Wales and the ACT. The weather bureau said areas that could be affected included Canberra, Goulburn, Yass, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Cobar, Wentworth and Balranald.
SES spokesman Lachlan Quick said reinforcements from SES branches in the Victoria's western districts would be drafted in on Monday to help with the huge clean-up in the north and northwest parts of the state.
He said most of the calls concerned smashed windows and skylights.
"There was a tornado reported at Fiskville and we know it touched down at Keilor Downs because we had some SES volunteers there and they had to run for shelter," Mr Quick said.
Bicycle paths along the Yarra will be closed on Monday as the river swells with floodwater.
Powercor, which provides electricity for those living in Melbourne's and the state's west, including Bendigo and Ballarat, reported more than 3300 people without power at 9pm along with damage to lines and power poles.
At Melbourne Airport international and domestic flights were diverted to Sydney because of strong winds and lightning, while planes that were due to fly out were grounded.
Passengers urged to contact their airline or the airport for further information.
Metro, which runs the Melbourne's train services, was warning commuters to expect major delays, with most lines disrupted, and had advised people to defer non-essential travel.
It said many of its pedestrian subways were under water.
VicRoads was reporting many roads closed in the worst-hit areas northwest of Melbourne because of flooding.
At Lilydale, in Melbourne's east, flooding caused the closure of the Warburton Highway.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a minor flood warning at 8.30pm for the Merri Creek at Coburg and Fitzroy, saying the creek was rising quickly in those suburbs.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Candles in the Orthodox Church
Question: Why do we light candles in the Orthodox Church?
Answer: There are typically two types of candles that Orthodox are familiar with. First there are the genuine pure beeswax candles made from the combs of hives. Secondly, there are the paraffin wax candles made from petroleum. When the Fathers of the Church speak of the Orthodox use of candles, they are referring to the pure beeswax candles and not the latter. Paraffin wax produces carcinogens and soot when burned. In fact, one air quality researcher stated that the soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.
With this information in mind, we can better understand the six symbolic representations of lit candles handed down to us by Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki:
1. As the candle is pure (pure beeswax), so also should our hearts be pure.
2. As the pure candle is supple (as opposed to the paraffin), so also should our souls be supple until we make it straight and firm in the gospel.
3. As the pure candle is derived from the pollen of a flower and has a sweet scent, so also should our souls have the sweet aroma of Divine Grace.
4. As the candle, when it burns, mixes with and feeds the flame, so also we can struggle to achieve theosis.
5. As the burning candle illuminates the darkness, so must the light of Christ within us shine before men that God's name be glorified.
6. As the candle gives its own light to illuminate a man in the darkness, so also must the light of the virtues, the light of love and peace, characterize a Christian. The wax that melts symbolizes the flame of our love for our fellow men.
Besides the six symbolic representation above, Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite gives us six different reasons why Orthodox light candles:
1. To glorify God, who is Light, as we chant in the Doxology: "Glory to God who has shown forth the light..."
2. To dissolve the darkness of the night and to banish away the fear which is brought on by the darkness.
3. To manifest the inner joy of our soul.
4. To bestow honor to the saints of our Faith, imitating the early Christians of the first centuries who lit candles at the tombs of the martyrs.
5. To symbolize our good works, as the Lord said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens." The priest also gave us this charge following our baptism.
6. To have our own sins forgiven and burned away, as well as the sins of those for whom we pray.
For all these reasons cited by our Holy Fathers, let us often light our candles and make sure as much as possible that they be pure candles. We should abstain from all corruption and uncleanness, so that all of the above symbolism is made real in our Christian lives.
At one point during the Presanctified Divine Liturgy the liturgist holds a lit candle, and facing the people he proclaims: "The light of Christ shines on all". Christ is "the true light who enlightens and sanctifies all men". Are we worthy recipients of this light? The saints themselves constantly sought after this light. Let us then also imitate the saints and like Saint Gregory Palamas continuously supplicate the Lord in the following words: "Enlighten my darkness".
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/02/use-of-candles-in-orthodox-church.html
Answer: There are typically two types of candles that Orthodox are familiar with. First there are the genuine pure beeswax candles made from the combs of hives. Secondly, there are the paraffin wax candles made from petroleum. When the Fathers of the Church speak of the Orthodox use of candles, they are referring to the pure beeswax candles and not the latter. Paraffin wax produces carcinogens and soot when burned. In fact, one air quality researcher stated that the soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.
