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This story updated 15 October 2014

LOST WORLDS is proud to present here Rob Hindmarch' considered essay on the archetypal and astrological aspects of the implications of the 11 September attack on the New York Trade Centre in 2001.
The implications of the attack remain worrying, and Lost Worlds will retain an interest in relevant topics. - Ed

The World in Crisis
An Archetypal Perspective

By Rob Hindmarch (in March 2002)

Introduction

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ON 11 September 2001 the world was shaken by events that many claimed had changed the world forever. Just like the assassinations of John Lennon and President Kennedy, these events will be indelibly etched in the memory of people everywhere.

World-shattering events of this type can only be understood in relation to the fundamental patterns underlying the events taking place at the time. These fundamental patterns are best described in terms of the Theory of Archetypes.

This article outlines the nature and meaning of archetypes and their relevance for humanity. An understanding of archetypes helps explain the current major world events and offers solutions to the resulting problems. An archetypal appraisal of the future shows that a new approach to these situations will result in a much-needed change in the collective psyche of humanity.

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Archetypes

Archetypes are a philosophical/psychological concept used to describe energies, forces, principles and patterns that determine the structure and dynamics of the human mind, the world around us, and indeed the entire cosmos. Archetypes are intangible and cannot be directly observed. The existence of archetypes is inferred from the effect they have in the world and on our psyche. An analogy is the way the underlying discharge of electrons that make up a lightning strike cannot be directly observed and can only be inferred from the spectacular display created.

In the physical realm these archetypal effects manifest as the basic patterns we see in nature and the cosmos. The development in the sciences of chaos theory, quantum mechanics and molecular genetics are all attempts to describe these basic archetypal patterns.

Socially and culturally, archetypal effects manifest in the patterns and structures at the core of our societies, the institutions we create, the legislation we enact, the social mores we adopt and the ethical values we hold.

Psychologically these effects are expressed, both individually and collectively, on several different levels of being. Archetypal effects manifest in dreams, altered states of consciousness and those moments of insight that lead to great works of art and scientific breakthroughs. They influence thought, and operate as drivers of the behaviours and emotions that pattern human experience. From an archetypal perspective, ideas, thoughts and feelings do not exist as independent entities, they are meaningfully connected and belong to an archetypal pattern.

Archetypes/Myth

A primary manifestation of archetypes occurs in myth. Myth has provided a meaningful link between humanity and the cosmos since antiquity. Whether providing a meaningful cosmology, a pre-scientific understanding of cosmic forces, moral or religious instruction or even a dramatic portrayal of psychological dynamics, myth has had a central position in the affairs of humanity. With the move towards a more scientific worldview in the last two centuries, the influence of myth has diminished. Modern researchers like Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell have recently revived myth as a serious study, adding modern psychological research tools to the traditional metaphysical techniques.

Archetypes/Zodiac

Another manifestation of archetypes is familiar to us all in the guise of the astrological zodiac used in personal astrology. Personal astrology is an archetypal system that uses the relationship between the planets and the zodiac signs to map both an individual's personality and that individual's experience over time.

Just as personal astrology maps the nature and significant life events of the individual, collective astrological analysis does the same for humanity as a whole. In collective astrology the relationship between the planets and the zodiac signs are symbolic representations of movements in the collective psyche and the nature of events that evolve from them. Astrology as a predictor of specific events is unreliable at best, however it is invaluable in understanding the core energies underlying these collective events.

Archetypal forces, signified astrologically by the planetary arrangements during a particular time, erupt into collective awareness, confronting us with issues that have been simmering in the collective unconscious. The unfortunate events of September 11th occurred during one of these times. These events, and the period they symbolise, are represented astrologically by the planet Saturn in Gemini making an opposition (180-degree angle) to Pluto in Sagittarius. Let us look at this symbolic relationship in more detail.

Saturn

Saturn, as an archetypal force, represents duty, responsibility, and accountability. When Saturn is active we are "called to account". During these times issues that have been neglected or ignored in the past are forced into awareness and there is no option but to deal with them. If we refuse to deal with these issues we reap the consequences.

At a social level the Saturn archetype typically manifests through authorities and governments who establish foundations and structures. This is achieved through implementing systems and establishing rules and regulations. An essential role of the authorities and governments is the development of moral codes in accordance with the prevailing belief systems of the culture they represent.

Psychologically, Saturn represents an inner authority that is a composite of important authority figures, typically an individual's father, a respected teacher or some other respected or feared person. Regret, remorse and our conscience will punish us for rebellion against our inner authority and contravening our personal moral codes. The ultimate punishment being the more negative aspects of Saturn: chronic illness, depression and failure.

Other negative aspects represented by the Saturn archetype include fear, pain, problems, struggle and effort. We often become reluctant to deal with painful problems, which leads to procrastination. Rather than face our fears and confront problems we avoid the situation. This continues until the fear and struggle entailed in avoidance significantly outweighs the fear and struggle involved in taking action. How many of us have shelved problems and put them into the "too hard basket" when we rationally know the sensible approach is to face the problem?

At a social level the positive aspects represented by the Saturn archetype include law and order, social stability, integrity, responsibility and maturity. A mature society will have grown through periods of struggle and value integrity and responsibility. It will be a stable well-ordered society that is respected by both its members and other societies.

At an individual level the positive aspects represented by the Saturn archetype are similar and include competence, integrity, responsibility, maturity and humility. These are all qualities which through struggle, the individual must develop in themselves if they are to achieve self-mastery.

This basic nature of an archetypal manifestation like Saturn is further modified by other factors. For example when placed in a zodiac sign, Saturn's functions are modified by the archetypal principles symbolised by the sign it is functioning within. The reverse is also true. In terms of the current world crisis Saturn is functioning in Gemini - the significance of this will become apparent.

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Pluto

In mythology Pluto was the traditional Roman god of the underworld, the place of the dead. Pluto as an archetypal symbol represents the darkness and ignorance that is hidden and repressed in the individual and the collective. It is the festering sore and the insidious cancer that can no longer be denied. It represents the hatreds and dangerous ideologies that simmer beneath consciousness.

Pluto symbolises the wrath of God that descends upon us when we are so far out of alignment with universal values that nothing but a cataclysmic force can redress the balance. To the ego Pluto is a terrible force that threatens its sovereignty and undermines its sense of infallibility. It is the creator destroyer that annihilates the petty tyrant with its conviction of superiority and is personified as Armageddon and the four Riders of the Apocalypse.

When gripped by the archetypal force of Pluto we feel psychologically trapped. In these states, forces of collective evil may swamp us. Reason and morality are subsumed by a madness that can consume us with hatred. History is testament to this archetypal force as evidenced by the cyclic emergence of brutality, violence and terror where rape, murder and torture are commonplace. The excesses of the Third Reich typify this archetypal energy at its worst.

Pluto symbolises both truth and lies. The inability to discern between truth and lies leads to mistrust, suspicion and paranoia that fosters conspiracy theories. Pluto also symbolises ideals and intense emotion and passion. Our passionate ideals, when expressed negatively, lead to false ideologies in which we have absolute conviction. Any competing idea or ideal that contradicts our passionate beliefs is often met with a vehement response. These attitudes are the progenitor of WAR (We Are Right) and the destruction by force of our opponent who represents all that is wrong.

The positive aspects of Pluto manifest individually in our ideals and as loyalty, passion, the desire for truth, and the inner courage to fight our "personal dragons". On an individual level Pluto can transform the way we think, feel and experience all aspects of our lives.

Socially, Pluto manifests as the force of renewal and regeneration and drives irrevocable changes in Society and the world around us. A clear indicator that Pluto is at work in the recent world crisis is how so many people have said the "world has changed forever".

As with Saturn when placed in a zodiac sign, Pluto's functions are modified by the archetypal principles symbolised by the sign it is functioning within. In terms of the current world crisis Pluto is functioning in Sagittarius.

