Introduction
A Solipsist may argue that they are the only person that exists and there is no reason to believe that anyone else exists. Therefore they are unaffected by the apparent presence of anything else. So their circle of existence, to us, appears very small.
The question we pose is how wide is your circle, how is this defined?
We believe that a person’s scope for understanding existence is influenced by experience, cultural references and stories.
- What are the limits?
- What are you prepared to believe exist?
- Does China exist?
- Do Aliens exist?
- Do Angels exist?
People draw their own circles.
We would like to share some of the research and experiences of others that have broadened the radius of our circle.
We are not making criticism about religions and belief systems but more openly exploring Theism. (The belief that gods or deities exist and interact with the universe, Oxford Concise) We are not conclusive about this either.
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Astronauts, Apparitions, Aliens or Angels
With reference to the introduction we believe that humans have been influenced by other entities for a very long time. Recordings of these instances make reference to a huge range of beings that have left their marks on our recorded history and behaviours.
We have chosen to present certain examples of these. It is tempting to try and draw parallels and conclusions to all of these ideas but we are not intending to produce a thesis out of this but really to use this opportunity to raise questions.
Are we alone? Do we look externally or internally for meaning to all of this?
Calculating the probability of intelligent life in the Milky Way Galaxy
In 1961, Frank Drake developed the Drake Equation, a rather complex calculation that indicates that intelligent life is probable in the Milky Way Galaxy, and suggests where we might look or "listen" for it. At first glance, the Drake Equation is somewhat intimidating:
N = N* fp ne fl fi fe fL
But, it can be broken down so that it is manageable.
- N represents the number of intelligent communicating civilizations there are in the Milky Way Galaxy.
- N* represents the number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. (Modest estimates are between 200 - 250 billion.)
- fp represents the fraction of stars that have planets around them as our sun has planets around it. (Current estimates range anywhere from 20% to 50%.)
- ne represents the number of planets per star that are capable of sustaining life.(The most modest estimate is 1.)
- fl is the fraction of planets in ne where life actually evolves.( Current estimates range from 100% down to 0%. )
- fi is the fraction of fl where intelligent life evolves. (Again, estimates range from 100% down to 0%.)
- fe is the fraction of fi (intelligent life) that communicate has the means and desire to communicate (Estimates range from between 10% to 20%.)
- fL is the fraction of the planet's life during which the communicating civilizations live. (This is the most difficult estimate because as we know from our own civilization, we could eliminate ourselves from the face of the earth with nuclear warfare, but if we survive we could be around for tens of thousands of years. This is also true of extraterrestrial civilizations.)
When all the variables are multiplied, we come up with this speculation: N, the number of communicating civilisations in the Galaxy.
A suggestion by Drake - If there were 1,000 communicating civilisations in the Milky Way Galaxy, given the vast area of the galaxy (100,000 light years in diameter), the average distance between intelligent civilizations would be approximately 1,700 light years. Hence, radio signals seem to be a far more plausible means of communication than space travel. - Other interesting thoughts click here
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Should we look within?
Less than 50,000 years ago humankind had no art, no religion, no sophisticated symbolism, no innovative thinking. Then, in a dramatic and electrifying change, all the skills and qualities that we value most highly in ourselves appeared already fully formed, as though bestowed on us by hidden powers.
It is interesting to take into account the ideas of such books like; The Cosmic Serpent (Narby 1999). And Supernatural (Hancock, 2003)
Anthropologist Jeremy Narby writes a personal account of his encounters with Amazonian shamanism and puts forward the idea that specific knowledge might somehow be transferred through DNA. Also, those indigenous and ancient peoples have known this for millennia and have even drawn the double helix structure, something conventional science discovered only in 1953. The image for this structure is the serpent or entwined serpents...this imagery can be connected to many mythical and religious ideas of the serpent having a marked affect on our behaviours and existence. He also suggests that DNA, and the life it codes for at the cellular level, are "minded."
Like Narby, Graham Hancock has spent time ingesting the hallucinogen Ayahuasca, with shamans, whose paintings contain images of "super-natural beings" identical to the animal-human hybrids depicted in prehistoric caves. Hallucinogens such as mescaline also produce visionary encounters with exactly the same beings. Hancock suggests that scientists at the cutting edge of consciousness research have begun to consider the possibility that such hallucinations may be real perceptions of other "dimensions." Could the "supernaturals" first depicted in the painted caves be the ancient teachers of mankind? Could it be that human evolution is not just the "meaningless" process that Darwin identified, but something more purposeful and intelligent?
Both authors explore the ideas of internal exploration for meaning of existence and the “beings” within that influence our behaviours and understanding.
