Conference hydra::dejavu

    
    
    I have had profound spiritual experiences at several 'ancient'
    sites - the Maya ceremonial center of Copan, in Honduras;
    at a kiva in Chaco Canyon; and at the monastery of LaVerna, in
    Tuscany, where it is said that St. Francis received the stigmata.
    
    It is difficult to put into words what I felt...the sense that 
    the walls and structures were saturated with the spiritual energy
    of many, many others first pushed at me, with a heaviness not 
    unlike that sensation that precedes a severe thunderstorm, or an
    earthquake. As time passed, I began to feel one with the place,
    and with the accumulated energy. It was unsettling and yet right,
    at the same time. Afterward, I've had dreams and fragments of 
    dreams that I can't quite recall, but are connected to the place.
    
    For me, it's interesting that while I was at Copan for nearly a
    month (I was photographing and measuring structures for my graduate
    archaeological studies of the Maya) the feeling continued at a
    profound but consistent level. In contrast, I visited LaVerna one
    morning, and the feeling began as soon as I walked into the monastery,
    then built into an intense and tangibly overwhelming sensation which
    culminated in my bursting into tears and nearly fainting in the
    chapel. (I am not a Catholic, so my friend had to explain the 
    historical significance of the place once we had left.)
    
    I think that all places on earth where people have gathered to 
    worship over long periods of time have possess that power to a 
    greater or lesser degree. St.Peter's in Rome has it, under the 
    bustle of pilgrims and tourists. And so does the Parthenon. 
    
    To experience it, I think that one need only sit quietly, alone 
    or in the midst of the hubbub, open and receptive to whatever
    may be there.
    
    Gloria
       

    
    	"Places where people gather" - some of us wonder if it's the
    *place* that exerts these feelings -or- if the place *becomes* able
    over usage and time.
    
    	I've heard that it is not uncommon for a church to be built
    right on top of a "place" where other peoples from other times have
    gathered or ritualisticly met.
    
    	Why?	Is the place special, a known "hot spot", or has it
    become resonant with the energies of those who have frequented the
    place, perhaps for many, many years?
    
    	Joe Jas
    

    This past spring found me in England, where my daughter and I had
    several, shall we say "intuitive" experiences.  One of the most
    dramatic happend at Stonehenge.
    
    Being very sensitive, I went to the ancient site with great
    expectations and my "feelers" out but became very disappointed when
    we actually got there.  Instead of the intenseness I expected, it
    sort of hit me like difizzled soda.  Yes, it was nice, and yes,
    it was old, but.... no warm and fuzzies.  It also hit me how very
    commercial it was, and for some reason that made me very sad. 
    
    Around the same time as my trip I had discovered that the "guardian
    angel" that always seemed to be around me actually would find a
    way to answer questions when I would ask.  So, I asked.  "What was
    this place in the past?" - Without an instant's hesitation, I saw
    pictures of vast fields and people bringing sick animals and people
    toward this center.  I saw one herder bring a sick lamb and place
    it on the earth in the center of the stone circle.  Now this is
    the part, no matter how good an imagination I have, I could not
    have thought this one up.  The earth where the lamb was placed started
    to pulsate, much like a human heart, full of life and energy.  The
    lamb took to its feet after a bit and strolled off back to her master.
    
    I was astounded and said, "Oh my God, it's living.  My "guardian/guide"
    answered yes, and when I asked what has happened to it now, the
    answer I got was "They have forgotten how to use it."  
    
    I walked away from Stonehenge looking at the crowds with their cameras
    and soda cans, waving and smiling to the people at home on the other
    side of the pictures, and felt very much alone.  I wondered how
    I could help remind people of the living being that Earth was and
    is.... and then came this note.
    
    
    Blessings
    
    Dawna

    I can't wait until I have enough money/vacay time to visit the ancient
    seat of power of Clan Munro - Foulis Castle in Scotland.  Then the
    heritage I have just found will be made clear....
    