Saturn in Gemini opposing Pluto in Sagittarius

In the following sections the relevant archetypal concepts signified by the planets Saturn and Pluto and the signs Gemini and Sagittarius are placed in brackets after the word or concept that is associated with the archetype.

It is important to note that in situations like the current world crisis the issues that have now erupted have always been there. However these issues will usually simmer beneath the threshold of conscious awareness and only surface when the corresponding archetypal indicators are activated.

The significant archetypal indicators currently active are symbolised by Saturn moving through the zodiac sign of Gemini and making an opposition to Pluto in Sagittarius. This opposition takes place between July 2001 and May 2002 after which its influence will begin to wane.

Saturn symbolising the powerful forces of establishment and society is in conflict (opposition) with the even more powerful forces of death, destruction, rebirth and transformation (Pluto). The battlefield (Pluto) for this conflict is the collective psyche of humanity.

Saturn represents forces, that whilst difficult, are understandable in a social context. Pluto on the other hand represents forces that defy ordinary understanding. As a consequence we will identify with Saturn and reject Pluto. To those of us in the West, the suspected terrorist Osama Bin Laden and terrorists generally are seen as Plutonic, representing forces of evil with their weapons of fear and terror that threaten to destroy Western Society. There is a fear (Saturn) that these terrorists and fanatics (Pluto) will acquire weapons of mass destruction (Pluto).

On the other hand, many non-western cultures see the West and particularly America as Plutonic - the "Evil Empire" that insidiously and callously impose its materialistic values and ideology on other cultures threatening to destroy their social structures causing poverty, hunger and suffering.

This combination of archetypal factors when working in personal astrology is equivalent to what has been called, in transpersonal psychotherapy, the "no exit hell" or the "concentration camp" experience. There appears to be no way out of such dilemmas for the unfortunate individual suffering them. They feel trapped, depressed and even suicidal. For some this situation is so untenable that they feel compelled to take extreme action, even murder, as the only recourse to alleviate their inner suffering. For others the pain and torment are registered inwardly leading to existential crisis, crippling inaction, despair and regretfully, suicide.

The effects at a societal level are similar. Entire societies feel trapped and will resort to war, extreme economic sanctions and even terrorism. No individual is immune from these collective effects, and we all share in the fear (Saturn) and terror (Pluto) and enormous (Pluto) frustration (Saturn) that characterises these times.

Archetypal Indicators of a World in Crisis

The following section shows that every event in this recent crisis is symbolised by the planets and signs involved in this archetypal combination.

On 11 September 2001, two planes on domestic flights (Gemini) were hijacked (Pluto) by terrorists (Pluto) and deliberately crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York catastrophically (Pluto) killing (Pluto) enormous numbers (Pluto) of people. Many of those killed (Pluto) were trapped (Saturn) on the upper floors of the buildings (Saturn). The disaster (Pluto) was broadcast live in the world media (Gemini). Many of those killed were foreign nationals (Sagittarius). The motivation was both political (Pluto) and religious (Sagittarius).

Another two planes, also on domestic flights were hijacked (Pluto). One crashed into the Pentagon, the US government headquarters (Saturn) of defence (Saturn) and the other in a Pennsylvania field while bound for the "White House" (Saturn). For the first time in history there was the surreal and shocking sound of people communicating (Gemini) with loved ones on cell phones (Gemini) from the hijacked planes. This unprecedented manner of communication (Gemini) was no doubt instrumental in passengers on the White House bound plane attacking the terrorists (Pluto) in a desperate act of survival (Pluto).

America has been the recipient of simmering resentment (Pluto) and hostility (Pluto) because of its foreign policy. America's social values (Saturn) and moral codes (Saturn) have also come under attack. Once fear (Saturn) and terror (Pluto) stalked the streets of America it became evident that the USA no longer had the freedom (Sagittarius) to pursue its isolationist (Pluto) policies. America had no choice but to co-opt the global (Sagittarius) community to aid in its war (Pluto) against terrorists (Pluto) and the governments (Saturn) that supported them.

Grief (Pluto) and horror (Pluto) soon gave way to deep anger (Pluto), the desire for revenge (Pluto) and retribution (Pluto). President Bush declared on the world (Sagittarius) media (Gemini) that he would launch a crusade (Pluto in Sagittarius) against the perpetrators of the attack. In response, religious fanatics (Pluto in Sagittarius) called for a "Jihad" or "Holy War" (Pluto in Sagittarius) against America. This led to riots in the streets (Saturn and Pluto) in many areas of the World with the social order (Saturn) under enormous threat (Pluto) from religious fundamentalists (Pluto in Sagittarius).

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The crisis engendered serious concern (Saturn) that the world (Sagittarius), already in recession (Saturn) may collapse into depression (Saturn). Especially if trade both locally (Gemini) and globally (Sagittarius) is restricted (Saturn) and investment (Pluto) slows further because of the worldwide crisis. The collapse of domestic (Gemini) and international (Sagittarius) airlines worldwide (Sagittarius) are indicators of this.

The entities most likely to be affected are the airlines, media, and telecommunication networks, consulting and training, domestic travel operators, local tourist industry, local trade (Gemini), overseas trade, overseas travel (Sagittarius) investment and insurance industries (Pluto).

Since the immediate crisis there have been threats of nuclear and biological terrorism (Pluto). The postal service (Gemini) has been used to carry deadly viruses (Pluto), with media organisations (Saturn in Gemini) and government departments (Saturn), being most at risk.

The effect of the crisis on individuals will also reflect these archetypal signatures. Although some groups are advocating peace and love it is practically impossible for most individuals to feel this way in this type of crisis. Suppression (Pluto) of feelings is dangerous (Pluto) to the psyche and leads to major trauma (Pluto). It is important that grief (Pluto) and anger (Pluto) are expressed fully if we are to heal ourselves. It is best to be honest about how we feel. Any response that is beyond what is necessary, fuelled by hatred (Pluto) and retribution (Pluto), or promotes hidden agenda (Pluto), will exacerbate the situation to the detriment of us all. So if at this time we cannot show forgiveness and love, it is important that we do not hate.

In the near future I would expect an increase in the release of computer viruses (Pluto) that are criminally and politically (Pluto) motivated. I would also expect the use of propaganda (Pluto) via the controlled media (Gemini) and the repression (Saturn) of the free media.

This combination of archetypal factors also indicates Civil Wars (Gemini) around the globe with brother against brother (Gemini) leading to a deepening (Pluto) of the already critical refugee (Sagittarius) crisis (Pluto). Even amongst stable societies there is a deepening of divisions between people of different religious, political and ideological beliefs.

Language and Archetypes

During critical times people speak directly from emotionally-charged archetypal patterns in consciousness. This also applies to emotionally-charged archetypal patterns in the collective psyche and language of these patterns is reflected in media headlines. As the current crisis is symbolised by Saturn in Gemini opposing Pluto in Sagittarius, it would be expected that the concepts and language of these patterns would dominate the headlines.

For example ZD net UK News reports that "Web sites (Gemini) can't cope (Saturn) in the aftermath of the tragedy (Pluto) as Internet (Gemini) traffic (Gemini) between Europe and the US rises by a factor of 40".
"Trading (Gemini) on the New York stock exchange (Pluto) was suspended".
"Boston postal workers (Gemini) live in fear" (Saturn).
"Tourism (local - (Gemini) - overseas - Sagittarius) crisis (Pluto) in spotlight".
"Anthrax fears (Saturn) depress (Saturn) stockmarkets" (Pluto).
"Both the British and US governments (Saturn) have put pressure (Saturn) on broadcasters (Gemini) not to show taped messages (Gemini) from Bin Laden (Plutonic figure). They are concerned that the messages (Gemini) contain propaganda (Pluto) which may encourage Muslim youths (Sagittarius), to volunteer for service with the Taliban. There is also fear (Saturn) that the tapes (Gemini) have secret coded (Pluto) messages (Gemini) ordering further attacks (Pluto) on the West".

