Newgrange, Ireland

Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, and one of the oldest man made structures in the world.. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley, Ireland.

I contains chambers and passageways, and is adorned with Neolithic art .  The building is aligned with the rising sun and its light floods the chamber on the winter solstice.  Newgrange shares many similarities with other Neolithic constructions  in Scotland and Wales.

Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognised to be much more than a passage tomb. Ancient Temple is a more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.

Wickerman festival pre-dates Christianity

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The wickerman sets the skies of southern Scotland alight for the Wickerman Festival at East Carswell, near Dundrennan, on Sunday night.

hummingbirds among wildflowers

jpr: I has a wildflower patch (20 sq ft) to which a pair of hummers visit each morn at 6:30 am sharp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6oDEXtvd34

Call for Wisdom! Tell me Micks, whazup with Senior (la pope) Francis?

Liberation Theology, is a political movement in Catholic theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in relation to a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions. It has been described by proponents as "an interpretation of Christian faith through the poor's suffering, their struggle and hope, and a critique of society and the Catholic faith and Christianity through the eyes of the poor", and by detractors as Christianized Marxism (should be mentioned that Marx's ideas have gained some relevance in recent years).  Social Workers and such, at least ones in my generation, study it closely.

It's been around quite a while and got some good traction in South America - and from the threat it represented to those with wealth and/or power, many executions of clergy and lay workers followed*.  The Pope seems to be taking a "baby step" in that direction. How far do you think he'll go and how far will he get before World Leaders have him Off'd?  In my view the Pope is Stepping Up!  What do you think?

As the scion of the Irish poor, defamed, and oppressed I cannot be but deeply moved by the idea of Liberation Theology and see this as a candle in a world covered in Darkness (the big D).

Am I reading this wrong?

*Honey Badger, Tasmanian Devil, Radicalized Clergy - don't eff with any of these.

facts about today's Peace Corp

Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:

8,073

Gender:

62% female, 38% male

Marital Status:

93% single, 7% married

Minorities:

22% of Volunteers

Average Age:

28

Volunteers over age 50:

7%

Volunteers live, learn and work with a community overseas for 27 months, providing technical assistance in six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture and environment.

For more information, visitwww.peacecorps.gov.

AN ATHEIST AND THE BEAR

An atheist walked through the woods, admiring all that evolution had created.  "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! Wh beautiful animals!" As he was walking along, he heard a rustling in the bushes, he turned the saw a 7-foot grizzly charging him. He ran as fast as he could and saw that the bear was closing. He ran even faster, crying in fear but the bear was even closer. He tripped and fell to the ground. He tried to pick himself up, but the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.  At that moment, the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!...." Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. The river stopped moving. A  bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don''t exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?" The atheist looked directly into the light "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?" "Very well," said the voice. The light went out. The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear dropped his right paw ..... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."

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a celtic water god

Arausio was a local Celtic water god in Gaul. Some say he offers rejuvenating powers among sprinklers??