    (did anyone see the movie "The Highlander"?  Intense stuff...)
    
    -Jody (M. - middle initial for Munro) Bobbitt
    
    

    Jody,
    I haven't heard of Foulis Castle.  Could you tell us some more about
    it?
    Thanks,
    Mary

Foulis Castle is the home of my ancestors (on my mother's side - her mother
being named Elizabeth Winthrop Monroe).

The origin of the Munros (Clann an Rothaich) is lost in antiquity, but they
emerge definitely into recorded history when Donald, the traditional
founder of the family of Foulis, is said to have received the "land of
Donald" (i.e. Fearainn Domhnuill) from Malcolm II in the eleventh century
for help given in driving out the invading Danes.  His descendent, Hugh
(died 1126) was the first to be designed "Baron of Foulis", a title which
is held by the Chief of the Clan today.

    The Munro Country, our clan territory, lies along the northern shore of
    the Cromarty Firth, between Dingwall and the Alness Water in Scotland.
    It's background is the huge massif of Ben Wyvis, from which the clan
    chiefs could always obtain snow to cool the sovereign's wine, which was
    the only rent required for the tenure of their lands.  The old tower of
    Foulis, built according to tradition in 1154 and still the centre of
    the castle, looks across a stretch of park scenery to the precipitous
    escarpment of the Hill of Fyrish, on the summit of which the
    beacon-fires were kindled when the rallying cry "Caisteal Folais 'n a
    theine" (Foulis Castle ablaze) summoned the Clan to gather.  Within
    these encircling bastions, and bordered on the other side by one of the
    finest natural harbours in the world, lies a fair countryside which is
    worthy of a place in the "Garden of Ross".  It is a territory bearing
    the stamp of the character of the clan - always ready to resist
    predatory aggression (the Clan has held it undiminished against all
    comers for many generations), yet deeply attached to the arts of peace,
    and quick to respond to the call of the wider world beyond the
    homeland. 

The forms of the name Munro recognized as clan members are:  Munro, Monroe,
Munroe, and Monro.  The Septs which are also recognized as members are:
Foulis, Macculloch, Vass, Dingwall, Maclullich, and McCullich.

I assume it is a power-point for all related to its colorful history.  Does
anyone else here know they have an ancestral castle somewhere?

-Jody

    Re .2:
    
    One reason that new religious centers and temples are built on the
    site of old ones is that people think of a certain place as the
    place for the temple.  If they decide to tear it down and build
    a new one, that site is obviously suitable, available, and familiar.
    
    If a new religion has been brought by conquorors, the new rulers
    will probably want to destroy the temples of the old religion, and
    replace them with the new.  Doing it on a historically sacred site
    helps gain acceptance for the new religion.  It also has the effect
    of destroying the place of worship for the old religion.
    
    Elizabeth
    

RE: .3
    
    > Now this is the part, no matter how good an imagination I have,
    > could have thought this one up.
    
    Without taking a stand one way or the other on the veracity of your
    vision, I think that you sell yourself way, way too short.  The
    dullest among us has many times the amount of creativity (=imagination)
    locked deep inside us than the greatest story-teller of history
    has been able to consciously and consistently tap.
    
    In other words -- you will never find anyone who can show you as
    much imagination as you can find if you look deep enough into yourself.
    
    					Topher

RE: .6
    
    Interesting -- out of 10 names (really 5) two immediately struck
    me as associated with psychic exploration.  Robert Monroe the
    well known "psychonaut" (or whatever he terms himself).  And E.J.
    Dingwall, one of the more important psychical researchers (field
    parapsychologists) in the middle part of this century.
    
    						Topher
    

    Oh my doodness dracious me!  Maybe there is a ring of truth in the
    movie "The Highlander" (about paranormal immortals belonging to
    a very special "clan")
    
    -Jody
    
    Oh, by the way, the clan motto is "Dread God"
    
    

I have been fortunate in that I have been able to visit several 
ancient locations.

