In recent months, there have been an increasing number of websites, coming into being, informing us that we are about to undergo a period of three days of darkness some time in the near future. Most of these web sites state that this period of three days have historical precedents that are recorded in The Old Testament and in Mayan records. But what truth is there to these predictions and from where do these predictions originate?
Historical Records
Several of these websites use the text of The Book of Exodus from The Old Testament to “prove” that there have been “days of darkness” in the past and that when they occurred, the effects on the population was far-reaching. From The Book of Exodus, Chapter 10, Verses 21-23:
“And the Lord said unto Moses; stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.”
“And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.”
“They saw not another, neither rose from his place for three days but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”
That seems to say that Moses brought about a state of “thick” darkness that lasted for three days and, somehow, benefitted his followers but, brought problems for others without specifying just what those benefits and problems actually were. The current warnings about three days of darkness state that they will extend world-wide, whereas these passages from Exodus specifically state that the darkness was only over Egypt. Certainly, if we look at historical records from other countries, there are no accounts of similar days of darkness; thick or otherwise.
If we then continue on further into the Exodus story, we find that Moses and his followers were led across the deserts and wilderness by “a column of smoke by day” and by “fire by night”. So, what produces “a column of smoke by day” and “fires by night”? There are two possible answers here.
Firstly: the area around Egypt is rich in oil, specifically bitumen-bearing sands or tar-pits. These were specifically written about by the ancient Babylonians. These bitumen-bearing sands were also known to catch fire, when struck by lightening and, to burn for several days.
[Note: the climate and vegetation of the area was very different to what they are today. At the time of the Exodus story, about 5,000 years ago, the climate and vegetation was sub-tropical with lush vegetation and, heavy rains. As the climate of the area dried up, so did the bitumen sands.]
If the prevailing winds were blowing from the north and there was a burning region of bitumen-bearing sands, would that not cause “a thick darkness” and the fumes from such burning cause people to become weakened? Secondly: there is also evidence of volcanic activity in this region also about 5,000 years ago. This, again, can cause “a thick darkness” and poisonous fumes. Both of these scenarios also produce “a column of smoke by day” and “fires by night”.
The Akashic favours the volcanic explanation. There is a slight area of doubt as it could be that the outfall from a volcano set alight a region of bituminous-bearing sands.
Mayan Records
Many of the current websites also state that there is an account of three days of darkness held within the records of Mayan peoples of South America. However, these do not appear to exist in any historical record either recorded by the Mayans or any of the other peoples of South America either before or after the Mayans existed. Therefore, the inclusion of “Mayan Records” as a source for information of three days of darkness appears to be a hoax.
Other Aspects of the Predictions of Darkness
Currently, these predictions of three days of darkness do not stop at it just becoming dark. In addition to “the darkness”, these predictions go on to say that:
♦ This will be a total darkness that is global in its extent where we will be unable to see our hands in front of our faces.
♦ The Earth will stop turning.
♦ There will be a considerable drop in oxygen levels where many will asphyxiate. (We must also put all animals outside of our homes otherwise they will use up all of our oxygen. In other words, all pets must die in order to save their owners).
♦ Temperatures will drop far below zero and so many will freeze to death unless they take precautions.
♦ There will be dimensional instability with the merging of a number of dimensions.
♦ With this dimensional merging, there will be the arrival or emergence of a number of “entities” and “beings”.
There seems to be a number of variations on these themes but, the list here covers the main aspects of these predictions.
To look at these predictions in detail:
♦ Total Global Darkness
According to the Akashic, there has never been a time in the history of the Earth where the whole of the Earth’s surface has been totally dark. As with the story from Exodus, there have been periods of localised darkness brought about by volcanic clouds but, the level of darkness produced has never been total; only down to a level of twilight. The only way in which total darkness could occur, on a global scale, is if the sun stopped shining and, if that happened, all life on Earth would die no matter what precautions they took.
