After the Seven Seals have been opened and the Seven Trumpets sounded, seven angels come forth and are each given a vial containing a plague.
The First Vial is poured out over the earth, sending “a noisome and grievous sore” that will affect only those bearing the Mark of the Beast.
The Second Vial is taken and poured into the seas of the world. Thereafter, the water “becomes as the blood of a dead man” and all living creatures in the seas perish.
The Third Vial is poured into the rivers and fountains and turns those waters into blood, as well. At this point, the “angel of waters” cries out that God is righteous and as given unto those who shed blood, blood to drink.
The Fourth Vial is taken and its contents are poured over the sun. A great plague of heat then sweeps across the planet, scorching those who bear the Mark of the Beast and blaspheme the name of God.
The Fifth Vial is poured out on “the seat of the beast” and darkness spread through his kingdom. This darkness is so oppressive that it causes physical pain in those it affects. It is unclear if this darkness will affect only the Antichrist’s capital or the entire planet.
The Sixth Vial is emptied into the Euphrates River. The water therein is dried up so “that the way of the kings of the east be prepared”. The armies are raised and brought “together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon”.
The Seventh Vial is poured out into the air and a great voice comes forth from the temple in Jerusalem and says, “It is done”. This is followed by either a multitude of earthquakes, or one worldwide quake that levels all mountains into the seas. After, there come hailstorms and massive lightning strikes.
Sources:
Holy Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 16: 1-21; King James Version
Thursday, May 1, 2008
History of Backmasking
In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, a device that allowed sound to be recorded and reproduced on a rotating cylinder with a stylus attached to a diaphragm mounted at the narrow end of a horn. Emile Berliner invented the lateral-cut disc phonograph record in 1888. His design became more popular than the Edison phonograph around the 1920's, since Berliner's patent expired in 1918. This allowed others to use his invention for their own purposes.
In addition to recreating recorded sounds by placing the stylus on the cylinder or disc and rotating it in the same direction as during the recording, you can hear different sounds by merely spinning the disc in the opposite direction. In 1878 Edison noted that, when played backwards, "the song is still melodious in many cases, and some of the strains are sweet and novel, but altogether different from the song reproduced in the right way." The backwards playing of records was suggested as training for magicians by the occultist known as Aleister Crowley. His 1913 book Magick (Book 4), alluded to the fact that an adept can "train himself to think backwards by external means." This included listening to phonograph records in reverse.
The 1950's saw the development of musique concrete, an avant-garde form of electronic music which utilizes editing together fragments of natural and industrial sounds, and the coetaneous spread of the use of tape recorders in recording studios. These trends led to tape music compositions, done on tape with techniques including reverse tape effects.
The Beatles, who included the techniques of musique concrete into their recordings, were known for popularizing the idea of backmasking. Singer John Lennon and producer George Martin both claim they discovered the backward recording technique during the recording of 1966's Revolver; more specifically the songs "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I'm Only Sleeping," and the single "Rain." Lennon stated that, while under the influence of marijuana, he accidentally played the tapes for "Rain" in reverse, and enjoyed the sound. The next day he shared the results with the other members of the band, and the effect was used first in the guitar solo for "Tomorrow Never Knows," and later in the coda of "Rain." According to Martin, the band had been testing altering the speeds of and reversing the "Tomorrow Never Knows" tapes, and Martin got the idea of reversing Lennon's vocals and guitar, which he did with a clip from "Rain." Lennon liked the effect so much he decided to keep it. Regardless, "Rain" was the very first song to include a backmasked message.
Sources: Wikipedia article on Backmasking
In addition to recreating recorded sounds by placing the stylus on the cylinder or disc and rotating it in the same direction as during the recording, you can hear different sounds by merely spinning the disc in the opposite direction. In 1878 Edison noted that, when played backwards, "the song is still melodious in many cases, and some of the strains are sweet and novel, but altogether different from the song reproduced in the right way." The backwards playing of records was suggested as training for magicians by the occultist known as Aleister Crowley. His 1913 book Magick (Book 4), alluded to the fact that an adept can "train himself to think backwards by external means." This included listening to phonograph records in reverse.
The 1950's saw the development of musique concrete, an avant-garde form of electronic music which utilizes editing together fragments of natural and industrial sounds, and the coetaneous spread of the use of tape recorders in recording studios. These trends led to tape music compositions, done on tape with techniques including reverse tape effects.
