Archive for August 2009
splash of red (and a great pair of heels)
- Neolithic hunters considered red to be the most important color endowed with life-giving powers and thus placed red ochre into graves of their deceased. This explains funds of skeletons embedded in up to 10 kg of red powdered ochre. Neolithic cave painters ascribed magic powers to the color red.
- The word “magic” (“Zauber” in German) translates to “taufr” in Old Norse and is related to the Anglo-Saxon “teafor” meaning “red ochre”. It can be assumed they painted animals in red ochre or iron oxide to conjure their fertility.
- Protective powers of the color red against evil influence were common. Objects, animals, and trees were covered in red paint, warriors painted their axes and spear-catapults red to endow the weapons with magic powers. Neolithic hunters and germanic warriors used to paint their weapons and even themselves in blood of slain animals.
- Roman gladiators drank blood of their dying adversaries to take over their strength.
- In other cultures, the newly born were bathed in blood of particularly strong and good looking animals.
- Red painted amulettes or red gems, such as ruby or garnet, were used as charms against the “evil eye.” Wearing a red ruby is said to bring invincibility.
- Red bed-clothes were customary in Germany up to the Middle Ages as protection against the “red illnesses”, such as fever, rashes or even miscarriages.
maternal lunacy
(map of the moon)
internal dialogue: Could there be “the existence of a biological rhythm of human aggression which resonates with the lunar synodic cycle?”
translation: will baby number two be born during the full moon?
some random finds for
August 6, 2009
- Full moon
- Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
- The full moon in aquarius brings revelations
- “the rebel in search balance”
Perhaps full moons are over-rated. Tempting birth days:
August 12, 13 – Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. This year’s peak occurs on the morning of August 12, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 – August 22. The waning gibbous moon will provide some interference in the early morning, so the best viewing will be in the evening before it rises. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. Look to the northeast after midnight.
August 14 – Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.
August 17 – Neptune at Opposition. The blue planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view Neptune, although it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
August 20 – New Moon