With this information in mind, we can better understand the six symbolic representations of lit candles handed down to us by Saint Symeon of Thessaloniki:
1. As the candle is pure (pure beeswax), so also should our hearts be pure.
2. As the pure candle is supple (as opposed to the paraffin), so also should our souls be supple until we make it straight and firm in the gospel.
3. As the pure candle is derived from the pollen of a flower and has a sweet scent, so also should our souls have the sweet aroma of Divine Grace.
4. As the candle, when it burns, mixes with and feeds the flame, so also we can struggle to achieve theosis.
5. As the burning candle illuminates the darkness, so must the light of Christ within us shine before men that God's name be glorified.
6. As the candle gives its own light to illuminate a man in the darkness, so also must the light of the virtues, the light of love and peace, characterize a Christian. The wax that melts symbolizes the flame of our love for our fellow men.
Besides the six symbolic representation above, Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorite gives us six different reasons why Orthodox light candles:
1. To glorify God, who is Light, as we chant in the Doxology: "Glory to God who has shown forth the light..."
2. To dissolve the darkness of the night and to banish away the fear which is brought on by the darkness.
3. To manifest the inner joy of our soul.
4. To bestow honor to the saints of our Faith, imitating the early Christians of the first centuries who lit candles at the tombs of the martyrs.
5. To symbolize our good works, as the Lord said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens." The priest also gave us this charge following our baptism.
6. To have our own sins forgiven and burned away, as well as the sins of those for whom we pray.
For all these reasons cited by our Holy Fathers, let us often light our candles and make sure as much as possible that they be pure candles. We should abstain from all corruption and uncleanness, so that all of the above symbolism is made real in our Christian lives.
At one point during the Presanctified Divine Liturgy the liturgist holds a lit candle, and facing the people he proclaims: "The light of Christ shines on all". Christ is "the true light who enlightens and sanctifies all men". Are we worthy recipients of this light? The saints themselves constantly sought after this light. Let us then also imitate the saints and like Saint Gregory Palamas continuously supplicate the Lord in the following words: "Enlighten my darkness".
http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/02/use-of-candles-in-orthodox-church.html
Xmas in Greece
Christmas in Greece
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon on board.
On Christmas Eve small boys to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts.
After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo or "Christ Bread". This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession.
Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house.
There is a tradition kallikantzeri, where the mischievous goblins appear from the earth during the 12 days of Christmas.
At Christmas very few presents are given to each other. Instead, small gifts are given to hospitals and orphanages.
Priests sometimes go from house to house sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits who may be hiding in people's houses.
In most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with tinsel and a star placed on top. Gifts are exchanged on January 1st, St Basil's Day.
On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table. Figs, dried on rooftops are served with the spicy golden Chrisopsomo bread.
As people are they greet one another by saying Hronia polla or many happy years. The table filled with food may include such dishes as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie.
http://www.santas.net/favorites.htm
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon on board.
On Christmas Eve small boys to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts.
After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo or "Christ Bread". This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession.
Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house.
There is a tradition kallikantzeri, where the mischievous goblins appear from the earth during the 12 days of Christmas.
At Christmas very few presents are given to each other. Instead, small gifts are given to hospitals and orphanages.
Priests sometimes go from house to house sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits who may be hiding in people's houses.
In most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with tinsel and a star placed on top. Gifts are exchanged on January 1st, St Basil's Day.
On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table. Figs, dried on rooftops are served with the spicy golden Chrisopsomo bread.
As people are they greet one another by saying Hronia polla or many happy years. The table filled with food may include such dishes as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie.
http://www.santas.net/favorites.htm
Tracking Santa Claus Online
Countdown to Track Santa
Welcome to the North Pole! Santa’s helpers are getting gifts ready for delivery to the good boys and girls around the world. Can you find which shop in the village is busiest today? When you do, click on that shop to discover a fun activity inside!
Why we track Santa
For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.
Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In addition, we now track Santa using the Internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website.
Finally, media from all over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa’s journey.