♦ The Earth Will Stop Turning
Again, the Akashic does not record a period when the Earth did not revolve. There have been two events in Earth’s history that were totally catastrophic for the Earth and all of Her life (see Synthesis). The first occurred approximately 3.8 million years ago when two planets, that were within our solar system, decided to “leave”. The explosion produced by these two planets leaving destroyed virtually all of the life within our solar system. The Earth was rocked on Her equatorial axis and most of Her atmosphere was lost. Despite this amount of damage, the Earth did not stop revolving nor did it bring about global darkness.
The second world-wide disaster was with the destruction of the continent of Atlantis. The sinking of a continent triggered a huge number of earthquakes and volcanoes and, shifts in the tectonic plates. There was a massive loss of life and habitats and, some loss of atmosphere. Despite this amount of damage, the Earth did not stop revolving nor did it bring about global darkness. There is only one way in which the Earth can be stopped from revolving and that is by the death of the Earth’s consciousness.
♦ There Will Be A Considerable Drop In Oxygen
There are only two ways in which the oxygen in the atmosphere can be depleted:
Firstly: by a similar solar system-wide disaster to that which occurred 3.8 million years ago and the current “days of darkness” predictions do not make any predictions of a disaster on that scale.
Secondly: there are a huge number of tectonic plate movements which release poisonous gasses into the atmosphere. Again, the current predictions do not include for this happening.
To continue reading, download the PDF version HERE.
[Note: This PDF was originally posted on the defunct Mount Zion 144 Forum Blog on June 1, 2011.]
Have mercy…two big snowstorms in one year. This is reminding me of my childhood. I remember lots of snow and lots of snowmen in the 70s. I also remember folks being more mobile back then, too. Anytime there was a snow forecast, my dad was putting chains on the back tires of the ’72 Charger. Everybody got chains and off they went. Even in the early 80s, a manual, front-wheel-drive compact would pretty much get you anywhere. My 1977 Honda Civic and my 1983 Toyota Tercel took me where I wanted to go. People just don’t do that anymore. Cars these days are definitely more fragile and lighter than the metal monsters of yesteryear.
I remember zipping around in the snow in the middle 80s (college days) in my Civic. One particular trip, I was headed to a friend’s place for snacks, movies and snowballs. I was approaching an intersection that included a railroad crossing (with roads and individual intersections on either side) and a steep, short hill on the other side of it. The light was red as I cleared the tracks but, my Civic became excited about the hill-induced inertia and my attempt to slow down (tapping said brakes lightly) only brought my ass end around. Just as the light turned green, I slid sideways, all the way thru the intersection. Once my Civic was done having fun (yes, I’m blaming it on the car), I came to a stop, hitting nothing…and, nothing hitting me…and, then, proceeded on my way. If it were today, I’d either be dead or, viral on social media.
Today
Hmmm…little difficult opening the side doorThere really is a Mum under thereHeavy Cedar limbsMy Adirondacks are nearly covered.
January 17
01-17-2018
Majestic, mighty Oak across the streetCold little DogwoodMr. Maple in the front yardLonely tree in the empty lot up the streetSeriously, Mommy? What IS this stuff?
I have been tagged by Kristian for a quote challenge. Here are the rules, passed down from Rory:
[1] Thank the Selector (Thanks, Kristian!)
[2] Post two quotes for the dedicated “Topic of the Day” (there is no deadline, actually)
[3] Select three bloggers to take part
[4] Re-blog responses
“I think you have to learn for yourself how to write. I’m slightly mystified by creative writing courses, God love them, because I can’t understand how you can explain a process that I find so baffling.” ~ Kate Atkinson
“I seem most instinctively to believe in the human value of creative writing, whether in the form of verse or fiction, as a mode of truth-telling, self-expression and homage to the twin miracles of creation and consciousness.” ~ John Updike
My three bloggers:
*Sigh* I got nothing. Everyone I follow is involved in one challenge or another, already. Oh, well…
This is Part Three of the five-part series showcasing my former supervisor W. H. Patton’s photography. The original post is here. Last Saturday’s post is here.
The above picture (on a phone) or the picture to the left (on a PC) is from the Texas Lone Star Wind Farm just outside of Abilene (northeast) and Clyde (northwest). On one of my visits to his ranch in Clyde, he took me out to this wind farm installation. Those wind turbines make the weirdest noises.
I wish I had remembered MY camera.
Round Three below.
Image Credits: W. H. Patton
Wild turkey in his backyard, 04-07-2008Another gobbler, 04-07-2008Backyard Dove, 07-31-2007Pair of Doves, 07-31-2007Roadrunner in the backyard, 07-30-2007Perched Roadrunner, 05-31-2008Bandits in the bird bath, 11-08-2007Covey of Quail, 01-03-2009
From the 1981 Paradise Theatre album, I give you Snowblind by Styx. If anyone followed Styx and their concept-album-oriented story telling, Paradise Theatre is where the dystopian thugs broke up the concert (as recalled by Kilroy in prison). This was also the same time that bands were being accused of having Satanic messages backmasked into the recordings. James Young (JY), in live concerts, always makes sure that everyone knows that Snowblind is anti-cocaine…not pro-Satan.
This is definitely a song to drive to. Back when I had my 5-speed manual, 1985 Toyota Celica Coupe and, then, my 5-speed manual, 1991 Eagle Talon with the racing stripe and dual, overhead cam (both cars coveted for street racing and drifting these days), this song always made me drive fast(er).
“I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hand’s wet on the wheel…
Fellow blogger Britchy at Bitchin’ In The Kitchen challenged all of her readers to join in. I could not resist this fun as I am a music nut. That being expressed, I sit on day six so, this first post is a catch-up. Tomorrow, I will join the normal festivities for day seven.
So, without further ado…here we go.
Day One
A song with color in the title.
Oh, my, my, my…this immediately popped into my head. This was released in 1983…my junior year of high school.
Little Red Corvette
*************
Day Two
A song with a number in the title. Black Lab appeared on the Alternative Rock scene in 1997 with their début album release Your Body Above Me. This song is particularly haunting to me and I could listen to Paul Durham sing all day long.
Ten Million Years
*************
Day Three
A song that reminds you of summer.
Dear Lord…the summer of 1984, the year I graduated. Myrtle Beach, alcohol & Prince. This was released ahead of the album Purple Rain‘s release and the movie of the same name. Have mercy… As a side note, Wendy in the background playing guitar in stockings and high-top tennis shoes is just bad ass.
When Doves Cry
*************
Day Four
A song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget.
I love this song but, the person that it reminds me of…I wish I could rip them out of my head.
Set Fire to the Rain
*************
Day Five
A song that needs to be played loud.
Oh, yeah…also played extensively at the beach for graduation…the louder, the better. We wore out a cassette tape.
Fantasy
*************
Day Six
A song that makes you want to dance.
Honestly, this one is hard…too many to choose from. I will go with…
Say It Right
Thanks, Kristian for rolling the ball to Britchy. ~Vic
Seventy-three years ago, today, the infamous Flight 19 disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle in what was supposed to be a routine, three-hour exercise of combat training and navigation. Four TBM-1Cs and one TBM-3 Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers took off from NAS Fort Lauderdale at 14:10pm. Twenty-seven year old Navy Lieutenant Charles Carroll Taylor was the flight leader and pilot of FT-28, the TBM-3.
“Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron, who had been flying in the area for more than six months, reported that his compass and back-up compass had failed and, that his position was unknown. The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions. Radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location of the lost squadron but, none were successful. After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers, a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was heard at 18:20pm, apparently calling for his men to prepare to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.”
“Radio conversations between the pilots were overheard by base and other aircraft in the area. The practice bombing operation is known to have been carried out because at about 15:00pm, a pilot requested and was given permission to drop his last bomb. Forty minutes later, another flight instructor, Lieutenant Robert F. Cox in FT-74, forming up with his group of students for the same mission, received an unidentified transmission.