Power of the Individual to Affect change

Major changes driven by archetypal forces are taking place and nothing we do will prevent that. What we do have control over is the outcome of the changes. The presence of Pluto indicates that this is a time of collective regeneration and rebirth. The nature of the new birth depends on us. If we want positive change we must all make a contribution to the healing and transformational process. Every individual, no matter how powerless they may feel can do something. Remember that these archetypal forces are collective. They are not "out there", they are in all of us. They may be in our enemies but they are also in us!

The current archetypal indicators point to a collective darkness that we cannot deny or transfer on to others. We are all capable of violence and hatred at some level and we can all be consumed by evil especially in situations like wars or riots. If we deny that we are part of the problem we become the problem and can never be part of the solution.

By allowing ourselves to spiral into thoughts of revenge, hatred and persecution we feed the darkness within us. By lapsing into despair and hopeless resignation we allow darkness to exist by not opposing it. Horror (Pluto) and terror (Pluto) are compelling, compulsive and have an almost sexual quality that mesmerises and fascinates. So we should beware of dwelling on the crisis as evil and darkness may unwittingly seduce us.

We live in times (Saturn) of transformation (Pluto) and such times are marked by crisis (Pluto). It is when in crisis that we can grasp opportunities (Sagittarius) to create positive change and make progress (Sagittarius). Undergoing a crisis can be compared to having a surgical operation, where "healing" pain signals the return of the life force to our bodies replacing the trauma of surgery. Crisis allows us to "sweep the psychic decks" and eliminate the contaminants in our consciousness that rob us of love, joy and vitality.

Resisting transformation will lead to pain and suffering. Understand that resistance (Saturn) is merely the fear (Saturn) of losing our familiar emotional and mental supports (Saturn). What do we have to lose? Only our outmoded values and attitudes that no longer serve us. When we commit to transformation the pain diminishes.

The journey of transformation however is a long one and requires determination and inner courage. Some will consider it madness to trade the certainties of the ego for some ephemeral reward that has no guarantee of success. We should take heart if we feel intimidated from those who have trodden the path before us. They have left us a legacy of hope that the reward of the journey surpasses our comprehension.

Techniques for Resolution

Every archetypal principle embodies both a negative lower expression and a positive higher expression. We have the power to direct archetypal forces into their higher expression. This can be achieved through mental alchemy, which is a technique for confronting a lower psychological state with its opposite higher state. The tension created by the confrontation between the higher and lower states causes a fusion that resolves itself into a new and even higher state.

If we look to the higher side of the current archetypal combination, Saturn is trying to contain and give a structure to the disruptive but transformative collective forces of Pluto. Pluto is trying to destroy the rigidities inherent in Saturn and break down obsolete structures. We have a process of simultaneously building up and destroying structures.

What is required individually and collectively is a fusion and synthesis between these opposing principles. For example, fear, hesitancy, doubt, restriction, blockage and adherence to outmoded, unnecessarily traditional political or religious structures exemplify the negative face of Saturn.

With a little effort we can access the higher principles of Saturn instead, principles like maturity, integrity, humility and social conscience. Instead of blaming others or waiting passively for authorities to act on our behalf, we should share the burden of responsibility for reform. This will lead to a higher social order that is founded on individual rights married to social responsibility.

We must refuse to be sucked into the vortex (Pluto) of hatred and revenge, lies and conspiracies, that characterise the lower side of Pluto. If we can access the higher side of Pluto, characterised by inner courage, high ideals, commitment to change and a passion for truth, then mistrust is supplanted with trust and lies supplanted by knowledge. If we can achieve this, then we can look forward to a collective regeneration (Pluto) and a new society born Phoenix-like from the fires of the transformative process.

Implications for the Future

This period can be characterised archetypally and allegorically as a "Dark Night of the Soul" for humanity. The period August 2001 to May 2002 marks a turning point for humanity, these few years are crucial for humanity's future, for even after Saturn moves out of opposition with Pluto in May 2002 the consequences we have reaped will be with us for some time.

Where we go next depends on every one of us. We, individually and collectively, are suffering a crisis of meaning (Pluto in Sagittarius). Pluto in Sagittarius symbolises the death but also rebirth of vision and we are currently being pressured (Saturn) to ensure that we evolve a new collective vision (Sagittarius) out of the ashes of the old. If we remain calm and assist the transformative process that is occurring at deep levels of consciousness we can empower our future with a collective vision that transcends greed, selfishness and divisiveness.

The advantage of thinking archetypally is we are able to link concepts in new ways that are not normally apparent. An archetypal approach allows the researcher to connect apparently unrelated concepts into a meaningful over-arching archetypal pattern. The concepts underlying universities and overseas travel, for example, appear unrelated; however, from an archetypal perspective they are connected through the archetype of Sagittarius. Archetypally we see that universities and overseas travel are connected in so much that exposure to either one result in an expanded worldview (Sagittarius). A complete understanding of the implications of the events of September 11th and resulting world crisis requires a comprehension of all the manifestations of the current archetypal pattern, not just those which have manifested in the crisis itself. A consideration of all other archetypal manifestations involved in the current archetypal pattern shows that many aspects of society are in the process of transformation.

The Saturn archetype, for example, when functioning in Gemini pressures (Saturn) us to communicate (Gemini) more effectively (Saturn) and responsibly (Saturn). In the west we hold to a fundamental right to express an opinion (Gemini), however problems (Saturn) are created when this right is exercised without responsibility. In the current world crisis many opinions on the situation stem from gossip (Gemini) and rumour (Gemini) and not from genuine experience (Sagittarius) or authority (Saturn). Irresponsible opinions create barriers (Saturn) between people that lead to conflict. Well-founded (Saturn) opinions, whether expressed through social interactions (Gemini) or the media (Gemini), are trusted (Pluto) and respected (Saturn). Trust in the opinions of others fosters the cooperation essential in mature societies (Saturn).

Opinion is linked archetypally to information (Gemini) in the sense that fact (Gemini) and supposition (Sagittarius) are often interchanged and transmitted as informed opinion. Currently we have unparalleled access to information, and paradoxically, excessive (Pluto) information leads to disinformation (Pluto). To prevent this we must show integrity (Saturn) when deciding what information we disseminate (Gemini).

Integrity and maturity also need to be displayed by the media (Gemini). The continuous replays of horrific (Pluto) scenes portraying the recent attack on America led to an increase in depression (Saturn), especially amongst children. This type of excessive negativity is bad for collective psychological health especially coming at a time when depression had already reached pandemic (Pluto) proportions. A sign of progress would be more responsible (Saturn) authoritative (Saturn) unbiased (Saturn) reporting (Gemini) and an increase in positive (Sagittarius) news (Gemini) as a counter to the ubiquitous negative news.

Similarly when the entertainment industry panders to humanity's lower tendencies with programs that encourage selfishness (such as Big Brother and Survivor), or feeds the public with shows containing gratuitous violence (Pluto) they renounce their responsibility to society (Saturn). If the entertainment industry replaces programming that encourages selfishness and violence with programming that has depth (Pluto) and meaning (Sagittarius) progress will have been made.

Archetypally Saturn in Gemini opposing Pluto in Sagittarius has great significance for our school systems (Gemini). Ideally the school system should emphasise the connection (Gemini) and social interaction (Gemini) between people, ideas, and information (Gemini) and should be presented in a meaningful (Sagittarius) context. Social responsibility (Saturn) should also be taught (Gemini) as a counter to the rising selfishness and individualism currently rife in society.

Children everywhere are moulded by the society in which they live. Major events that occur in the formative years are stamped on the psyche of the child. The imprints left in times of crisis and fear invariably resurface and are perpetuated in adulthood. The affect of such crises on children was recognised by the World Education Forum. They suggested that educational programs should promote mutual understanding, peace and tolerance, and help prevent violence and also gained pledges to meet the needs of education systems affected by conflict, natural calamities and instability from governments worldwide.

This is an example of the archetypal pressure (Saturn) to transform (Pluto) current methods of teaching into a broad-based (Sagittarius) more synthetic (Sagittarius) approach that equips students with the ability to derive meaning (Sagittarius) from life. The typical curricula may eventually include comparative religion and philosophy (Sagittarius) as well as the study of psychological patterns (Pluto).

In 1995 as Pluto first entered Sagittarius, (Pluto remains in this sign until 2008) universities worldwide went into crisis as the bulwarks (such as generous public funding) of the university system started to crumble. The idea that higher learning (Sagittarius) was a sacred privilege and immune from the vagaries of economics and politics (Pluto) could not be maintained. Universities were asked to adopt a more corporate approach to the "business" of higher education. This led to extensive changes including the cancellation of research programs that did not provide immediate commercial returns.

Compounding this problem, the demand society places on the university system has changed. A degree is now an essential prerequisite for many vocations and the universities are being pressured into adopting a substantially more vocational emphasis while "processing" larger numbers of students than ever before. This new vocational emphasis has brought many changes to the university system. With more students to be "processed" academic standards have dropped. Many valuable academics in non-vocational areas have been retrenched while others have left the system in protest against the abandonment of the high ideals of universities and the lowering of academic standards.

Whatever happens, it is clear archetypally, that some new form of higher learning (Sagittarius) must emerge from the crisis. This new higher learning will be at the forefront of thinking (Sagittarius), anticipate future conditions (Sagittarius) and provide insight (Sagittarius) and vision (Sagittarius) for society.

Saturn combined with Pluto in Sagittarius also indicates that moral and ethical structures are in need of regeneration and transformation. History shows that moral (Sagittarius) decay (Saturn) is a root cause of collapse (Pluto) in societies as epitomized by the decline and fall of Rome. Over the last few years, moral corruption (Pluto in Sagittarius) has escalated, especially among our leaders in politics, religion, medicine, and business as well as government agencies such as the police force. Moral corruption amongst the top echelons of society leads to cynicism (Pluto) and mistrust (Pluto) in the populace resulting in the abandonment of moral codes (Saturn). The regeneration of ethical and moral values will lead to the development of new moral codes based on greater tolerance (Sagittarius) trust (Pluto) and respect (Saturn).

Saturn in opposition to Pluto signifies blockages (Saturn) in the distribution of collective resources (Pluto). Economic indicators show that the gulf between the poor and the rich is increasing, both between nations and within nations. In this climate of inequality, ideas such as globalisation (Sagittarius) can never be implemented equitably. Whilst globalisation, in essence, may be a good idea, encouraging unrestricted trade can only mean exploitation of the poor by the rich (Pluto), the weak by the strong (Saturn).

If we are to ensure a prosperous and peaceful future we must share equitably our collective resources (Pluto). Wealthier countries must help poorer countries raise their standard of living while wealthy individuals or corporations must be found to sponsor (Sagittarius) projects that benefit (Sagittarius) humanity. Generosity (Sagittarius) and philanthropy (Sagittarius) are key elements in the law of abundance (Sagittarius). This law is an ancient precept. As Jesus said, "It is better to give than to receive". The act of giving benefits the giver as well as the receiver and those who can't afford to give money, can give time, knowledge, compassion and understanding.

Since Pluto entered Sagittarius in 1995 there have been a series of crises in various religions. In the Catholic Church (Sagittarius) sexual abuse (Pluto) of minors by priests was uncovered. The Anglican Church suffered a crisis of faith (Pluto in Sagittarius), with basics tenets of its faith the Immaculate Conception and the bodily resurrection of Christ being openly questioned by many of the clergy themselves.

This period saw the rise of religious fundamentalism (Pluto in Sagittarius) worldwide. These hard-line attitudes (Saturn) born out of threatened (Pluto) beliefs (Sagittarius) leads to religious intolerance (Pluto in Sagittarius) and war (Pluto). The threat we face is not from any one religion but religious fundamentalism in all of its forms, be it in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or even the New Age movement. No religion has a monopoly on the truth and we must be tolerant of other religious viewpoints. If we are prepared to do this we stand a far greater chance of finding unity without sacrificing diversity. If religions remain divisive, we will be plagued with escalating ethnic and religious conflict (Pluto in Sagittarius) and refugees (Pluto in Sagittarius) fleeing their homelands.

For many people in the West, religion (Sagittarius) has lost its ability to provide moral guidance (Sagittarius). For some there is anger towards God (Pluto in Sagittarius), or more correctly toward their concept of God. For others religion is an irrelevancy and merely an archaic remnant from an irrational and superstitious time. Archetypally, however, human beings all possess a religious (Sagittarius) nature and it cannot be dismissed or supplanted with scientific reason.

Progress will be indicated by a growing desire to emphasise the similarities between religions and not the differences. After all, is not the message of all religions love and tolerance and are they not all based on the same transcendental ideas?

The great myths (Sagittarius) that gave meaning to our ancestors no longer influence us as once they did. This has led humanity to feel isolated (Pluto) from the cosmos contributing to a darkening of collective vision (Pluto in Sagittarius). This is perhaps understandable, as the consciousness of humanity has changed considerably since ancient times. With the prevailing scientific worldview and lack of viable myth, we are losing connection with the cosmos and creating a spiritual void.

A functioning mythic framework can give us hope (Sagittarius) for the future (Sagittarius) and provide us with a vision (Sagittarius) we can follow. Interest in myth is growing, new myths emerging from the collective will reconnect us to the cosmos providing us with guidance and inspiration. The emergence of new mythic structures will change our approach to science and religion integrating myth, faith and reason. The synthesis between science and myth is already taking place, and some modern cosmological theories bear a striking resemblance to the cosmological myths of ancient cultures. Contemporary philosophy of science holds to an instrumentalist approach that is not far removed from the ancient mythological idea of "knowledge as story".

The mythic thinker asks why things work and essentially uses an archetypal approach to derive knowledge. These thinkers believe that everything in the cosmos corresponds to everything else and differences are more perceived than real. Instrumental in this way of thinking is the use of the conceptual tools of analogy, comparison and synthesis that are used to make meaningful connections between different orders of reality. This type of subjective, non empirical, scientific approach allowed great thinkers of the past like Democritus c 460 - c 370 BC (who postulated that the world was composed of atoms) or Heraclitus c 530 BC (who claimed that matter was always in motion) to foreshadow scientific discoveries made centuries later.

As we have seen, archetypal forces, symbolised by planetary movements, underpin the significant events taking place in the world. A clear picture emerges of the core energies underlying these current events once the related archetypal concepts are meaningfully connected and full consideration is given to the overall archetypal pattern.

The current pattern of archetypal forces indicates that a major transformation is taking place in the collective psyche of humanity. Archetypal forces in the collective are destroying and transforming excessively rigid or outmoded educational, ethical, moral, political, religious and social structures. This purging and regenerative process may be painful and shocking but it is an essential prerequisite of rebirth and transformation

By utilising these archetypal forces in constructive ways, rather than fighting against them, we can ensure a period of renewal and regeneration. We can invoke the energies symbolised by the higher manifestation of Saturn in Gemini and Pluto in Sagittarius instead of the decay and destruction symbolised by the lower manifestation of these archetypes. Out of this process will emerge a new worldview (Sagittarius) that future historians may well characterise as "The New Renaissance" (Pluto in Sagittarius).

***********

Listed below for those who wish to investigate these ideas further, are the archetypal concepts and metaphors relevant to the current archetypal pattern.

Saturn concepts

architecture - authoritarian - authorities - boundaries - burdens - cities - conscience - consequences - defence - depression - effort - establishment - failure - fear - government - mastery - moral codes - punishment - society - time - integrity - humility - maturity - regret - remorse - rigidity - reality - reality test - necessities - prolonged - poverty - social order - pressure - tension - responsibility - Satan - structure - struggle.

Gemini concepts

Civilisation - communication - opinions - information - school system - social contacts - interactions - siblings - media - local travel - learning - Internet - trade - postal service - superficiality - triviality - diversity - flexibility - journalism - logic - networking

Pluto concepts

agenda - anger - betrayal - catharsis - causes - collective resources - conspiracy - control - conviction - core - corruption - criminal activities - crisis - darkness - death -and rebirth - denial - depth - destruction - domination - elimination - evil - fanaticism fascination - guilt - ideology - ignorance - insurance - intolerance - investment - manipulation - nuclear power - paranoia - poison - passion - politics - power - propaganda - rage - regeneration - retribution - secrets - stock exchange - suicide -suppression - suspicion - transformation - transmutation - trauma - trust - truth and lies - war -vortex

Sagittarius concepts

benefactors - benevolence - big picture - crusades - ethics - exploration - faith - foresight -freedom - global - globalisation - guidance - higher learning - insight -immigration - legal structures - meaning - migrants - morality -myth - opportunity - overseas travel - philanthropy - philosophy - prophecy - prophets - refugees - religion - sponsorship - tolerance - travel agencies - understanding - universities - vision -wisdom - fundamentalism and holy war Pluto in Sagittarius

Saturn combined with Pluto

'The Evil empire' - 'fear and hatred' - 'terror in the cities' - 'riots in the streets' - 'enormous frustration' - 'decay and destruction' - 'dark night of the soul' - 'crusade of terror' - 'no exit hell' - 'concentration camp experience' - 'moral codes under attack' - 'the eruption of tension' - ' a world in hell' - 'collapse of society' - 'the end of the world as we know it' - 'social transformation' - 'death and rebirth of society'

About the Author

Rob Hindmarch has been a student of metaphysics and mysticism for twenty years and has a special interest in archetypal patterns. He is a founding member and director of the Archetypal Science Institute and is the discoverer and developer of the "Archetypal Language Model" which demonstrates that the human psyche operates according to archetypal and geometric principles.
Research into the model shows that all meaningful human experience is based on underlying core principles and forces called archetypes. The geometric aspect of the model allows human experience to be accurately mapped.
As a consequence the model has wide ranging applicability in the fields of art, philosophy, politics, psychology, science and sociology amongst others.

Rob can be contacted via The Archetypal Science Institute web site at: http://www.archsci.com/

Phone: +61-2-67711820
Email: rhindmarch@archsci.com

He is especially keen to hear from other archetypal researchers who may be interested in being part of the Institute research team.

The Archetypal Science Institute,
PO Box 1293,
Armidale NSW 2350
Tel: (int 61-2) 02 67711820
Email rhindmarch@archsci.com ACN 24092358962

Advertisement

Hermes Thrice-Wise: the Three Wise Men were Greek.

By Lost Worlds

Parts of the Gospels are more authentic. Parts are ... er, shall we say ... less so. The fabled Christmas story includes Three Wise Men (Matt. 2; 1-23), yet in Luke we see nothing whatsoever of mangers, angels, stars, or even frankincense and myrrh. No. Not even Bethlehem.

The rich and varied symbolism of the traditional nativity story is borrowed from mystery cults of the Hellenistic world of later antiquity. In particular, the three wise men embody one of the largest and most influential cults, which was the cult of Hermes followed by the Egyptian Greeks. The believers, many of whom were from Alexandria, would regard the mythical sage Hermes as a revealer of divine truths of a speculative or metaphysical nature. For this he was named Hermes Trismegistus, and he was represented in dialogues modelled on the Socratic dialogues. Many of these dialogues survive, usually in fragmentary form, which is remarkable because some go back to before the Dead Sea Scrolls. The name Trismegistus means "most-wise" or, literally, "wise three times over".

Genuine Egyptian religious elements exist within a gloss of later, Greek, ideas about wisdom, the soul and the afterlife. The earliest Christians were almost certainly aware of these Greek-Egyptian dialogues. It would be natural to concoct an event involving Jesus and three Hermetic sages, especially if the sages symbolically gave the dialogue figure of the Alexandrian scriptures to Jesus. Jesus thus becomes Hermes, and Hermes becomes Jesus. This episode must be a later addition, because nowhere in the sayings of the Nazarene do we find any reference to wise men or gifts, or even to the nativity story. But what of the dialogues themselves? Could they have provided models for the Gospels?

The following is from the Corpus Hermeticum:

Concerning the incarnation of souls, and their reincarnation in other bodies:

Isis. "The space between earth and heaven is parted out into divisions, my son Horus, according to a system of measured arrangement. These divisions are variously named by our ancestors, some of whom call them "zones" others "firmaments", and others "layers". They are the haunts of the souls that have been released from their bodies, and likewise of the souls that have not yet been embodied.

And each of the souls, my son, resides in one division or another according to its worth. Godlike and kingly souls dwell in the highest division of all; the souls that are of lowest rank, and all that are wont to grovel, dwell in the lowest division; and the souls of middle quality dwell in the middle division. Those souls then, my son Horus, which are sent down to earth to bear rule there, are sent down from the highest zones; and when they are released from the body, they return to the same zones, or even to a place yet higher, excepting those of them that have done things unworthy of their own nature, and transgressed the commandments of God's law.

These souls the Providence which rules above banishes to the lower divisions according to the measure of their sins, even as it raises up from lower to higher divisions souls that are inferior in power and dignity. For there are two beings who are attendants of the Providence that governs all. One of them is Keeper of souls; the other is Conductor of souls. The Keeper is he that has in his charge the unembodied souls; the Conductor is he that sends down to earth the souls that are from time to time embodied, and assigns to them their several places. And both he that keeps watch over the souls, and he that sends them forth, act in accordance with God's laws.

The counterpart of Providence upon earth is Nature, who is the maker of the mortal frames, and fashioner of the vessels into which the souls are put. And nature also has at her side two Powers at work, namely, Memory and Skill. The task of Memory is to take care that Nature adheres to the type that has been established from the first, and that the body which she fashions on earth is a copy of the pattern on high; and the task of Skill is to see that in each case the frame that is fashioned is conformable to the soul that comes down to be embodied in it,- to see that lively souls have lively bodies, and slow-moving souls slow-moving bodies; that energetic souls have energetic bodies, and sluggish souls sluggish bodies; that powerful souls have powerful bodies, and crafty souls crafty bodies; and in general, that every soul gets such a body as is suitable for it.

For it is not without purpose that Nature has provided birds with plumage, and has given force to quadrupeds by arming some with horns, and some with teeth, and some with claws or hoofs. And to the reptiles she has given soft bodies, flexible and yielding; and that their pliancy may not make them utterly helpless, she has placed in the mouths of some of them a palisade of teeth, and has given strength to others by increasing their bulk. And the fishes, which are timid creatures, she has made to live in that element in which fire cannot put in action either of its two powers; for in water fire neither shines nor burns; and every fish, swimming in water, flees whither it will, protected by its own timidity, and having the water for a shelter to hide it from sight. But rational animals Nature has equipped with senses more perfect and more accurate than those which she has given to other creatures.

For the souls are shut up in bodies of this kind or that, each soul in a body that is like it; so that those souls which possess the faculty of discernment enter human bodies; those which are flighty enter bird-bodies; those which are brutal enter quadruped bodies, for quadrupeds obey no law but that of force; those which are crafty enter reptile bodies, for reptiles never attack men face to face, but lie in ambush, and so strike them down; and those which are timid, and all souls that are unworthy to enjoy the other elements, enter fish-bodies. But among each kind of living creatures may be found some that do not act according to their natural dispositions."

"Tell me, mother," said Horus, "what do you mean by that ?"

Isis replied, "A man, my son, may transgress the law laid down by his power of discernment; a bird may walk; a quadruped may avoid compulsion; a reptile may lose its craftiness; and a fish may rise above its timidity. And it comes to pass, my son, that in every class of men there are found some souls that are kingly. For there are many kinds of kingship; there are kingships of power, and kingships of art and science, and of divers other things also."

"Again I ask", said Horus, "what you mean?"

Isis. "For instance, my son, your father Osiris is king of men that have passed away, and the ruler of each nation is a king of living men; and thrice-greatest Hermes is king of the art of teaching; and Asclepius the son of Hephaestus is king of the art of medicine. For, to speak generally, you will find, my son, if you look into the matter, that there are many who rule as kings, and many departments over which they rule. But he who has mastery over all, my son, comes from the highest division of the atmosphere, and those who have mastery over this or that department. And it comes to pass that other souls also are found to differ in quality; some are fiery and some cold, some haughty and some meek, some skillful and some unskilful, some active and some inactive, and others differ in other ways. And these differences also result from the positions of the places whence the souls plunge down to be embodied.

For those who have leapt down from the kingly zone reign upon earth as kings; those who have come from a zone of science and art are occupied with sciences and arts; those who have come from a zone of industry become workers, and provide food by their labour; and those who have come from a zone of inactivity live idle and desultory lives. For the sources of all earthly things, my son, are on high; those sources pour forth upon us by fixed measure and weight; and there is nothing that has not come down from above. And all things go back again to the place whence they have come down."

Horus. "What do you mean by that, mother ? Give me an example."

Isis answered, "A manifest sign of this return of things to their source has been placed in living beings by most holy Nature. Our life-breath, which we draw from above out of the air, we send up again to the place whence we received it. We have in us bellows-like organs, my son, by which this work is done; and when these organs have closed the apertures through which the life-breath is taken in, then we ourselves abide no longer here below, but have gone up on high."

***************Finis*****************

Shocking UFO abductions or simply
stories of birth trauma?

By Lost Worlds

Between issues, LOST WORLDS (the man himself) leafed with interest through two 1985 issues of a small English magazine on Lost Worlds-type topics - FATE. FATE in fact is (or was?) a paradise for fans of Lost Worlds subjects. FATE: The World's Mysteries Explored... We looked at the January and March 1985 issues. In particular, the issue of March 1985 had an unusual view on alien abductions. The people claiming to have been abducted might well have unusual memories from their time in the womb, or, being born (perhaps by caesarian section, or not).

ALVIN K. Lawson was a psychologist whose theory on alien abductions was treated in the March 1985 issue of the English magazine, FATE.

The original subhead was: Challenging hypothesis holds that a chilling close-encounter abduction may be a bizarre psychological event. (It was noted, that the modern period for UFO reporting began in 1947.)

Working with Lawson was a hypnotist, Dr. W. C. McCall. By 1977, the two had been hypnotising alleged abductees, inducing hypnotic regression. As psychologists do, the two decided to test the reliability of their data: data found by "hypnotic retrieval". One problem encountered was: can there be such a thing as in utero learning. The question arose: do memories beginning in the womb actually persist? In fact, are stories of alien abductions, somehow, twisted memories of in utero experiences, or birth experiences.

Some "abductees" reported that they had somehow found themselves in a spacecraft, or, been materialized there; that when they found themselves out of the spacecraft, they had been thrown out.

Citing other data from a psychiatrist, Stanislav Grof, who had noted such matters (in alleged abductees) as sudden losses of control, a feeling of paralysis, bright light, being struck by beams of light, missing time, umbilical pain, reference to womblike rooms, inability to express the experience, Lawson has also noted some umbilical and birth-experience motifs in classical religious art.
Here, see Stanislav Grof's book, Realms of the Human Unconscious, 1975; see also, David Chamberlain on Grof's research in Consciousness at Birth. San Diego, 1983.

Lawson further noted that many descriptions of "aliens" resembled the human embryo between the ages of 8-14 weeks, with diminutive size, disproportionately large head, comparatively large eyes, undeveloped eyes, nose, mouth; gray or white skin colour, frail physique, arms longer than legs, webbed fingers and toes, lack of toenails or fingernails and hairless bodies. (Images of course bodied up in a great many movies including the famous E. T.)

In 1979, Lawson and McCall worked on hypnotizing people born by caesarian section. These subjects (rather too few to make a suitable sample, it would seem) were asked to "experience imaginary abductions". Lawson and McCall claimed to find that tunnel imagery in certain kinds of narratives related to vaginal birth. Caesarian-birthed subjects reported no tunnel. The role of images of placenta, of, of the role of the umbilical cord, had earlier been examined by Lloyd DeMause, a psychohistorian, in Foundations of Psychohistory, 1982.

So-called abductees also dwell on topics such as "rope ladders" (umbilicus?), entity backpacks, tube attachments. Other imagery used includes: numerous doors and passageways. The alien's "bubbledome headgear" might be a reference to the amniotic sac?

The final conclusion, amid not controversy, but some inconclusiveness? Perhaps, abductees are people with deeply-buried memories of birth trauma?

If so, then stories of alien abductions should be placed in the categories reserved for matters such as the psychology of mysticism, fugue states, multiple hallucinations and natal memories?

Is any of this scientific? Should ufologists take notice? Lawson recommended with cases of alien abductees that documentary evidence of their birth history should be obtained. Questions should be asked such as: if the claimed abductee was caesarian-born, will they report any experiences like vaginal-birth-experiences, such as severe head pressure and its sudden relief? Finding if there is no birth imagery in the story the abductee tells...

Lawson feels that in such stories, the presence of birth imagery should not be regarded as bizarre or aberrant. It is merely a sign of something not uncommon in human life, but not a sign of something uncommon, like the appearance of an alien.

Very interesting. Does anyone know any more on either side of the argument? If so, please email LOST WORLDS soon.

********************Finis**************

FATE and other timeless problems

fate, fatefulness, fateful, fate-and-destiny, fate-filled, fate-burdened, fate-riddled

A Lost Worlds pot-pourii from the 1980s by Lost Worlds

FATE! Where were you when we needed you for setting up this website?

FATE magazine in the mid-1980s presented an extraordinary coverage of subject matter. Many of the topics have since appeared on websites all around the world, which is hardly surprising, since the topics are of permanent interest to humanity.

Here is just a small sample, drawn from FATE's advertisements and storylines, both: and I must say, FATE seemed to burn the candle at both ends, playing off those wishing to believe versus the sceptics. (I know the temptations.)

An article on Darius, Persia's greatest king, by Sylvia A. Matheson. True mystic experiences, a regular series from contributors. A ghost story. The question posed: UFOs still unexplained, or, intruders in the western skies? An archaeological story: Israelis unearth ancient altar dated around C12thBC.

There were book reviews in very small type, reviews of some very interesting topics indeed. Such as a clarifying article on pygmies and giants in North America (Virginia, no less!). Reincarnation of a suicide.

A price offer on the collected writings of Madam H. P. Blavatsky. With the Middle East exploding at the time, evidently, it might have been advisable to read: Prophecy From Here To 2000. It would be interesting to find a copy of this, we are very close to 2000! We must get onto it!

Items on finding the means of dealing with "the famous money magnet", and of opening your mind to prosperity, E. S. P. Lab of Texas helped you unlock the secret doors now to sex magic, the joys of astral sex, the force and how to use it, maverick astrology, and the fourfold paths of love, will, cooperation and power.

For automatic writing activity, the planchette, faster than the ouija board was indispensable. The art of thought reading. (Lost Worlds himself has been practicing this for a long time, but is not the world's best student at all, unfortunately.) Also, guides to memory improvement. An astrologer says, "Your money back if my predictions don't happen!" A solar-powered necklace to relieve anxiety, depression and fatigue, which increased vitality in test volunteers. An advert for The Parker Lifetime Treasury of Mystic and Occult Powers. The Aladdin's Lamp for a Money Miracle.! Methods of building confidence. Practical Rune Magic.

Also a biofeedback machine to work on alpha and theta brainwaves. Numerologist Grace Emerson presented her new method of thought control. You could also, via another offer, analyze and understand your dreams.

As well, the Metaphysics Dept. Yucca Valley, California, wrote: "Your share of the Cosmic Computer: What we might think of as a Cosmic Computer directs the Creative Force of the Universe, serving Nature and its inhabitants".