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track3d.html
Welcome to the North Pole! Santa’s helpers are getting gifts ready for delivery to the good boys and girls around the world. Can you find which shop in the village is busiest today? When you do, click on that shop to discover a fun activity inside!
Why we track Santa
For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.
Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In addition, we now track Santa using the Internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website.
Finally, media from all over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa’s journey.
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track3d.html
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Countdown 2011 - Find out how many days until Christmas 2011
Christmas Countdown 2011 - Find out how many days until Christmas 2011: Set www.xmasclock.com as your homepage to count the number of days until Christmas 2011!
New Zealand rocked by earthquake AGAIN
New Zealand's Christchurch was rocked by a fresh series of powerful earthquakes on Friday, sending terrified people fleeing into the streets 10 months after a devastating quake claimed 181 lives.
Two shallow quakes of magnitude 5.8 and 5.9 and a series of aftershocks struck as malls were packed with afternoon Christmas shoppers, sending stock tumbling from the shelves and turning the festive mood to panic.
The quakes, which temporarily closed the international airport and disrupted communications, were the latest in a series that began 15 months ago and have destroyed much of the inner-city.
Local news media reported people fleeing in fear as the quake and a series of aftershocks rattled the city, leading to liquefaction and flooding in some suburbs worst hit by previous earthquakes.
Liquefaction is caused when shaking loosens the bonds between soil particles, turning the ground into a quagmire.
"It was very frightening there for a wee moment," one resident, Brian Cornish, told National Radio.
"Everybody out in the car park was flung on the ground, liquefaction started up in the car park, the building rocked like crazy, all the cars were bouncing up and down on their springs."
"You can't underestimate the ongoing stress this has created for people," Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said, while Prime Minister John Key described the impact as "frightening and disheartening" for the beleaguered residents.
The lives of people in New Zealand's second largest city have been shattered by a series of earthquakes that began in September last year when a 7.0 tremor struck.
That quake caused widespread destruction but because it hit just before dawn there were few casualties.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/powerful-quakes-rock-zealands-christchurch-033016584.html
Two shallow quakes of magnitude 5.8 and 5.9 and a series of aftershocks struck as malls were packed with afternoon Christmas shoppers, sending stock tumbling from the shelves and turning the festive mood to panic.
The quakes, which temporarily closed the international airport and disrupted communications, were the latest in a series that began 15 months ago and have destroyed much of the inner-city.
Local news media reported people fleeing in fear as the quake and a series of aftershocks rattled the city, leading to liquefaction and flooding in some suburbs worst hit by previous earthquakes.
Liquefaction is caused when shaking loosens the bonds between soil particles, turning the ground into a quagmire.
"It was very frightening there for a wee moment," one resident, Brian Cornish, told National Radio.
"Everybody out in the car park was flung on the ground, liquefaction started up in the car park, the building rocked like crazy, all the cars were bouncing up and down on their springs."
"You can't underestimate the ongoing stress this has created for people," Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said, while Prime Minister John Key described the impact as "frightening and disheartening" for the beleaguered residents.
The lives of people in New Zealand's second largest city have been shattered by a series of earthquakes that began in September last year when a 7.0 tremor struck.
That quake caused widespread destruction but because it hit just before dawn there were few casualties.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/powerful-quakes-rock-zealands-christchurch-033016584.html
Chiron in Pisces 2010 - 2019
On April 21 Chiron leaves Aquarius for the sign of Pisces. In its role as the Wounded Healer, Chiron shows where are deepest wounds lie, and where we will find the keys to healing. A soul that has experienced the intensity of experience in emotional or physical pain has an opportunity to gain greater wisdom and a depth of consciousness and awareness by delving deep into the wound that is not available without these experiences. Chiron is the guide on this journey, giving us the courage to open our hearts despite the fear and pain that may make this process excrutiatingly difficult in some cases.
While Chiron was in Aquarius from 2005 until next year (Chiron will retrograde back into Aquarius in July to complete the process) we have seen the ways in which technology, one of the domains of Aquarius, has created wounds and intensified experiences of loneliness and isolation in the midst of 1,000 Facebook friends. Aquarius, with its double rulership of Saturn (rules and isolation) and Uranus (the collective) has a tendency to become somewhat disconnected from the heart and soul, living primarily in the head and the realm of thoughts and ideas.