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Spirit Contact and Apparitions
Sometimes we are fortunate to be aware of other entities on this plane of existence. What are these entities are they on our plane/realm or we in theirs?
Ross Hemsworth (Glastonbury radio) tells a very nice story about a woman that was concerned that her bar was haunted. Ross went to visit the woman and whilst there she told him that she could perceive a male entity in the corner of the room. Ross asked if she had ever talked to any of the entities, and even though she had not, he encouraged her. She rather nervously asked this presence “what are you doing in my bar”, to her astonishment, the entity replied, “actually madam, it is you that are in mine”.
We have talked about this story many times, and wondered what it might all mean, is there a thin gauze between time and space, in which we can capture glimpses of parallel worlds? Did they perceive each other in a similar way? Was the entity reclaiming what had once been his?
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Earthly Evidence
We have great respect for the author Andrew Collins. For many years now he has written books, held questing (spiritual treasure hunting) events and spoken at international conferences that aim to extend our understanding of ancient history, civilisations and the interplay of modern science and archaic evidence. In turn this creates a publicly available fascinating insight to how we find ourselves here today.
With reflections on Andrew’s work we believe that there is a wealth of evidence that we are affected by external/internal entities and realms that were once known about a very long time ago which are now being revealed once more.
It seems that there is evidence that cosmic rays from the Cygnus constellation affected the development of the human race at the end of the last Ice Age. Further to this we have been influence by an “Elder” race/s on our early civilisations, albeit by other names, Angels, Shining Ones, gods/demons, which have been documented in a variety of ways in mythological and religious texts from South American through to Egyptian and Babylonian cultures
He is currently working on a book project that will reveal the most compelling evidence ever for the existence of what American psychic Edgar Cayce called the Egyptian Hall of Records, a depository of cosmic knowledge long held to exist beneath the pyramids of Giza. Andrew’s 25-year quest to find them was inspired originally by a wealth of material provided in the 1980s by the British psychic Bernard, who also features in his book "THE BLACK ALCHEMIST". During a series of psychic sessions, Bernard spoke of a subterranean complex at Giza left to us as a legacy by mythical individuals known as the Elders, or Eldest Ones.
His excellent books challenge the way others’ view the past and the development of the human race. For more information see our book list.
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Names Pronunciations and Sounds
The Sumerians (and later in Greek and Judaic traditions) had a belief and understanding of the power of the word. [The Greeks would hide their true name, believing that if someone knew it they could use it to bring misfortune] Many other cultures also believed in the magic and power so that the use and pronunciation of particular words could invoke floods and disease and bring new life.
Davidson’s dictionary of angels does cross reference, identifying the different names given to angels. With the more recent convergence of new age practices and angelology, It is appears that some have taken liberties with the naming of Angels and believe by adding the suffix –“iel” or "el" have created their own brand of angels. This is not a new phenomenon, throughout history other cultures and religions have engaged in the same process. It is something of interest to us that the most commonly known angels are known by middle European names. eg Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael.
Correct pronunciation and incantations have been used to invoke and communicate with angels. Dr John Dee was very concerned about this issue and took advice and practised careful pronunciation.
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Science Fact, Fiction, Fantasy?
Star trek ... to boldly go... not only the most famous split infinitive, but also a good parallel for some. Imagine a small group of visitors from a distant place landing before your eyes, seeming to come from out of thin air, or maybe travelling beyond speeds imaginable. There are six or seven of them. They come in peace and whilst on occasion they are prepared to help out, they are bound by a prime directive – not to intervene.
When asked where they come from, maybe they talk about God. What is God? An entity? A place? An idea? what possibilities are there to understand and misunderstand abstract concepts and alien ideas?
The story becomes exciting as they become involved with their new friends, occasionally falling in love, and always having compassion. So despite their prime directive, they teach their new friends all manner of things... maybe the use of make-up, how to measure, what you can actually see when you look to the stars, possibly war and most certainly how to find, develop and use metals.
For those familiar with the stories of the watchers, how difficult is it to imagine a similar situation?
For those who have read anything about the Dogon or Indian ancient UFO text it is easy to draw reference to this idea.
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Representation of Angels
The word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, meaning "messenger." In Western religions, the word specifically describes a kind, or benevolent, being. However, in most other religions, the line separating "good" angels from "bad" angels is not always clear. An angel may act benevolently in one situation but with evil intent in another.
In the Old Testament, the designation "sons of God" (bene Elohim) is never used of humans, but always of supernatural beings that are higher than man but lower than God. To fit such a category only one species is known--angels. And the term "sons of God" applies to both good and bad angels.