Miracle prayer power: how to successfully tap the magical power of prayer. Information on Immortality Now could be gained from the Nova Mystery School at Lake Tahoe, California. Dr Josephine C. Trust answered the question, "What is the inner and outer aura?" from the Superet Light Center in Los Angeles. The Seicho-No-IE Truth of Life Movement is a non-denominational movement based on the Truth that all religions emanate from the One Universal God.

Advert: "We couldn't stop winning money once our personal biorhythm analysis told us our multi-high jackpot days". Ads from a theosophy study centre. Adverts for items such as quartz crystal balls.

We thought you would like to know, this is how things were as recently as 1985. It was not so different in 1799, as you can find from a lot of London newspapers of the 1790s.

As I said, these things are of permanent interest to humanity...

**********Finis*************

Shakespeare

26 April

As taken from the Net

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was baptized on this day in 1564. He was the most important and influential writer, ever, period.

You quote Shakespeare when you say something is Greek to you... recall your salad days... or take action more in sorrow than in anger.

To say someone is tongue-tied or that something has vanished into thin air is to quote him. Ditto when you're a "tower of strength" or "in a pickle."

You recall Shakespeare when you can't sleep a wink, or you make a virtue of necessity... when you knit your brows... insist on fair play or stand on ceremony... when you play fast and loose... or when you're hoodwinked.

You owe a debt to Shakespeare when you say "too much of a good thing", or refer to a "fool's paradise." He was the first to say "when all is said and done" and that it was high time... the first to say something put one in stitches... and the first to say something had seen better days.

"Foul play" and "flesh and blood" come from Shakespeare... and so does "one fell swoop." To give the devil his due is to quote Shakespeare...who was also the first to write the phrase "good riddance" and the first to refer to someone being sent packing.

"Rhyme or reason" is his... so are "laughing stock" and "eyesore."

Many of these phrases have become so common in English that they have entered other languages. And we think - the most important and influential writer, ever, period.

Finis

************************************************

King Arthur lives on in history, myth and popular culture

Major Grail Quest conference set for Sydney University 10-14 June, 1999 LW Story 3, Issue 1

AUSTRALIAN and international devotees of the Arthurian Legend are gathering in force during the Queen's Birthday long weekend for four days following suggestions from fantasy author Sophie Masson.

And as the first conference newsletter says, "The tragic love triangle of Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot is almost an icon for adulterous love, as tragic and inevitable as Arthur's death at the Battle of Camlann at the hands of his son Mordred."

New archaeology also has something to do with fresh excitement and enthusiasm. A stone has lately been discovered at Tintagel, Arthur's traditional birth place, with a name inscription, ART, making headlines around the world.

Grail Quest arose due simply as complaints were made about Australian lack of access to conferences held around the world on King Arthur and "the Matter of Britain". Sophie Masson simply suggested that Australia mounts such a conference.

Soon, the Grail Quest organising committee consisted of convenor Cathy Simpson (games stream), Sophie Masson (literary stream), Cath Filmer-Davies (academic stream, Celtic Studies) of the University of Queensland, Barbara Posten-Anderson (arts stream) of the Centre for Research in Education and Arts, University of Technology Sydney, staff at the Helen Fulton Centre for Celtic Studies, University of Sydney, and computer guru Phil Wallach at Base Information Systems.

The Grail Quest conference will be divided into four streams: academic, literary, arts and games. Academic papers and games plans submitted in full prior to 30 April, 1999 will appear in conference proceedings. Education packs are to be prepared for use in schools. The closing date for submissions by email or snail mail is 31 November, 1998.

The conference's broad themes will be (1) The historical figures behind the myths, and; (2) Arthur in popular culture. Sessions will be one and a half or three hours, and games should be about two and a half hours. There will be workshops and panel groups aplenty.

Some esoteric conference entertainments will include: demonstrations, a trade fair (at Aust$500 per stand for merchandisers of clothes, games, arts, crafts and themic merchandise), music performances, an exhibition of Celtic and mediaeval arts and crafts, role playing, board and computer games, tarot readings, a battle re-enactment and Pendragon.

The arts and crafts exhibition will feature work by harpist, writer and artist, Caiseal Mor, plus fantasy art and medieval and Celtic craftwork by Australian and overseas workers. Musicians should contact Barbara Posten-Anderson email to: Barbara.Poston-Anderson@uts.edu.au

Writers early-interested in the conference include: Paul Collins (sci-fi and fantasy), Caiseal Mor, Jack Dann (short stories, novels, editor), novelist and poet Kate Forsyth and bestseller Ian Irvine. Plus author of Pagan books, Catherine Jinks, Sean MacMullen (sci-fi and fantasy), novelist and game scenario writer, Garth Nix and critic Janeen Webb.

Six games designers are already (November 1998) involved in conference planning.

Arthurian legend devotees questing on the Net for Grail Quest should email to: grailq@healey.com.au or, check Website:
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~phil/

Or to Sophie Masson, email: smasson@northnet.com.au

Sophie Masson's new adult fantasy trilogy, The Lay Lines Trilogy, is published by Bantam/Transworld in 1998-1999.

JOHN DEE (1527-1607-08) is already well-known as a "mystic figure", even, a magus, easily-found and much-discussed on the Internet. But Website treatments of his career mostly fail to outline his interests in navigation and his influences on the development of English sea power...

English sea power... which by 1654, only 46 years after Dee's death in 1608, meant that Cromwell's England took Jamaica from the Spanish, with all the misery later entailed for black slaves coerced to labour on Caribbean islands. Jamaica. Here, DAN BYRNES explores some of the implications of John Dee's "speculations" on navigation. LW story4, Issue 1

AMONG the retinue of Elizabeth I was her "oldest attendant", Blanche Parry, who possibly taught Elizabeth to speak Welsh. Blanche claimed to have seen Elizabeth rocked in the cradle as a baby. Blanche may perhaps have been influential politically, as she was a "connection" of Lord Burghley, William Cecil, whose background also was Welsh.

Also with a Welsh background was a cousin of Blanche, the mathematician, astrologer and mystic, John Dee. (See Elizabeth Jenkins, Arthurian Legend, pp. 158ff.)

Dee's (rather inaccurate) Dictionary of National Biography entry indicates that his father was a physician in ordinary to Charles I, he was a friend of Sir Thomas Browne, a contact of Elias Ashmole, and Dee knew geographer Gerard Mercator. Sir John Cheke promoted Dee and his interests to Secretary Cecil and Edward VI. Dee was once introduced into royal presence by William Herbert Earl Pembroke, and Earl Leicester, Lord Robert Dudley.

By 1567 Dee knew Sir William Cecil, Burghley. Dee lived in Thames banks at Mortlake, Surrey. He was once sent on a mission to Germany by Walsingham.

John Dee (1527-1607), Mariner and Cartographer, Magus, was son of Roland Dee and Joanna Wild.

Dee is given strangely in my copy of Columbia Encyclopedia [1960], as "British astrologer", with a remarkable career as a magician and scientist. He was a clergyman, a scholar who was a fellow of Cambridge University. He also helped popularise the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar. Dee's more occult interests brought him to the attention of the Habsburg Emperor, Rudolph II.

(Dee's diary was edited in 1842 by J. O. Halliwell-Phillips.)

Dee was a polymath of his day, historian and antiquarian, scientist, and also a clairvoyant, and he often moved at politically high levels. In English politics, Dee was consulted by Lord Leicester, Elizabeth's secretary of state (and spymaster) Sir Francis Walsingham, the "republican-minded" author of Arcadia, Sir Philip Sydney.

Over time, Dee for one reason for another had concluded that Elizabeth was a lineal descendant of King Arthur, and he was "ardent" that England should have an Empire. This however would have been an empire with a particular background, as it would have been comprised of various territories thought to once be held of taken by King Arthur, circa 550AD or later?