The Beatles, who included the techniques of musique concrete into their recordings, were known for popularizing the idea of backmasking. Singer John Lennon and producer George Martin both claim they discovered the backward recording technique during the recording of 1966's Revolver; more specifically the songs "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I'm Only Sleeping," and the single "Rain." Lennon stated that, while under the influence of marijuana, he accidentally played the tapes for "Rain" in reverse, and enjoyed the sound. The next day he shared the results with the other members of the band, and the effect was used first in the guitar solo for "Tomorrow Never Knows," and later in the coda of "Rain." According to Martin, the band had been testing altering the speeds of and reversing the "Tomorrow Never Knows" tapes, and Martin got the idea of reversing Lennon's vocals and guitar, which he did with a clip from "Rain." Lennon liked the effect so much he decided to keep it. Regardless, "Rain" was the very first song to include a backmasked message.
Sources: Wikipedia article on Backmasking
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Seven Trumpets
After the half hour silence is over, the seven angels will sound their trumpets in succession.
The First Trumpet, when sounded, brings forth a storm of hail and fire "mingled with blood". In this storm, a third of the earth's tree will be consumed in the fire along with all the grass.
The Second Trumpet is sounded and "as it were a great mountain burning with fire" plummets into the sea and a third of the sea becomes as blood. A third of the life in the sea dies and a third of all ships are destroyed as a result.
The Third Trumpet causes a star to fall from the heavens "upon the third part of the rivers". The star is called Wormwood and will poison the rivers, thereby rendering the water in these rivers undrinkable.
The Fourth Trumpet causes the sun, moon and stars to be "smitten", darkening each by one third. Because of this, "the day shone not for a third of the part, and the night likewise".
Between the Fourth and Fifth Trumpets, an angel will fly through the sky and cry out, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"
At the sounding of the Fifth Trumpet, a star falls from heaven and he is given a key. With the key, he opens a bottomless pit and releases a swarm of locusts, with "power, as the scorpions of the earth have power" and they fell upon all men not bearing the seal of God to protect them. At this time, many that are bitten will try to kill themselves to escape the pain but will find that "death shall flee from them". The locusts will be lead by the angel of the bottomless pit, called Apollyon in Greek and Abaddon in Hebrew.
The Sixth Trumpet sounds and is followed by four horns sound from "the golden altar which is before God". Four angels, who are bound in the Euphrates river, are released and sent forth to slaughter "the third part of men". Their army will consist of horsemen numbering "two hundred thousand thousand", or 200 million. The men will be killed by the fire, smoke and brimstone "which issued out of their mouths".
The Seventh Trumpet does not sound at this point. Following the Sixth, there comes what is referred to as the Seven Thunders. The nature of the Thunders are a mystery unto God until the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. The Seventh Trumpet does not bring a plague, rather it sounds as glory is given to God and to announce the coming of His kingdom.
Sources:
Holy Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 8: 7-13, Chapter 9: 1-21, Chapter 10: 4, 7, Chapter 11: 15; King James Version
The First Trumpet, when sounded, brings forth a storm of hail and fire "mingled with blood". In this storm, a third of the earth's tree will be consumed in the fire along with all the grass.
The Second Trumpet is sounded and "as it were a great mountain burning with fire" plummets into the sea and a third of the sea becomes as blood. A third of the life in the sea dies and a third of all ships are destroyed as a result.
The Third Trumpet causes a star to fall from the heavens "upon the third part of the rivers". The star is called Wormwood and will poison the rivers, thereby rendering the water in these rivers undrinkable.
The Fourth Trumpet causes the sun, moon and stars to be "smitten", darkening each by one third. Because of this, "the day shone not for a third of the part, and the night likewise".
Between the Fourth and Fifth Trumpets, an angel will fly through the sky and cry out, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"
At the sounding of the Fifth Trumpet, a star falls from heaven and he is given a key. With the key, he opens a bottomless pit and releases a swarm of locusts, with "power, as the scorpions of the earth have power" and they fell upon all men not bearing the seal of God to protect them. At this time, many that are bitten will try to kill themselves to escape the pain but will find that "death shall flee from them". The locusts will be lead by the angel of the bottomless pit, called Apollyon in Greek and Abaddon in Hebrew.
The Sixth Trumpet sounds and is followed by four horns sound from "the golden altar which is before God". Four angels, who are bound in the Euphrates river, are released and sent forth to slaughter "the third part of men". Their army will consist of horsemen numbering "two hundred thousand thousand", or 200 million. The men will be killed by the fire, smoke and brimstone "which issued out of their mouths".
The Seventh Trumpet does not sound at this point. Following the Sixth, there comes what is referred to as the Seven Thunders. The nature of the Thunders are a mystery unto God until the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. The Seventh Trumpet does not bring a plague, rather it sounds as glory is given to God and to announce the coming of His kingdom.
Sources:
Holy Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 8: 7-13, Chapter 9: 1-21, Chapter 10: 4, 7, Chapter 11: 15; King James Version
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Backmasking
Backmasking, aka backward masking, is a recording technique that involves a sound or message being recorded backwards onto a song that is intended to be played forward.