Throughout history, people have described the purpose of angels in diverse ways. The functionality of angels has developed in significant detail in religions based on revelation—the exposure or communication of divine truth or divine will to human beings. These religions include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as Zoroastrianism.
In religions based on revelation, some say gods and humans are distant from each other. It could be said that Angels help link the space between.
As what how what angels look like that is an interesting venture...
Artists have found difficulty with how to best represent angels. Written descriptions were confusing contradictory or just weren’t available. The descriptions sometimes tended to be vague or bizarre or did not draw a clear enough distinction between angels and human beings.
The idea of representing spirits as winged figures dates back many thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians portrayed the sun god Horus as a winged disk. Other winged beings can be found across the world. Interestingly enough the winged serpent has strong connections to divine knowledge beings. It can be easily argued that a winged serpent is a representation of an angel or high being.
Many creation stories and death ritual stories draw reference to winged beings, benign and benevolent. The number of wings is variable and sometimes designate authority or power of influence.
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An example of such things....Seraphim. ref: Jewishencyclopedia.com
A class of heavenly beings, mentioned only once in the Old Testament, in a vision of the prophet Isaiah (vi. 2 et seq.). Isaiah saw several seraphim, their exact number not being given, standing before the throne of Yhwh.
They were winged beings, each having six wings—two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two for flying. The seraphim cry continually to each other, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (vi. 3). The "foundations of the thresholds" (R. V.) of the Temple were moved by the sound of their voices. One of the seraphim flew to Isaiah with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar, and with which he touched the lips of the prophet to purge him from sin.
Isaiah gives no further description of the form and appearance of the seraphim; he apparently assumes that his readers are acquainted with them. Nevertheless, it may be concluded from the description that the seraphim were conceived as having human faces, human hands, and human voices.
However, one should not too hastily conclude that the seraphim were winged human forms. At least this was not the original conception, although later Judaism pictured them so. The seraphim are frequently mentioned in the Book of Enoch (xx. 7, lxi. 10, lxxi. 7), where they are designated as δράκονες ("serpents"), and are always mentioned, in conjunction with the cherubim, as the heavenly creatures standing nearest to God. In Rev. iv. 6-8 four animals are pictured as standing near the throne of God; each has six wings, and, as in Isaiah, they sing the "Trisagion."
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Vision of Isaiah Meaning.
The passages cited furnish conclusive evidence against the idea, popular for a time, that the seraphim belong to the same category as angels. They have nothing whatever to do with the "messengers of God"; in the Jewish conception the two have always been distinguished. Dan. x. 13, the Book of Tobit, and other sources, afford information concerning a series of "chief" angels, but allusions to the seraphim are entirely lacking, and an etymological connection of the name "seraf" with the Arabic "sharif" (to be exalted or distinguished) is equally valueless.
On the other hand, there is a striking similarity between the seraphim and cherubim. Both are winged creatures, half human, half animal; both stand near the throne of God, and appear as its guardians; and, as has already been stated, they are always mentioned together in the Book of Enoch. This, however, by no means proves that the origin of the two was the same; it only shows that in later Jewish conception, as well as in the conception of the contemporaries of Isaiah, these two classes of heavenly beings were closely related.
Some authorities hold that the seraphim had their origin in the Egyptian "seref," a composite, winged creature, half lion and half eagle, which guarded graves, carried dead kings up to heaven, and transmitted prayers thither. The form and office of the seref, however, suggest rather the Jewish cherubim.
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Vision of Isaiah Babylonian Origin.
According to other investigators, the conception was of Babylonian origin. Friedrich Delitzsch and Hommel associate the seraphim with the Assyrian "sharrapu," a name which, in Canaan, designated the Babylonian fire-god Nergal. The seraphim, then, would be the flames in which this god manifested himself. An argument against this theory is that until now no one has been able to show that the word "seraph" was ever used as a name of a god.
According to a third and more probable theory, the seraphim originally were serpents, as the name implies. Among many peoples of antiquity serpents played an important part in myth and folk-lore. For instance, there were Tiamat in the Babylonian legend of the Creation, and the Uræus serpent in Egypt.
Consequently, since the Jews shared the superstitious ideas of surrounding nations in other respects, it should not be a matter of wonder if they adopted this notion as well. That the serpent filled a special rôle among them as a demoniacal being may be seen from the story of Adam's fall (Gen. iii.). In this connection the names "Dragon Spring" and "Serpent Pool" (places in the vicinity of Jerusalem) are worthy of being noted.