I had occassion to visit Jerusalem.  It didn't seem to matter which
holy place we visited; they all had a "feeling" about them.  For me,
the Western Wall (ancient Jewish Temple) was the most peaceful place. 
I felt that it was very comfortable for me there.

The Moslem Holy Places (Dome of the Rock) was also quite the place. 
These two places, the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock are really
side by side.  As you look at the hill behind the Western Wall, that
is where the Dome of the Rock is located. 

After Jerusalem, we went to Egypt and stayed in Cairo for a couple of 
days.  While there, we went to visit the pyramids in Giza.  I went in 
two different pyramids.  I didn't really feel much inside the one I 
crawled into.  Also, lots of people etc.

When I was outside in front of the Sphinx, I took a few pictures.  The 
guide said to let me know when I was ready to leave.  I said ok.  I 
really didn't take many pictures there.  For me, it was anti-climatic. 
I realized later that I didn't walk around the Sphinx as I could have. 
It was *very* familiar to me but certainly not a spiritual place like the 
others.

I did go back the next night and take night shots of the pyramids.  
They have what they call a sound and light show.  That was fun.  It 
was even better when they developed ok.

Last year I had occassion to visit China.  Now that for me 
was a real treat.  We were in Hong Kong (shopping) and I convinced my 
mother to join me on a trip to China's mainland.

We left Hong Kong by plane to Shanghai.  As things happen, our plane was
delayed 29 hours!  I noticed a woman speaking English.  She advised me 
where to stay and gave us local currency to get there.  She really 
bailed us out.  You see, they never announced the delay in English.

So, we found ourselves in Shangai for the night.  You could say we got
Shanghai'd.  Next day we were able to arrange a tour guide.  He asked 
us where we wanted to go.  My mom instantly said "The Temple of the 
Jade Buddah."  Now this place is special.  We were only there for a 
few minutes (less than 5) inside the temple area.  But this place just 
emminated a spirital presence.  This temple houses actually two Jade 
Buddah's.  One of them is about 4 feet high and took 80 plus years by 
several craftspeople to carve.  Quite the place.

From Shanghai we went to Beijing.  This is where you arrive to see the 
Great Wall.  My dream was to see the Great Wall with snow on the 
ground.  As it turned out, the reason for the plane delay was that it 
was snowing in Beijing. (WOW).

The next day we visited the Great Wall.  Not a holy place by any 
means.  I ended up shedding some blood there (getting cut on the 
nose). (Karma anyone?)  We also visited the Forbidden City.  Hugh 
place but I didn't get any spiritual energy from the place.

- Howard

    Here in Colo. Springs we have the Garden of the Gods park, which
    is an out cropping of rocks that were used by the Indians for various
    religious ceremonies.  While the beauty of park brings thousands
    of tourists a year, as well as a 10 mile run in the summer.  The
    park by day, as I said previously, is beautiful, but by night the
    park to me takes on a whole new feeling.
    About 8 or 9 years ago there was an eclipse at night (is that lunar?)
    and my wife and I loaded up the truck with the dog and some munchies
    to watch.  The night was clear and still and as the moon turned
    into a crimson sphere our dog started to get very restless.  Thinking
    she needed to go out, we opened the door.  Now Diedra (our dog)
    was the type that as soon as you opened he door...she was gone. Not
    this night!  She cowered on the floor shaking like I've never seen
    her shake.  She refused to go out.  The feeling sitting in that
    park was overpowering...very forceful.  I've gone back to the park
    many times since in the night, and while that feeling of power is 
    still there, it's not like the night of the eclipse.
    
    _stew-

    
    I originally was reading this set of notes because I had an experience
    that I wanted to tell about but the last letter caught my interest.
    When I was about eight or nine my family lived in Conifer Colorado,
    and we visited the Garden of the Gods.  I was always attracted to
    rock formations of this type - for example at Red Rocks.  Anyway
    through the years I've had many dreams where I'm in a strange land.
    The terrain in my dreams comes closest to that of Colorado.  In
    the dreams I look out across a valley with all its interesting rock
    formations and I can't wait to hike out there and climb these things.
    This also strikes me as strange because I am somewhat afraid of
    heights.  
    
    Anyway the story that I really wanted to tell concerning seats of
    power is this:
    
    I now live in Vermont and have often heard about the possibility
    that someone besides Indians were here(America) before Columbus.
    Specifically I heard that the Druids came over from somewhere in
    Great Britain to New England.  I'm not too sure about a lot of this
    information but I heard that the Druids(Celts?) were into human
    sacrifice and such(much of what I heard was from my 'ex'-
    brother-in-law and he was prone to some tall stories, but some books
    on this subject do exist and I understand that someone at Dartmouth
    teaches a course on this and has done research).  Anyway my
    brother-in-law knew where there were some 'stone huts' as he called
    them in South Woodstock, VT.  I was very curious so we decided to
    see them.  They resembled large root cellars but inside the ceiling
    was lined with huge stone slabs that must have weighed a few tons
    apiece.  I got many strange 'vibes' and spine tingles while in these
    huts.  
    
    A couple of months later my wife and I were visiting my sister who
    was then separated from my brother-in-law.  They haad some things
    to do so instead of sitting around I decided to try to find the
    huts again though I had never tried to find them while coming from
    this direction.  I began driving on back roads near my grandparents
    house because my brother in law had said once that my grandparents
    lived "about 8 miles that way"(while we were at the huts).  I really
    had never been on any of these roads in between.  I went through
    about three intersections on these back roads and never took a wrong
    turn.  I drove directly to the huts.  I was instantly scared when
    I got there.  It was raining and gloomy.  And it was very dark it
    the hut.  The only light in the hut was from the doorway and from
    a sort of chimney hole in the roof in the back.  I was scrutinizing
    the walls when I caught an image out of the corner off my eye. 
    It was a large yellow flower(I don't know what kind) sitting on
    a small stone outcropping.  My heart almost stopped beating.  I
    went back to the entrance and I could see the flower fine from there
    and I wondered why I hadn't noticed it upon entering.  I took a
    picture of the flower and a few of the large stone slabs and left.
    
    I'm still left with stange feelings about that day and that place,
    even though there is a house not far from there and anyone could
    have put the flower there.
    
    Oh well, I hope I haven't bored anyone.
    
    guy
    
    

    	If any of you have ever been to the Garden of the Gods in
    	Colorado Springs you know the power that radiates there.
    
    	I have had some *very* powerful meditations at this site,
    	and have felt that I was tapping into a very strong, loving
    	energy, yet it was unfamiliar from what I usually feel from
    	other planes.
    
    	During the warmer months I like to go there for lunch (it's
    	only about 10 minutes from CXO) and it uplifts me to an
    	uncontrollable *high* for the rest of the afternoon (and
    	sometimes evening!).  This makes it difficult to attend
    	meetings, generate reports, and in general, WORK!  *8-)
    
    					Carla
    

    
    	There is a "stone hut" within 5 minutes of the LTN sites, by
    a roadside, if anyone is interested in a "lunchtime fieldtrip".
    Be sure to watch NOVA tonight!
    
    	Joe Jas
    

    Actually, I hadn't thought about it, but there was one place I visited
    where I could have sat serenely for hours, feeling power...
    
    I went to Longwood Gardens (near Philadelphia, PA) and yes, the
    plants and fountains were pretty - but there was one place called
    "the eye of water" (I think that was what it was called), where
    there was this huge pool, and the water surged upwards, crystal
    clear (perhaps it was the central watering point, down from which
    the water ran to the fountains and to water the plants) and there
    was this breathless, dizzy sensation of flying I got when I looked
    into it (although I was probably about 14 at the time).
    
    I took a picture of it, and was still dwelling on it long after
    my parents had strolled off to see what was next.  
    