The period of Chiron traveling through Aquarius completes itself with an opposition between those two planets (Saturn and Uranus), intensifying the stress between the solid forms that hold society together (Saturn) and the revolutionary new ideas that bring about change (Uranus). Under this influence we have seen both an obsessive need to change the status quo, and a fear of change that results in violent backlash.
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and it represents a completion of sorts. In Pisces, everything is thrown into the "celestial dustbin," as Liz Greene says, and we surrender to the mists of an experience that dissolves both Saturnian and Uranian reality into something more transcendent and, ideally, more pure. Under the Pisces influence we often throw ourselves to the winds, eagerly willing to sacrifice our individual pain for the bliss of Universal consciousness. This urge for self-sacrifice can, at its worst, exalt the concept of martyrdom and convert it to victimhood. The challenge is to find the rapture of transcendence and surrender without losing ourselves in the process.
Chiron was last in Pisces from 1962-1968, and it's impossible to separate the effects of this planetary cycle from the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto which occurred during the same time period. But we can certainly see how the growing drug culture at that time (Chiron in Pisces) affected the social transformation of the era (Uranus/Pluto). Chiron in Pisces runs the risk of addictive behavior which may appear as a shortcut to the desired transcendent experience that helps to dissolve pain and sufering.
With Chiron in Pisces for the next nine years or so, the last stage of healing occurs at the soul level. This process began last year with the conjunction of Chiron and Neptune, the ruler of Pisces. Under this combination many of us were intensely aware of the longings of the soul within. Memories of past loves; mourning for those we've lost -- all took on a more profound meaning as the doorway to the soul opened under Neptune's guidance so that the healing of Chiron could begin to do its work. The Chironic healing process involves going back to the core wounds and exposing them to the air so that they can become healed. It's not an easy process and requires a fair amount of courage, but when the healing is complete we gain a level of wisdom and cellular integration that is not otherwise possible.
While Chiron travels through Pisces there is a danger of falling into Piscean illusion which we often attempt as a shortcut on the way to spiritual bliss. Because of the tendency of Pisces to seek martyrdom and sacrifice, there is the danger of becoming lost IN the pain during the Chironic healing process rather than going THROUGH the pain as required. The Neptunian influence of Pisces tends to blur the boundaries of our relationships with others, so another danger of Chiron's trip through Pisces is that of a codependent process of healing others rather than ourselves.
Chiron represents the wound that we carry with us throughout our life - it never leaves us, which makes it tempting to try to heal the wounds of others instead. This kind of transference is not only ineffective, it can be dangerous and pollutes our relationships while preventing the soul integration that is necessary for our own healing. If we are careful not to get lost in the glamour that makes up the realm of Pisces and Neptune, there is tremendous potential during the Chiron trip through Pisces for a growing spiritual awareness and an integration of Universal consciousness into our own beings. This is the process that will carry us through any stress that results in the Cardinal alignments coming up over the next three years.
As our world shifts and changes around us, Chiron continues to facilitate the growing conversation between our inner Selves and the person that we think we are, enhancing our own experience of wholeness and, ultimately, bliss.
http://www.astrodynamics.net/Articles/Cycles/Transformation-of-2012.htm
While Chiron was in Aquarius from 2005 until next year (Chiron will retrograde back into Aquarius in July to complete the process) we have seen the ways in which technology, one of the domains of Aquarius, has created wounds and intensified experiences of loneliness and isolation in the midst of 1,000 Facebook friends. Aquarius, with its double rulership of Saturn (rules and isolation) and Uranus (the collective) has a tendency to become somewhat disconnected from the heart and soul, living primarily in the head and the realm of thoughts and ideas.
The period of Chiron traveling through Aquarius completes itself with an opposition between those two planets (Saturn and Uranus), intensifying the stress between the solid forms that hold society together (Saturn) and the revolutionary new ideas that bring about change (Uranus). Under this influence we have seen both an obsessive need to change the status quo, and a fear of change that results in violent backlash.
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and it represents a completion of sorts. In Pisces, everything is thrown into the "celestial dustbin," as Liz Greene says, and we surrender to the mists of an experience that dissolves both Saturnian and Uranian reality into something more transcendent and, ideally, more pure. Under the Pisces influence we often throw ourselves to the winds, eagerly willing to sacrifice our individual pain for the bliss of Universal consciousness. This urge for self-sacrifice can, at its worst, exalt the concept of martyrdom and convert it to victimhood. The challenge is to find the rapture of transcendence and surrender without losing ourselves in the process.