A brazen serpent brings relief from the effects of the bite of the fiery serpents (Num. xxi. 9 et seq.) which Yhwh sent among his disobedient people in the wilderness. Isaiah (xiv. 29, xxx. 6) speaks of fiery, flying serpents and dragons; and a brazen serpent, Nehushtan, stood in the Temple at Jerusalem, and was an object of worship until the time of Hezekiah, who destroyed it as being idolatrous (II Kings xviii. 4 et seq.). The worship of Nehushtan was plainly a remnant of ancient superstition, and was reconciled with the worship of Yhwh by connecting Nehushtan with the scourge of snakes in the wilderness and the rescue from them (Num. xxi. 9 et seq.).
Therefore the theory seems possible, even probable, that the seraphim have their counterpart in the flying serpents of Isaiah (comp. also II Esd. xv. 29). It is only natural that these winged guardians of Yhwh's throne were soon ranked as higher beings and invested with the human form or with some features of the human body; and it was because of the very fact that they were adopted into the Yhwh cult that they were, in process of time, ennobled and spiritualised.
This is also interesting...
Someone once asked me, “Nat you do research into angels... So I have been wondering , what colour blue is the Archangel Michael?” In the last few years the emergence, thirst and market for angel related paraphernalia has been astonishing. When I was young Angels were associated with religion, angel cakes and angel delight (still available in good supermarkets for about 60p a packet). Today there are angel cards, tarot, angel numbers, angel ribbons, angel candles, angel meditations, angel massage... in fact it seems to be if you want to sell something you have to add angel to the front and it is an instant success! (You probably have a substantial collection of these things, as do we, it’s very difficult to resist or get away from some of it).
I remember walking into an Angel shop, and getting an immediate allergic reaction to the fluffy, pink, glittery, plastic snow shakers, mobiles, picture frames, and fairy-like dolls. It does not make sense to me, that if these powerful beings that can travel through time and space, have advanced understanding, technology and ability, are depicted as fluffy creatures that are subservient to human kind and at its beck and call.
So whilst there are examples and suggestions to the use of candles and colours associated with different angels, we suspect that these beings in their magnificence can choose any colour of blue they like.
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What the angels brought
Originally the watchers were charged with the task of watching over, but not intervening in the development of human kind.
In the book of the watchers there are two accounts of the sins of the fallen angels, the first list, led by Shemihazah, a group descends to earth to "choose wives and beget us children".
Even today in the Catholic Church women are required to cover their hair in case of tempting the angels.
The second list led by Asael, taught people metallurgy [lead, tin, iron, copper, gold , quicksilver, silver] which they used to form weapons and jewellery.
For their sins, the watchers receive eternal punishment. Asael is bound and entombed. There are of course parallels between the watchers and the Greek myth of Prometheus. Academics agree that there is a strong likelihood that the Judaic account of watchers [4th BCE] is influenced by the earlier Greek pagan story.
The Book of the watchers goes on to describe ...And Azazel taught men to make swords, and knives and shields and breastplates and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets and ornaments and the use of antimony and the beautifying of the eyelids and all kinds of costly stones and all.
Semjaza taught enchantments and root cuttings ‘Armaros the resolving of enchantments Baraqijal [taught] astrology, Kokable the constellations, Ezeqeel the knowledge of the clouds, Araquiel the signs of the earth, Shamsiel the signs of the sun, and Sariel the course of the moon.
In addition to this, history has made reference to various trades being associated with magical or divine systems, sorcery if you like. An example would be working with metals. This could be contected to Tubal Cain the artificer of metals, The human attributed to making weapons and all instruments from iron and brass; a link to Asael or Azazels' legacy.
Enoch – An early ‘Alien Abduction’ ?
Enoch was the son of Jared, a great-grandfather of Noah, and father of Methuselah (Genesis 5:1-18).
Enoch is important because he is one of the earliest examples of humans being placed among angels.
In some sources, including the Talmud, Enoch was “translated” to heaven by God, Subsequently avoiding death at the age of 365, and became known as the angel Metatron. He is also identified as the apostle Idris (Arabic: إدريس ).
It is written that he never died and therefore he is older than Methuselah who died at 969 years and thus Enoch can be said to exceed being 5,000 years old. Muslim scholars claim he was as a tailor and is also attributed to being the inventor of the eyed metal needle used in sewing.
Translate - accommodate, adapt, adjust, alter, alternate, commute, convert, diminish, diverge, diversify, evolve, fluctuate, make innovations, make over, merge, metamorphose, moderate, modify, modulate, mutate, naturalize, recondition, redo, reduce, reform, regenerate, remake, remodel, renovate, reorganize, replace, resolve, restyle, revolutionize, shape, shift, substitute, tamper with, temper, transfigure, transform, translate, transmute, transpose, turn, vacillate, vary, veer, warp
Enoch is the protagonist of the several apocryphal books of the Old Testament:
