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Hi! Yeah do try to make a turnip lantern for next year. Then you will know that you have made a truly traditional Irish & Scottish halloween lantern. It is a lot harder work but IMO looks far better; in fact they can sometimes look much more grotesque hehe.

A turnip lantern also lasts a lot longer too, unlike mushy pumpkins and is sturdy enough to be suspended from string like a true lantern if required. This is good if you want to indulge in a bit of traditional 'guising', as often guisers walk around carrying the lantern via a string, as they go door to door in their halloween costumes, singing songs or doing other improvised entertainments in return for money, fruit or candy. (NO 'trick or treat' nonsence lol...  thats the lazy approach imv!).

Doug

Actually, I have not read Ultimate Journey yet, but have read Far Journeys.. and have heard of Monroe's description through that and Frank's knowledge of it.

I have to say that I do not know exactly the process used to get there, it is very automatic. Upon awaking to a highly lucid state, I simply will my immediate dream local to dissolve, resulting in a 3d blackness state or in some other locale. Then I simply place intent to visit 'the park'. I then go there.

I should point out that I had visted this locale long before I knew what it was called. I knew it by how it appeared. Only later did I find out that Monroe also described such a place, as did Frank Kepple later. I have been there around four or five times so far.

For me it is categorised by the gently rolling green hills, parkland and blue, sunny skies; sometimes a beautiful sunset is in effect, bathing everything in a wonderful golden glow.  Often just a hint of golden sunlight in a dream is enough to awaken me and send me there.

Doug

James S_

Haha thank you, but although I AM a historian, my speciality is more Greco-Roman history rather than celtic but I am familiar with some of it.

What amazes me is the complete sh*t some so called 'history' programs and shows come out with, and programs that aught to know better.

For example, I was prompted to write about Halloween here after I read some nonsense from the History Channel about 'the origins of Halloween'.
I should have known better as the History channel is renowned for its dodgy grasp of facts.
In this particular example they claimed that Halloween 'originated' in Ireland. Er, no. Actually it 'originated' in a celtic festival which was widespread throughout celtic peoples throughout north west europe and Britain AND Ireland.

The festival became christianised but continued to be popular in England, Scotland and Ireland until the 16th century, when it dropped out of favour in England but *continued* to be popular in Ireland, Scotland and indeed Wales, all the more 'celtic' areas in fact. This popularity continues to the present day. During the 19th century, Scottish and Irish immigrants took their traditions over to America were it really took off, particularly with the Irish in the New york area.
Halloween continues to be popular here in Scotland, Wales and Ireland and more recently, in England, the later  via the re-introduction of the Americanised version. (although I should point out that in some areas of England, the festival has always continued to be popular)

I guess I just got annoyed to hear the History Channel come out with crud that halloween originated Ireland, when I know for a fact, after growing up in Scotland that it has always been a strong tradition here too.
There are a whole list of other gaffs the 'History' Channel has made in the past although I won't bore people with listing them here, although sometimes they make some good programs too, when they get their facts right.

Doug

About time!

just practice lucid dream techniques... I just started by reminding myself everynight to try to 'wake up' during my dream cycle... eventially it sinks in.

Doug

Last night I became lucid and right away I did my usual routine of dismissing my dream environment and emerging into the 'astral proper'.

I found myself in a region of green hills and glades that I have come to know as 'the park' after the identical locale described by Monroe that resides in F27 (or upper Focus 3 if you follow Frank's model). According to Monroe and later, Frank, 'the park' serves as a relaxing environment for those who are recovering from the transition from physical life; it is an area that I appear to be drawn to again and again, and where I frequently bump into people I instantly recognise but have absolutely no conscious idea who they are; an all too common experience for those who have made it to F27 locales before.

This time, I saw a group of people coming over the hill towards me. As they got closer I saw that it was a large party of children, ranging from the very young to early teens.. they seemed to be in good spirits and were being accompanied by an adult, a middle-aged female. As the children started to pass me, I said hello and some of them smiled and nodded in my direction. I even shook the hands of some of them as they passed.
As the woman approached I realised I knew her very well and she knew me, even although I couldnt remember her at all (once again I thought!).
Right away I felt I just had to embrace her and in doing so I felt a real influx of warm emotional energy; at the same time I felt this woman had a certain authority about her, coming with experience perhaps.

I thought I better tell her that I had come here from the physical world, but she replied that of course, she already knew me and where I had come from. Then she said that I had better make sure I go back as I 'had work to do'. I have no idea what she meant by this. She then left to catch up with the party of children but before she left she introduced me to another adult whom I had not noticed before. I did not recognise this other woman but the middle aged woman nodded to say she realised this.

I was then left alone with this other young woman. She seemed quite downcast and was looked 'physically' ill; ie she was very gaunt, wasted looking. I asked her who she was and she told me her name although I can't remember it now. She said that she used to live in 'California' or 'Philidelphia'; I can't recall which exactly, and that she had suffered from a severe eating disorder, perhaps anorexia or bulimia. Privately, I wondered if she had indeed 'died' from this and was still recovering from the experience.
I put my arms around her and hugged her for a while; the next thing I remember was waking up the next morning.

I have spent the rest of the day thinking about this experience, it was quite moving and extremely vivid and lucid.

Doug

Some extra info on Samhain/Halloween:

The Irish pronounciation is 'SOW-en'. In Scottish Gaelic it is pronounced 'SAV-en'.

Now called Halloween, the festival has always been, and continues to be, a very popular festival in Ireland and Scotland, where it goes way back, originating in the Celtic new year.

Irish and Scottish immigrants took the festival with them when they went to the US, and changed to using pumpkins as they were much easier to hollow out than the old practice of using turnips and cabbages.

Up until recently here in Scotland, people were still using turnips but now the american takeover of halloween has resulted in pumpkins becoming the main choice here too, although many die-hards (including myself) still adhere to the turnip lantern even if it is damn hard work!

The spooky lantern is used to scare off evil spirits who may be abroad on this night.

large fires were lit in local neighbourhoods on this night, and continue to be. This practice was to see in the celtic new year and the transition from summer to winter; sacrifices may be thrown on the fire, including a manikin, called the 'Guy'. In recent centuries, in Britain, this old practice was usurped by the november 5th bonfire celebration which reflects an attempt to blow up the houses of parliament in london. However, it should be obvious to most people that this is just a thin disguise to excuse the continued practice of a much older festival.

However the practice of having the fire on november 5th instead of october 31st is now common practice in Scotland, although this is fine as it actually serves to extend the Halloween/Samhain festival.

Halloween is now becoming increasingly popular in England, although mainly through the adoption of the vulgarised American version, which is sadly also threatening the traditional Irish and Scottish practices.

For example, in Scotland up until recently people did not 'trick or treat'.
Rather the practice, called 'guising', involved children dressing up and going round doors and performing songs in the hope of getting some money. There was no implied threat involved. However, due to the influence of the Americanised version, many children have stopped the traditional practices of singing songs and now simply 'trick or treat', which is nothing short of blackmail!

There is a greater move to preserve the more traditional practices these days however, but it remains to be seen if it will be possible to turn the tide!

However you celebrate it, Happy Halloween everyone!

Doug

Some extra info on Samhain/Halloween:

The Irish pronounciation is 'SOW-en'. In Scottish Gaelic it is pronounced 'SAV-en'.

Now called Halloween, the festival has always been, and continues to be, a very popular festival in Ireland and Scotland, where it goes way back, originating in the Celtic new year.

Irish and Scottish immigrants took the festival with them when they went to the US, and changed to using pumpkins as they were much easier to hollow out than the old practice of using turnips and cabbages.

Up until recently here in Scotland, people were still using turnips but now the american takeover of halloween has resulted in pumpkins becoming the main choice here too, although many die-hards (including myself) still adhere to the turnip lantern even if it is damn hard work!

The spooky lantern is used to scare off evil spirits who may be abroad on this night.

large fires were lit in local neighbourhoods on this night, and continue to be. This practice was to see in the celtic new year and the transition from summer to winter; sacrifices may be thrown on the fire, including a manikin, called the 'Guy'. In recent centuries, in Britain, this old practice was usurped by the november 5th bonfire celebration which reflects an attempt to blow up the houses of parliament in london. However, it should be obvious to most people that this is just a thin disguise to excuse the continued practice of a much older festival.

However the practice of having the fire on november 5th instead of october 31st is now common practice in Scotland, although this is fine as it actually serves to extend the Halloween/Samhain festival.

