Archaeology 201

Archaeologists today unearthed an unusual burial in Greece. A solid gold wreath, in addition to a set of human remains, was found in a clay pot, amongst other burials.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26455572/

Hmmmm . . . that’s interesting. This is where Archaeology is combined with detective work and logic. The typical burials in Greece, at about 500 B.C. were fairly elaborate. There was a ritual mourning period, funerary monument, and public burial.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dbag/hd_dbag.htm

Bodies were interred in a state of repose, never in jars or huddled down. The only culture that actually put bones into jars were the Tibetans. Even the Egyptians used canopic jars, but only to store body organs.

So, we have a jar, a gold wreath, and some remains. Typically, the gold wreath would symbolize rulership or a member of the royal family. The person burying the deceased had great reverence and respect for either folklore, customs, or the interred person (this is why the gold wreath was not plundered nor stolen by the caretaker). Radiocarbon dating would give us the relative date of the jar, and of the bones. In addition, the burial is fairly clandestine, since there were no similar burials nearby (no other remains in jars).

An educated wild guess would say that, this is a burial of a member of the royal lineage. Perhaps an heir, perhaps an illegitimate child. Perhaps there was fear that the decedent might be exhumed, this is why the burial was done in secret. It was someone important enough to place a gold wreath and hide the burial. But perhaps too provocative to bury openly, with the proper honors.

But again, this is just a guess. Why these remains were interred, along with a gold wreath . . . more than likely, we’ll never be sure . . .

S/F,
- Omar W. Rosales

Will the Real Bigfoot Please Stand Up?

So, there’s a hurricane in the Gulf, we leave to India next week, and I’m writing about Bigfoot. That sounds right about normal. We won’t mention my dreams of my friends the Lwa, but you get the idea.

It was revealed last week that the two gentlemen claiming to have captured Bigfoot and placed it in a large ice cooler were hucksters, propagating a less-than-compelling hoax upon the unsuspecting American public. Really? C’mon

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26298733/

So you mean to tell me two guys from the sticks didn’t manage to capture Bigfoot? That they failed to accomplish what no Explorer, Expedition Leader, Sherpa, Mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary, Backpacker, Hiker, Hunter, Soldier, Television Show, Reality Show, Journalist or other person has ever done? Duh!

Its always good to be a skeptic. You should always check your information. There’s a lot of gray areas when we deal with Social Sciences such as Humanities, Anthropology, and Archaeology. You should verify your sources. Some authors will actually appropriate cultural symbology and pass it off as their own. Worse, is when authors make up entire accounts of countries they’ve never been to, and fabricate the work of healers that don’t exist. Not only are they stealing another’s culture, they’re purposefully misleading. Its basically cultural theft combined with Plastic Shamanism.

There was no Walkabout in Australia, that yielded a Mutant Message. There’s no Sisterhood of the Shields, and there was no Don Juan. All these are invented shamans and fictional accounts. Which takes away from the real shamanic work and the sacrifice of real shamanic practitioners, who work to sustain indigenous culture and sacred religious traditions.

Please, do your research. Find out about shamans and indigenous healing traditions. Explore your world. But, don’t believe everything you see or hear . . .

- Omar W. Rosales

P.S. If you see Bigfoot, tell him I’ll meet him at that Fancy Restaurant called “I-HOP”

On Angels

A friend recently asked, “I'm studying angels, so what do you know?” Hmmmm, let’s see . . .

Angels are extremely powerful supernatural beings. On a day-to-day basis, and in your spiritual practice, one shouldn’t see angels nor want to see angels. Seeing angels usually symbolizes the presence of danger. And not all angels are holy.

The word ‘Angel’ comes from the Greek word ‘angelos’, which means messenger. In their communications with humanity, angels are usually messengers of God’s word – bringing important instructions, epiphanies, and messages. Physically, angels are said to be hermaphrodites, having both male and female sexual organs (non-functioning). Traditionally, angels don’t have eyes or souls. Some angels are also said to be resentful of human beings, because God placed humans above angels by giving the human beings a soul.