Dee was eager that Elizabeth should take certain territories by armed force, whilst the Queen was happy to pursue a policy of pursuing prosperity at home, although not without an eye to that prosperity being turned to funding any unavoidable or interesting wars. Amongst the territories Dee thought were applicable were Scandinavia, and parts of Russia; also, some unspecified parts of "America". [Here, it is not specified if Dee meant the Caribbean, parts of South America as held by the Spanish or Portuguese, or any known parts of North America.]

Expansionary matters here were discussed with some seriousness by October, 1580. Cecil, Lord Burghley, agreed with Dee. The Queen was taken to be averse to such adventures.

Jenkins, commenting here, is only a little outside the confines of the context of the development of the Arthurian legends... she writes that succeeding centuries saw aspects of Dee's vision fulfilled. Jenkins (page 167) also notes disapprovingly that the promoters of the Stuarts, Queen Mary, or James I of England, also claimed some descent from King Arthur. (This is interesting, as this claim seems to be upheld by Gardner, author of The Holy Bloodline, a book discussed in another section of this issue of Lost Worlds.)

James I of course promoted The (or, his) Divine Right to Rule, whereas many of his subjects had something more parliamentary, more democratic in mind. James I's views were such that he declared disbanded the recently-formed Society of Antiquarians (a society which John Dee would presumably have approved of).

James' reason for this was that while he claimed descent from King Arthur, the view of the antiquarians was that Arthur and his legend represented something democratic. Arthur was an "elected" king. In the idealistic sense, his court had a semi-democratic view of equality, as with the Knights of the Round Table.

This outlook was also regarded widely by devotees of the Arthurian legend as equivalent to respect for the legal legacy of the Anglo-Saxons in the life of Island Britain. In 1572, the archbishop of Canterbury for Elizabeth, Dr Matthew Parker, had founded the Society of Antiquarians, which devoted itself to the study of Anglo-Saxon law and language.

One of the antiquarians' associates was Sir Edward Coke, who upheld the authority of English common law, and he disputed with James I on points about whether the claims of the Anglican Church of the day were exempt, or not, from the claims of common law. James I felt the church here was exempt from such claims. And so the argument also hinged partly on views on the general roles that could or should be taken by parliament - or not.

Dr Matthew Parker was a good friend of Cecil, Lord Burghley, and so it can be seen that a dispersal of opinion by 1610 or so, about the Arthurian Legend, could have its political subtleties. Sometimes these subtleties operated within rather limited circles of knowledgeable or interested parties.

Where Dee was a "mathematician", he was also interested in navigation (that is, the astronomy of the day), as well as in astrology. And if Dee was interested in navigation, whom did he discuss it with? (With or without the territorial aspects of the legend of King Arthur being involved?).

Views of John Dee's career, then, if he is referred to as a magus, or, astrologer, can be misleading. He gave some impetus to the movements leading to the establishment of the first English colonies, he aided England's anti-Spanish maritime activity, and his influence aided the expansion of English trade generally.

Dee was a friend of Hakluyt the Older and Younger. He instructed the English mariners, Chancellor, the Boroughs, Jenkinson, Frobisher, Gilbert, Raleigh, and probably Drake, in navigation. He was educated by Frisius, Mercator, Pedro Nunez, Ortelius, Finaeus, all geographers.

There has also been a view that as a noted cartographer and student of navigation, Dee was a promoter of finding terra australis (Australia, or, The Great Southland), but he is not mentioned as such in MacIntyre's Secret Discovery of Australia.

- Finis -

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kenneth R. Andrews, Trade, Plunder and Settlement: Maritime Enterprise and the Genesis of the British Empire, 1480-1630. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1984., pp. 168ff.

Robert Brenner, Merchants and Revolution: Commercial Change, Political Conflict, and London's Overseas Traders, 1550-1653. Cambridge University Press, 1993.

Richard Cavendish, King Arthur and the Grail: The Arthurian Legends and their Meaning. London, Book Club Associates, 1978.

Elizabeth Jenkins, The Mystery of King Arthur. London, Michael O'Mara Books Ltd., 1973. , pp. 158ff

C. R. N. Routh, Who's Who in History, Vol. II, England, 1485-1603. London, Basil Blackwood, 1964., pp. 440ff.

Frances A. Yates, The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan Age. London, Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1979.

An article, 'Renaissance Philosophers in Elizabethan England: John Dee and Giordano Bruno', by Frances Yates, in Hugh Lloyd-Jones, Valerie Pearl and Blair Worden, (Eds.), History and Imagination. London, Duckworth, 1981., Ch. 9, pp. 104-115.

A. E. W. Mason, The Life of Francis Drake. London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1941.

Burke's Extinct Baronetcies, for Sydenham of Brimpton, p. 516.

Michael J. G. Stanford, 'The Raleghs take to the sea', Mariner's Mirror, Vol. 48, No. 1, February 1962., pp. 18-35.

Philip Edwards, Sir Walter Ralegh. 1953.

M. Oppenheim, A History of the Administration of the Royal Navy. 1896.

Julian Corbet, The Success of Drake. 1900.

R. G. Marsden, 'The Vice-Admirals of the Coast', English Historical Review, Vol. xxiii, p. 475, 1907.

A. L. Rowse, Raleigh and the Throckmortons. London, Macmillan, 1962.

Who's Who of the World of Shakespeare, p. 132.

M. S. Anderson, Britain's Discovery of Russia. 1958.

J. A. Doyle, The English in America.
W. G. Gosling, The Life of Sir Humphrey Gilbert. London, 1911, was superseded by Quinn's work for Hakluyt Society series 2, Vols. LXXXIII and LXXXIV; noted in Rabb, Enterprise, p. 220.

A. E. W. Mason, The Life of Francis Drake. London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1941.

Burke's Extinct Baronetcies, for Sydenham of Brimpton, p. 516.

Kenneth Gordon McIntyre, The Secret Discovery of Australia: Portuguese Ventures 250 Years Before Captain Cook. London, Pan, 1982.

- Finis -

The music they play is the traditional music of the Finnish region of Ostrobothnia, which is where many of the country's ethnic Swedes come from. This collection focuses on the sea and its enchantments. Like the best folk music, it derives from both very robust reality and a fairytale dissolving of the borders of reality.

The music is fabulous, and so are the words: although these are traditional songs, the musicians are not content merely with replicating; they use more unusual instruments, such as a didgeridoo, as well as the more usual ones! Lead singer and fiddler Jenny Wilhelms' clear, vivid voice put me a little in mind of Maddy Pryor from Steeleye Span, but she is very much her own woman, and her fiddle playing is fantastic.
Highly recommended.

Fest Vraz
Celtic Music from Brittany, France
Keltia Musique
Here's another highly recommended number from Keltia. It's a double CD album which features the best Breton artists over the 20 years Keltia has been performing.

Here are the great talents of such luminaries as Skolvan, Yann-Fanch Kemener, Trikell, Bagad Kemper, and more. There's not only harp and fiddle and biniou (bagpipes), guitars are also featured here, plus piano accordions, organs, and more. There are dances, laments, ribald songs--and even Breton jazz! It's a dazzling display of talent, with something for everyone. You can buy it directly from Keltia at 1 Place du Beurre, Quimper, France, or through the Web:
http://www.keltiamusic.com/
Email:keltia@eurobretagne.fr
And they have no problem with English!

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The Boy's Doin' It
Hugh Masakela
Verve, Polygram
This is a reissue of the famed South African trumpeter's seminal 1970's album. It displays Masakela's brilliance and innovation to a whole new generation. His daring mix of Afro-pop, American R&B, and cutting-edge jazz has spawned a great many imitators. Post-apartheid, Masakela is feted in his home country as well as abroad, and has acquired legendary status. Listen to the reasons why!

As well as the original tracks from The Boy's Doin' It, there are also bonus tracks from other records that Masakela cut in the 70's, including one of my favourites, the bouncy Toejam!

**************Finis*************

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