Halloween is now becoming increasingly popular in England, although mainly through the adoption of the vulgarised American version, which is sadly also threatening the traditional Irish and Scottish practices.

For example, in Scotland up until recently people did not 'trick or treat'.
Rather the practice, called 'guising', involved children dressing up and going round doors and performing songs in the hope of getting some money. There was no implied threat involved. However, due to the influence of the Americanised version, many children have stopped the traditional practices of singing songs and now simply 'trick or treat', which is nothing short of blackmail!

There is a greater move to preserve the more traditional practices these days however, but it remains to be seen if it will be possible to turn the tide!

Doug

It would be helpful if people who keep on about 'those who want their money back' to look at the facts:

All the transactions were fully refundable through the third party, so nobody has to 'be looking for their money'. They can easily get it back themselves; most have already done so.

Doug

So it begins... (again, sigh!)

'I preach the Truth, not false doctrines', 'you are confused' etc

It's all been said before!

Neutrino:

For a start: Ranting about 'idolatry' and 'false religion' vs 'true religion' doesnt cut it here, as the definition varies depending on the individual bigot: what is 'false' for one bigot might not be so for another. This kind of language belongs to the middle-ages.

This board is not a forum for sectarian rants. Not everyone may agree with all the teachings of Catholic (or Orthodox) Christianity, but equally, many don't hold too much with all the various and sometimes bizarre protestant offshoots, some so odd that catholic doctrines can't hold a candle to them, eg 'Rapture-ready' beliefs anyone?

Yes, many people have been harmed by the Catholic Church over the years, but many have been harmed by the influence (direct or indirect) of various protestant sects over the years too: Native Americans, tribal African cultures and the witch hunts to name a few choice moments. Everyone has skeletons in their closet.

In some ways the splintered protestant sects in their myriad forms can actually be more dangerous, as at least with catholicism there is one uniform organisation to approach and deal with, but the myriad protestant sects have no single, all embracing heirarchy to provide a check upon themselves, apart from secular authority.

The link you provide is an essay in bigotry (which is why I have removed it) and a demonstration of the refusal to accept the cold hard fact that others have just as much right to believe what they like as you do.

So while you may not like Catholic Christianity, plenty others do. Remember also that even amongst the 'uniform' Catholic Church, individuals can vary their interpretations widely, just as in many other religions, so be careful about blanket statements.

Discuss yes, rant no.

Doug

How about: conquering Rome

What? Wash your mouth out citizen! Or you'll feel my gladius!

Doug

I think it's clear that the exact details are considered personal and are to remain so for the immediate future.

Doug

could be THAT is his secret motive. To get us round to more productive, worthwhile activities, like analysing out of date religious texts, written for a completely different time period, world view and culture, but at the same time desperately trying to twist it and make it fit to today's world in the same way that we could thump a square peg to fit a round whole!



Doug

just because i say something is hyped to mask attention away from Iraq, doesnt mean i dont think its real. Actually i think there is at least *some* threat from this latest pandemic, but that doesnt mean that governments, like the UK government, wouldnt see it as a useful diversion from Iraq to hype it up a bit, which they are doing imo.

In my view the UK government is hyping the flu virus threat to distract attention away from the mess that is Iraq. Other western countries who are/were involved with Iraq could also benefit from this distraction.

Doug

Even better, people who want to chat can make their own arrangements to do so via MSN or an IRC client.

We have thought about installing a chat feature into AP but we don't really feel there is any point seeing how readily available chat features are to MSN, ICQ etc.  

We also feel that with a proper message forum like this, which requires a bit of decent thinking before typing, the process results in a higher quality service with good quality discussion and decent information (hopefully!).

Doug

Excellent example of a flame, but as its so unintentially amusing, it's worth leaving here!

Selski is right: why should I bother watching what I like, reading what I like or even breathing for that matter... why whould I bother breathing?

Get a life yourself!

Doug

A bit like Selski, I have recurring lucid dreams where I travel to a green field like region, full of gently rolling green hills, under a blue sky and bright, hazy sun.

However this is no precise place on earth. What's more, twice now I have come across a bunch of people there whom I instantly recognise and feel a deep emotional connection with; it's like a homecoming, even although my mind tells me that I can't ever recall meeting these people before.