    -Jody
    

    re: .17
    The eye of water!:-) that thing is great. I grew up about 5 minutes
    from Longwood Gardens and I used to go up there all of the time
    just to stare at that eye. It has always reminded me of the pool
    at Ellewen(sp?), the elven kingdom int "The Lord Of The Rings".
    I think it definitely contains much power. It had the ability to
    hold me captive for hours.
    
    							Geoff

    
    Yes - the eye of water is wonderful to watch.
    
    I lived down in Conshohocken, PA for a couple of years.  Nice part
    of the world.  Philadelphia is probably my favorite city (as cities
    go).
    
    Cindy

    Re: .16
    
    I'd love to know where this place is!  My husband works at one of
    the LTNs, so I'm quite familiar with the general area.  If you don't
    publish directions in this file, please send me MAIL.
    
    Marcia
    
    PS.  I don't own a TV set so I can't catch NOVA.

    
    
         I've also been to Garden of the Gods in Colorado. It was the
    summer before last and myself (from Springfield) and another engineer
    were sent to CXO for a few days. We happened to be staying in a
    motel very close to Garden of the Gods, but something fascinated
    me as soon as I soon as I heard the name. We actually went through
    the park only once but I definitely got very powerful feelings about
    the place. It's somehow awe-inspiring and even today it amazes me.
    
    
    Roy

    -several.
    
        I was unaware of the program on Nova so I missed it.  Where
    in Littleton is the stone hut? Directions anyone.  I work in LJO1
    so I might be able to go for lunch..
    
    MaggieT

    
    	All-                                             
    
    	I'm willing to disclose the location of the "Chamber" in Littleton,
    but I'd like to see those interested "swear" to treat the place
    and surroundings with the upmost *respect* first...There is a house 
    located almost right on top of it and I believe it would be "proper"
    to ask permission there BEFORE the chamber is entered.
    
    	I do not wish to be the cause of anyone's discomfort, should
    the case occur that "unwanted visitors" start dropping by to view the
    stone structure that happens to be in their front yard.
    
    	Send me mail at FLOWER::JASNIEWSKI with a statement of your
    intent and I'll forward the location to you.
                                 
    	Joe Jas
    

    I've visited Mystery Hill in New Hampshire, expecting to be able
    to feel the vibes, etc.  Perhaps it was the day,  or the mood I
    was in,  but  other than being fascinated by the archaeology of
     the place, I felt no special energies.
    
    However,  every time I visit New York  City,  I make a point to
    visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.   Part of their Egyptian
    collection is the actual Temple of Dendura, given to the people
    of the United States by the government of Egypt in thanks for  having
    helped in preserving many Egyptian monuments. (The U.S. gov't. named
    the Met as the museum  to best house the Temple.)  Every time I
    visit there I feel the strangest energies emanating from the Temple.
    It's not easy to meditate in the museum, as there have always been
    scads of people when I've been there, but I try to sit on the stone
    bench directly across from the Temple's front entrance and  just
    think for a while.  Visitors are not allowed to enter the structure,
    which I  find extremely frustrating, as something in my almost compels
    me to go in, but I obey  the rules...
    
    Oddly enough, the energy coming from  the  Temple feels slightly
    'off' to me, almost as if the Temple isn't aligned quite correctly.
    Supposedly it is oriented just a few degrees off of  what it was
    in Egypt (is this making any  sense?), and one person  I spoke with
    suggested that perhaps this is what makes the energy feel not  quite
    right.  There is no 'negativity' to the feeling -  just a tremulous
    kind of vibration to it.
    
    One of my fantasies is  to meditate in  the Temple  itself during
    a full moon.  It's probably the closest I'll ever get to Egypt,
    and I find it very unsettling  to be  denied access to it
    and to always have so much noise surrounding  it.
    
    I don't know if the Temple of Dendura is an 'ancient seat of power',
    but it certainly has some sort of power now.
    
    
    Mary