Chiron was last in Pisces from 1962-1968, and it's impossible to separate the effects of this planetary cycle from the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto which occurred during the same time period. But we can certainly see how the growing drug culture at that time (Chiron in Pisces) affected the social transformation of the era (Uranus/Pluto). Chiron in Pisces runs the risk of addictive behavior which may appear as a shortcut to the desired transcendent experience that helps to dissolve pain and sufering.
With Chiron in Pisces for the next nine years or so, the last stage of healing occurs at the soul level. This process began last year with the conjunction of Chiron and Neptune, the ruler of Pisces. Under this combination many of us were intensely aware of the longings of the soul within. Memories of past loves; mourning for those we've lost -- all took on a more profound meaning as the doorway to the soul opened under Neptune's guidance so that the healing of Chiron could begin to do its work. The Chironic healing process involves going back to the core wounds and exposing them to the air so that they can become healed. It's not an easy process and requires a fair amount of courage, but when the healing is complete we gain a level of wisdom and cellular integration that is not otherwise possible.
While Chiron travels through Pisces there is a danger of falling into Piscean illusion which we often attempt as a shortcut on the way to spiritual bliss. Because of the tendency of Pisces to seek martyrdom and sacrifice, there is the danger of becoming lost IN the pain during the Chironic healing process rather than going THROUGH the pain as required. The Neptunian influence of Pisces tends to blur the boundaries of our relationships with others, so another danger of Chiron's trip through Pisces is that of a codependent process of healing others rather than ourselves.
Chiron represents the wound that we carry with us throughout our life - it never leaves us, which makes it tempting to try to heal the wounds of others instead. This kind of transference is not only ineffective, it can be dangerous and pollutes our relationships while preventing the soul integration that is necessary for our own healing. If we are careful not to get lost in the glamour that makes up the realm of Pisces and Neptune, there is tremendous potential during the Chiron trip through Pisces for a growing spiritual awareness and an integration of Universal consciousness into our own beings. This is the process that will carry us through any stress that results in the Cardinal alignments coming up over the next three years.
As our world shifts and changes around us, Chiron continues to facilitate the growing conversation between our inner Selves and the person that we think we are, enhancing our own experience of wholeness and, ultimately, bliss.
http://www.astrodynamics.net/Articles/Cycles/Transformation-of-2012.htm
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Bradino Sinialo - Vicky Mosholiou
Ξεθωριάζουνε τα χρώματα της μέρας
μόνη συντροφιά μου ο αέρας
και καθώς η νύχτα φτάνει
με τρομάζει τίποτα πια τώρα δεν αλλάζει
Σ' έχω δίπλα μου μονάχα με τη σκέψη
σ' ό,τι πίστεψα κι είχα λατρέψει
μαγικό κλειδί ν' ανοίξεις τα όνειρά μου
να βρω τα χαμένα τα φτερά μου
Βραδινό σινιάλο έρημου φάρου
Σε ζητώ στην καύτρα του τσιγάρου
Απ' τα χείλη σου να κρέμομαι μ' αφήνεις
Κι ύστερα μεμιάς την πόρτα κλείνεις
Μια γεννιέμαι, δύο ζω και τρεις πεθαίνω
αδιάφορα η μοίρα μου σφυρίζει
του ολέθρου μου τη σκάλα κατεβαίνω
κατεβαίνει κι' η μισή σου μέρα αγγίζει
Δραπετεύουν οι ελπίδες μου το σκάνε
έχουν κουραστεί να τριγυρνάνε
κι εγώ βρίσκομαι στο μάτι του κυκλώνα
ζώντας μεσ' στην άνοιξη χειμώνα
Βραδινό σινιάλο έρημου φάρου
Σε ζητώ στην καύτρα του τσιγάρου
Απ' τα χείλη σου να κρέμομαι μ' αφήνεις
Κι ύστερα μεμιάς την πόρτα κλείνεις
Monday, December 19, 2011
Latin Moon - Mia Martina
Mia Martina (born 21 January 1984) is a Canadian artist from Saint-Ignace, New Brunswick and is signed to CP Records. She has been working in the studio with Belly and RyanDan on her upcoming debut album titled Devotion, due for release on August 30, 2011. Her first single release was a cover version of Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina's "Stereo Love". It reached #10 in the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 in November 2010 and also reached platinum sales. In late 2010, Don Omar collaborated with Mia Martina to release a remix version of "Stereo Love".