During the Middle Ages, scholars devoted years to figuring out Angels’ mysteries. Angels also are divided in Orders, which indicate their closeness to God. The orders are divided into spheres: First Sphere, Second Sphere, and Third Sphere. The First Sphere consists of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. In the Second Sphere, we find Dominions, Virtues, and Powers. In the Third Sphere are Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

The most widely-known types of angels are the Archangels, which represent God’s primary messengers to humankind. The four Archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. Archangel Michael is depicted with a flaming sword, and is said to be the commander of the Army of God. Michael (or Meek-e-el) means “Who is like God?” and was the war cry shouted as the War in Heaven began and the rebellious angels were cast down. According to legend, the Fifth Archangel grabbed Archangel Michael by the wings as Satanel was being cast out of heaven, but God intervened and saved Michael. The fallen angels became demons, destined to plague humanity until the End of Days, with the Morning Star as their terrible leader.

Archangel Michael is sometimes called ‘St. Michael’, but Archangel Michael was never a human being. Gabriel is the Angel of Death. Most biblical accounts refer to Gabriel as a fearful creature that would carry out the unmerciful will of God. To appease Gabriel, mystics would leave out food and say, “Upon him be Peace,” as Gabriel would appear, so as to subdue the angel. Gabriel is also said to be the final angel to blow his trumpet, in the End of Days, as the final plagues are unleashed upon humanity and the Earth. Accounts differ as to purpose and personalities of Raphael and Uriel.

Angels are said to have no Free Will or volition, but then this presents a dichotomy, because how do we explain the War in Heaven? Angels can appear as small sparks of light, but usually pass unseen by human beings, unless the angels allow themselves to be seen. Normally, you wouldn’t call upon angels for assistance in day-to-day life. They have very specific purposes, and usually don’t appear unless it’s a time of tribulation or danger.

The highest Angel is the Metatron. Metatron is the shortened Greek form of ‘meta thronons’ or ‘the one that sits behind the throne’. In Talamudic traditions, the Metatron is God’s scribe and the only other entity (besides God) that is allowed to sit down in heaven.

That’s basically about it. Personally, I’ve only seen an angel once in my lifetime. I was waking out of a deep sleep and saw one stand at the corner of my bedroom. It was amazing. I would say it was about 8 feet tall, enormous, glowing, in white robes, and with white-feathered wings. It was more incandescent, than fully physical and solid in form. I’m unsure if I was in danger, but I’m thankful for the being’s protection.


S/F,
- Omar W. Rosales

Meeting His Holiness, the Dalai Lama

Every once in awhile, fortune shines upon us and we receive a remarkable opportunity. This last week was extraordinary as we spent time with His Holiness, the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet. In Madison, WI for a Tenshug, or Long Life Ceremony, His Holiness provided us with an amazing glimpse into Tibetan Buddhism.

The week was filled with Tibetan food (momos and beef), language, dances, songs, ceremonies, customs, crafts, artwork – almost all the aspects of culture. The AP later reported that it was the largest gathering of Tibetans in the United States and Canada, ever.

As part of the ceremony we received the

Bodhisattva vows, teachings on Kamalashila, lectures on Santideva (pronounced Shawn-tee-de-va), long-life blessings, and questions and answers with His Holiness. We learned about the connection between Karma and Connectedness. That if you believe in Karma, then you must also acknowledge the dependent phenomena aspect, as well. Since one person’s actions bring about good or bad Karma, that resultant/ return Karma usually comes from another person. Thereby, Karma is connectedness since others’ return actions arise from our own Karma. (Get it?)

At the very end of the ceremony, we set up our crew close to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has very good skin tone, he looks very tan and fit. Most of the time, on TV, he looks extremely pale. But, he looked good. We spent the next several hours filming the Tibetan-only lectures and program. We heard from the Karshag or Tibetan Parliament, we heard from the Prime Minister on the state of Ministerial Departments, and we heard about the future of this great culture and people. It was a nascent democracy-in-action, it was a stepping stone for freedom as a small group of leaders met and planned the future for their struggling country. I thought about Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1789, the Magna Carta in 1215, and Ancient Greece - all places where democracy was formed and basic human rights flourished.

Religion, democracy, spirituality, culture, reincarnation, transcendence of the Soul – all these were discussed at the Tenshug. At the very end, His Holiness rose, he greeted us personally, and we greeted him. I had very interesting dreams that night. And that was the day we met the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet . . .

Tashi Delek!