This technique was originally popularized by The Beatles, who utilized it on their 1966 album Revolver. Since then, backmasking has been used on numerous digital and analog recordings for a variety of purposes. It can also be used to censor words or phrases for "clean" versions of songs.
Backmasking has been very controversial in the US since the 80's, when Christian groups claimed it was being used for Satanic purposes by well known rock musicians. This led to record-burning protests and anti-backmasking legislation by state and federal governments.
Tomorrow, we will explore the history behind backmasking.
Sources: Wikipedia entry on Backmasking.
This technique was originally popularized by The Beatles, who utilized it on their 1966 album Revolver. Since then, backmasking has been used on numerous digital and analog recordings for a variety of purposes. It can also be used to censor words or phrases for "clean" versions of songs.
Backmasking has been very controversial in the US since the 80's, when Christian groups claimed it was being used for Satanic purposes by well known rock musicians. This led to record-burning protests and anti-backmasking legislation by state and federal governments.
Tomorrow, we will explore the history behind backmasking.
Sources: Wikipedia entry on Backmasking.
The Seven Seals
During the End Times, there is said to be 21 judgements. These include the seven seals, seven trumpets and the seven vials, or bowl, judgement. The first set, the Seven Seals, refers to the 6th chapter of Revelation and the first six parts of chapter 8.
The First Seal is opened, releasing "a white horse: and he that sat on him" carries a bow and is wearing a crown. The White Horse then goes on to conquer. The White Horse is representative of the Anitchrist's rise to power.
When the Second Seal is opened, a red horse comes forth. And, "power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another". The rider is given a large sword and is called War.
At the opening of the Third Seal, a black horse appears. The rider is carrying a set of balances. A voice is heard, which says, "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou not hurt the oil and the wine". This Rider represents a famine, possibly resulting from the war caused by the previous Horseman.
The Forth Seal is opened to reveal a "pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him". The final rider is given the power to destroy one forth of the world's population with "sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth".
Once the Fifth Seal is opened, the martyrs of the world begin to die. That is to say, the Antichrist begins to persecute those left that believe in God.
The Sixth Seal. At its opening, there is a great earthquake, and "the sun [becomes] as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon [becomes] as blood". The stars begin to fall from the heavens, the heavens are rolled back and the mountains and islands are "moved out of their places". The world's population seeks shelter in caves and dens. The population cries out, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
When the Lamb opens the Seven, and final, Seal, there will be complete silence in Heaven for "the space of half an hour" and seven angels with be given seven trumpets. Another angel is given a container for incense, which he fills with fire and casts it on the earth. The seven angels with the seven trumpets then prepare themselves to sound.
These are the Seven Seal Judgements. Tomorrow, we will examine the Seven Trumpets.
Sources:
Holy Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 6: 1-17, Chapter 8: 1-6; King James Version
The First Seal is opened, releasing "a white horse: and he that sat on him" carries a bow and is wearing a crown. The White Horse then goes on to conquer. The White Horse is representative of the Anitchrist's rise to power.
When the Second Seal is opened, a red horse comes forth. And, "power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another". The rider is given a large sword and is called War.
At the opening of the Third Seal, a black horse appears. The rider is carrying a set of balances. A voice is heard, which says, "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou not hurt the oil and the wine". This Rider represents a famine, possibly resulting from the war caused by the previous Horseman.
The Forth Seal is opened to reveal a "pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him". The final rider is given the power to destroy one forth of the world's population with "sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth".
Once the Fifth Seal is opened, the martyrs of the world begin to die. That is to say, the Antichrist begins to persecute those left that believe in God.
The Sixth Seal. At its opening, there is a great earthquake, and "the sun [becomes] as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon [becomes] as blood". The stars begin to fall from the heavens, the heavens are rolled back and the mountains and islands are "moved out of their places". The world's population seeks shelter in caves and dens. The population cries out, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
When the Lamb opens the Seven, and final, Seal, there will be complete silence in Heaven for "the space of half an hour" and seven angels with be given seven trumpets. Another angel is given a container for incense, which he fills with fire and casts it on the earth. The seven angels with the seven trumpets then prepare themselves to sound.
These are the Seven Seal Judgements. Tomorrow, we will examine the Seven Trumpets.
Sources:
Holy Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 6: 1-17, Chapter 8: 1-6; King James Version
Monday, April 28, 2008
Familiars
How bizarre that in one culture it is perfectly acceptable for everyone to acknowledge a totem animal or a spirit guide, while in another an individual can be burned at the stake for professing a similar concept. During the same historical period when all good little European children said their prayers and beseeched 14 angels to keep watch over them while they slept, innocent men and women were being tortured to death for being suspected of calling upon other spirit entities to help them cure their neighbors of diseases.