Soon after this, Frank reported that this kind of meeting with familiar and yet seemingly unknown people is quite common and felt the enviroment I described matched very well to the area of F27 known as 'The Park' by Monroe and others. These people are members of my 'astral family', a group which i know little about, although they seem to know a lot about me! Apparantly those who have more experience of travelling around F27 locales say that these encounters are quite common.


Doug

In my view RTZ experiences are apt to be 'overlayed' with a variety of F2 images depending on what your mind is up to at the time. The way to minimise these effects is to try to stay emotionally stable and not get too excited.

However, I also believe that Robert Bruce is probably right in that you can come across 'remnants' which are leftover energy impressions of previous physical items and even people. The longer these things had been there, the greater impression they make on the energy record as it were. For this reason you can come across furniture you never seen before, or strange posters, paintings on walls etc.

Where it gets tricky is that just one item like this might be enough to get your mind going to an extent that you start inventing all manner of things, so its actually not very easy to spot what is an energy impression, and what you have created yourself via an F2 overlay: as they say about AP, nothing's ever straightforward!

Doug

You have to read Anne Rice. 'Vampire: the masquarade' would never have happend without her books as a major influence. Anne Rice made vampires sexy (although Bram Stoker was perhaps the first to do that of course).

no, but I have read some Anne Rice (the first three are the best: the rest lose it a bit). Great stuff!

Doug

Shinobi, actually I have come across cases of some 'future lives' but because they feature unfamiliar territory as it were, it is not always clear as to whether these are alternate timelines or our own physical time line future; I think both can feature and its not easy for us to tell which is which.

imv the reason 'past lives' show up more often is that it is our 'past lives' which form most peoples concern into this phenomenom, reinforced by mainstream (eastern) religious thought. Also, more importantly, as most people think sequentially (in perception of time), it is to the past, or our perceived past, that our minds turn to first.

Doug

I like the focus idea and it suggests that reincarnation kind of happens, at least, in the question as to whether we all have multiple lives.. the answer is yes.
The difference from classic reincarnation however, is that all these lives are experienced *at the same time* not sequentially, one after another.

So it is the case that we are here once and it is a good idea to experience as much as you can. However, the great thing about classic reincaration is it offered some consolation for all those things you never got a chance to do. the idea that reincarnation is not true paints a bleak picture in this case.

However, not so: with the focus model, although we are here once, we are leading multiple lives at the same time, and you can be confident that throughout all these lives you will pretty much have experienced everything the physical world has to offer. What about all those great periods of history, past, present and future then? do we not get a chance at experiencing them? The answer is yes. Because we (our essence) exists outside of the physical time frame, our multiple lives go across the board and cover all time periods and places, in fact, recently it has come to light that some of our lives even encompass other 'alternate' timelines as well, so we even experience radically diffferent life experiences to the type we are used to here.

Ben is right that in 'past life experiences' we get glimpses of these other lives. The complicated aspect comes in with the fact that because our essenses exist outside of space time we are not bound by its rules, so it is possible, through 'past life regression' to relive an entire life experience from birth to death, *even although we are living these lives at the same time*.. weird I know.  
For this reason, the common past life idea that a traumatic death might affect *other* lives is a fact I think.
Sometimes we can feel the effect of traumatic event in other lives and these affect us, if for some reason, we feel some kind of particular connection with that life and our own.

So for example,  the idea of having say, an odd birth spot on your forehead and having recurring dreams of being shot in the head, CAN be the result of 'bleedthrough' from another life affecting this one. These lives have already happend yet they are also still unfolding just as your 'own' one is. It's a strange idea to get around but it's got to do with the fact that part of you resides outside of space time and although lives are conducted at the same time, you can also review them from start to finish and sometimes these lives can 'bleedthrough' to others for various reason.

For this reason, 'past life regression' therapy for recurring nightmares and other 'past life' matters can be very worthwhile to resolve these troubles in my opinon. Just keep in mind that it is more correct to view these lives as 'alternate lives' than 'past lives'.

Doug

PS this same explanation of 'bleedthrough' can also explain why some people have a particular facination with a certain time period or have recuring dreams about it, or even a sense of deja vu.  In such cases there may be some kind close connection or 'bleedthrough' between that life and this, for various reasons.

Great site and awesome art!

I get some 'vampire: Masquarade'/anne rice influence in some works which is always enchanting!

Doug