S/F,

- Omar W. Rosales

Fake Skulls, Real Lies

Today, there was a news story about the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum discovering that the Crystal Skulls in their collection were not Pre-Columbian, but probably made in the 19^th Century. Duh!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/09/2298752.htm?site=science&topic=latest

Its been known for sometime in Archaeological circles, that the Crystal Skulls are not authentic. They are cut from quartz crystal, and are magnificent works-of-art, but they are not Mixtec, Mexica (Aztec), or Maya, Zapotec, or Olmec in origin. The skulls’ origin can be found in the shop of an Austrian glass cutter, c.1840, who was employed to produce a skull in crystal. The cutter found the job so profitable, that a few more skulls were made and sold to the highest biddesr. At the time, there was a resurgence in the interest of artifacts from MesoAmerica and Central America, as well as the Mexica and Maya civilizations.

A few crystal skulls have been found, that actually date from the Post-Classic Maya Civilization and Mexica Civilizations, but these artifacts are quite small and typically no larger than a golf ball. More importantly, religious elites at the time would never have allowed the veneration of such ritual artifacts, as a large crystal skull, because it would take away importance from Maya or Aztec ruling elite.

In MesoAmerica, we see the absorption of important religious symbology and iconography (including the sun god, and Quetzalcoatl) into the religious iconography utilized by the elites. The elites wanted to be associated with these deities, and even held ceremonies to closely associate themselves with these symbols. But, they did not allow the worship of these symbols outright. It was simply too powerful, too unstable, and too dangerous for the elite power structure to allow this type of worship as more emphasis would eventually be placed on the artifacts, than on the kings themselves. The only civilization that actively worshiped artifacts and/or worshiped the dead was the Inca. The Inca mummies had lands, voted in council meetings, and were given tribute. But this was the only culture to do this, even the Egyptians would subsequently break into prior Pharaoh’s tombs . . .

So of course, the Crystal Skulls were fakes. The religious elites of the Maya and Aztec Civilizations would never have allowed them to exist. Power, or the mythos of power, has to lie in the hands of the God-King, not the artifact. Because the artifact could be stolen, and the God-King replaced. Even if an artifact had power, the elites would never admit it. It would be too dangerous and threatening to the social structure – taking away power from the King.

The most powerful religious symbols were always hidden. Its interesting . . . fifteen hundred years later, has anything really changed?

S/F,

- OWR

The Future is Here! Hydrogen Cars Arrive . . .

Monday, June 16^th brought us an unexpected surprise. Honda announced the release of its Hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity. The Clarity is a concept-car made reality. Fueled by Hydrogen, its byproducts are oxygen, heat, and water.

Stylish and roomy, the Clarity provides us a glimpse of what the cars of the future may look like. Available only in SoCal, near the areas of Torrance and Santa Monica, the Clarity is being offered for the lease price of $600 per month.

Its always a good idea to do things that help the environment, from recycling plastic bags and cans, to buying recycled paper towels. Buddhists tell us that the Universe is made up of four elements – Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. And as we grow in technological prowess, we must maintain our commitment to our planet. Lest our creations overcome us. Bravo Honda!

S/F,
- OWR.

P.S. Our interview with Robert Thurman is posted here:

Question of the Week - Memorial Day

This week’s column is dedicated to the memory of those who have served their country. There are two major holidays in the United States that commemorate and recognize those with military service – Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Veterans Day, also known as ‘Armistice Day’ is held on the 11^th day of the 11^th month, to thank our nations’ veterans.

Armistice Day was the symbolic end of World War I – the War to End all Wars, and was observed on the 11^th minute of the 11^th hour, of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, or when the Allies and Germany ceased hostilities on the Western Front in 1918. Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954, by an act of Congress.

Memorial Day or ‘Decoration Day’ began in 1866 and was meant to honor Union Soldiers who died serving their country. After World II, recognition of Memorial Day became more widespread, and in 1968, the United States Congress decreed Memorial Day a national holiday.

For myself, Memorial Day also has a personal meaning.

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 1144-05
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 03, 2005
Media Contact: Marine Corps Public Affairs - (703) 614-4309 Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Major Gerald M. Bloomfield II, 38, of Ypsilanti, Michigan
Captain Michael D. Martino, 32, of Fairfax, Virginia

Both Marines died November 2, 2005, when their AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Both Marines were with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II MEF (Forward).

The crash is currently under investigation.

I was very much taken aback by my good friend’s death. Jerry or “Beav” was an outstanding pilot, a good man, and an amazing friend.

Ultimately, all wars are wrong, and we can never replace those who gave their lives. But we CAN honor the memory of those who served, and actively create a world of Peace.

Beav, we won’t soon forget you. I know you’re up there somewhere, watching over us, and smiling. I thank you for your friendship and your integrity. You are missed!

Semper Fidelis,
Omar W. Rosales
CAPT USMC
1997-2003