Her second single, "Latin Moon" was released May 10, 2011 and has already cracked the iTunes Top 100 chart reaching #3 on the dance charts. There is a French version of "Latin Moon" (Phare de la Lune), as well as an official remix with R&B artist Massari. That same day, Tune-Adkits released a new single "Summer Love" ft. Mia Martina [2] Martina was also featured on the song "Dream Catcher" from Danny Fernandes' second album AutomaticLUV. Mia Martina's debut album DEVOTION is slated for release on August 29th, via CP Records.
Her second single, "Latin Moon" was released May 10, 2011 and has already cracked the iTunes Top 100 chart reaching #3 on the dance charts. There is a French version of "Latin Moon" (Phare de la Lune), as well as an official remix with R&B artist Massari. That same day, Tune-Adkits released a new single "Summer Love" ft. Mia Martina [2] Martina was also featured on the song "Dream Catcher" from Danny Fernandes' second album AutomaticLUV. Mia Martina's debut album DEVOTION is slated for release on August 29th, via CP Records.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Evolutionary Astrologer Tom Jacobs
In this video, Evolutionary Astrologer, Medium, and Channel Tom Jacobs offers an explanation of integrating past life parts and why it is important, and then presents a contrast with soul retrieval, the traditional shamanic practice of locating and returning fragmented parts of self.
NEPTUNE AND US
Neptune is the planet of truth and illusion. It allows us to connect to higher realms and other dimensions, as well as escape the truth of what’s in front of us.
Isn’t that interesting? We can see the truth and be changed by it, or we can spend a ton of energy turning away from it and keeping it out.
Why we turn away from it is all about finding the truth of something – usually ourselves – too much to deal with. We can feel overwhelmed by seeing the capital-T truth behind something that’s going on.
In my experience, I’ve had to make space and time to deal with the reality of seeing what I see when I have Neptunian times. It takes energy but not like any other kind – sitting still to open to be fine with seeing something bigger than me, or feeling it, or looking into its eyes.
Today Neptune goes direct after its annual 5-month retrograde period. It has for that time appeared to move backward in the sky from our perspective. This means that its influence on us has worked in some way other than normal for 5 months. Now it’s ready to get back on with the regular way it affects us.
Stations, when a planet appears to be changing direction, offer the opportunity to see into a part of life and ourselves deeply. More deeply in fact than when it is in motion – direct or retrograde.
Look to where Neptune is transiting your natal chart now to see the opportunity you have to open to some higher truth and perhaps bring it through to this dimension.
Neptune ends its transit of Aquarius on February 3, 2012. Now that it’s direct, it’s the end of the line. We’ve had the chance to allow mental constructs to erode, as well as conceptions of difference. Many of us have been able to see and sense more truth inside and around ourselves. This has been good, but the natural next step is for it to enter Pisces.
How can we understand the planet of illusion/deception and truth entering its own sign? See my site here for info on an mp3 that explains Neptune’s 14-year transit in Pisces that begins February 3, 2012. It’s an exciting time for individuals and for us all, and the potency of Neptune entering its own sign deserves our attention.
Tom Jacobs is an evolutionary astrologer, medium, and channel offering insight into why your soul is here and guidance about how to make it happen. Contact him to set up a private session. See his site for information on his three original natal reports, and numerous MP3s on astrology and channeled material.
Each of his eight books including the new Conscious Revolution: Tools for 2012 and Beyond is available as paperback and e-book between his site, Amazon, and Kindle.
Each of his eight books including the new Conscious Revolution: Tools for 2012 and Beyond is available as paperback and e-book between his site, Amazon, and Kindle.
Karma is Negotiable
Karma is Negotiable
Destiny and the Divine Power of Love
Although the word "karma” is Sanskrit and is associated with Eastern religions, it simply refers to the law of cause and effect. Karma is not blind destiny or divine judgment, but is the principle the describes the natural reverberation that emerges from every action, whether that action is physical, emotion, mental, or spiritual.