Photo Credit: nasflmuseum.com
An unidentified crew member asked Powers (Marine Corps Captain Edward Joseph Powers, Jr., pilot of FT-36), for his compass reading. Powers replied: “I don’t know where we are. We must have got lost after that last turn.” Cox then transmitted: “This is FT-74, plane or boat calling ‘Powers’ please identify yourself so someone can help you.” The response after a few moments was a request from the others in the flight for suggestions. FT-74 tried again and a man identified as FT-28 (Lt. Taylor) came on. “FT-28, this is FT-74, what is your trouble?” “Both of my compasses are out”, Taylor replied, “and I am trying to find Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am over land but it’s broken. I am sure I’m in the Keys but, I don’t know how far down and, I don’t know how to get to Fort Lauderdale.”
FT-74 informed the NAS that aircraft were lost, then advised Taylor to put the sun on his port wing and fly north up the coast to Fort Lauderdale. […] no bearings could be made on the flight and the IFF (transmitter) could not be picked up. Taylor was told to broadcast on 4805 kHz. This order was not acknowledged so he was asked to switch to 3000 kHz, the search and rescue frequency. Taylor replied: “I cannot switch frequencies. I must keep my planes intact.”
As the weather deteriorated, radio contact became intermittent and it was believed that the five aircraft were actually, by that time, more than 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km) out to sea east of the Florida peninsula. Taylor radioed “We’ll fly 270 degrees west until landfall or running out of gas” and requested a weather check at 17:24pm. By 17:50pm, several land-based radio stations had triangulated Flight 19’s position as […] north of the Bahamas and well off the coast of central Florida.”
There is some question as to the exact time of Taylor’s last transmission (18:20pm or 19:04pm) but, he was heard saying “All planes close up tight…we’ll have to ditch unless landfall…when the first plane drops below 10 gallons, we all go down together.” By that time, the sun had set and the weather was much worse.
“Two PBM Mariner flying boats were dispatched from NAS Banana River in Melbourne, Florida (now Patrick Air Force Base), carrying rescue equipment. Less than a half hour after take-off (at approximately 19:27), one of the PBM’s (Trainer 49/BuNo 59225) radioed the tower that they were nearing Flight 19’s last assumed position. The rescue plane with a crew of 13 men was never heard from again.”
“At 21:15pm, the tanker SS Gaines Mills reported it had observed flames from an apparent explosion leaping 100 ft (30 m) high and burning for 10 minutes. Captain Shonna Stanley reported unsuccessfully searching for survivors through a pool of oil and aviation gasoline. The escort carrier USS Solomons also reported losing radar contact with an aircraft at the same position and time.”
A 500 page Navy investigation was published a few months later. Initially, blame was placed upon Lt. Taylor for mistaking the Bahamas for the Florida Keys and not listening to his subordinate officers. The report was amended to ’cause unknown’ when Taylor’s mother stated that the Navy had no evidence for their conclusions…no planes and no bodies. Lt. Taylor was listed as ‘not at fault’ as his compasses were not working. The disappearance of PBM-5 Trainer 49 was attributed to a mid-air explosion.
“Brad and Kate have been together three years, in love, having fun and, doing all sorts of things together with no intention of marriage or children. Christmas morning, they’re on their way to Fiji, having told their two sets of divorced parents that they’re off to do charity work. Through a fluke, they have no choice but to visit each of their four idiosyncratic parents. As the day progresses, Brad and Kate remember growing up, each learns more about the other and, Kate realizes that her life may not be as good as it could be. Do they know each other well enough to weather the storms families bring?”
Interesting Trivia:
♦ Apparently, Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon did not get along.
♦ All four cast members playing the parents are all Oscar winners.
