Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.
Love and light,
Trace
xoxo
Saturday, 24 December 2016
Sunday, 18 December 2016
Of the stars...
Obsolete constellations
Non-astronomers are often puzzled by the concept of a disused constellation – surely, a constellation is either there or it isn’t. However, the patterns we see in the stars are purely a product of human imagination, so humans are free to amend the patterns as they choose – and astronomers did so at will during the heyday of celestial mapping in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Former constellations are constellations that are no longer recognised by the International Astronomical Union for various reasons. HERE
Ophiuchus is a large constellation located around the celestial equator. Its name is from the Greek Ὀφιοῦχος "serpent-bearer", and it is commonly represented as a man grasping the snake that is represented by the constellation Serpens. Ophiuchus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It was formerly referred to as Serpentarius and Anguitenens. More HERE
There is no evidence of the constellation preceding the classical era, and in Babylonian astronomy, a "Sitting Gods" constellation seems to have been located in the general area of Ophiuchus. However, Gavin White proposes that Ophiuchus may in fact, be remotely descended from this Babylonian constellation, representing Nirah, a serpent-god who was sometimes depicted with his upper half human but with serpents for legs.
The brightest stars in Ophiuchus include α Ophiuchi, called Rasalhague ("head of the serpent charmer"), at magnitude 2.07, and η Ophiuchi, known as Sabik ("the preceding one"), at magnitude 2.43. Other bright stars in the constellation include β Ophiuchi, Cebalrai ("dog of the shepherd") and λ Ophiuchi, or Marfik ("the elbow").
Barnard's Star, one of the nearest stars to the Solar System (the only stars closer are the Alpha Centauri binary star system and Proxima Centauri), lies in Ophiuchus. It is located to the left of β and just north of the V-shaped group of stars in an area that was once occupied by the now-obsolete constellation of Taurus Poniatovii (Poniatowski's Bull).
Taurus Poniatovii (Latin for Poniatowski's bull) was a constellation created by Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt in 1777 to honor Stanislaus Poniatowski, king of Poland. It consisted of stars that are today considered part of Ophiuchus and Aquila. It is no longer in use. It was wedged in between Ophiuchus, Aquila and Serpens Cauda.
The stars were picked for the resemblance of their arrangement to the Hyades group which form the "head" of Taurus. Before the definition of Taurus Poniatovii, some of these had been part of the obsolete constellation River Tigris.
River Tigris or Tigris (named after the Tigris river) was a constellation, introduced in 1612 (or 1613) by Petrus Plancius. One end was near the shoulder of Ophiuchus and the other was near Pegasus, and in between it passed through the area now occupied by Vulpecula, flowing between Cygnus and Aquila. It did not appear on Johann Bode's atlases and was quickly forgotten.
In 2005, astronomers using data from the Green Bank Telescope discovered a superbubble so large that it extends beyond the plane of the galaxy. It is called the Ophiuchus Superbubble.
Urania dresses in a cloak embroidered with stars and keeps her eyes and attention focused on the Heavens. She is usually represented with a celestial globe to which she points with a little staff. She is able to foretell the future by the arrangement of the stars.
Griepenkerl, Venus Urania
Urania, o'er her star-bespangled lyre,
With touch of majesty diffused her soul;
A thousand tones, that in the breast inspire,
Exalted feelings, o er the wires'gan roll—
How at the call of Jove the mist unfurled,
And o'er the swelling vault—the glowing sky,
The new-born stars hung out their lamps on high,
And rolled their mighty orbs to music's sweetest sound.
—From An Ode To Music by James G. Percival
During the Renaissance, Urania began to be considered the Muse for Christian poets. In the invocation to Book 7 of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost, the poet invokes Urania to aid his narration of the creation of the cosmos, though he cautions that it is "[t]he meaning, not the name I call" (7.5)
Urania Cottage was a refuge for fallen women established by the writer Charles Dickens in Lime Grove, Shepherd’s Bush, London in the late 1840s.
Bacchylides, Fragment 3 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (C5th B.C.):
"[The poet] has his share in the violet-haired Mousai (Muses).The light of man's excellence, however, does not diminish with his body; no, the Mousa (Muse) fosters it. And the sweet-voiced cock [the poet] of lyre-ruling Ourania (Urania)."