Suffering and pain are not punishment from a tyrant God, nor are they "normal” or mere "coincidence.” When we truly understand the law of action and consequence, we can see that our lives are a result of our own moment to moment ignorance of the effects of our actions. We create our own suffering, therefore, we can create our own happiness instead, if we know how. No matter what religion or background we come from, through conscious action from moment to moment, we can originate a new set of causes, which in turn will generate a new set of results. This is how we can revolutionize our life. The power to change is in our hands.
- Useful for followers of any spiritual tradition
- Gives practical methods to change our lives today
- Supported by solid science and authentic spiritual traditions
About the Author
Nikias Annas, whose Greek name means "victory to divine compassion," studied all major religions before discovering the Gnostic tradition of Samael Aun Weor, which radically transformed his life and gave him the keys to experiencing the reality of those religions for himself. This book is his way of showing his gratitude.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Greek Orthodox Calendar of Holidays & Fasts
In answer to numerous requests from readers, the rule of fasting is given for each day of the year. Where no indication of fast is given, and during "fast-free weeks," all foods may be eaten (except during Cheese-fare Week, when meat alone is forbidden every day). Where "fast day" is indicated alone, the fast is a strict one, with no meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine or oil to be eaten. Where, underneath "fast day," is indicated "wine and oil allowed," the fast is relaxed for the sake of a feast day or vigil, to allow eating of these foods. Where "fish, wine and oil allowed" is indicated, then all three of these foods may be eaten.
The rule of fasting, which is dependent on the Church's cycle of feasts and fasts, is contained in the Church's Typicon, chiefly in chapters 32 and 33, and is repeated in the appropriate places of the Divine service books, the Menaia and Triodion. In general, fast days for Orthodox Christians are all Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year (except for fast-free periods), the four canonical fast periods of Great Lent, Nativity Fast, Apostles' Fast, and Dormition Fast, and a few special days: the Exaltation of the Cross (September 14th) and the Beheading of the Forerunner (August 29th)—which, even though they are feast days, are also fast days (with wine and oil allowed) for the sake of the events commemorated thereon.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Wog Boys for Xmas
The legendary Wog Boys all boxed up for Xmas ;-)
Nick is an actor/writer/producer/
director & olive farmer.
Nick Giannopoulos is one of Australia’s most successful comedians. He has written, starred and produced stage shows,
sitcoms and movies.
After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Diploma of Arts in Dramatic Arts, Nick co-wrote and co-
devised the stage production Wogs Out of Work, which he then toured to huge success around Australia for three years from
1987-1990.
Nick’s first television project was the sit-com Acropolis Now, which he co-devised and developed. He also wrote 20 episodes
of the smash hit series, which ran for 63 episodes over four years on the Seven Network in Australia from 1989-92. It was
also sold to many other territories all over the world.
After Acropolis Now, Nick returned to his first love of the stage and opened the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in
1993 with Wogarama, which went on to tour the country for three years. He followed this with Wogboys, which he wrote,
directed and produced, and toured for three years.
In 2000, The Wog Boy, Nick’s first feature film was released, immediately breaking Australian box office records. The Wog
Boy took the highest opening weekend box office of any Australian film in history at its time of release.
The film won Nick the Comedy Star of the Year at the 55th Australian Movie Convention and he also secured his second Mo
Award for Best Comedy Performer of the Year.
The Wannabes, Nick’s second film that he also co-wrote, produced & directed, premiered in May 2003 at the Tribeca Film
Festival in New York. After it’s theatrical run it went on to win the award for highest selling Australian DVD title in
2003.
In 2004 Nick filmed the Olympics TV special 'Greece is the Word' for the Seven Network in Australia which was shown before
the opening ceremony and was watched by over 3 million people.
In 2010 Nick released his third feature film, The Kings of Mykonos: Wog Boy 2 which he co-wrote, produced and starred in.
Nick was born in Melbourne and grew up in Fitzroy & Richmond. His parents migrated from the southern Peloponnese in Greece
in the 1960s.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
if - kippling
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
http://angelsbeauty.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/the-love-timeline/
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
http://angelsbeauty.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/the-love-timeline/
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