♦ Carol Kane, (who was uncredited as Aunt Sarah), also appeared in Scrooged (1988), another Christmas movie, as the Ghost of Christmas Present (a violent, shrill fairy that hits Bill Murray‘s character with a toaster).
In my previous post from November 24, I spoke of my former supervisor, W. H. Patton, whom I worked for, and with, from September of 2002 until he retired in May of 2007. This is Part Two of a five-part series. Below are more of his photography works.
Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his ranch in 2007, a pair of BobcatsPhoto Credit: W. H. Patton
From his driveway, 09-16-2008Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his driveway, 09-16-2008Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his backyard, 09-16-2008Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his back patio, The Quartet 08-10-2008Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his back patio, The Texas State Bird Chorus & a couple of wasps 08-10-2008Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his back patio, 07-23-2007Photo Credit: W. H. Patton
From his backyard, 07-23-2007
“Conrad and Sally Walden are home alone with their pet fish. It is raining outside and there is nothing to do until The Cat in the Hat walks in the front door. He introduces them to their imagination and, at first, it’s all fun and games until things get out of hand and, The Cat must go, go, go, before their parents get back.”
Interesting Trivia:
♦ Tim Allen was originally cast as The Cat but, had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict for The Santa Clause II.
♦ There was so much smog during the shoot that the sky had to be digitally replaced.
♦ Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss’s widow, was appalled by this movie and decided to reject any future adaptations of her late husband’s work. She was so furious after she saw the film that she legally forbade Hollywood from making anymore live-action stories (all subsequent films have been animated).
♦ Mike Myers said that the Cat’s personality is a composite of director/producer Bruce Paltrow, his Saturday Night Live (1975) character “Linda Richman” and, actor Charles Nelson Reilly.
♦ Peter Travers of Rolling Stone Magazine had a different take:
“I hated How The Grinch Stole Christmas, which was a smash for Jim Carrey. Cat, another over-blown Hollywood raid on Dr. Seuss, has a draw in Mike Myers, who, inexplicably, plays the Cat by mimicking Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.”
♢ 21 Nominations [Not all bad. The kids & teens liked this and, the hair & makeup was noticed by the Guild. The Teen Choice Awards nominated Sean Hayes for Choice Movie Hissy Fit, which I found amusing. ~Vic]
I lived and worked in Texas for nearly a decade. I was fortunate enough to snag a Texas State job for the majority of the time I was there. The gentleman that interviewed and hired me was, as it turns out, my immediate Supervisor. He was one of the best bosses I ever had (his replacement after retirement was just as terrific). He did his job and he let me do mine. We sometimes rode the bus together, to and from work (downtown Austin).
I grew to love this man. He was a lanky 6′ 6″ and spoke fluent Spanish with a Texan accent. He had to have heart valve surgery a decade before I met him and, when you got close to him, he ticked like a clock. He owned a ranch just outside of Abilene in a small town called Clyde. He was a cattleman, a businessman, a photographer, a writer, an artist, a musician, a pilot, interviewed two U.S. Presidents and, was good friends with Mac Davis, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. He graduated Texas Tech with a Journalism degree, loved the Red Raiders and served in the U.S. Army Reserves:
“I protected Fort Leonard Wood, MO, from all enemies, foreign and domestic, during the Cuban missile crisis” ~ W. H. Patton
He lived all over the U.S. and Mexico. He moved to the Austin area in 1997 and I met him in 2002. He always had a story to tell and had a wicked sense of humor. He was one hell of a cook and drank like a fish. I am thankful that I met him and am a better person for it. He passed away in 2012, five days after his 73rd birthday. I’d like to share some of his work, as he shared it with me.
Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From the 1960s, his son fishing.Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From the 1960s, he managed to capture the image of a Barn Owl in an abandoned house.Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From the 1960s, local geese.Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From the 1960s, Kodiak bear.Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From the 1960s, a wood duck.Photo Credit: W. H. Patton From his backyard, 04-08-2008W. H. Patton pencil rendering…1977W. H. Patton pencil rendering…1977
Cosmic-Observation 