Aratus Solensis, 1600, Hug. Grotii Syntagma Arateorum. Ophiuchus, Serpens, Scorpius.
Isis Urania
Sidney Hall Urania's Mirror Monoceros Canis Minor and Atelier Typographique
Love and light,
Trace
xoxo
Christmas Writing
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Magical Places ~ Regaleira Palace ~ Sintra ~ Portugal
Regaleira Palace ~ Sintra ~ Portugal
Quinta da Regaleira is an estate located near the historic center of Sintra, Portugal. It is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO within the "Cultural Landscape of Sintra". Along with the other palaces in the area such as the Quinta do Relógio, Pena, Monserrate and Seteais palaces, it is considered one of the principal tourist attractions of Sintra. The property consists of a romantic palace and chapel, and a luxurious park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. The palace is also known as "The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire", which is based on the nickname of its best known former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. More Here.
Love and light,
Trace
xoxo
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Dunvegan ~ Eilean Donan Castle (Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland)
Eilean Donan Castle
TJ Drysdale
Eilean Donan Castle (Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland)
A picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television dominates the island, which lies about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the village of Dornie. Since the castle's restoration in the early 20th century, a footbridge has connected the island to the mainland.
Eilean Donan, which means simply "island of Donnán", is named after Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic saint martyred in 617. Donnán is said to have established a church on the island, though no trace of this remains.
More HERE
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Nanawrimo - 25k ~ Halfway Point ~ 'Claíomh Solais' Book Three (The Future)
Christian Schloe.
Quick update:The manuscript for book three is on its way. Hit the halfway mark yesterday in #nanowrimo ~ Yay!
I had an outline, which were more mental notes at this point than an actual plot all scribbled down. It has been an interesting journey so far. Characters really do lead the way. Yesterday, two main characters were just popping outside for a chat and a big plot twist took hold from nowhere. I sat back and stared at the screen wondering where it came from. I never saw it coming. Bang, one character completely changed their role on me! I was stunned and had to make tea. Yup, that serious. But I love it when that kind of magic happens, sort of feels more true in essence because structured plots are more controlled and, I feel, generally, if used as guidelines, enable this kind of epiphany to take place. So I'm really quite happy at this point. My son was ill for a week and catching up on word count was tough, but I did it. I intend to finish this early draft and my first attempt at nanowrimo. Positive thinking folks. :o)
First Draft Excerpts: Fantasy Fiction
He lifted his head, his eyes raging dark blue seas, she had never seen them look so cold and uninviting. Their normal warmth replaced by storms of deep emotion swirling violently beneath the watery surface. She was almost too scared to ask what happened noticing the scrapes and cuts on his knuckles. He trembled. Was it in fear or anger? The black cover of the...
*
“Oh, she’s a bitch alright.” Kez nodded. "Though I prefer to call her a realistic dreamer most of the time." The edge of his wrinkled mouth twitched.
The beginning of a smile, perhaps, thought Wulfstan. "A contradictory term."
"Exactly." The smile finally formed on Kez's lips. "An amazing contradiction of your world and mine."
*
Her glittering red shoes stood out on the black painted line which hid the curling of her toes pressing hard against the sole, her odd way of controlling emotions so no-one could see. She knew Samson’s men were inside, but which ones? Of course, she was aware that didn’t look like one of them anymore. Today especially, with her camel 1950s coat flaring out above her knees, tights too, a rarity, all necessary for her roleplay today. The clank of the unlocking bolt echoed around the metal menace before the hatch screeched open.
Book Cover Idea ~ For Inspiration Only ~ adapted art of YURI SHWEDOFF
Love and light,
Trace
xoxo
Storytelling ~ Song & Visual
Jackson Carvalho
"Heal"
Take my mind and take my pain,
Like an empty bottle takes the rain.
And heal, heal, heal, heal.
And take my past and take my sins,
Like an empty sail takes the wind.
And heal, heal, heal, heal.
And tell me some things last.
And tell me some things last.
Take my heart and take my hand,
Like an ocean takes the dirty sands.
And heal, heal, hell heal!
Take my mind and take my pain,
Like an empty bottle takes the rain.
And heal, heal, hell heal!
And tell me some things last.
And tell me some things last.
And tell me some things last.
And tell me some things last.
Catrin Welz-Stein
Love and light,
Trace
xoxo
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