The concept of certain spirit beings who assist a magician or a witch undoubtedly hearkens back to the totem animal guides that attended the ancient shamans, for the familiars express themselves most often in animal forms. The black cat, for instance, has become synonymous in popular folklore as the traditional companion of the witch. Attendant upon such a sorcerer as the legendary Cornelius Agrippa is the black dog or the dark-haired wolf.
The ancient Greeks called upon the predrii, spirit beings who were ever at hand to provide assistance to the physicians or magicians. In Rome, the seers and soothsayers asked their familiares or magistelli to lend a little supernatural assistance. In many lands where the Christian missionaries planted their faith, various saints provided an acceptable substitute for the ancient practice of asking favors or help from the totem animal. Interestingly, many of the saints of Christendom are identified by an animal symbol, for example, the dog with St. Bernard; the lion with St. Mark; the stag with St. Eustace; and the crow with St. Anthony. However, in those regions where the country folk and rural residents persisted in calling upon their familiars, the church decreed the spirit being to be demons sent by Satan to undermine the work of the clergy. All those accused of possessing a familiar or relying on it for guidance or assistance were forced to recant such an association or be in danger of the torture chamber and the stake.
While the wolf became the symbol for such Christian spiritual illuminaries as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Edmund of East Anglia, for the common folk, to maintain the wolf as one's personal totem was proof of their desire to be transformed into a werewolf.
Sources: Hazlitt, W. C. Dictionary of Faiths and Folklore. London: Studio Editions, 1995.
Spence, Lewis. An Encyclopedia of Occultism. New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1960.
Steiger, Brad. Totems: The Transformative Power of Your Personal Animal Totem. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997.
The concept of certain spirit beings who assist a magician or a witch undoubtedly hearkens back to the totem animal guides that attended the ancient shamans, for the familiars express themselves most often in animal forms. The black cat, for instance, has become synonymous in popular folklore as the traditional companion of the witch. Attendant upon such a sorcerer as the legendary Cornelius Agrippa is the black dog or the dark-haired wolf.
The ancient Greeks called upon the predrii, spirit beings who were ever at hand to provide assistance to the physicians or magicians. In Rome, the seers and soothsayers asked their familiares or magistelli to lend a little supernatural assistance. In many lands where the Christian missionaries planted their faith, various saints provided an acceptable substitute for the ancient practice of asking favors or help from the totem animal. Interestingly, many of the saints of Christendom are identified by an animal symbol, for example, the dog with St. Bernard; the lion with St. Mark; the stag with St. Eustace; and the crow with St. Anthony. However, in those regions where the country folk and rural residents persisted in calling upon their familiars, the church decreed the spirit being to be demons sent by Satan to undermine the work of the clergy. All those accused of possessing a familiar or relying on it for guidance or assistance were forced to recant such an association or be in danger of the torture chamber and the stake.
While the wolf became the symbol for such Christian spiritual illuminaries as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Edmund of East Anglia, for the common folk, to maintain the wolf as one's personal totem was proof of their desire to be transformed into a werewolf.
Sources: Hazlitt, W. C. Dictionary of Faiths and Folklore. London: Studio Editions, 1995.
Spence, Lewis. An Encyclopedia of Occultism. New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1960.
Steiger, Brad. Totems: The Transformative Power of Your Personal Animal Totem. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997.
The Akashic Records
The Akashic Records is a term from Hinduism that refers to a compilation of every all knowledge of the human experience as well as the entire history of the cosmos. The term comes from the Sanskrit word akasha, which means aether, which is a subtle substance on which the records are impressed. Akasha, in Hindu mysticism, is the primary principle of nature. Earth, fire, wind and water are each created from akasha and together the five principles are believed to represent the five senses.
Some believe that the Akashic Records are comparable to a collective consciousness. Other names attributed to the Akashic Records include the Cosmic Mind, the Universal Mind, the collective conscious, or the collective subconscious. There are some that believe that powers such as clairvoyance and psychic perception are made possible through the Akashic Records.
Viewing the Akashic Records is possible, some say, while in certain states of consciousness. These states of consciousness can be induced by various stages of sleep, weakness, illness, drug use and meditation. This implies that any person could view the Records when they wanted to, not just mystics. Yogis believe that one can view the Akashic Records while in certain psychic states.
Sources:
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/akashic_records.htm - Akashic Records
Some believe that the Akashic Records are comparable to a collective consciousness. Other names attributed to the Akashic Records include the Cosmic Mind, the Universal Mind, the collective conscious, or the collective subconscious. There are some that believe that powers such as clairvoyance and psychic perception are made possible through the Akashic Records.
Viewing the Akashic Records is possible, some say, while in certain states of consciousness. These states of consciousness can be induced by various stages of sleep, weakness, illness, drug use and meditation. This implies that any person could view the Records when they wanted to, not just mystics. Yogis believe that one can view the Akashic Records while in certain psychic states.
Sources:
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/akashic_records.htm - Akashic Records
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